The neighbourhood is San Francisco's 'Little Italy' and is very lively in the evenings, especially on Columbus Avenue which is lined with many coffee shops, bars and restaurants. North Beach is a charming and vibrant neighborhood packed with local history that stretches from Broadway and Columbus Avenue to around Washington Square. The famous fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco, and they are still made at Golden Gate Fortune Cookies, 56 Ross Alley. It is a popular spot for local residents, and you will find Tai Chi adepts there early in the morning, children at the playground, and seniors playing cards and Chinese chess. This small park is rich with history and contains many commemorative statues and plaques. Portsmouth Square is known as the Heart of Chinatown. There is also Washington Street and Waverly Place, a quiet narrow street where you can find a wide variety of brightly painted balconies in a striking mix of colours and styles. Grant Avenue is the neighbourhood's major thoroughfare with its many souvenir and gift shops.

If you really want to get a feel for Chinatown, it's best to go early in the morning when the local residents do their shopping. San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest in North America and the largest Chinese community outside Asia. The official entrance to Chinatown is marked by the Chinatown Gate (Dragon Gate), a large colourful gateway arch that was a gift from Taiwan in 1969. The 'City by the Bay' can sometimes feel like an urban roller coaster with its many hills, steep streets and surprising staircases. There are many neighborhoods to explore, each with its distinct character, where you will enjoy discovering an everyday life that is very different from your own. You simply cannot plan a Western USA trip without a visit here. San Francisco is the most European and the most tolerant of American cities.

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