Chinatown: The Real Deal

There are many diverse neighborhoods around the city of San Francisco. One of its most famous is Chinatown. There is something about the ambience and atmosphere, the smells, sights, and sounds that make the food here so appealing. A trip to San Francisco should include at least one meal from one of the more than one hundred restaurants in this area.

Not only will you find great food here, but you will also find a vast wealth of architectural beauty that will take your breath away. Aside from being stunningly beautiful, many of these buildings have a rich history. Some of the more traditional Chinese buildings in this area are the Bank of Canton, the Sing Chong Building (which was destroyed during the earthquake of 1906 and rebuilt), and the Bank of America building which has 60 dragon medallions on its façade, Golden dragons adorn the rest of the building's exterior.

When visiting Chinatown, you will find there are 8 streets: Clay, Commercial, Grant, Jackson, Pine, Sacramento, Stockton, and Washington and 11 alleys: Beckett, Hang Ah, Joice, Old Chinatown Lane, Ross, Spofford, Stark, St. Louis Place, Walter U. Lum Place, Waverly, and Wentworth. In the nooks and crannies of these streets and alleyways you will find herbal shops, gift shops, restaurants, and all of the sights and sounds that make San Francisco's Chinatown a unique destination.

The heart of Chinatown is Portsmouth Square. It is the start of this section of the city and has grown and expanded. It is the area where you will find monuments and the celebrations of the Oriental Community of San Francisco. This is an historical area as well as an area where you will shops and restaurants.

This is a great area of the city to explore. Make sure you plan your day so you will have plenty of time to explore the streets and alleys. Do not forget to bring your appetite. Children will also enjoy a trip to this area of the city. There are numerous items that will appeal to them in the shops along the way.

The original area of Chinatown is one of the city's most visited attractions. It is an important gateway to the past as it represents an important segment of the history of San Francisco, this country, and immigration to America. You will be able to gain a greater perspective of a segment of American history when you explore Chinatown.

As you are exploring Chinatown, the smells drifting from the many restaurants will be tempting. To round out your visit, you should have a meal and you may come back just for the food. 

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