Sarah H.United States
What an experience! Sharon is incredibly knowledgeable and flexed the tour to be perfect for our group. Recommend this tour for those really looking for a deep dive into the background and history of the area.
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Private tour in San Francisco Sharon T
Chinatown and More: A Walking Tour
5.0
(14) reviews
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3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
Sharon T.
5.0
Guide rating
162
Reviews
Tours delivered
3 hrs
Avg. response time
Hello and welcome. I have lived and worked in the Bay area since the 1970's. In 2010 I became a tour guide , specializing in local tours. Since then I've conducted thousands of tours for many different groups including over 400 for ToursByLocals. I never tire of showing the beauty, the bustle, and the excitement of our area to visitors and residents alike. In 2015 I became a "certified guide" per the San Francisco Tour Guide Guild. I hope you will visit the Bay area and join me for a tour soon! My tours vary depending on my group. Many of my tours originate in San Francisco, where I serve as a step-on guide for large groups on a motorcoach. I also enjoy conducting walking tours (Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, Mission Murals, the Castro ) public transportation tours (trolleys, buses, and cable cars), and driving tours using a private limo service or Uber. Besides San Francisco, I also conduct tours in Silicon Valley, San Jose, Napa and Sonoma wine country, Monterey and Carmel, Muir Woods and Sausalito, Point Reyes, and unique destinations chosen by visitors. I can also conduct campus tours of Berkeley, Stanford, and other nearby universities. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking the hills around the Bay, reading books about the people and places of the area, and discovering new perspectives about California to add depth to my tours. Exploring this landscape is always new, always fresh, and always inspiring. I thrill at uncovering little-known and yet significant events in and around the Bay area. I welcome you to tour the area with me and deepen your appreciation for the Bay area. I have been a Bay area resident since 1977 and attended International Tour and Management Institute in 2010, becoming a Certified Tour Director. Since then I have been leading tours in and around the Bay area, the state of California, the Pacific Northwest, and the East Coast (Washington DC and NYC). In October 2015 I qualified as a "certified tour guide" per the requirements of the San Francisco Tour Guide Guild. I have taken numerous continuing education courses at Stanford to expand my knowledge including "Innovations in Silicon Valley", and "The History of California" with the late Kevin Starr. I have a BA (English) from Calvin College and an MA (General Studies in the Humanities) from University of Chicago I am not a driver. I can accompany you in your vehicle or I can arrange for a separate car and driver
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Sharon T.
An up-close look at the Oldest Chinatown in North America
Overview of your San Francisco tour
San Francisco's Chinatown is both the oldest and densest in the United States. Yet, the neighborhood we visit today is much changed since the 1906 earthquake and fire. Join me for a walking tour in Chinatown, exploring its history of hardships and successes. I am a local and experienced guide, Certified by the San Francisco Tour Guide Guild. I have been giving this tour since 2012, and love sharing the details and the highlights of this fascinating neighborhood of San Francisco. Our tour will begin in Portsmouth Square, one of the oldest parks in San Francisco, and currently Chinatown's "Living Room". Our route will take us through narrow alleyways, vibrant food markets, unique shops, and local temples. We will learn about important Chinese immigrants, their friends and their adversaries. While the route is not long, it does require walking up and down hills.
Recent Reviews
Todd S.United States
We had a great time with Sharon who is super knowledgeable. Despite a dozen or so trips to the Bay area, we learned much more than we expected about the San Francisco area and Chinatown. Definitely recommended.
David C.United States
Our guide, Sharon, was extremely personable and accommodating, especially as our plane arrival had been seri ously delayed. She had a wonderful knowledge of China Town, and was able to switch things up to get in what we were interested in. Very happy and will look forward to working with Sharon again.
Leanne R.United States
Sharon is a very knowledgeable and gracious guide. Flexibility is Sharon's specialty not to mention patience. We thoroughly enjoyed our morning learning more about the history of San Francisco. We can recommend Sharon's guiding services without any hesitation or reservation!
Katie M.United States
Sharon was extremely knowledgeable not only on Chinatown, but on San Fran in general. She was a sheer delight and I can't recommend her enough if you like informative history on the places you're visiting. A+!
Nabetsi H.United States
Sharon was an amazing guide. She was knowledgeable and flexible. Our family of 5 truly enjoyed our tour through China town
Your San Francisco tour itinerary
Our tour will take us through streets and alleyways of today's Chinatown, while peering beneath the surface to understand the discrimination of the past and the consequences to the community. A typical tour will visit --a Chinese temple --Chinatown's alleyways --the fortune cookie factory --a tearoom (for tea tasting) --the meat and produce markets of Stockton Street --the Chinatown gate More includes the Cable Car Museum (if open), Jackson Square Historic District, North Beach, and the Transamerica Pyramid, as time and interest permits
Want to customize this tour?
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Transport details
Type: Walking
We will walk the hilly and flat streets of Chinatown and nearby neighborhoods
What's included
Other: This walking tour includes a visit to a local temple and the Golden Gate Cookie Factory
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location
745 Kearny Street, San Francisco, California, 94108, United States
Portsmouth Square unless otherwise requested
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
City Highlights
Tour reference number
117887
Languages
EnglishActivity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Traveller reviews
5.0
FAQs
Who is this private tour in San Francisco best suited for?
This private tour in San Francisco is perfect for travellers who want to explore the rich history and vibrant culture of Chinatown with a local expert. It's suitable for families, as it's kid-friendly, and also ideal for those who enjoy walking tours and want to learn about the area's history, including its challenges and triumphs.
What should I bring or wear?
Can this private tour in San Francisco be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?
How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?
Where does the tour start and end?
Is transportation included?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
What languages is this tour offered in?
What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?
Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
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3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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Book with a deposit
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- The remaining balance will automatically be charged to your credit card 30 days before your tour date.