San Francisco's Chinatown is one of North America's largest Chinatowns. It is also the oldest Chinatown in the United States. Established in the 1850s, it has featured significantly in popular culture venues such as film, music, photography and literature. It is one of the largest and most prominent centers of Chinese activity outside of China.

Chinatown has experienced decline over the years due to the emergence of other large Chinese communities in the Richmond and Sunset Districts of San Francisco, and possibly from the revitalization of Oakland's Chinatown only away — and from the development of Asian shopping centers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Nonetheless, it remains a major tourist attraction — drawing more visitors than the Golden Gate Bridge.