San Francisco's Chinatown

San Francisco's Chinatown is among the must-visit places in the city no matter what people say about other cities having other Chinatowns. I believe each has its own distinctive attractions and character despite having the same name and the expected shops and restaurants. There are many things to see and explore in the area and we weren't even able to walk the entire stretch of its main street (Grant Ave). Following are a few photos from our casual walk with our cousins, Ate Gilda and Kuya Boy.

Photo op with one of the lions at the Chinatown gate

Ate Gilda and Kuya Boy posing with the lion

Old St. Mary's at Chinatown is an historic landmark. It used to be the tallest structure in San Francisco and could be seen from the harbor. It survived the great earthquake but had to be retrofitted so it could withstand future tremors.

Another view of Old St. Mary's with the distinctive lamp posts

Lamp post and pagoda-like structure on a building

Just had to get a good shot of the whole lamp post with the sign indicating "scenic drive"

Plaque at St. Mary's stating part of its history and it being designated as an historical landmark

Colorful lanterns adorn the main street of Chinatown

It was Thanksgiving Day so there were much less cars along the road. At least, most of them were parked and most visitors walked rather than drove.

Wall art on one of the buildings provide an oriental feel

Backtrack: a view of the stretch of the main street towards downtown San Francisco

We became curious of the architecture on the top of some buildings

Lanterns crossing the street

Notre Dame Des Victoires Church where we heard Thanksgiving Mass was along Bush Street and beside the French Consulate General and Goethe Institut

Souvenir shot taken by Kuya Boy

The Chinatown gate was a 5-minute walk from the Notre Dame church

Ate Gilda and Kuya Boy with the SF cable car running along Powell Street in the background