Touring San Francisco's Chinatown & Union Square
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| The Iconic Golden Gate Bridge |
I recently had the opportunity to spend an afternoon in San Francisco's Chinatown and Union Square. Although it was a quick visit, I made a list of of my favorite places that I highly recommend you also take the time to visit when in San Francisco:
China Town
OP Therapy Academy
811 Clay Street
(Crosses with Grant
Street in China Town)
San Francisco, CA
94108
(415) 989-8822
Open 7 Days a Week
10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
$35 for one-hour
Foot & Body Massage
Foot reflexology is
part of the 5000 years history of healing in art and culture. It works by releasing stress and enhancing
relaxation. It cleans the cells,
eliminates accumulated toxins which are the root cause of those knots, and
restores the free flow of energy (QI) along the meridian. This is the perfect stop after walking through all those steep streets after shopping in San Francisco!
Eastern Bakery
720 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA
94109
(415) 982-5157
Open 7 Days a Week
Call for Hours
Prices vary from 50
cents (yes!) to $110 for a full-sheet of mixed-fruit cake (feeds 40-80)
They are known as
the oldest Chinese bakery in San Francisco's Chinatown, and pride themselves in
baking everything from scratch without preservatives. Eastern Bakery also has a small selection of
pre-made dim-sum (AKA has probably been in the case for quite some time). The owner and her mother where my
tour-guides, and although beans in a moon-cake sounded like something most
locals would want, I opted for something straight out of the oven: coconut
filled bread! A fresh and doughy snack
with a 'slight' sweet coconut filling.
It was the perfect afternoon snack!
742 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 788-3828
Open 7 Days a Week
Call for Hours
This is one of a mini-chain of five Chinese-owned (and themed) stores, but only two of the five are my favorites and must-go-to stops in your tour of China Town. This one in particular had a few items (some of which you can see on Instagram), that you can take back home or give as souvenirs, without embarrassment!
Merchant of China
930 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 834-1615
Open 7 Days a Week
Call for Hours
If I see a big "SALE" sign, you can bet your morning Java that I will wander in. I was happy to find in this boutique a small, but well made, non-cheesey collection of toddler-sized Asian-themed outfits. I couldn't resist, and I got a mandarin-collared dress for my four-year-old niece.
Kan's Restaurant
708 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 362-5267
Open 7 Days a Week
HOURS
After a few minutes walking through China Town, the smells get to you and suddenly you are hungry. With all fault of my own, the eager and happy lady outside this restaurant reeled me in with the promise of $2.95 Dim Sum and a private view of China Town.
Unfortunately, the only reason to visit this restaurant is the view. Prepare to be disappointed otherwise.
New Peking
747 Grant Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 788-2388
Open 7 Days a Week
Call for Hours
I can not say enough about this boutique - I LOVE it, and love the super helpful staff. The selection of products goes beyond your typical chatsky Chinatown fare! Not only did I find a super-cute pair of dragon slippers for my nephew, I also found a purse-sized "treasure box," that I started using immediately!
333 Geary Street
(Union Square Area)
San Francisco, CA
8900
(415) 982-8900
Open 7 Days a Week
7 a.m. - 2 a.m.
As snobbish as I
tend to be, there's always something comforting when I wander into this
down-home locals fav: Cafeteria-style, pick your dinner (or lunch) as you go,
pay at the counter, choose your table or eat at the bar. Simple.
Personally, I prefer
to eat at the bar and let the bartender make "adult-drink"
recommendations while I listen to the band of the evening. It never fails: I always meet some pretty
cool people!
p.s. If you do stop
on by, please say HI to Paul and Bethany and try their Cinnamon Shot!
Macy's
170 O'Farrell Street
(Union Square)
San Francisco, CA
94102
(415) 397-3333
Open 7 Days a Week
10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
This is the
"mothership" worthy of any and all visits to San Francisco before you
go anywhere else to shop. A special
shout-out to Jeremy in the Inglot (Beauty/Make-up) department for his amazing
make-up tips! (Disclaimer: Macy's is my
client, but I am a long-time fan!)
Although I only spent an afternoon in Chinatown and Union Square, I had a great time and look forward to my next visit. (View photos from my visit to San Francisco's Chinatown here.)
Happy travels!
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