| San Francisco promises a memorable visit for those | | | | access to stunning Chinese clothing, artwork, |
| planning a vacation or even a few side stops while on | | | | souvenirs, home décor items and more that |
| a business trip. And if you're a first-time guest to the | | | | you certainly won't get at home. |
| city, you won't want to miss one of the best-loved | | | | Entering the Chinatown gates on Bush and Grant |
| attractions: Chinatown. | | | | streets transports you into an amazing world. The |
| Finding a central location is one key to a successful | | | | authentic Chinese culture is apparent with indoor |
| personal or business trip to San Francisco. For those | | | | outdoor stores and street vendors on practically |
| who want to be in the heart of the city, boutique | | | | every sidewalk, the prevalence of the Chinese |
| hotel accommodations are available in the downtown | | | | language, spoken and written everywhere and the |
| area near Moscone Convention Center. Staying | | | | stores filled with gorgeous silks and other uniquely |
| downtown gives you ready access to all that | | | | Chinese goods. But the smells and tastes of authentic |
| downtown has to offer and is within easy walking | | | | Chinese food are one of the biggest draws. |
| distance to Chinatown. Because you're also within | | | | With practically every variation of Asian cuisine |
| walking distance of Moscone Convention Center, | | | | available, chefs offer fabulous delicacies of fresh fish, |
| you'll have added convenience for any conference or | | | | beef, pork, chicken and vegetables. The culture is so |
| convention you're attending. | | | | genuine you may believe you're on another continent. |
| Brief History of Chinatown | | | | You'll find makers of fortune cookies, roasted |
| San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest in North | | | | chickens hanging in the windows, bakeries |
| America, dating back to the Gold Rush era. In 1848, | | | | overflowing with Chinese pastries, and fruit and |
| Chinese immigrants began arriving to seek their | | | | vegetable stands filled with exotic produce. |
| fortune, and the two-and-a-half square block area of | | | | If you're visiting San Francisco during January or |
| Chinatown began taking shape. The 1906 earthquake, | | | | February, ask about the dates for the Chinese New |
| though, completely leveled Chinatown. In the | | | | Year. Varying each year, this exciting celebration can |
| aftermath, during the many and heated | | | | occur as early as January 15 or as late as February |
| conversations about where and how Chinatown | | | | 19. The 15th day of the New Year ushers in the |
| should be rebuilt (many wanted the Chinese moved | | | | Lantern Festival. Taking place at night, this celebration |
| to the outskirts of San Francisco if not banished | | | | is marked with glorious lantern displays and children |
| from the city altogether), the decision was finally | | | | carrying lanterns in a parade. Something the entire |
| made to rebuild and expand exactly where | | | | family will enjoy. |
| Chinatown stood. One of the Chinese merchants | | | | Other festivals to make note of include the Chinese |
| even came up with the idea to rebuild it as a kind of | | | | New Year Flower Fair in February, when brilliant |
| theme park with "Oriental" pagodas and facades still | | | | blooms take over the heart of Chinatown the |
| present today as a way to draw tourists and visitors. | | | | weekend before the Lunar New Year, allowing |
| Despite worldwide events, intervention by the | | | | families to buy traditional plants for their celebrations. |
| governments (China and the U.S.), and changes in San | | | | Streets are filled with authentic dancers, musicians, |
| Francisco, Chinatown provided for itself. By the | | | | artists and cultural displays for residents and visitors |
| 1930s, a parallel and self-sufficient community had | | | | to enjoy. The Chinatown Community Street Fair in |
| grown in the dozen square blocks that now comprise | | | | March is a grand celebration complete with |
| Chinatown, complete with its own schools, hospital, | | | | streamers, balloons, banners and lanterns. A delightful |
| nightclubs... there was even a Chinese telephone | | | | display of genuine Chinese culture is evident in the |
| exchange and a marching band. Today, Chinatown is | | | | kite and lantern- making exhibits, folk dancing, shows |
| a surprisingly diverse neighborhood, but the colorful | | | | and more. The Asian Family Heritage Celebration |
| history and cultural influences remain significant, | | | | takes place in May and many other festivals are |
| making it a unique and vibrant place for locals and | | | | conducted throughout the year. |
| visitors alike. | | | | Chinatown is a popular attraction that has been loved |
| An Authentic Asian Experience | | | | for centuries, with appeal that's universal and crosses |
| Although its name is Chinatown, this section of San | | | | generational boundaries. The whole family, from |
| Francisco is home to Chinese, Vietnamese, Mongolian | | | | children to grandparents, will enjoy spending the day |
| and other Asian regions. Today, the largest | | | | discovering what so many others have fallen in love |
| Chinatown in North America is found in San Francisco. | | | | with. |
| Boutique hotels in the nearby area allow immediate | | | | |