KILLED - San Francisco Chinatown Tour: Through the Dragon's Gate

Highlights

  • - Visit the most interesting spaces and places in San Francisco's Chinatown with a local expert

  • - Discover the local culture including explanations about intriguing Chinese customs and traditions

  • - Indulge on warm fortune cookies at the famed Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory and take special treats home

  • - Pause at local businesses including a visit to a traditional apothecary and beloved bakery

  • - Gather excellent eating recommendations from the best "strictly locals" Dim Sum to spicy Sichuan stops

Summary

In the company of an expert local, get to know one of the most intriguing spaces in the United States - San Francisco's legendary Chinatown. Hailed as the largest and oldest enclave of Chinese people, customs, and traditions outside of Asia, a few hours spent wandering through the bazaar-esque streets is considered essential when visiting San Francisco. 

Tour info

Duration
1 hour 30 minutes
Group Size
20
Pricing (From)
Adult: (15-99 years)
$32.00
Child: (2-14 years)
$27.00
Infant: (0-1 years)
$0.00
Commentary
Meeting Point

Chinatown Tour, 10 Mark Lane, San Francisco, California , 94108, US

Dropoff location

Chinatown Tour, Broadway at Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, US

Why take this tour?

As the largest Chinese enclave outside of Asia and the oldest in North America, your personal local will weave you through the most vibrant spaces and lesser-known sites. Take in the small bakeries, peek into a traditional Eastern pharmacy to see the various herbs and medicinal powders, and stop by the legendary Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory for insight into the art of fortune cookie making! Not only will you be able to try warm cookies just off the machine, but you will also take home a personalized treat just for you!

Begin your tour just outside the Dragon Gate, where this traditional "Paifang" style entrance flocked by two Imperial guardian lions (shishi) protects the southern entrance into a land where wonder greets history. It is here your guide will set the stage - quickly dissecting the symbolism within its concrete. 

As you begin your journey into the heart of the neighborhood, learn of the flood of immigration in the mid-19th century (and why!), the thriving businesses that post up on these streets, and all the vice that followed. As you visit the sites of significance such as Old St. Mary's Cathedral and Waverly Place, your local guide will divulge the sometimes "too incredible to believe" stories and factual history paving the way for Chinatown's significance not only in San Francisco but the story of the United States. 

With visits to some modern stores beloved by locals while keeping their foot in the traditional past, visit a local apothecary, a shop selling essentials of the afterlife, and a few of the "strictly locals" spots for dim sum, Sichuan, and Cantonese cuisine. Cap your time with a visit to the famed Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory where warm treats await you! See these handmade cookies come off the oven and take home a custom treat just for you!

As you weave your way to the closing of the tour, your guide will prepare you for your evening - departing at the crossroads of three “foodie” neighborhoods where you can easily walk to some incredible places to enjoy dinner based on their experience and local knowledge.

Sites Visited: 
  • Dragon Gate
    Grant Avenue (main street of Chinatown)
    Old St Mary's Cathedral and Square
    Chinese Bakery
    Chinese Pharmacy
    Waverly Place
    Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
    Alleyways of Chinatown

What’s included?

  • Local English-speaking guide

  • Expertly guided walking tour

  • Food tasting - Fortune Cookie

  • Custom Made Fortune Cookies

  • Gratuities

Things to know

Before you book

  • Due to San Francisco's natural inclines and declines, this tour is difficult for those in wheelchairs. Motorized wheelchairs can be accommodated.

  • Walks comply with all local government regulations. You may need to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination to enter certain venues. Please refer to San Francisco government guidelines for the most up to date information

Before you go

  • This tour is conducted in English only.

  • This is a walking tour. While there are stops along the way, guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.

  • The tour meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the tour start time. No refunds or re-bookings can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows after tour commencement or departure.

  • Due to San Francisco's natural inclines and declines, this tour is difficult for those in wheelchairs. Motorized wheelchairs can be accommodated.

  • Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.

  • Walks comply with all local government regulations. You may need to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination to enter certain venues. Please refer to San Francisco government guidelines for the most up to date information

Covid Policy

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands

Cancellation Policy

    Cancellations received greater than 72 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 72 hours of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after tour departure.

Redemption information

    Mobile tickets will be accepted


    Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption

About operator:

Walks (takewalks.com, walksofitaly.com) began over a decade ago (2008, to be exact) in Rome, Italy. We quickly became the premier walking tour company in 7 countries - Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Greece, and Portugal. Our US cities include San Francisco, NYC, Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans.

In 2021, we joined The Hornblower Group (cityexperiences.com) expanding our reach and working alongside this powerhouse travel brand.

Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...

Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.