San Francisco: Chinatown and the Central Subway

[38 Geary]

Just some shots of the oldest and most vibrant traditional Chinatown in the US, and the one that has been able to most retain its original customs, language, and identity.

Despite being a major tourist attraction, and many residents moving to the Richmond, Sunset, and Visitacion Valley neighborhoods, and beyond to the East and South Bay, it's still densely populated (62,500 per sq mi) almost entirely by Chinese speaking only Asians. And many that moved away still come back frequently to visit relatives and shop and eat and walk around. There are still many operating associations, temples, schools, mahjong parlors, herbal shops, dim sum and roast duck shops, bakeries, and other small businesses. There's even a Chinese Hospital where Bruce Lee was born. Many mistake Chinatown for a tourist trap, but simply walk Stockton instead of Grant, and many of the side streets in between, and you'll notice a huge difference. More recently, there have been a few higher end developments and upscale restaurants and food hall to help spur further interest in Chinatown, guiding it towards the future while still showing appreciation for its roots.

The development and opening of the Central Subway in late 2022 has been an excellent addition to improve connectivity to this historic and still thriving neighborhood that has been marginalized and has constantly battled discrimination since its origin. It is projected to be the Muni Metro line with the highest ridership by 2030. The total final cost of the Central Subway extension (1.7 mile subway with 3 subway stations and 0.4 mile surface track with 1 surface station) came out to $1.95 billion.

In this thread, I will share photos of current and future events of SF Chinatown (and some of the immediately adjacent neighborhoods, and maybe the Richmond/Sunset/Vis Valley as well), and also take you on a tour of the new Central Subway, which currently stretches from Chinatown, through downtown, SoMa, Mission Bay, Dogpatch, Bayview/Hunters Point, and ending in Vis Valley. Future plans include an extension to North Beach and Fisherman's Wharf, and possibly the Marina/Presidio.