8.0 out of 10

Grant Ave, Chinatown

Ranked 1st best street in Chinatown
37.7941096675124 -122.406274982533
Great for
  • Cost of Living
  • Eating Out
  • Internet Access
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Neighborly Spirit
Not great for
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Reviews

5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
2yrs+

"A Hidden Gem in North Beach"

Grant Avenue in North Beach is a hidden gem for locals. There is so much along the 4 block strip to satiate your whim. From restaurants, to bars, to niche gift/clothing shops, it offers so much in such a short distance. It even has a grocery store, a corner store and two nail salons. Plus if you are a health nut, there is also a pilates studio. Traffic is rather light, but street parking is tight. You might have to park in a nearby lot.

Favorite restaurant is Cafe Jacqueline because everything is souffles (savory or sweet). Favorite breakfast place is Mo's Restaurant,also great milkshakes. Favorite place to grab a drink, the Savoy. Favorite place to grab a loaf of bread or some biscotti - Italian French Bakery. Favorite place to get my nails done - Nail Care For You.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
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4/5
2yrs+

"Great part of North Beach"

A great place to visit in the North Beach district, Grant Avenue has some of the best places to eat. Grant Avenue seemed to be a hot spot for both tourist and native San Frans alike. Not something I seemed noticed in other places I visited while I was there. On the upper half of Grant Avenue there tended to be a lot of imported goods and fun places to shop. Additionally, there was a variety of good dining. There seemed to be a large amount of Italian restaurants however there is no doubt that you could find almost anything you could think of (especially the part of Grant Avenue that goes through Chinatown). A great street to visit whenever you are in San Francisco.
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4/5
2yrs+

"It's a chameleon street"

Grant Avenue is one of San Francisco's most colorful street, but it's also something of a chameleon. A mere 24 blocks long, Grant runs from Market Street north to the Embarcadero. It's immenently walkable, as it passes through some of San Francisco's most famous neighborhoods.

Starting at the Southern end, you're in the Union Square shopping disctrict. In addition to any number of upscale shops, Grant has a notable number of high end art galleries that are well worth a look-see, it that's your cup of tea.

At the intersection of Bush and Grant you'll pass through the famous Chinatown Gate. San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest in North America, and Grant Avenue is the main drag. For blocks the street is lined with a riot of tourist shops selling trinkets, or silks, or tea sets, and so forth. Additionally, there's the predictable glut of Chinese restaurants. Take your pick, but I think the best ones are on the less flashy Kearny Street. As you continue walking further north, you'll see some more practical/less touristy stores mixed in, including several produce stands and groceries. Little pink plastic shopping bags are ubiquitous here!

Eventually, you will transition from Chinatown to North Beach. Here again, Grant Avenue is a charming walk, past shops, Italian restaurants, coffee houses, and residences. Walking the entire length of Grant is a perfect way to entertain out of town visitors.
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3/5
2yrs+

"A Big Part of Chinatown"

Grant Ave. is a big part of Chinatown. It's the street with all the fun little shops and boutiques that you can shop around. It's also a big tourist attraction in Chinatown. I see people from all over around the world visiting there, from the French to Austrians. When I was in high school it was the place me and my friends would hang out at almost everyday! It's so busy and always so much things we can do there.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
5/5
2yrs+

"Grant Ave. is a great street to visit"

This is definitely a place for tourists. If you want to buy a souvenir to remember you trip by or just something for yourself this is the place to purchase such a thing. There is a lot going in this street. It is definitely one of the busier streets in Chinatown.
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5/5
2yrs+

"Chinatown offers Cultural Crossroads"

I have always wanted to live in Chinatown. Being an East Asian Studies major, I love visiting Chinatown. Grant Avenue is the oldest street in Chinatown. There is even a plaque in original Cantonese and English citing this. When you enter Grant Avenue it is like entering a whole new country. You will find everything and anything from China. I would consider walking rather than driving. Most days Grant Avenue is like a sidewalk anyway. Little Italy or whatever you want to call it is also close by. I swear I saw a mobster once!
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5/5
2yrs+

"Out of this World"

While I was visiting San Francisco last year I had heard many things about the Grant Avenue Beach Festival and knew that I had to check it out. This was by far the best festival I have ever been to! The people were supper friendly and the art was amazing. Even if you are not a big art fan there will be something there that you can appreciate even if it is just the pure talent of the side walk chalk art in the FREE Arte di Gesso ( or Italian Street Chalk Art). And if that is not enought fun for you it even featured a celebrity pizza tossing contest which was interesting and yummy! This is an all weekend family fun outing. This had to be my favorit street on our entire trip!!
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  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5
2yrs+

"Great shopping, food, atmosphere"

This area is known for it’s Italian heritage. Everywhere you look you will find and the great restaurants jazz clubs, galleries and cafés. Good spot for nightlife! I love Washington Square and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. The church is known as the "fisherman's church" because many of its parishioners once made their living from the sea. Can't wait to take another walk up to Coit Tower for some fabulous view of San Francisco from telegraph hill.
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4/5
2yrs+

"Grant between Bush and Sutter"

This little section of Grant Street is often overlooked because it is just outside of the entrance to Chinatown, and who can concentrate on Grant when those red gates await you. But, don't overlook it -- it is a gastronomical delight. Between Starbucks and the wonderful Cafe De La Presse, plus all the bustle of downtown and Chinatown, you are in quintessential San Francisco! Cafe De La Presse is an amazing country french style restaurant where singles can be in good company eating alone, with excellent service, white cloth table covers, and to-die-for food!
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4/5
2yrs+

"Well known tourist street, and easy access to banks!"

The part of Grant Street that I know best is the part that runs through Chinatown. Grant Street is easily identifiable because it is the street with all the major banks. Just in three blocks, four major banks can be accessed (for example, one is Washington Mutual.) This street is also well known for its miscellaneous curio shops that sell various souvenirs, gifts, and household items such as chopsticks. Many tourists like coming to this street because of its various curio shops, and this street will usually be filled with people during the daytime. Items like Hello Kitty lunchboxes and Mario candies can be found here. The best time to come is during a sunny weekend, that’s when you’ll find it most lively.
4/5
2yrs+

"Fun shopping by foot"

Can I say busy? Grant Avenue is the main vein that goes through San Francisco’s Chinatown. It is a must see, must visit street if you go to this culturally rich neighborhood. You can find Chinese locals doing their daily grocery shopping and lots of tourist shopping for Chinese goods. Do not miss the Golden Gate Bakery – they have the best egg tarts a.k.a. “dan tarts” on the western United States. Expect a long line that extends outside the shop. Parking is scarce so it’s best to visit it on foot.
Recommended for
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  • Families with kids
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5/5
2yrs+

"Very Lively But Crowded"

Grant Street between Sutter St. and Broadway St. is one of the main streets of San Francisco’s famous Chinatown. There are many small shops selling a variety of things for a very cheap price. It is a great place to spend an afternoon with friends or family, though there is a slight hill. There are some delicious bakeries but only if you like Chinese baked goods. Other than the bakeries, I would not say that the food is the best quality but there are a few restaurants that are nicer. I also will warn against the crowdedness that can sometime occur.
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  • Professionals
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4/5
2yrs+

"Popular street that hosts the famous Chinatown gates!"

Grant Avenue is a pretty popular and busy street starting from downtown San Francisco and runs all the way up to North Beach/Chinatown district. It is only one block away from Union Square Park. There’s a lot of action around this area with lots of stores and attractions. A few blocks away from Union Square Park on Grant Avenue is the famous Chinatown Gates which exemplifies the start of Chinatown. There’s plenty of great food on Grant Avenue with lots of dim sum and great Chinese food.

There are also plenty of stores to choose from, mainly Chinese stores that attract tourists but there are always a bunch of locals and residents of Chinatown on Grant Street. There aren’t too many houses around this area as it mainly consists of stores and shops but there is one large apartment complex very close to Grant Avenue.
5/5
2yrs+

"A Paresian Shopping Delight in the Middle Of San Francisco"

You may not believe it but a small strech of Maiden Lane between Stockton St. and Kearney St. is just filled with small and lage shops very much like you would find in Paris. Heading East from Union Square Park you'll find Yves St. Laurent, Diptyque, Arthur Beren, Chanel, David Stephen, Hermes of Paris and Christofle. After your shopping take a moment to have a nice snack at Bistro 69. Bon Voyage.
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4/5
2yrs+

"Yum, Yum, Yum!!!"

Yummy, yummy, yummy, I got Chinese food in my tummy. Seriously, there are so many d-to-the-licious places to eat here. What more would you expect out of Chinatown, though. This street always reminds me of Rush Hour when Chris goes to order the Chinese dish. I don't know how much he really liked it, but if you want to take my word for it. This place is De-lish!
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  • Professionals
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3/5
2yrs+

"one of the majors!"

One of two major roads through San Francisco's Chinatown. Shops, restaurants and markets can be found up and down this avenue.
Recommended for
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