What do Italy and China have in common, besides Marco Polo and noodles? Too much fun and great love of family and food. Begin in San Francisco's Chinatown, the biggest Chinatown in North America, and pass through San Francisco's Italian community in North Beach with a Chinese accent.
Combine your love for Italian and Chinese cuisine while you:
Hear stories about the history, folklore, culture and food of America's largest Chinatown, and about the first Chinese to settle in this colorful neighborhood. After strolling around Chinatown, end up in North Beach to visit:
Experience two completely different neighborhoods on one exciting and fun tour...
Visitors who come to Chinatown will find wonderful dim sum teahouses, small cafes, restaurants frequented by locals, and observe spiffily-dressed families headed to celebratory Chinese banquets.
North Beach's cafes, restaurants, and parks evoke a feeling of old Italy.
Discover the duality of Chinese & Italian cuisine!
Combine your love for Italian and Chinese cuisine while you:
Hear stories about the history, folklore, culture and food of America's largest Chinatown, and about the first Chinese to settle in this colorful neighborhood. After strolling around Chinatown, end up in North Beach to visit:
- Historic Barbary Coast
- Go into a world famous Italian delicatessen
- Washington Square Park and churches
- Stroll around North Beach's "Little Italy"
Experience two completely different neighborhoods on one exciting and fun tour...
Visitors who come to Chinatown will find wonderful dim sum teahouses, small cafes, restaurants frequented by locals, and observe spiffily-dressed families headed to celebratory Chinese banquets.
North Beach's cafes, restaurants, and parks evoke a feeling of old Italy.
Discover the duality of Chinese & Italian cuisine!
What Is Not Included?
This tour does not include any tastings or meals, however, we would be happy to arrange a Chinese or Italian meal or recommend a wonderful spot for your own lunch after the tour!
Meeting Location
Financial District, just outside Chinatown (San Francisco, CA)
(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)
- What time should I arrive for my tour?
- The Ciao Chow tour begins promptly at the scheduled start time. Please make sure to arrive 15 minutes early so we can sign everyone in and start the tour on time. The scheduled start time is usually 10:00 a.m. but the start time can be flexible if it is booked for a private group of 6 or more.
- How far in advance should I book a tour?
- As soon as you have set your plans and you know you would like to attend the tour. Our tours often sell out, and frequently well in advance, so please make sure to purchase your tickets early, especially if you have limited time availability.
- Is the walking strenuous?
- This particular tour covers both Chinatown and North Beach, so wear good walking shoes and be prepared for a nice walking work-out. Not overly strenuous though...
- Is food included in the tour?
- It CAN include food. For the base price of $35.00, no food is included, but we can certainly change that, to include samplings in various bakeries, etc. Fee will be discussed if this is what you want. Also, SOME groups begin in North Beach and end in Chinatown, and we can set up a DIM SUM lunch. No matter, your tour leader will be happy to point you in the direction of a great spot for lunch, Italian or Chinese!
- Where does the tour end?
- The tour ends in North Beach or Chinatown, depending on which area we cover first on the tour.
- How many people are in a typical group?
- To ensure that we can provide an intimate experience for all our guests, we limit the size of our tour groups. We average 10 to 16 guests per tour leader. We do require the magic number of "6" to make this tour a go......
- Is the tip to the tour leader included?
- The gratuity to your tour leader is not included. Consider him/her as you would others in the industry, or as servers in restaurants, cab drivers, etc. You tip them at your discretion, and a good time to do so is after the tour, when you are saying farewell.
- Do tour leaders make all the same stops?
- Each tour leader is unique and lends his/her special flair to the tour experience. We all cover the history, architecture, and folklore of the community, but may make different stops as we see fit. If we hear that a guest is especially interested in a certain area (e.g., marketplace, Chinese medicine) we do our very best to be sure that is covered.
- What happens if it rains?
- The tour will run rain or shine. We will be spending some time outside, as well as in some of the local establishments, so please dress accordingly.
- Is the tour wheelchair and/or stroller accessible?
- Yes, as long as you have an assistant for the wheelchair-bound, and I know that a doting parent or grandparent will care for the cutie in the stroller.
- Are gift certificates available for the tour?
- Yes, gift certificates make a great gift for any occasion! If you are interested in purchasing a gift certificate, please contact Wok Wiz by clicking the "Contact WokWiz" link.
- Can I book a private tour?
- Yes, private tours are available. Wok Wiz is happy to provide private tours and events for incentive groups, schools, etc. If you are interested in booking a private tour, contact Wok Wiz by clicking on the "Contact WokWiz" link.
Wok Wiz Chinatown Tours/Cooking Co
Wok Wiz Tours has been in business for over 25 years and was founded by the late chef/author Shirley Fong-Torres who designed her tours to showcase one of the most remarkable neighborhoods in San Francisco: Chinatown. Each year, we bring thousands of guests, of all ages, from near and far, to our vibrant area. Every Wok Wiz tour leader was either born in, or grew up in Chinatown, giving a very local flavor to the tour, and each speaks fluent English as well as Chinese.
Wok Wiz Chinatown Tours remains a San Francisco icon. Featured in the NY Times, LA Times, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, and Cooking Light, and multiple guide books such as Fodor’s and Frommer’s, the tours are touted as "top attractions" in the city.
Former English as a Second Language teacher, Shirley worked for Levi Strauss & Co., but she found her true path in life in 1984: "To teach and entertain people while sharing my love for Chinese history and food." The author of four books and numerous food and travel articles, Shirley also guest starred on the Food Network, Discovery, Fine Living-TV, and PBS shows, as well as the Rachael Ray talk show during her life. Her legacy continues to inspire the Wok Wiz team today who, led by Shirley’s daughter Tina and the same food-loving chefs and guides, keep Wok Wiz true to its original mission: "For our new friends to leave us with a greater understanding of the Chinese immigrants and their contributions to American life, and with good food and memories."
Don't waste a single minute...or calorie. Eat well, laugh more!
Wok Wiz Chinatown Tours remains a San Francisco icon. Featured in the NY Times, LA Times, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, and Cooking Light, and multiple guide books such as Fodor’s and Frommer’s, the tours are touted as "top attractions" in the city.
Former English as a Second Language teacher, Shirley worked for Levi Strauss & Co., but she found her true path in life in 1984: "To teach and entertain people while sharing my love for Chinese history and food." The author of four books and numerous food and travel articles, Shirley also guest starred on the Food Network, Discovery, Fine Living-TV, and PBS shows, as well as the Rachael Ray talk show during her life. Her legacy continues to inspire the Wok Wiz team today who, led by Shirley’s daughter Tina and the same food-loving chefs and guides, keep Wok Wiz true to its original mission: "For our new friends to leave us with a greater understanding of the Chinese immigrants and their contributions to American life, and with good food and memories."
Don't waste a single minute...or calorie. Eat well, laugh more!
for WokWiz
