There's so many epic celebrations throughout the Bay Area for the Chinese New Year. To avoid being overwhelmed, here are my personal and well-tested recommendations to usher in the Year of the Rat.

The Famous Parade

On Saturday, February 8th, experience the sights and sounds of Chinatown during the community’s most exciting time of the year, the Chinese New Year Parade. Steeped in legends and stories, the parade has been an annual tradition for San Francisco since the days of the Gold Rush.

The Chinese New Year Parade which starts at 5:15pm at at Second and Market Streets, proceeds west on Market, and then west to Geary Street to Union Square. It turns north on Powell Street, east on Post Street and north on Kearny Street to Columbus Avenue where the parade will disperse. Here is a map of the full route.

Know Before You Go To The Parade:

Chinatown is extremely crowded and driving can be very frustrating. If public transportation is not an option, I recommend parking at the public lot for the Hilton. Safe, convenient and prices are reasonable relative to other options in close proximity and leads you away from the crowd.
Dress in layers and bring lots of water.
For sensitive ears, The Chinese New Year Celebration is really noisy. Expect a lot of loud drumming and fireworks. Plan accordingly.

Don’t miss one of San Francisco’s most treasured celebration, the Chinese New Year Parade. Enjoy the vibrant history that Chinatown offers and don't miss celebrating the Year of the Rat.

Other Ways To Celebrate The Year Of The Rat In Chinatown

While most of the people attend just the parade, there are other cool events scheduled to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Chinatown, San Francisco.

Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt, Saturday, February 8, 2-7:30pm, The Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt is a unique urban adventure game played on the colorful streets of Chinatown, North Beach, Telegraph Hill and the Financial District, set against the backdrop of the annual Chinese New Year Parade. It’s a scavenger hunt for information in which teams collaboratively solve clues leading to off-the-beaten-track locations connected with local history, art and culture.

Chinatown Community Street Fair, Saturday & Sunday, February 8-9, 10am-4:30pm, Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of San Francisco’s exhilarating Chinatown during one of the community’s most exciting times of the year. You will find over 120 booths and concessions making this a shopper’s paradise.

Chinatown YMCA Run, Sunday, March 1, scenic route starts at Sacramento and Grant, winds its way through Chinatown, North Beach, the Embarcadero, Downtown and finishes on Kearny between California and Sacramento.

Explore Chinatown

There are a lot of cool places to explore in Chinatown. Some on my must-do list include a visit to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory on Ross Alley just off Grant. Don't miss some of the intriguing herb shops. My favorite is The Great China Herb Company at 857 Washington. Along Grant Avenue is Chinatown Kite Shop which sells a huge variety of kites. At 125 Waverly Place/Washington, look for a little yellow sign reading "Tin How Temple." Climb three flights of stairs to find the oldest Taoist/Buddhist temple in the United States, founded in 1852. Bonus; a sweeping view of Chinatown from the balcony.

Plan A Chinese Lunch

I could easily rattle of a ton of great places to eat but my top favorites are New Asia Restaurant (772 Pacific) and the R&G Lounge (631 Kearny.) Reservations are highly recommended. Expect many restaurants to host private events so best to plan ahead.

Then we top off our day with a yummy Moon Cake at the Eastern Bakery (720 Grant.)