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{Weekend Break}: Chinese New Year in San Francisco

Mar 14 by Anita 10 Comments

Chinatown CNY paper decs
 

Happy Saturday! I’m going to start using the weekends to share some of my favorite places to go and things to do around the Bay Area. I did this for a while under the “Sweet San Francisco” category in my navigation bar, but I’m trying to get back to doing this more regularly. I’ll be mostly spotlighting bakeries, restaurants, and other sweet spots both longstanding and new, and sweets-related events, so if you’re looking for recommendations for when you visit the Bay Area, I hope you find some of these suggestions useful!

This first event I want to share isn’t exactly about dessert, but it’s very San Francisco. I was invited by AT&T to attend the Chinese Lunar New Year festival and parade in downtown San Francisco last weekend. Here are some of my favorite shots from the day.

Chinatown CNY Festival
 

Grant Avenue, the heart of Chinatown, and the location of the Chinese New Year Festival.

Chinatown Festival ATT
 
Chinatown CNY stuffed animals
 

Plenty of cute things for sale, like these animal plushies, or the good luck charms below.

Chinatown CNY good luck charms
 
Chinatown ATT booth
 

At the AT&T booth there was this cute game where people had to choose from cards printed with the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. There were different questions printed on the back and they could win prizes if they answered correctly. I got a selfie stick (although I didn’t figure out how to use in time to try it at the festival!)

Golden Gate Bakery
 

If you go to Chinatown, there’s one obligatory stop for dessert: Golden Gate Bakery, the classic choice for the best egg custard tarts (dan tat) ever. Lines of people impatiently waiting for the next fresh batch of tarts are a regular sight.

Golden Gate Bakery
1029 Grant Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133

Chinatown golden tiger
 
Chinatown Kites
 
Chinatown Old Shanghai shop
 

I love this old fashioned storefront.

Chinatown lanterns
 
Chinatown sheep
 

A lineup of sheep for the Year of the Sheep.

Chinatown year of sheep
 
 

The highlight of all the Chinese New Year festivities is the parade: nearly 3 hours of elaborate floats, adorable costumed kids, marching bands, dancing lions, and cavorting dragons winding through the downtown streets. This parade has been an annual tradition since 1858, and has been named one of the top ten parades in the world. We were lucky enough to have bleacher seats right at Union Square and got a great view of all the color and noise.

Chinatown parade lions
 
CNY parade lion head 

Dancing lions up close.

CNY parade dragon
 
Chinatown parade float
 
Chinatown parade ATT float
 

The route is so long that you can usually find a good vantage point somewhere. I like standing on Market Street or on Post Street, in front of Union Square. Don’t miss the end of the parade, which features a 200 ft long dragon and over 600,000 firecrackers going off to scare the evil spirits away for the new year (bring earplugs or ear protection for your little ones!)

Chinatown parade dragons
 

This was Isabelle’s first time at the parade and she loved it, especially the dancing lions and dragons. It’s a beautiful slice of a unique part of San Francisco’s culture and a very entertaining way to spend a lovely springlike day (Final tip: typically the weather is chilly and drizzly so be prepared. We got lucky with some gorgeous warm weather). Happy Year of the Sheep!

Disclaimer: I received tickets to attend the New Year’s Eve parade from AT&T. All opinions in this post are my own.

CNY parade firecracker
 

Filed Under: Events, San Francisco, SF Events Tagged With: chinese new year, parade, san francisco

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Comments

  1. 1

    Heather (Delicious Not Gorgeous) says

    Mar 14 at 11:50 pm

    I definitely agree with your assessment of Golden Gate Bakery. The first time I had one it was a day old, but it was still by far the best dan tat I had.

    Reply
  2. 2

    @Travelpanties says

    Mar 16 at 8:08 am

    Wow! This looks so fun! And such gorgeous and colorful photos! Definitely need to make it here for Chinese New Year!

    Reply
  3. 3

    Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

    Mar 16 at 1:16 pm

    We visited Chinatown in San Francisco for the first time 5 years ago and it was awesome! Can’t wait to go back! Great pics, love all the bright colors!

    Reply
  4. 4

    Jade Gidley says

    Mar 16 at 5:57 pm

    Man I wish I could travel! I’ve never been anywhere cool.

    Reply
  5. 5

    ananda says

    Mar 16 at 7:55 pm

    wow this is so much fun!! love chinese sweets for the moon festival and for new year! =)

    Reply
  6. 6

    Lana @ The Joy Blog says

    Mar 16 at 9:47 pm

    I HAVE to go to this someday before I die.

    Reply
  7. 7

    Jennifer says

    Mar 18 at 5:15 am

    What a fun celebration! I’ve actually only been to San Francisco on very quick trips and have yet to make it to China Town. My parents went when I was a kid and I remember it being my mom’s favorite place in San Francisco. She even brought me a beautiful silk dress she found in China Town. I think it’s time I finally experienced it for myself!

    Reply
  8. 8

    Tiia / Fangirl Quest says

    Mar 19 at 8:25 am

    Wow! I love SF but I’ve never really had time to attend any events when I’ve visited. This seems like a fun event! Maybe next year… 🙂

    Reply
  9. 9

    Deborah says

    Mar 22 at 8:51 am

    I have never been to San Francisco, but have a really good friend that moved there not long ago. I think a trip there, and to China Town, is in order!!

    Reply
  10. 10

    Rachelle says

    Mar 24 at 7:49 pm

    Looks fun! And great tip about the Golden Gate Bakery.

    Reply

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about pastrygirl

Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, and dog Max. More about pastrygirl

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