Explore two of San Francisco's most distinctive neighborhoods side-by-side on a walking tour of Chinatown and Union Square. Learn the fascinating history behind the oldest Chinatown in the United States, and be immersed in the city’s contrasting cultures as you stroll alongside cable cars through Union Square’s chic hotels, architectural landmarks, and luxury boutiques.

Walking tour of Chinatown and Union Square
Explore two of San Francisco's most unique neighborhoods
See artwork by Salvador Dali and San Francisco's only building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
Learn the history behind one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in North America
Gain insight into the city's changing and contradictory culture
Choice of morning or afternoon departure

What's Included

Guided walking tour of Union Square and Chinatown
Fully-narrated tour
Local guide

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Transportation to/from attractions

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

The Marker San Francisco
501 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
Meet at the front of the Marker Hotel

End point

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
56 Ross Alley, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA

What To Expect

Select from a mid-morning or early afternoon tour to suit your schedule, and meet your guide at the boutique Clift Hotel in Union Square. Admire some of the most unique buildings in the heart of San Francisco's tourism and shopping district, including landmarks designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and other famous architects, plus works of art by Salvador Dali and Philippe Starck.

See evidence of San Francisco's contradicting cultures as you stroll past historic hotels, modern tech hubs, luxury flagship stores, and one-of-a-kind boutiques. Hear the clanging bells of cable cars while walking among throngs of shopping bag-toting tourists mingled with tech and financial district workers, New Age hippies, panhandlers, and other figures of San Francisco’s diverse downtown streetscape.

Feel what a difference one city block can make as you cross over into Chinatown, where the neighborhood has a distinctly different vibe. Learn about the important history of Chinese immigration and culture in San Francisco and scout for Feng Shui symbols while walking past narrow alleyways, tea shops, herbalists, markets, and traditional bakeries.

At the end of the tour, your guide can direct you to a renowned steakhouse or dim sum restaurant for a taste of the city’s contrasting cuisine (own expense).

Union Square

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Chinatown

1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Children must be accompanied by an adult
A moderate amount of walking on mostly flat terrain is involved
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
Covid 19 restrictions: Guest must wear masks. Gloves will be provided. Guides wear masks and gloves. Guests must be healthy (temperature taken) and social distance as much as possible
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

17 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 17 reviews

Ask for Valerie.

Cheri_V, Aug 2022

Valerie was very knowledgeable about San Francisco and it’s history. It was great to walk into some of the original hotels and hear the history, see the architecture and especially the cool staircases. If only walls could talk. The China town tour was a little bland. A few taste tests would have provided a better idea where to come back for more. Definitely worth every Penny!! Thanks Valerie for the history.

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Thank you for taking time to write a review. It is always so nice to have interesting guests who observe small architectural details and appreciate our local history.

Amazing Art and Chinatown walk

MariaIsabel_M, Jun 2021

Out guide Valerie was great, and on time, she was knowledgeable on our tour and very patient with us that had a lot of questions. She contacted me to set up the exact details of our meet up, so no mistakes could be made. We walked everywhere (which we love to do). We love that pretty much we got to see every detail in downtown buildings, the art galleries (that where open) and Chinatown. When I asked she even recommended me and called a great Chinese restaurant. It was great. Definitely wear comfy clothes and shoes.

Response from Host, Jun 2021

Isabel: I so enjoyed you and your Mom’s company on the tour. You both were so interested in all the venues we saw and asked lots of good questions. We hope to see you again on another Hobnob tour.

Lots of interesting info, but a little long

shamruck1, Jun 2019

We especially enjoyed the tour guide opening our eyes to buildings we had walked by, but had never thought to look up at to see the architecture or go inside of to see the different styles of art. We were the only ones on the tour and Rajni did her best to personalize it, but it just wasn't one of those types of tours. We enjoy walking and this was a walkable tour. When we entered Chinatown near the end of the tour was when the tour could have ended as it didn't seem to follow how the rest of the tour went. Regardless, we're glad we took it as we learned new things about a city we thought we knew a lot about.

Response from Host, Jun 2019

Thank you for taking time to give Hobnob a review. We appreciate your comments as we strive to create the best experience for our guests. We will make use of your ideas.

Disappointing

Linda_z, Oct 2018

We were expecting a combination of art and architecture and Chinatown. It was mostly walking in and out of art shops and very little time for Chinatown. It would have been a lot nicer if the guide asked the group (2 couples) what they wanted to see more of and adjusted the tour accordingly.

Surprisingly great! Discovered amazing...

Liza D, Apr 2018

Surprisingly great! Discovered amazing buildings in the area, its history and architecture.

Excellent tour seen so much excellent...

jean d, Feb 2018

Excellent tour seen so much excellent guide and not too many hills

I was only one who signed up for tour...

Janet M, Nov 2017

I was only one who signed up for tour and guide was very knowledgeable! Great tour!

Covers a large area and a wide variety...

Linda F, Oct 2017

Covers a large area and a wide variety of sights, with lots of historical background.

Interesting tour saw some amazing...

Maureen W, May 2017

Interesting tour saw some amazing buildings and were able to go into some beautiful old hotels Suggest to have a coat as the wind was very cold in March 2017 If you have an interest in art this is a must

We loved this walking tour and...

Leah_H, Mar 2017

We loved this walking tour and highly recommend it. The walking tours are the best way to see San Francisco, or any city, for that fact. We will book another walking tour next year when we again return to San Francisco. Do not hesitate to book this one.

My tour guide, Valerie, was so well...

Therese H, Dec 2016

My tour guide, Valerie, was so well versed on the communities of San Fran! She had back stories for every location and lots of history of the area and its people. I highly recommend this tour and do ask for Valerie!!