Is China town small (Richmond, Monterey Park: apartments, hotel, restaurant)

[UB50]

I love California's Asian roots! Chinese New Year is coming up! When is San Francisco's parade?

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by UB50

I love California's Asian roots! Chinese New Year is coming up! When is San Francisco's parade?

February 23rd @ 5:30pm... should be a blast!!
The Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade

[UB50]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

February 23rd @ 5:30pm... should be a blast!!
The Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade

I love Chinese New Year!!

[drosales]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

Supposedly our Chinatown is the largest in the US, so I guess it just feels small! The main street is Grant St., and it goes up (west?) about 5 blocks & over 2-3 blocks... a good size for our city, considering SF is only 7x7 square miles.

Actually, Chinatown is about 5 LONG blocks in width(roughly 1/2 mile), stretching from Taylor to Montgomery Sts., at its widest. Stockton and Powell Streets go as far north into North beach. From its southern most point to farther north is about 3/4 mile. There are quite a few shops and restaurants on Vallejo St. The famed Chinese recreation ctr. is located on Mason and WashingtonSts.(across the street from the Cable Car Barn.). The are also higher-priced eateries, shops and establishments along Washington, Clay, and Sacramento strething east towards Montgomery in the Financial dist. This gives you an idea of how large Chinatown really is. People don't realize this- especially tourists, because they hardly stray off of Grant Ave. which is a shame.

Doug

[skyway31]

If you want a more authentic, bustling Chinatown experience, Stockton St. is the one to walk through.

[destroycreate]

Originally Posted by skyway31

If you want a more authentic, bustling Chinatown experience, Stockton St. is the one to walk through.

Agreed...Stockton St. is far more lively and authentic. Barely any tourists and nearly all Chinese here.

[mini_cute]

Originally Posted by NJ Chutzpah

NYC's chinatown is actually not that big. They just like to say that cuz it is NYC. NYC has three other chinatowns in Flushing, Queens; Sunset Park, Brooklyn; and Elmhurst, Queens.

Arent Monterey Park, and San Gabriel right next to each other, if so then by area I think that is the biggest.

Are there other Chinatowns in NoCal other than the one in Frisco.

Don't forget about Alhambra, Rosemead, South Pasadena, Arcadia, Temple City, San Marino, and parts of El Monte all next door to Monterey Park and San Gabriel. I've seen Chinatowns in SF, NYC, Vancouver BC etc. and the SGV in Los Angeles county looks to me like the biggest Chinatown in the US (if it will be recognized as one) based on size and the population actually residing there, influx of new immigrants, and presence of Chinese owned businesses- not just Chinese folks going there to open their gift shop/restaurant and then driving home to their suburbs miles away.

With that said, SF's Chinatown does seem pretty big for the size of SF and I love SF's Chinatown. It really feels like I'm in China.

[Bluesmama]

Originally Posted by High Springs Gator

I was on military training near SF a couple yrs ago and had the chance to walk up the main street of China town. I was expecting China town to be bigger than what I saw. Maybe because I only walked up the main street I did not see how big China town actually is. Not sure. I did find the people to appear friendly, and I did feel safe.

Well, it's bigger than you think. Can't remember how many blocks of Grant Street makes Chinatown, but it's a lot. And there are interesting side streets (like Waverly Place with its colorful ornate old buildings). Stockton Street, parallel to Grant, is more for locals but interesting, too.

Gizmo made good suggestion to the various Asian areas of San Francisco.

I spent almost 2 wks in Manhattan in '08. And while I very much enjoyed the city, I was NOT impressed with its Chinatown. I think San Francisco's is much, much better.

I did find it interesting that Manhattan's Chinatown borders right against their "Little Italy", just as San Francisco's borders the Italian part of North Beach. However, both Italian areas are receding, I assume from lack of interest from the younger generation.

[Beechlite]

Originally Posted by Bluesmama

Well, it's bigger than you think. Can't remember how many blocks of Grant Street makes Chinatown, but it's a lot. And there are interesting side streets (like Waverly Place with its colorful ornate old buildings). Stockton Street, parallel to Grant, is more for locals but interesting, too.

Gizmo made good suggestion to the various Asian areas of San Francisco.

I spent almost 2 wks in Manhattan in '08. And while I very much enjoyed the city, I was NOT impressed with its Chinatown. I think San Francisco's is much, much better.

I did find it interesting that Manhattan's Chinatown borders right against their "Little Italy", just as San Francisco's borders the Italian part of North Beach. However, both Italian areas are receding, I assume from lack of interest from the younger generation.

Chinatowns also border Little Italies in London and Los Angeles. Hmmm, methinks this might not be a coincidence at all.

[mr bolo]

I prefer the 2nd chinatown on Clement st in the inner Sunset district , SF it's more of a relaxed neighborhood feel, not so many tourists like the older chinatown on Grant st, much friendlier feel.

the Clement st chinatown is more multi - cultural, they have Chinese, Thai, Burmese, Russian, Middle eastern, Vietnamese, Korean hot pot, and more all in the same area

pretty good selection of restaurants, and the streets are cleaner.

you dont see that many tourists on Clement st since it's too far to walk from downtown and from the hotels.

they also have an area in the tenderloin known as "Little Saigon" thats mostly Vietnamese on Larkin st