San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest in the United States and one of the biggest in the world outside Asia. It is one of the city's premier tourist attractions, for its authentic restaurants and tea houses, shopping opportunities and intricate architecture. The area also hosts numerous parades and events, including the large Chinese New Year celebrations. San Francisco is a fascinating city perhaps most known for its history and the Golden Gate Bridge, but its Chinatown should be on every visitor's list.
San Francisco's Chinese New Year Golden Dragon Parade dates to the 1860s and is today one of the last night-lit parades in the United States. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce is in charge of the festival, the largest celebration outside Asia. Every February Chinese town takes on a carnival feel, with street performers and music along the parade route, led by a 75-foot dragon. A new Miss Chinatown is crowned to ride in the parade and it is also televised on local channels. Of course, Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year, so it's important to plan ahead.
Chinatown is packed with shops catering to all needs, including souvenirs, jewelry, apparel and furnishings. The city's blustery days make the Chinatown Kite Shop on Grant Avenue a perfect stop. Women can browse the traditional cheongsam Chinese gowns at Hong Chin Dress Makers on Clay Street or stay for a fitting for a custom made creation (though these can cost several hundred dollars). The Clarion Music Center, at the heart of Chinatown on Sacramento Street, sells plenty of gongs, but also instruments from around the world, like African conga drums and Indian string instruments.
Rambling through Chinatown is one of the best ways to combine shopping, eating, architecture appreciation and people-watching. Grant Avenue has the most intriguing sights and making a circuit via Broadway, Clay and Stockton Streets should give visitors the full flavor of the area. Starting around St. Mary's Square, visitors can see the cathedral built by Chinese masons in the 1850s. Walking north, tourists will find plenty of snack shops and colorful murals and can witness haggling at live fish and bird markets.
