Portsmouth Square

Portsmouth Square, in San Francisco

Portsmouth Square is a historic square in the heart of Chinatown, nicknamed the heart of the district. The San Francisco audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this place laden with history, the cradle of the modern town and the heart of the life of Chinatown.

The historic cradle of the town

Portsmouth Square is one of the squares most laden with history of San Francisco. It is here that, in the middle of the nineteenth century, the town was officially attached to the United States, and that the first centre of the nascent city developed, at the time of the gold rush. Today in the heart of Chinatown, the square has become its true open-air living room: there you see the inhabitants playing cards, mahjong or chess, practising tai chi and gathering at all hours. A place of memory and daily life, Portsmouth Square is the beating and popular heart of the Chinese district.

What to see

Here you discover the historic square where the town was attached to the United States, become the open-air living room of Chinatown, animated by the inhabitants playing cards, mahjong or practising tai chi. Portsmouth Square is the heart of the Chinese district. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

Portsmouth Square lies in the heart of Chinatown, in San Francisco, reachable on foot. It is a public space open at all times, freely accessible. The square is particularly lively during the day, to the rhythm of the life of the district.

Why is Portsmouth Square historic in San Francisco?

It is here that the town was officially attached to the United States in the middle of the nineteenth century, and that the first centre of the city developed; the square is today the heart of Chinatown.

Where is Portsmouth Square?

In the heart of Chinatown, in San Francisco, in the United States.