Free self-guided walk · San Francisco

Chinatown, North Beach and Telegraph Hill

A free self-guided walk from Union Square through the Dragon Gate and along Grant Avenue in Chinatown to North Beach and Washington Square, ending at Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill.

Distance
2.5 km
Walking time
34 min
Allow
About 2 hours with stops
Stops
6

Open the route in Google MapsSan Francisco city guide

About this walk

Three of San Francisco's oldest neighbourhoods sit side by side: Chinatown, Italian North Beach and the hill above them. This walk crosses them, ending at the city's best viewpoint.

The last stretch is a steep climb. Bus 39 runs up to Coit Tower.

  • Terrain: Flat at first, then steep. The climb to Coit Tower uses steep streets and steps.
  • Best time: Morning in Chinatown, when the markets are busy; the views from Telegraph Hill are clearest at midday.

Route map

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Route and stop positions © OpenStreetMap contributors. North is up.

The stops

  1. Union Square

    Start in the downtown square.

  2. Dragon Gate

    The gateway to Chinatown at Grant Avenue and Bush Street.

  3. Grant Avenue

    The main street of Chinatown, one of the oldest in North America.

  4. Portsmouth Square

    Chinatown's 'living room', where locals play cards and chess.

  5. Washington Square

    The park at the heart of North Beach, faced by the twin towers of Saints Peter and Paul Church.

  6. Coit Tower

    Finish at the tower on Telegraph Hill, with murals inside and views over the bay.

Tips

  • Go down from Coit Tower by the Filbert Steps, through hillside gardens.
  • City Lights bookstore is on Columbus Avenue in North Beach.
  • Bring a layer: the weather changes quickly.

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Sources and review date

This walk was last reviewed on 2026-10-28. Distance and walking time come from OpenStreetMap's walking router and don't include time at stops. Opening hours and access change; please check before you go.