Asian District updates

[John]

dismayed, any recommendations for places to see in S.F's Chinatown? I'll be there in 2 weeks.

Gotta eat at this place. Amazing food and a beautiful restaurant.

Empress of China

Empress of China

[dismayed]

Spectral/Crimson/Hot Rod:

Yeah, in SF's Chinatown the light posts are cyan colored and have a little gold dragon wrapping itself around the top of the post. These are the colors of the "Azure Dragon" or the Dragon of the East. It's representative of the East in general.

Gold and red are traditional good luck colors. You see them a lot in Vietnamese culture, especially during wedding ceremonies and things like that.

I was fortunate enough to be there during the Chinese New Year, which is why the streets were so busy.

Metro:

Honestly, I couldn't tell you the names of any of the places I visited that day as I don't read Mandarin. Just wonder around and see where the day takes you. There are farmer's markets, a fish market, several Asian grocery stores, Asian DVD rental places, souvenir and t-shirt shops, etc.

I'd start out at Fisherman's Wharf and check that whole area out. Take the Red and White ferry out to the Golden Gate Bridge. It's $25 bucks, you get to see the bridge and Alcatraz up close from the bow of a boat. It lasts about an hour. When you get back there are some great places for a snack or lunch on the Wharf. Then I'd pay $5 and take a cable car ride up to Chinatown, and then wander around there for an hour or two. Then you can hike it over to Lombard Street (it's not far), the hilliest and crookedest street in the US. If you're feeling fit after that you could walk back towards the Wharf area (it's a looong way up and down those hills). Finally I'd recommend wrapping the day up at Ghirardelli Square. It's where Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory is. The best part is everyone who visits gets free samples.