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Chinatown, San Francisco: Food and Culture Self-guided Audio Tour

1 Review 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| San Francisco, USA
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from $6.99 per person

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.
60 to 75 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Fortune cookies, dim sum and hidden alleys: eat your way through the oldest Chinatown in North America with a local. David Hu, a 5th-generation Chinese American who grew up in San Francisco, leads you to his favourite bakeries and secret corners, sharing the stories of the people who built this neighbourhood. Stop, enjoy the food and continue at your own pace - all food at your own cost.

-Watch fortune cookies folded by hand and discover their surprising Japanese American roots
-Grab dim sum at Good Mong Kok, egg tarts at Wong Lee and mooncakes at Eastern Bakery
-Wander Ross Alley and Waverly Place, once home to gambling dens and temples
-Hear how Bruce Lee was born here, and how the Chinese Exclusion Act shaped Chinatown
-35 stops, 1.2 miles, about 1 to 1.5 hours with time to snack and shop

Starts at the Dragon Gate on Grant Ave & Bush St. Food is paid for separately. Redeem your code in the VoiceMap app before you go. GPS-triggered audio, offline maps and unlimited use.

What's Included

  • Lifetime access to this tour in English
  • VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Transportation
See 1 moreSee 4 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

413 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108, USA

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

651 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94108, USA

The last stop on our tour is St Mary’s Square.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Dragon's Gate (pass by)

Start at the Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue, where David, a 5th-generation Chinese American who grew up in San Francisco, welcomes you to the oldest Chinatown in North America. Hear how this neighbourhood grew from a handful of Gold Rush settlers.
Read more

Old Saint Mary's Cathedral (pass by)

See California’s first cathedral, built in 1854 by Chinese labourers. Look up at the clock tower’s stern warning, “Son, observe the time and fly from evil”, aimed at the brothels and gambling dens that once surrounded it.
Read more

Canton Bazaar (pass by)

Browse one of Grant Avenue’s classic emporiums, packed with porcelain, jade, silk and souvenirs. David shares tips on what’s worth buying, and how shops like this helped turn Chinatown into a tourist destination after the 1906 earthquake.
Read more

Waverly Place (pass by)

Turn onto Waverly Place, the “street of painted balconies”, where colourful temples and family association halls sit above the shops. Discover the role these associations played in protecting Chinese immigrants in a hostile city.
Read more

Clay Street (pass by)

Bruce Lee's Chinatown: Hear how the world’s most famous martial artist was born right here in San Francisco’s Chinatown in 1940, and the ties that kept Bruce Lee connected to the neighbourhood as he rose to become a global icon.
Read more

Chinese Historical Society of America (pass by)

Pass the museum housed in a 1932 building designed by Julia Morgan, architect of Hearst Castle. Learn how the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 shut America’s doors to Chinese immigrants, and how families found ways around it.
Read more

Ross Alley (pass by)

Stroll through Ross Alley, uncovering hidden corners and historical anecdotes as you traverse the narrow passages that hold the secrets of Chinatown's past.
Read more

Golden Gate Fortune Cookies Co (pass by)

Watch fortune cookies being folded by hand at this tiny Ross Alley factory. Find out the surprising truth about where fortune cookies really came from, a story with roots in San Francisco’s Japanese American community.
Read more

Good Mong Kok Bakery (pass by)

Join the line at one of Chinatown’s best-loved dim sum takeaways. Grab steamed pork buns, shrimp dumplings and more to eat on the go, with David’s tips on what to order. Food is paid for separately.
Read more

Wong Lee Bakery (pass by)

Stop at this neighbourhood bakery for traditional Chinese baked goods, from flaky egg tarts to sweet buns. A perfect snack as you continue walking, and a taste of everyday Chinatown life.
Read more

Portsmouth Square (pass by)

ause at “Chinatown’s living room”, where locals gather to play cards and chess. This is also where San Francisco began: the American flag was raised here in 1846, and news of the Gold Rush was shouted from this square in 1848.
Read more

Eastern Bakery (pass by)

Visit one of the oldest bakeries in Chinatown, famous for its mooncakes. Learn what these rich pastries mean during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and pick one up to try for yourself.
Read more

The Wok Shop (pass by)

Pass by The Wok Shop, a culinary haven that supplies woks to professionals, community members, and food enthusiasts alike, showcasing the kitchen essentials that fuel the culinary heartbeat of Chinatown.
Read more

Chinatown Kite Shop (pass by)

Explore the Chinatown Kite Shop, an iconic establishment offering handmade Chinese dragon kites and more, blending cultural artifacts with artistic creations.
Read more

St. Mary's Square (pass by)

End your tour at St Mary's Square, where you can reflect on the rich tapestry of experiences, cultural discoveries, and gastronomic delights encountered on your journey through San Francisco's Chinatown.
Read more
Show 14 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Chinatown, San Francisco: Food and Culture Self-guided Audio Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-110804P634

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
1 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
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3 stars
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2 stars
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Chinatown, San Francisco: Food and Culture Self-guided Audio Tour?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PST).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English.
  • VoiceMap app for Android and iOS.
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata.
The following is NOT included:
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route.
  • Smartphone and headphones.
  • Transportation.
  • Food and drink.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 6..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Chinatown, San Francisco: Food and Culture Self-guided Audio Tour is as follows:

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Chinatown, San Francisco: Food and Culture Self-guided Audio Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Lifetime access to this tour in English
  • VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Transportation
  • Food and drink

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Report Product Issue

Activity name