Location: Chinatown
Top Things to do in Chinatown
10 Shopping in Chinatown That You Shouldn't Miss
Every neighborhood in San Francisco has its own personality, from the hippie chic of the Upper Haight to the hipster grit of the Mission. The Marina district boasts trendy bistros and postcard-perfect views of the Golden Gate Bridge, while Noe Valley offers quaint and quiet boutiques. Wave hello to the sea lions at Pier 39, and sample local cheese and charcuterie at the Ferry Building. Sit in on a yoga session in Dolores Park or marvel at the Dutch Windmill across from Ocean Beach.
Restaurants in San Francisco
1. Juno
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Traveler_Travis_M - San Francisco, United States
Outstanding Jewelry and Rock Shop. Simon was most helpful in helping me find exactly what I wanted, and showed off bits of his collection.
2. Red Blossom Tea Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
For over 30 years our family has cultivated relationships with farmers and craftsmen in China and Taiwan to import the best tea and teaware we can find. Today, we carry on this legacy, seeking sustainable and artisanal products while striving to make traditional tea culture approachable to everyone. Red Blossom Tea Company is based out of our Grant Avenue shop in San Francisco's vibrant Chinatown community. We have a selection of nearly 100 teas, three tea demonstration tables, and an extremely knowledgeable and helpful staff to guide you. We offer complimentary tastings for quality verification (with the purchase of tea), as well as full tasting flights for a more in-depth experience. We invite you to come taste and learn with us.
3. Vital Tea Leaf
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By dunadan - Lynnwood, United States
Our small family took a food tour of Chinatown and North Beach, a tea tasting at Vital Tea Leaf was part of the tour, and it was one of my favorite parts of the entire experience. Now, I love tea--I have several cups every day--but I have never been a big fan of Chinese tea, and green tea in general. While the tea we tasted was good quality tea properly prepared, it wasn't my personal favorite. However, what made the experience so good was the friendly and knowledgeable woman who provided the service for our entire group. She explained each type of tea she was brewing, the method used to brew it, and the conditions and ailments that the tea was well-suited to treat. She did this in a whirlwind fashion, talking nearly non-stop while brewing up several (seven?) different teas and serving our group of 12 while dealing with an occasional non-tour customer. It was pretty amazing.
4. City Lights Booksellers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,009 reviews
Famous bookstore founded and still owned by Beat Generation poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti.
Reviewed By Mr_Daniel_Canada - Auckland Central, New Zealand
We headed to City Lights in June 2019 on a recent trip to San Francisco due to its place in history as one of the cornerstones of the Beat movement. And while the store does hold a candle for this part of its history, making sure it always has copies of Howl on hand, in 2019 it serves as so much more than a last bastion of the Beat movement. When we went there, we found a vibrant and relevant bookstore with a great selection of books ranging from children's books through to books tackling the history of native Americans from Wounded Knee through to current era, alongside the range of Beat works the store is known for. Overall, City Lights is a great store to ramble through and see what random books take your eye. Do yourself a favour, pop in, peruse the shelves, and buy some books for the flight!
5. Chinese Culture Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1965, and is dedicated to elevating underserved communities and giving voice to equality through education and art. We are based in San Francisco's Chinatown, with our work in San Francisco's public spaces and other art institutions. Visitors are also welcome to book our 5-star rated Chinatown Walking Tour, stop by the CCC Visual Art Center to view the ongoing exhibition, ask for self-guided maps of Chinatown, and to get an overview of all the public art and art happenings in Chinatown. CCC also manages a off-site community art space, 41 Ross. About the CCC Chinatown Walking Tours Join CCC on an inspiring walking tour that explores unsung Chinese American heroes that contributed to civil rights in America. Mix it up with tea tasting, sampling seasonal fruit, an atmospheric temple for a truly unique experience. Tours depart every Thurs, Fri at 1:30pm, Saturday at 10:00am, custom dates available.
6. Oriental Treasures San Francisco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
7. Long Boat Jewelry
8. Vital Tea Leaf
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By cherylsV7963PF
Sat down for a tea tasting at Vital Tea. We had a great time. We were able to sample many different teas. The man explained about the art of brewing tea and the many ways that tea helps you stay healthy and balanced. This is a free event and not to be missed!
9. Golden Gate Fortune Cookies Co
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 543 reviews
Reviewed By ochump
Took my friend to visit where they make the fortune cookies in Chinatown. It's a small historical place where you can sample fresh cookies right off the cookie machine. It's a great place to get your fortune cookies fresh.
10. Canton Bazaar
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By brlittle - Winston Salem, United States
Great little shop on Grant Ave in Chinatown. Very friendly staff and also helpful in looking for that just right piece for a Christmas gift back home. Several levels of shopping so give yourself more than just a few minutes to take it all in. Only complaint is that all of the stuff seemed to be made in Chin... Oh--wait a minute--never mind. :)
