San Francisco Chinatown
A dragon-studded entry gate, bustling, noisy 
alleys carved through the grid of city blocks in the 1870s to create more space to accommodate an ever-growing population, brightly painted chinoiserie buildings, goods of every kind, some ordinary, some exotic, spilling out of small shops, restaurants serving flavorful, exotic dishes, the sound of Chinese language, paper lanterns hanging from balconies, signs with Chinese characters, sidewalk vendors selling things from crates - this is the San Francisco Chinatown, a truly sensory experience. Some of it is real, some of it touristy, all of it irresistibly intriguing.
If this sounds a somewhat intimidating, check out the several guided walking tours of Chinatown offered through Trusted Tours & Attractions, some of which include tasting Chinese specialties along the way. If you go it alone, walk along Grant Street, the center of town, and duck into alleyways along the way. The painted facades of Waverly Place are a must see, and a visit to Tin How Temple, honoring the goddess of sailors and sojourners, is well worth the four story climb. Be sure to try some dim sum at one of the many restaurants along the way.
The San Francisco Chinatown is the oldest chinatown districts in the United States. It was originally established in the 1850's during the California gold rush and expansion. The San Francisco Chinatown is one of the most important Chinese centers outside of China.
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