Teas, Temples & Beatniks Small-Group Tour by Urban Adventures

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Duration: 3h
Location: Chinatown, San Francisco, United States | San Francisco, United States


Category: Food & Drink

Highlights:
Insightful exploration of 2 diverse San Francisco districts
European charm in the old Italian community of North Beach
Famous hangouts of Beat poets Jack Kerouac & Allen Ginsburg
Chance to make your own fortune cookie & try Chinese snacks
Fortune reading at San Francisco's oldest temple

Inclusions:
Guided walking tour of Chinatown and North Beach
Chinese dessert samples and tea tasting
Live tour commentary provided in English

Description:

Immerse yourself in two of San Francisco's most distinctive neighborhoods and see the vibrant mix of cultures that made the city famous. Explore one of the oldest Chinese communities outside of Asia along with the European charm of North Beach, where the Beat Generation came into its own.

Begin at the charming Chinatown Gate and follow your local guide through the bustling streets of this vibrant area. Learn about the history of the city's Chinese community during San Francisco's gold rush and the building of the transcontinental railroad.

Stop in at one of the neighborhood's oldest bakeries for an authentic mooncake pastry before you make your way to Waverly Place, where you can have your fortune read in a historic Chinese temple renowned as the oldest in America. Weave between performing street artists to taste fortune cookies hot off the press and learn about the different flavors of traditional Chinese tea at an in-depth tasting ceremony.

Next, it's on to North Beach, where you can see the famous hangouts of Beat poets like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsburg—including the City Lights Bookstore, which publishes the works of local poets to this day. Get a feel for the vibe of San Francisco's Little Italy as you wind your way through the cute shops and cafes of the Barbary Coast.

Finish up your tour at the gorgeous Washington Square Park. With a location near Coit Tower and some excellent Italian restaurants, there's plenty more of San Francisco close by for you to explore.