Uncovering the Hidden Wonders of San Francisco Chinatown!

A walking tour of Chinatown in San Francisco California. Chinatown in SF is a unique blend of traditional Chinese culture and modern American life. Located in the heart of the city, it is a popular tourist destination: in fact San Francisco's Chinatown gets more visitors annually than the Golden Gate Bridge.
The history of San Francisco Chinatown dates back to the 1850s, when Chinese immigrants arrived in the city to work on the transcontinental railroad and in the gold mines. Today, San Francisco Chinatown is a bustling neighborhood filled with shops, restaurants, and colorful street markets. Visitors can explore traditional Chinese architecture, such as the Gateway Arch, which marks the entrance to the neighborhood. The streets are lined with traditional lanterns, red banners, and paper mache lions, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
✅ You might enjoy watching my tour of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf: • Exploring San Francisc...
✅ or Pier 39: • Exploring San Francisc...
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[@YellowProductions]

✅ You might enjoy watching my tour of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opOXooOnn6iGepo ✅ or Pier 39: kzbin.info/www/bejne/raKulql5fNiGjqs

[@christopherm5958]

Chris, you're the most upbeat, happy, and fun person I have ever come across. It's so refreshing to listen to your vlogs

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks so much Chris!

[@SeamstressedOut]

Hey! I'm binging all of your SF videos, as I've just started a career as a tour director and I'm leading a tour in March despite never having been to SF. So THANK YOU for all these helpful videos!!!

[@YellowProductions]

Sweet!

[@andriadebose8484]

As someone raised in the Bay Area I will forever love visiting SF. Great workout to start at the bottom of the hill & work your way up the hill. Great hiking, shopping & food!

[@rynobtuna7227]

Thanks for showcasing one of the best neighborhoods in this beautiful city!

[@thefixerer]

POV: SF Native living in Napa who visits frequently At 17:35, The Royal pacific Motor Inn is a great place to stay where you get the best of Northbeach and China Town. They even have free parking and will let you come park and leave your car until your room is ready. Great Dim Sum at the place you looked in at 18:00, Dim Sum Bistro. We had such a great overnight at this hotel in February, we walked all around China town, just down Broadway you've got the Embarcadero, Exploratorium and Pier 7 and we had some cheeky fun with the free exhibit outside the Exploratorium. For Dinner In Northbeach, We loved Betty Lou's Seafood and Grill followed by cappuccinos and cannoli at Stella Pastry. Can't wait to go again!

[@francisadams-u9l]

I love shopping at stores in Chinatown. The grocery stores and the stores that sell steamers, woks, pots, pans, and other cooking tools are all so inexpensive. The Chinatown stores in Oakland, and the 2nd Chinatown farther down one street over from Geary Street are also good places to go shopping.

[@harveybridges5866]

I love San Francisco & owned Harvey's Pet Supply on Grant Avenue. Miss the asian pastry gae mae bow🎉🎉🎉

[@lizswinney2637]

In the 60s my family used to walk China town. It was very busy and safe. We would go into the stores. My little brother loved the wooden pop guns. My best memory is the sounds. The wind chimes were all over. I loved them, I fact now at age 68 I have 3 that remind me of those good times.

[@cyrillgotz6509]

Great video, Chris! As usual. Will be visiting California and Oregon in July. Greetings from Switzerland🇨🇭

[@kiransharma7848]

Thanks for sharing this very interesting walking China town tour. ❤

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Kiran!

[@philvie]

Great tour of Chinatown Chris, I remember the smell of the fortune cookie shop from a block away, heavenly.

[@YellowProductions]

Mmmm

[@roxas896]

Cool. I really enjoyed the video tour. Thank you for sharing. 😃

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Roxa!

[@JillLaRocheWikel]

Planning a trip to San Francisco this fall - I love your videos! Upbeat, funny, and full of info. Thanks for getting me excited to travel!

[@johnsantos3574]

San Tung in the sunset is very good!

[@SausalitoVicki]

Hi Chris, I just love your videos! You are so much fun!

[@SAM-dm5qg]

Thank You For Sharing ❤

[@markcummings3146]

Visiting San Francisco and staying just out of China town in June, so this was perfect timing. I must say it's bigger and different to how I imagined it, hoping to wander through, take some pictures and enjoy some cuisine. Thanks as always for your content Chris.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Mark! Yeah. It's big and sprawling! Most Chinatowns around the world tend to be contained to a single street or few blocks

[@edgargee408]

Beautiful culture and people 🙏

[@jameshiga8077]

Hi Chris. Thank you for the great and informative walking tour of SF Chinatown. Take care.

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure!

[@psfca]

Thanks for visiting...great travel vlog

[@YellowProductions]

Thank you too

[@danielleporter1829]

My sister and I walked through Chinatown in SF in 2016 and went into The Michael gallery I believe. I got a few souvenir tshirts and a Tote bag that says SF and a couple of other little souvenirs. We took pics at the gate and in the Gallery. We were in San Francisco in early Nov 2016 for a concert of the group, Il Divo that I like. We stayed two blocks from Union Square on Sutter St. We had a ball for the three days over that Veterans day weekend.

[@janetboylan6059]

I love your videos. So informative for really useful information about washrooms, parking etc! Maybe add a bit more about public transit and getting around?

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Janet ;)

[@korenng5553]

Grew up here in the early 50s...thanks for a great tour - moved 2001 to Las Vegas Siena Summerlin.

[@YellowProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@songshancat6554]

Really nice video, and really fun to listen to your narration.

[@YellowProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brendamclean8447]

This was super fun to watch! Such a pretty and cool Chinatown!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Brenda!

[@bballerforever]

My favorite places to visit in Chinatown: 1) Bruce Lee exhibit at the Chinese Historical Society of America, on Clay Street several blocks uphill from Portsmouth Square 2) Good Mong Kok - takeout dim sum on Stockton St. 3) Fortune cookies - GG Fortune Cookie Co. is iconic but there’s controversy about who invented the fortune cookie (Japanese guy in San Francisco, someone in L.A., etc.)

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@kathieharine5982]

Very nice. Thank you.

[@carefulconsumer8682]

Always great.

[@LucasStudio]

Thanks for sharing :)

[@TrendwayBuilders]

I just visited San Francisco and Chinatown. The places you visited are also where we walked by during our short visit. It is fun to review them with you

[@MiLordTony]

Wow... i don't need to go to visit Chinatown anymore ... i've seen it all :). New Sub here!

[@heatherangellight8558]

Thanks so much for this! My husband is from SF and Chinese so we really loved seeing our old stomping grounds since we don’t live there for a long time and haven’t been back for four years. We know a lot of stores you passed and his sister owns the biggest herb shop where your buses even bring people to get healthful products.

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure heather!

[@Jeannified]

This video is so fantastic, Chris! So glad you shared it with us! It’s nice to see a good, positive video on San Francisco these days! I love China Town, but haven’t been there in years! The next time I go, I will definitely visit it again. It is a lot bigger than I thought. By the way, when did you film this?

[@cailarchitectatopks]

It was your lucky day to see Golden Gate Bakery open. The late time I saw them opened I messed up the return flight date by 24 hours and missed the flight.

[@darrylk808]

Thanks for taking me through SF Chinatown. I live 15 miles away and used to go all the time. I haven't been to SF for over 4 years. Don't want a broken car window.😂😂

[@YellowProductions]

That's why I parked at the police station 😉

[@darrylk808]

@@rick03168 the news had a story in broad daylight an SUV was stopped at a light with driver, and someone busted the back window and stole packages and ran off... Also, the garages aren't safe either. Fisherman's wharf, Sutter/Stockton has break-ins during the day.

[@jamescoe4765]

The fortune cookie was invented and first made by the Japanese Gardener who gave them to the City Council in gratitude for saving the now famous Japanese Gardens from demolition after the World's Fair was held in SF many years ago.

[@Thomas116-m2n]

1:23. The Grant Plaza Hotel is a great location. Very helpful staff. It's not luxury by any means but it is clean, comfortable, and affordable.

[@bensonlook3890]

Thanks Chris for the tour. I was born in Hawaii in 1959. Moved the the California Bay Area back in 1981. Now relocated to Minnesota for work in 2021. Your videos of San Francisco and Hawaii always brings me back to home in both areas. Keep it up.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks benson!

[@58nomad]

If you haven't attended the Chinese new year parade you must try to make it. It's awesome

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks for the tip nomad!

[@username-hs3pc]

20:22 haha the famous loveable and loud chinese fish workers

[@Spaghetti_policy]

Chinatown used to be a lot bigger. It’s pretty much down to one street. Man I miss these old ethnic neighborhoods.

[@heliumchaser]

Thank you Chris for this tour. My Mom and I visited last fall and you took us through the exact places we visited! It was a lovely reminder of our trip! :)

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks!

[@99999myk]

Geary st bus will take you right there. I lived in the Richmond District which turned out to be the best neighborhood I ever lived in.

[@alexwallace6120]

Thanks for the tour. I've been going to San Francisco since 1985,and have been there 10 times, and didn't visit Chinatown or North Beach. I must return.

[@YellowProductions]

Right on!

[@maryfabay3890]

I will be there soon china town los Angeles California

[@purplefishdesigns]

Love San Francisco - can’t wait to get back there! It was interesting to see how many people were wearing face masks. Was this filmed a little while ago?

[@YellowProductions]

Filmed about a month ago. So not that long ago

[@pinterest9302]

A​ mixing of​ America​n​ and​ Hong Kong atmosphere Perfect​ mixture ;pleasing to​ see​ and​ enjoy ;hope​ to​ go there​ again.Thank you​ for​ your​ guidance I​ greatly appreciate

[@debferguson7354]

Chinatown Grant St is for tourist shopping area plus restaurants too. Surprisingly the Streets looks pretty clean. Stockton St is for Chinese people grocery shopping St. I do miss to eating all our famous Chinese foods and dim sum. I was lived there for a few years back in early 90’s. It’s killing me seeing all the goodies but I can’t eat them lol 😂

[@JackSlaughter-l9z]

Awesome video but it's a shame you missed Portsmouth Square. SO much history in that square and the reputed center of the original Yerba Buena. I'm the author of the Jack Slaughter Thrillers series, set in San Francisco. My protagonist is from Little Italy and currently living back in the area. The most recent book was just released and set in Chinatown. I enjoyed the walk and will be visiting again in the new year.

[@hungsingkwoonusa650]

what do you mean? he walked through portsmouth square....how did you miss that

[@kemberleeshortland3471]

@@hungsingkwoonusa650 I went back and rewatched. He blew through the square and didn't give it a name, and he didn't talk about any of the history, which is significant. He also completely missed the fortune cookie factory which is just off the corner of the square where he exited. Fortunate cookies were invented in SF.

[@hopeworldstudio]

I can easily walk both Chinatown and North Beach (Little Italy) neighborhoods in one day. I recommend it if you are short on time.

[@brndn_music]

House of Nanking is my favorite Chinese restaurant in SF Chinatown.

[@hopeworldstudio]

This place is always busy ❤

[@subaruamazon]

ny recommendations for Italian rest on north beach neighborhood or Chinese restaurants in the allys of chinatown thx. coming from nj want to avoid tourist eateries.

[@sweeney0558]

GREAT TOUR THANKS

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Linda!

[@christopherm5958]

Chris Im visiting Bath England soon where a friend, who teaches fine arts at the University. I Then am going to visit Bruges for a few days. Have you been to either? Apparently, Bruges looks like a fairytale.

[@YellowProductions]

Hi Chris, sorry but no. Haven't been to either of those spots yet!

[@MikeCohenSF]

San Sun restaurant at Washington Street & Ross Alley is my usual go-to place when I'm in Chinatown. They have a huge menu, it's good & clean, and reasonably priced. You shouldn't be driving to Chinatown - I haven't driven or owned a car in the 12 years I've lived here. The city is pretty walkable and Muni can get you to most places. Now that the Central Subway & Chinatown Station is open, it's even easier to get to Chinatown.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks for the tip on San Sun.. I was driving because I was driving from Orange County to get to SF.. So I had to do something with my car 😀

[@toadsage]

I'll be in San Francisco in July for a conference, but I won't be free until 5 each day. Do you think there will be anything to experience at Chinatown at this time, or should I just pick something else to do?

[@YellowProductions]

July is summer time so it's still daylight so I think you'll still find it an interesting walk through

[@jamesamala7371]

in summer most shops are open a bit later than usual due to increased daylight but the smaller side shops you see coming through the tunnel have inconsistent hours due to them being family owned and often influenced by street traffic (and on hotter days, there's a lot less)

[@hopeworldstudio]

I would still check it out, plus you can head to North Beach (Little Italy) afterwards. The neighborhoods border each other. Use Washington Square or Tony's restaurants as a landmark.

[@guerillawerks]

Can't believe you blew past the most iconic bookstore in America. City Lights Bookstore.

[@ThreeLions82]

I remember it from Big Trouble In Little China

[@etherdog]

Chris, you walked right by the famous and historicd City Lights Books and didn't even mention it?!

[@aracnealbarran7228]

I was wondering if the Amtrak station is too far from Chinatown? 😅

[@hopeworldstudio]

There are sfmta parking garage fyi. $3 - $4 per hour i think?

[@juliettvigil1962]

San Francisco has to vote red to fixed the city.

旧金山哪里提供最好的点心？

[@YellowProductions]

Palette Tea House

[@griswald7156]

It looks very safe down there….

[@stephanschmitz9037]

Wir waren im mai 22 dort. Auf diesem Weg nochmal danke an Chris für die Tipps günstig zu parken in San Francisco ( von Video 24 Stunden in San Francisco)

[@kabardarialamgaib1449]

Hello sir, I just migrated to Berkeley and it's my first time in SF. Can you advise how I got to china town SF from downtown Berkeley? I'm in wheelchair.

[@jamesamala7371]

youve probably already figured it out by now but if you can get to cal Berkeley and take bart theres a line that goes from Berkeley to market street, and then you could either take a cable car up or take muni

[@catalystv7520]

As you mentioned, worst part of San Fransisco is that everywhere closes up early in the city. 8pm latest but most business close by 6pm which is ridiculous

[@JuliaBGK]

We're going to San Francisco in early June. Of course we want to go to Chinatown. Is it safe to walk around there when it gets dark?

[@YellowProductions]

I'd say Chinatown is mostly a daytime visit. Most of the shops are closed at night

[@hopeworldstudio]

I've never had a problem. Just check restaurant hours so you don't get disappointed. Check it out North Beach afterwards ❤️

[@Richardrockeller]

Ami mi bello san francisco

[@livecamtravel8386]

Chinatown is safe?

[@hopeworldstudio]

There's a new Chinese Railroad Workers museum that opened up.

[@detlefheubach5843]

❤👍❤👍❤👍❤👍❤👍❤👍❤👍❤

[@random1883]

8:59 Portsmouth Square Garage is $4 per hour.

[@janicebolosan119]

This was so hard to watch!! You missed a lot of the history, architecture and the buildings. Old St. Mary's Church was not mentioned and you passed it. Also there is another Fortune Cookie Factory on Stockton St. What about the oldest restaurants in Chinatown?

[@rr7firefly]

Sushi restaurant and kimono shop? Aren't both of those Japanese not Chinese? // One block west of Grant Street is the Chinatown for local residents: Stockton Street. There you can find small grocery stores, fish markets, bakeries and various stores that do not cater to tourists. I always liked going there to patronize small businesses and to get a taste of authenticity.

[@hopeworldstudio]

The kim + ono shop does sell kimino looking silk robes (polyester blend available too) but they are owned and designed by Chinese American sisters.

[@lukaskamin755]

So, you mean these fortune cookies are not authentic Chinese thing, but rather an Chinese-American thing invented in SF? 😮

[@YellowProductions]

Yes 😀

[@melbaker9495]

I live in the city but have'nt been to Ross Alley in years. The Fortune oookie factory has changed. Instead of a store, it used to be just a five foot space to stand in next to a woman folding the oookies as they came out of the machine. You put your money in the jar for the size of a package you wanted. You could get brooken cookies without fortunes for next to nothing. It still looks fun, but I'm a bit sad that it's become a bit more commercial. I'll have to take the 8 Stockton and check it out and by some Moon cakes nearby.

[@hopeworldstudio]

The landlord has increased their rent by thousands of dollars per month, so I don't mind paying $10 every once in a while for a bag of cookies made by hand /locally.

[@coachrj2651]

Umm the waving cats means something else in Amsterdam 😂😂😂

[@valerianthemackiii5896]

🤔 - Chris weren't you in Korea yesterday?

[@YellowProductions]

I am currently in Japan. But I never post videos where I'm traveling other than shorts, as it takes time to edit! ;)

[@hopeworldstudio]

You covered so much while walking! Not easy to shoot video and narrate at the same time.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks hopeworld!

[@ohmai3706]

Sad to see that even Chinatown's not immune to homeless people... Another awesome video, Yellow Productions!

[@Phlegethon]

Flagstaff is great if you see a cat wondering around

[@lapchurng]

Good exercise

[@ktchelseafamily3314]

Cute

[@Mike-ox2iy]

Last thing I remember hearing about SF was all the tech millionaires driving the price of everything way up and all the middle and working class had to leave as it became unaffordable. Is it because there is only extreme wealth and extreme poverty now ? Is this the future of all of america ?

[@Anekiii]

Also invented JACK BURTON! ME!

[@stevenvicijan4338]

Better than walking through Hong Kong corridors.

[@reyinfante5553]

What a shame that you just passed by the Old St. Mary's Cathedral without saying a word. It is the first Cathedral in California.

[@baldylocc64]

First place they prayed on kids😢

[@ccxfrank109]

Boohoo

[@rp4485]

Oh lord Jesus it’s a Fahrrr…!!!

[@SquidInkPasta]

No surprise. This guy probably doesn’t believe

[@bani_niba]

Geez, so empty. Businesses must be having a tough time.

[@orangeinferno]

Golden Gate FCF is NOT the inventor of the fortune cookie. Nor are they the first. Also some other stuff that bugs me: Bruce Lee is an SF native, fact completely ignored when mentioning him. Kimonos and sushi place are japanese. The park he walks through was the original town square of San Francisco’s original colony (Yerba Buena) and is also where the gold rush was announced. All of these interesting facts are completely ignored for obvious things. Like we can see what these are. None of these are hidden. He completely ignores actual hidden gems of the town and just states the obvious.

[@invecedidormire1]

GRANT AVENUE!

[@AprilSixth]

14:46 …did you say PIGEONS?!?

[@kenmachau7111]

What a ca. China town .street there’s not many people around,feel sorry for business there.how they pay rent

[@Rosemary-fu3hj]

We went to china town a creapy guy swung a sword at us. We were teenagers

[@kenlam-ij6ts]

I think New York Chinatown is bigger than San Francisco Chinatown

[@sifamushi1747]

🥰❤💯🤍💚💛🧡❤👏👏👏👍👍👍

[@SittComani]

damn, sad to see, wheres everybody at, use to be bustlin'

[@YellowProductions]

Indeed

[@hopeworldstudio]

He's probably here on a weekday, it's still busy on weekends ❤

[@benjaminsamuel2740]

What's. The main reason for sf to be so empty? Crime or the unbearable cost of living? Or both? I used to sing the song and wanted to visit.. But no longer.. I just came home from sydney Chinatown.. It was packed and difficult to walk. People everywhere.. All restaurants are full

[@jamesamala7371]

video seems to be taken later in the afternoon, most tourists show up in the spring or around morning/noon

[@hopeworldstudio]

Weekends are busy. Regular people are working ❤

[@swong751]

Unfortunately, you only mention what you see ... did you know there were sweatshops and other dwellings below ground? Entrance can be seen from the front of the buildings and often escape exits (or entrances) are between buildings in the back or side...

[@AlwaysHope_]

Nice to know because I’m going there around the end of this month. Anything else I should look for? Ty

[@captainhighbury1806]

Even in china town so manu stores are shut. Very sad to see that.