LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
Starts: 6:00 PM
Meeting Point: Dragon Gate, 500 Bush St (at Grant Ave).
Look for the orange and white umbrella!
Click here to view the location on Google Maps.
Ends: 8:00 PM in Little Italy.
Click here to view the location on Google Maps.
Embark on a fascinating journey connecting San Francisco’s Asian and European heritage, exploring the cultural wonders of Chinatown and Little Italy.
Join us as we wind through charming alleyways, delve into the intriguing world of Chinese Tongs, and uncover the secrets of hidden gambling dens, before gradually making our way into the Italian District. Discover why every Chinatown in the U.S. is located right next to a Little Italy, and learn about the cultural traditions of these two vibrant neighborhoods!
The tour lasts 2 hours and covers the majority of both Chinatown and Little Italy. Venture into hidden alleyways—where stories of past generations are etched into the walls—before arriving at the renowned Italian quarter: Little Italy. Experience a fascinating cultural juxtaposition as Chinese and Italian traditions blend together in perfect harmony. We will share stories about the places, people, art, historical events, and current affairs that define these districts.
We will visit the Dragon Gate, the Chinese Lanterns, Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Ancient Pagodas, Ross Lane, the Gambling Streets, The Bohemian Place, Banksy’s street art, San Francisco’s Little Italy, the city’s best pizzeria, and many other off-the-beaten-path spots along the way.
The tour concludes at 8:00 PM. Our grand finale awaits us at the city’s finest pizzeria. Savor delicious flavors that reflect the local cultural diversity, and raise a glass to new connections and friendships.
Price: Pay-what-you-wish (tip-based). All guides are volunteers and receive no compensation from the City Council or any other institution. We appreciate your contribution, which helps keep this tour running!
Choose an available date—and don’t forget to leave your phone number, just in case! No dates available? You can request a private tour.
Better doing this tour before everything else, so that you can actually use all the hints you're gonna receive! (or at least try;))
Filip was awesome I really felt to learn to know the feeling of San Francisco.
This tour is a must. I learnt so much about San Francisco and are looking more of this type of tour
I had 4 walking tours with different companies. All the tours I had were good, but this one was the best! Filip, the guide, is really passionate about the city and is very good in conveying it.
Thank God for guys like Filip who love this City and love to share their experience & knowledge. I highly recommend this Tour before making other plans because he gives you lots of good tips to take full advantage of what SF has to offer.
Ruta: 3,4 km o 2 millas
Accesible para cochecitos de bebé y sillas de ruedas
Abrir ubicación en Google Maps
The tour ends opposite Ferry Building. It takes 20 minutes by foot (or less) to reach Pier 33 where you board the ferry to Alcatraz.
Yes, the tour is child-friendly. Children of all ages love the stories of buried ships under the buildings. Babies in strollers or carries are welcome too.
Yes, we have dogs on tours all the time:) Just make sure your pet is securely leashed.
From SFO airport the closest BART station to Union Square is the Powell Street station. Catch the train going in the direction of San Francisco. It will be about a 30-minute ride to the Powell Street station. From there, it is only a 7-10 minute walk up Powell Street to Union Square where the Free SF Tour starts.
From OAK airport to Union Square it takes about 45 minutes on the BART. After your arrival, go to the BART station going direction Oakland Coliseum (OAC). There you change to direction San Francisco / Daily City. The closest BART station to Union Square is the Powell Street Station. From there, it is only a 7-10 minute walk up Powell Street to Union Square where the Free SF Tour starts. To return to OAK, take a Berryessa or Dublin/Pleasanton-bound train to the Coliseum station and go upstairs to transfer to an OAK train at Platform 3.
Yes, we make a bathroom/toilet stop halfway through the route. No worries!
From experience, the average donation is $15 per person. Some people donate less, others are happy to give more. Remember, it’s all up to you: if you have had a good time, tip the guide. If you didn’t like the tour – well, don’t.
No. The Free SF Tour happens rain or shine. Plus, it’s San Francisco – one minute it’s raining, the next you are enjoying glorious sunshine. Bring layers and nevermind the weather.
Of course the tour will happen! It’s just going to feel like a private tour with a knowledgeable, friendly guide all to yourself 🙂
It's a bit tight with parking spaces around Union Square, but you can still get lucky and park in the street. Alternatively, there are many convenient car parks in the Union Square vicinity. There’s an underground garage just under Union Square – you can’t get closer than that 🙂 Most charge around $6 per hour but you can find places for as low as $3-3.50. Check out this list of garages http://www.visitunionsquaresf.com/maps-parking-transportation (just click on "park" under the map).
Yes! The route is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly, and largely step-free. Despite the city’s famously hilly terrain, our tour is makes the most of flat streets in Downtown. There might be a ramp here and there, but nothing to worry about.
There are cashless options, yes. While we don't take credit cards directly, Paypal transfers are available. Also, Venmo app is growing in popularity among travelers.
389 Post Street (corner of Powell and Post), Union Square
San Francisco, California ( MAP )
@ 10:00 AM the Free Walking Tour in English
@ 02:00 AM the Free Walking Tour in English
@ 10:30 AM the Free Walking Tour in Spanish
@ 02:30 PM the Free Walking Tour in Spanish
@ 02.30 PM the Mission/Castro Free Walking Tour in Spanish starting at Mission Dolores Basilica
@ 02:00 PM the North Beach Walking Tour in English
@08.00 PM Chinatown to Little Italy Walking tour in Spanish
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