From Columbus Ave. and Kearny we will walk to the Portsmouth Square for yet to discover another cross-cultural neighborhood of the city by the Bay: Chinatown.
If Portsmouth Square is considered the very birthplace of San Francisco - where Capt. Montgomery of the naval sloop Portsmouth raised the American flag in 1846 - Portsmouth Square is also called the heart of Chinatown. Bordered by Grant Avenue and Kearny, Clay and Washington Streets, many historic buildings, the plaza with its park is the scene of morning tai chi practice, elephant chess (Chinese chess) games and children play.
The view of the plaza in this picture is from the terrace of the Holiday Inn hotel that hosts the Chinese Culture Center. This could be the departure point if you plan to take a walking tour of Chinatown with a docent guide. Their tours include a historical presentation of Chinatown covering culture, art, food, a visit to a temple, a herbal drugstore, the Chinese cookie factory; or the culinary tour with lots of food sampling, tea tasting, tips to buy foods and produce, kitchenware. Let's take the oldest street in town, Grant Ave and start exploring Chinatown.