[TimeOut] The 15 best things to do in Chinatown, San Francisco
Photograph: Rebeca Anchondo/Flickr
From art galleries to the best dim sum you'll ever eat, there's endless things to do in ChinatownWritten by Lauren Sheber & Clara HoganTuesday April 18 2023
It’s not a visit to San Francisco without a trip to Chinatown. This is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States, and it’s well worth exploring. In fact, you’re going to need a full guide to experience all there is to experience here. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of time to fit it all in with a bit of a plan – and that’s where we come in. We’ve pulled together the top things to do in Chinatown SF, from incredible dim sum to magical tea shops, and art galleries to wild karaoke bars. Chinatown is full of surprises, including a two-story marketplace and some seriously quirky cocktail bars. So hop on a MUNI bus straight to the Dragon’s Gate and get stuck in. For seriously good food and lots of culture, read on for our list of the best things to do in San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Since 1965, this center has been devoted to sharing the culture of Chinatown through public art. The CCC manages two galleries and puts on three music festivals a year. The main gallery location is on the third floor of the Hilton Hotel, where rotating exhibits feature well-known and emerging contemporary artists. In addition to its galleries and street art installations, the center organizes regular walking tours through Chinatown ($40 for 3 hours). The insider’s trek includes visits to the oldest Taoist temple in the country, an herbal pharmacy, and more. It concludes with lunch at a local dim sum restaurant.
