San Francisco’s Chinatown bears the distinction of being the largest outside of Asia as well as the oldest in North America, and is consistently a top-draw to coastal culture hounds and intrepid traversers of the globe, alike. Covering 24 square city blocks and overlapping 5 postal codes, it encompasses an area roughly a mile long and 1.34 miles wide. Rumor has it there are two distinct Chinatown experiences: One for the locals, and one for tourists. Pass through Grant Avenue’s intricately beautiful dragon gate and wander lamp-lined and vibrantly colorful streets filled with restaurants, shops and mini malls – all with a distinctly commercial vibe; over on Stockton Street, you will find a more authentic presentation, reminiscent of old Hong Kong, with its open air produce and fresh fish markets, mom and pop stores and traditional restaurants. Stop by busy Portsmouth Square, a one-acre park dubbed the “Heart of Chinatown” and steeped in important early California history, and be sure to visit Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, the only place in the city where these favorite and familiar treats are still hand-made; watch, sample and buy a bag of 40 of these quintessential – and delicious – Chinese cookies for just three bucks! Experience the mysterious temples of Waverly Place; explore intriguing storefronts and galleries and feast to your heart’s content. No itinerary necessary here; best to wander aimlessly, and soak up the vivid-yet-surreal mystique of Chinese architecture and culture; toss everything you’ve ever heard out the window while you’re there and discover your own interpretation of Chinatown!