It was amazing to watch the celebration and all the activities they have and look around and enjoy it all food and music and art and all the other things and shops. Definitely a great time read more

Last year, we did Tipsy Putt in Emeryville, and this year, my Berkeley team at Eisenmann Architecture choose a Chinatown food tour! We literally just returned, and we couldn't be more delighted. Isabella is truly a gem...warm, knowledgeable, and incredibly engaging. She guided us through hidden culinary spots, shared rich cultural history, and made every stop feel meaningful and delicious. It was the perfect blend of food, storytelling, and local insight. We can't recommend this tour highly enough!! After the tour, we had to go back to Vitality Tea - Chris is truly a godsend. read more

Forget the kitchsy shops lining Grant Street's main drag. If you want to see San Francisco's real Chinatown, Rick Evans is your guy. Evans has been heralded by locals and tourists alike for his downtown SF architecture tour. He's recently curated a Chinatown tour with the same passion for place and enthusiasm for digging up the historical dirt. Like the original tour, he peppers this one with vintage photos, facts, and anecdotes you won't find in guide books. Against a soundscape of cable cars, Cantonese, and Chinese violins (known as erhus and played vertically), Evans reveals the hidden gems of Chinatown's back alleys as well as historical highlights that get lost in the shuffle of 30,000 people inhabiting 24 square blocks. Chinese immigrants came to San Francisco looking for gold, but found extreme prejudice instead. You'll walk past several still thriving institutions borne of necessity, including the Chinese Hospital and numerous schools. You'll also experience the raucous fish and live poulty markets where, as with other culturally relative issues (like gambling), authorities look the other way. Evans repeatedly demonstrates that Chinatown is a series of contrasts and superlatives. The area contains the City's highest concentration of churches and Edwardian architecture (albeit ornamented with Chinese fixtures). San Francisco's first Roman Catholic Cathedral was built smack dab in the middle, set against the gleaming towers of the Financial District. Although the inside of Old St. Mary's was gutted by the earthquake-related fire of 1906, the original bricks remain, and you can see them up close. We peeked inside and were treated to a wedding ceremony and some of the most stunning stained glass I've seen inside the US. Outside of the cathedral, the enormous park is all but deserted. Three blocks away, though, the smaller Portsmouth Square is affectionately known as Chinatown's Living Room. Find out why on the tour! You'll also learn the significance of one-time San Franciscan Sun Yat-sen and why he's beloved by both mainland Chinese as well as Taiwanese. One of my favorite parts of the tour is how Evans has uncovered obscure markers and monuments that routinely go overlooked. Case in point--we spotted a group of lovely aunties (straight from an Amy Tan novel) enjoying a game of mahjong, completed oblivious to the fact that this is where Capt. John Montgomery planted the first US flag... on then Mexican soil. The irony runs even deeper when you see that the plaque's sponsor is the Daughters of the American Revolution. Don't worry, it's not all history and there are plenty of window and food shopping opportunities. I've posted a photo of the mahjong tile necklace and bracelet I'm now coveting... The tour also stops at a spot even Bill Clinton couldn't resist on his 1996 trip. No, it's not one of the ubiquitous massage parlors, but it does involve artery clogging snacks. Personally, I couldn't resist this bakery's famous Moon Cake. I know it's sacrelege, but I snagged a chocolate-covered wedge for $1.25. Good thing they're sold in quarters, sinced they're filled with a dense, rich mixture of lotus paste and duck egg yolks. In addition to Old St. Mary's cathedral, you'll experience one of the few Buddhist temples open to the public as well as the church that cupcakes built...can't give away all of the secrets, you'll just have to trust me. There are other surprises, including the Street of Painted Balconies, the city's only kite shop, a fortune cookie factory (bring quarters for the 50 cent photo charge), an erhu-playing barber, and the site of San Francisco's first house. The Chinese herbal shop was another highlight. For $10, the Chinese doctor/herbalist is in--no appointment necessary, but it is a doctors office, so you may have to wait and hours vary. The good news is that you don't need insurance and your herbal prescription gets filled a lot faster than at Walgreens. (Evans provides a map at the end of the tour so that you can return to all of the sites visited as well as some there aren't time for.) Another amazing surprise is the presence of a Julia Morgan building in central Chinatown! She was one of the few female architects at the turn of the century and is most famous for Hearst Castle. (Berkeley-ites know her for the City Club and a handful of other iconic buildings across the bay.) Again, don't want to spoil the surprises, but I've posted some close-ups illustrating her dedication to craftsmanship...note the presence of her beloved asymmetry in the design and placement of the windows. read more

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The tour was fantastic! I learned so much. Rick really knows the area and the history. On the site there are "warnings" about the strenuous walk. Rest assured there are many, many breaks for learning. I never broke a sweat or wished we would slow down. The only exception is the three story walk to the temple. Take it at your own pace. The rest of the tour is easy walking. In addition to learning much of the cultural history, the tour took us to places most tourists don't get to see. We also received a map of the area pointing out places we'd visited for further investigation. I wish we had time for Rick's architectural tour. Next time we will check it out as well. If you want to see and learn about Chinatown, this is the tour to take! read more

Chinatown is reeking with culture left and right. It is true when they say this is the closest you will get to China without having to go to China. They have really cool stores that you can haggle prices with the owners there. And really authentic chinese restaurants as well. My boyfriend and I found a little hole in the wall restaurant. We got our little chinese boxes to go with some teas. AND low and behold their was a pigion in the restaurant! I sucked it up and ate my food regardless and well it was actually quite tasty! My personal favorite was the park in chinatown. You just feel the unity from the asian people and experience a bit of their culture. I recomend getting your meal to go and just sitting at the park and observing what goes on at the Chinatown park. It's really a cool experience. read more

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Wonderful tour. Rick was such a wonderful host. I have been to SF many times, and we've even taken other tours, but this was by far the best. I have a bad leg, and I could do just fine on the whole tour- except the visit to the temple. Sadly I skipped that- but I loved the tea shop, the herbalist, the fortune cookies shop and the visit to the place where you buy goods for the temple- (clothes for the after life, food, jewels, etc) I really want to take Rick's architecture tour now. read more

I have been to San Francisco Chinatown about half a dozen times, but I did not know the history of it's existence. My friends and I decided to take a tour to find out the origins of San Francisco Chinatown. Rick's tour concentrated on the history and architecture of the Chinatown. He was very engaging and patient with our tour members, I had a buddy who has a disability. Rick showed us many parts of Chinatown I was not aware of. We were able to visit two Buddhist temples as well as Rick explaining and guiding us through the significance of the items in the temples. We also visited a couple alleyways and Rick explained where the Chinese play their games of mahjong. We visited a park the city erected and we were explained why the Chinese did not recognize this park. We also visited another park in Chinatown the Chinese recognized. I enjoyed the pace and information Rick gave us about Chinatown. We visited many parts of Chinatown that the I had not visited before. I was very impressed by Rick's knowledge of Chinatown. During the whole tour, I did not look at my watch. I was captured by Rick's stories and the architecture of Chinatown. read more

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This was my second walking tour with Rick. I went on the architecture walking tour a few days earlier and so I knew I was in for a treat. I am not sure how anyone could give Rick's tour anything less than 5 stars. Rick is well-spoken, educated, and calm (not the over-hyper kind usually doing tours from duck boats over PA systems). I was SO disappointed when he finished talking about the little school house and then began passing out the handout, b/c the tour was over! I felt the same way at the end of the architecture tour. I could have walked and listened all day!!! I got the CT tour 1/2 off b/c I did the A tour also, but even $40 it is a bargain basement price for the fun you will have!!! read more

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This is one of the oldest and most established Chinatowns in the U.S. Beyond the iconic Dragon's Gate, a bustling maze of streets and alleys brims with dim sum joints and other traditional eateries. Also found are herbalists, bakeries, souvenir stores and Chinese grocers. read more

Yelpers, Rick's tour is excellent. My wife is a native San Franciscan and I am 35 years in the Bay Area and we saw streets and shops in Chinatown that we did not know existed. Rick tells you up front that he will show you "a side of San Francisco that is rarely seen" and he delivered! We enjoyed Rick's knowledge regarding the history of the City as well as Chinatown. Experience the culture, traditions, the environment and the food! Highly recommended!! read more

I hate to ruin their perfect record but the tour guy never showed! I followed the instruction online to make a reservation, even worked our tourist attractions around this walk tour only to be disappointed w a no show from the tour guy!!! There's was a few people outside waiting and come 2:10pm when no one showed, they dispersed. If there wasn't enough people, the decent thing would have been to email us to let us know. If that was the case, I would have had made other arrangements. To be quite honest, this now comes off fishy...there's no confirmation after the email reservation and it's Only Cash...? Makes me wonder if all the previous reviews are actually true!?!?! I would highly suggest checking out other tour and not let previous reviews fool you into this one!!! This was a NO CALL, NO CONFIRMATION, and a NO SHOW!!! What a waste of time. Now we have to rearrange our other events to fit in another food tour! Again do not waste time on this one!!! read more

Through archived photos, historic maps, and great stories, Rick strives to inspire each group to care about each location and its historical significance, so each member will understand the tragedy that would result if such places are not preserved. This is one of the reasons I was so impressed with his Architecture Walking Tour, and his Chinatown tour did not disappoint. As described by another reviewer, Rick's photos and vivid descriptions transport the participant from the present to the past, but also to the potential futures of each location. It really is much more than walking around, pointing at things, and talking about them. While some may view it akin to placing a gift shop at the end of a museum tour, I applaud Rick's negotiation with area merchants to allow his groups an insider's view of local businesses and benevolent societies. For example, the purpose of bringing the tour inside a Chinese herbal store was to expose the group to the dying art and again, to stress that such shops were slowly disappearing and giving way to tacky electronics and tchotchke stores. He also took the opportunity to educate the group that the herbal remedy was determined by an actual licensed M.D., not some random wacko. I was also impressed with the depth of Rick's cultural understanding. This tour is well worth the money, and if you book the Architecture Tour as well, the Chinatown Tour is half-price (see www.architecturesf.com and click on "My New Tour"). Visit the Website and read the FAQs. Not for kids under 12 or who whine or tire easily -- don't ruin it for the rest of the group. Parking nearby was easy, but check the signs! And although he doesn't always say it, tips are appreciated. read more

First off, Cynthia W's review is slanderous. This is NOT a "fishy" tour or guide. We have taken 3 different tours with Rick, all without problems and plenty of email communication. Do not let the bias review of that Yelper influence you. I am a real person with no association or relationship to this tour or guide. That is a fact. Now for the review. My husband and I were born and raised here in the East Bay. We have now taken the Chinatown, Architecture and North Beach walking tour from Rick and loved each one. We have learned so much about these neighborhoods that we have visited for a lifetime and didn't know much about. Rick's tours are so popular with our friends, that we all have decided to take every single tour he offers, including the Russian Hill one which he calls his "cardio" tour (I might rethink that one). If you are a local, or visiting this fine, fun and crazy city of San Francisco, Rick's tours are a must! read more

I've lived in San Francisco for over six years, had many visitors, and experienced a lot of local tourism. It wasn't until my father suggested a walking tour of Chinatown that I ever considered such a visit. Boy, am I glad we did! Rick was not only extremely personable and comfortable to be with, but he was more than knowledgeable and connected to the history and culture of Chinatown. As a teacher, I thought I knew a lot about the history of our city, but Rick is a historian and researcher and knows so many fascinating stories. He has made close connections with businesses, Benevolents, and temples that we were able to experience on the tour. To quote my father who has traveled the world, including seven trips to China, "Rick is one of the best tour guides we've had the pleasure to experience." And to top it off, as if reading all of our minds, he recommended some great restaurants after the tour. We ate at R&G Lounge and had a fantastic dinner. We all *highly* recommend Rick Evans's Chinatown Walking Tour. Not only is it an intimate perspective into this neighborhood's rich history, but also of San Francisco's. read more

Chinatown Walking Tour - Herbalist preparing traditional Chinese medicine according to a prescription written by a tradition Chinese doctor. - Walking Tours Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The yelp 5 star reviews are correct. Took tour with my husband and 16 yr old son. My 16 yr old even told us he enjoyed the tour and would do it again. ( Hoping to do rick's other tour when we're back in San Francisco) And that alone for us tells us ricks tour was worth the money. My son is no book worm but a water polo player. Was so full of facts. Rick even had laminated pictures to show us what China town looked like Before. The day we were on the tour it was drizzling by the end the tour we were drenched. All worth it!!!! read more

Chinatown Walking Tour - Walking Tours Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Awesome. I realized why Rick has 5 stars. It's because he really understands and appreciates the Chinese contribution to the US and California. I learned more on this tour than any others combined, but I also gained a new appreciation for Chinatown and it's significance in American History. If you can handle three hours of walking through small alleys and narrow buildings without many opportunities to purchase goods or food...and you can do it in comfortable shoes/clothes so you can avoid complaining and whining, take the tour. Also make sure you bring small bills if you plan to donate to the temple. I purchased through Goldstar, go a discount, but would pay full price. Now, when I travel, I will forever remember to pay greater attention to the buildings, the streetwalks, the placards, etc. History is always underfoot and most people do not notice them. read more

I did this for a company function. A lot of folks have already written this place up, so I'll be brief: The good: - affordable for a small group (less than $300) - Rick's perspective, even if you knew where to go, getting the opinions and observations of a long time resident is ... pretty worthy - The destinations: Asian Jesus, $10 herbal doctor, Tea samples, gambling dens minus 1 star: - it's hard to know what you are getting beforehand - if you are opinionated yourself, you might not agree with Rick. Hilarity ensues - On foot, and weather dependent means this is not for everyone/every season (we had a beautiful day, and an active group) - I would have loved some simple print out of the sites we revisted, for revisit/sharing with friends! read more

My friend and I went on Rick's Chinatown Walking Tour last weekend. It was raining and cold, but Rick's contagious passion and enthusiasm was unwavering. I loved every second of the tour and, despite the incessant rain, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Being a life-long student and a lover of local history, I was extremely impressed by Rick's knowledge of the subject. He is not the type of guide who walks you around the town and tells you things any 5 year old could point out. Rick has an expertise that could only have come from years of study and a genuine passion for the area. He's culturally sensitive, knowledgeable, savvy and funny. I can't say enough great things about this tour. I can't wait to do his architecture tour! read more

My sister and I went on a tour with Rick and it was terrific - Rick gave us a perspective of not only chinese culture history, but also the intertwined story of San Francisco which goes hand in hand. The neat part is a lot of what Rick shows you, is not known by locals who have lived in SF for years! You definitely need fresh feet to walk the tour but there are points where you stop and can sit to listen to Rick... well worth the exercise. I liked the way he showed visuals of the various locations with pictures he carries and the way he tied together the whole tour into a coherent story. I also liked how Rick showed us how to handle ourselves in China town so we would have the know-how to return in the future with knowledge of our surroundings. You definitely need to take this tour if your interested in the first Chinatown in America and San Fran history. read more

This tour was different from but as great as the architecture tour. Rick's focus was mainly on the historical and culture parts. 2 hours didn't seem to be enough to cover a good part of this neighborhood but we did get a high level introduction of Chinatown's history and opportunity to explore less popular areas. This tour will be good for people who are looking for more than just cheap shopping and also interested in learning the most famous and authentic China town in the world. Rick is such a good tour guide and we look forward to join his new hour on Russian Hill. read more

We took our company out for a theme day and did Rick's tour of Chinatown followed by a dim sum lunch at City View (see separate review for lunch). What a GREAT tour! Our company is right near Chinatown yet none of us had any idea how much history and lore we were missing. Rick Evans truly has a passion for what he does and clearly loves to "pull the loose thread" of history and fill in lots of angles and missing/interesting/titillating bits in a fascinating nearly 3 hour tour. Definitely say you should GO if you think you might have an interest in SF history and the Chinese culture that lives and has evolved in Chinatown. Such a fun time! I would definitely say this is a 12 yr. old plus kid age tour though. Little kids would be bored and tired with all the walking and it moves at a good clip. read more

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I've lived in San Francisco for 16 years and can count the number of times I've been to Chinatown on one hand (yeah, pathetic, I know.) So this was actually a great tour that makes me want to go back and really appreciate the history and uniqueness of the neighborhood. Rick was a great guide and the history was both fascinating and informative. It's definitely a hike but well worth the time and effort. I'll be recommending it to both visitors and my friends who live here who think there's nothing to see in Chinatown aside from cheap luggage... read more

Chinatown Walking Tour - Chinese Madonna & Child - Walking Tours Near Me - San Francisco, California

As a long-time resident of San Francisco, one of my favorite places has always been Chinatown. Whether strolling along Grant Street, looking for cheap-thrill presents for the nieces, or walking through the neighborhood on my way to another district, I have always been heartily entertained by the colors and sounds of Chinatown. Imagine my excitement when I found a 3 hour walking tour of Chinatown through Groupon, good for me and a friend. I signed up right away and was never disappointed from then on. From his website to the reservations procedure to the email communications and then on to the actual tour, Rick was ever so professional in the best way. His knowledge of the history not only of Chinatown itself but of San Francisco and the beginnings of California was thorough yet concise. It really helped to put the puzzle pieces together of a sometimes inscrutable culture. He carries around laminated examples to better illustrate his tour, such as maps and newspaper clippings. He points out bits of culture that are particular to our Chinatown in San Francisco, and it really put a specialized touch to the tour. After this tour, I will never look at Chinatown again in the same way; I have such a better appreciation for the place and the people now. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone and can't wait to go on his architecture tour. read more

This relatively low rating may be unfair since Rick Evans did deliver what he promised, an architectural tour of Chinatown. I was disappointed because I think he missed the main and most unique aspect of Chinatown which is the people. Consequently, the most involving story he told was about his encounter with a Chinese mafia type whose Mercedes might at any second roar into the alley in which we stood. There's enough history in Chinatown for more spine-tingling moments instead of relying on dodging pigeon poop for excitement.... that's actually good luck - another potentially interesting tack to take since Chinese are all about prosperity and longevity... he did touch on their other primary focus, avoiding bad luck/spirits. Oh, I said "their" instead of "our" - I am Chinese, so it was somewhat awkward being guided by a boc-gwai (white ghost/devil). I wanted to show my kids more about Chinatown than just pointing out where we used to buy paper candy, or the street where some distant relatives ran to thrust foon bows into our hands at Chinese New Year. I don't even know the building in which their great-grandfather got their electricity shut off for gambling away the bill money. We did come into contact with some people - most notably, in the Tien Hou Temple, somewhere I never would have ventured on my own. And of course it was all worth it to discover the location of the fortune cookie factory where I remember getting round cookies hot off the press before they were even folded. Now you still get a free sample, but there's a brisk trade in picture taking and pre-bagged cookies - even in chocolate flavor! Rick returned to his theme of revitalization a little too often - a noble cause, but perhaps some titillating brothel and opium den real people stories would have made the whole thing less of a snore. Also, the tour was much too static; we could have kept on the move, covered more ground, and paused for less repetition. HG Jr., 16, remained admirably attentive though he was itching to rush back to the knick-knack stores on Grant to buy a sword. Tracing the physical development of the area has value, and Rick is a good speaker, but I think he glaringly omitted the heart of the living, breathing Chinatown. Not everyone is coming from the perspective of his other architectural tour. read more

Do NOT book a tour with this company. It's a scam. We booked the 3pm Chinatown tour in San Francisco for Saturday may 21. We drove almost 2 hours to get there and no guide ever showed up. When we finally tracked down contact information for the tour company (there was nothing on our ticket), they said they could not refund our money and we would have to deal directly with Event Brite. They offered no explanation why no guide showed up or why they never contacted us about the cancelation. read more

Absolutely exceeded my expectations. Our group did the tour in the pouring rain, and nobody left early. Rick's knowledge is amazing.

My daughter and I took Rick's tour this past week. We have strolled through Chinatown many times and were ready to do more than walk in and out of tourist traps. Rick gave us the history of Chinatown complete with old photographs and maps. We learned things you will never see in a guidebook. If you like to dig deeper into the significance of the area you are visiting, I would highly recommend this tour. read more

This tour was one of the highlights of my recent trip to San Francisco. Rick did a fantastic job and I highly recommend this tour. I learned a lot about the history of S.F. as well as the history and current status of Chinatown. read more

Can't say more than what's already been said by other reviewers. This is a five star tour, highly recommended. He's the perfect guide and a knowledgeable historian. If you do any Chinatown tour, do this one. read more

Echo the positive reviews. This is a five star tour, walking is the best way to see, smell and sense the REAL SF Chinatown. (Except incense is not my fav- the smoke in the temple did bother me- Otherwise highly recommend.) I plan to take his other tour soon. Thanks Rick for a great perspective. read more

Just do it. You won't regret it. We didnt think it was possible, but this may be even better than Rick's Architecture Tour. I can't think of a more educational, entertaining, and engaging way to spend three hours. read more

We really liked the tour. Rick is a historian and will give you the unvarnished truth about Chinatown, it's history, society, challenges and triumphs. read more

Great tour. You learn all kinds of random facts, see all kinds of cool stuff (Buddhist temple 4 floors up a rrandom building off of an alley, etc) and get a little excercise. This tour and Rick's Architectural tour are both great-learn random facts on a Saturday walk around the city, and then amaze your friends with all of your arcane knowledge when you come back to the city on Monday for business. Your friends and co-workers will roll their eyes at your propensity to remember useless facts and isn't that what you're really after? read more

Was pretty good. Definitely worth going. I went back, and showed my gf some of the things I learned on the tour.

This was a really great inside view of Chinatown. I've walked up and down Grant Avenue countless times, yet I had no idea all of the ins and out of local Chinatown politics, living and housing. (Amazing what goes on in your own back yard.) Rick, the guide, was fantastic and had obviously done a lot of work to build relations with the local people and merchants - helping to provide a real inside view. This tour is a must for both out-of-towners and locals. read more

This was a great tour. I've done his San Francisco Architecture tour, which was also excellent. (Review of that tour is here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/san-francisco-architecture-walking-tour-san-francisco#hrid:rYYP2pIiSQh00KIxII7SAg/src:self) Rick is an outstanding guide to the city; as a historian, he knows a lot of information but is extremely skilled at pitching it to just the right level for a tour. I learned a lot, and I'm a local history buff who is usually disappointed with standard tours. This tour is around 3 hours; it involved a decent amount of walking and a lot of great information. Rick wove the story of the Chinese contribution to California (and the US) into the story of the neighborhood and that of the California Gold Rush and the Transcontinental Railroad. He brought photos and maps to illustrate his points, and he provided a handout at the end with a map of where we went, so if you wanted to revisit any one place you could do so. We were surprised that there was ample time for a short tea tasting, a visit to a Buddhist Temple (the oldest in the US) and even a trip to the fortune cookie factory and a Chinese medicine/herb store. There was so much more to this tour, though, and I don't really want to give away all the good stuff, so I'll simply say to go and enjoy an afternoon of walking and learning. read more

I highly recommend Rick's Chinatown tour! My family (total 7 people) had a fabulous time. Rick has a talent for describing place and history: he weaves historical facts and everyday detail together to create a fascinating walk through place, time, and culture. He has lots of funny historical anecdotes to keep you entertained, too. Rick is congenial, knowledgeable, and relaxed, but very organized. I'm glad our group was small, so that all of us could easily see the many photographs that he used to illustrate what he was talking about. Nothing of this tour was dry or boring, none! Rick chooses locales that bring you up close to San Franciscan and Chinese history. You won't be disappointed. Yes, $40 per person is a bit expensive, but it is worth every penny. I plan on taking his architectural tour! read more

Rick is very knowledgeable; he led us through china town history that is unknown to most tourist & locals too. He is a good storyteller & the 2.5 hr. passed VERY fast. read more

Other Yelpers have done an excellent job of reviewing this tour so I won't add a lot of specifics about the tour itself here. My husband grew up in the Bay Area and we've both lived in SF for over 15 years. We enjoyed the tour very much and learned a lot about our city and this fascinating neighborhood. What's great about this tour is that Rick takes you into places that you might really want to poke around in on your own but not have the courage to do it unless you speak Chinese or know the culture well (e.g. a Taoist temple, an herbal medicine shop with an MD on staff who does consultations). With Rick as your guide, you feel like an insider. There is a fair amount of walking/standing involved but also enough stops that it should be fine for most people (just not for younger kids). read more

I went on Rick's tour this past weekend and it was so interesting and in-depth. As he says on his website, you'll learn things here you won't find in any guidebook. What a great way to spend an afternoon. read more