Grab Dim Sum

A trip to Chinatown is incomplete without dim sum! Dim sum is a large range of small Chinese dishes (ranging from dumplings, rolls, buns, and meat) that are traditionally enjoyed in restaurants for breakfast and lunch. Traditionally, dim sum restaurants have servers offering dishes to customer from carts but there are also takeout places with no seating (where the food is cheaper). Check out Chinatown’s dim sum restaurants here.

Get the Most Affordable SF Souvenirs

If you’re looking to get the stereotypical San Francisco souvenirs (e.g. Golden Gate bridge magnets and keychains), you’ll find no better deal than in Chinatown. There is no shortage of souvenir shops down Grant Avenue. Sure, you can find the same tourist trap items at Fisherman’s Wharf but they will definitely be cheaper in Chinatown. If you’re looking to bulk-buy keychains, magnets, and t-shirts for friends and family back home, your wallet will thank you for finding the best deals in Chinatown.

Also, if you make the mistake of not bringing layers while visiting San Francisco, you can buy a much needed San Francisco sweatshirt/hoodie here so that you’re not freezing in SF’s chilly weather!

San Francisco Chinatown is especially lively during Lunar New Year and the Autumn Moon Festival with parades and festivities that you shouldn’t miss out on.

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is the beginning of the new year, based on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20. Lunar New Year for 2022 is on February 1 and is the Year of the Tiger. SF Chinatown holds a Lunar New Year Parade, which you can learn more about here. There is also a Flower Market Fair, where you can purchase fresh flowers, fruits, candies and new supplies for your home to being the new year. Chinese magicians, acrobats, folk dancers and opera performers will also make an appearance throughout the day at the fair.

Autumn Moon Festival

The Autumn Moon Festival (also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival) is the second most important holiday after Chinese New Year, with a history dating back 3,000 years when China’s emperors worshipped the moon for bountiful harvests. The 2021 Autumn Moon Festival is on September 11 and 12. While the full schedule of events have not been finalized on the official website, you can expect lion dancing, food vendors, and of course – moon cakes!