The Scoop Summer 2020 | Page 15

Chinatown

San Francisco is home to one of the oldest and largest enclaves of Chinese immigrants outside of Asia. San Francisco's Chinatown is a whole different realm. Almost completely destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, Chinatown was rebuilt entirely in the Chinese style and was soon even more gorgeous than before the disaster. Chinatown has become one of the major sites of San Francisco. Chinatown has become one of the major sites of San Francisco. Now with its temples, theaters, workshops, small businesses, stores, antique and souvenir shops, teahouses, and traditional pharmacies, Chinese New Year celebrations are often considered the best in North America. The main street in Chinatown for tourists is Grant Avenue, with the Chinatown Gateway at Grant Avenue and Bush Street. If you don't mind a little exercise, you can do your own walking tour beginning in Chinatown with the help of our San Francisco Walking Tour. Head through the ornate Dragon Gate (the only authentic Chinatown Gate in North America) and explore the colorful alleyways. Like the Ross Alley, which is home to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory and Waverly Place, which has some beautiful buildings, including Tin How Taoist Temple. After, stop for food at one of the many fantastic restaurants and bakeries, like Hunan Home's Restaurant, Good Mong Kok Bakery, Z & Y Restaurant, and Golden Gate Bakery (famous for its egg tarts).

Website: http://www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/

Walking Tour: https://www.planetware.com/california/san-francisco-walking-tour-top-sights-us-ca-128.htm

Angel Island State Park is in the San Francisco Bay and provides a bunch of outdoor activities for anyone willing to trek across the water. The island, which is only accessible by ferry, has a fascinating and vital history, notably the time from 1910 to 1940. Before the government converted the island into a park, it served as a hunting ground, a cattle ranch, an immigration station, and even a missile base. Angel Island also offers trails to hike, with over 13 miles of foot trails and including a 6-mile loop that takes you to the top of Mt. Livermore. Which is the highest point of the island at 788 feet, and is the perfect stop to enjoy a picnic while looking at views of Alcatraz, the San Francisco skyline, and both the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. But be sure to pack a windbreaker or a thick jacket. Angel Island is infamous for its steady, chilling winds. Take a guided tram or Segway tour to learn more about the island's history. Tickets for the time cost $15.50 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and older, and $10 for children 12 and younger. They can be purchased on the Angel Island Company's website. The only way for travelers to access the island is via private boat or public ferry. Tickets for the public ferry can be purchased in advance from the Blue and Gold Fleet website. One-way tickets cost $9.75 for adults, $5.50 for children age 5 to 11, and for seniors age 65 and up.

Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=468

Angel Island Company (Tours): https://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/

Blue and Gold Fleet Website: https://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/

Angel Island State Park