The 2009 San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade:
Details, times, parade route, parking garage info, public transit. It's all right here: where to park, where to get public transit, a map of the parade route, how to buy bleacher seats to watch the parade plus a complete list of important links.
The annual San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade will take place February 7, 2009. It's time to get all the plans settled upon and start getting ready for one of the most spectacular parades on the planet. The celebration begins January 24th and runs through February 8th. Read the details below.
Since the 1860's the parade has combined the 5,000-year-old traditions of the Lantern Festival along with a good old American parade. It is one of the few remaining lighted nighttime parades in the country and (counting both the people watching along the parade route and the television viewers) is the most watched parade on Earth. It is also the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. You're going to have to hop a flight to Tapei, Shanghai or Hong Kong to see a bigger celebration.
Saturday, February 7
5:15pm-8:00pm
Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade, Market and Second Street to Kearny and Jackson. Location of bleachers: Kearny Street (between Sacramento & California and between Pine & Bush)415 986-1370 or 415 982-3071. Free. $30 for bleacher tickets Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by the IFEA (International Festivals and Events Association), the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining night illuminated parades in the country. Started in the 1860’s by the Chinese in San Francisco as a means to educate the community about their culture, the Parade and Festival have grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. Parade highlights include elaborate decorated floats, costumed elementary school groups, stilt walkers and the 201 foot long Golden Dragon “Gum Lung”. Buy Bleacher seats here. Warning: Bleacher seats usually sell out early.
Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade, Market and Second Street to Kearny and Jackson. Location of bleachers: Kearny Street (between Sacramento & California and between Pine & Bush)415 986-1370 or 415 982-3071. Free. $30 for bleacher tickets Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by the IFEA (International Festivals and Events Association), the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining night illuminated parades in the country. Started in the 1860’s by the Chinese in San Francisco as a means to educate the community about their culture, the Parade and Festival have grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. Parade highlights include elaborate decorated floats, costumed elementary school groups, stilt walkers and the 201 foot long Golden Dragon “Gum Lung”. Buy Bleacher seats here. Warning: Bleacher seats usually sell out early.
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February 7-8
Saturday 10:00am-4:30pm, Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm
Chinese New Year Community Street Fair, Grant Avenue from California to Pacific, Pacific Avenue from Kearny to Stockton, Washington and Jackson Streets from Kearny to Stockton. Free. 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. Enjoy dance and music from throughout Asian and experience ancient and modern Chinese arts such as calligraphy, kite making and acrobatics.
Chinese New Year Community Street Fair, Grant Avenue from California to Pacific, Pacific Avenue from Kearny to Stockton, Washington and Jackson Streets from Kearny to Stockton. Free. 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. Enjoy dance and music from throughout Asian and experience ancient and modern Chinese arts such as calligraphy, kite making and acrobatics.
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February 7-8
February 7-8
Saturday/Sunday - 11:00am-4:00pm
Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival, 750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor (Hilton SF/Financial District)Information: 415 986-1822. Free
Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival, 750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor (Hilton SF/Financial District)Information: 415 986-1822. Free
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February 15
February 15
Sunday
Chinese Chamber of Commerce/Chinatown Run 10K/5K Run/Walk YMCA Chinatown Contact: Lara Hitchcock at 415 576-9622 - 7:00am Pre-Registration at Portsmouth Square. 8:00am Race begins at Grant and Sacramento. This event benefits the youth and teens in YMCA programs. Kids are able to participate in seasonal Day Camp, Summer School, Residence Camp, After School Program, and Ballet! Please visit YMCA Chinatown to register on-line and for more information.
Chinese Chamber of Commerce/Chinatown Run 10K/5K Run/Walk YMCA Chinatown Contact: Lara Hitchcock at 415 576-9622 - 7:00am Pre-Registration at Portsmouth Square. 8:00am Race begins at Grant and Sacramento. This event benefits the youth and teens in YMCA programs. Kids are able to participate in seasonal Day Camp, Summer School, Residence Camp, After School Program, and Ballet! Please visit YMCA Chinatown to register on-line and for more information.
Best locations to view the parade:
- Bleacher seats you can buy along the parade route. Buy bleacher seats here.
- TV broadcasters area along Union Square.
- Many people line the area around Portsmouth Square. Pick up some food and enjoy the parade.
- Review stand area at the end of the parade, where floats are judged
- A street-view hotel room in hotel overlooking the Union Square area. (click here for a list)
Take BART to the Chinese New Year ParadeExit at the Montgomery or Powell Street Stations.
The parade starts on Market, goes up Geary to Powell, down Post and ends on Kearny at Columbus. To plan your trip, visit BART.gov.
To avoid long ticket lines, buy a round trip ticket for the parade in advance at any BART station (tickets have no time limit). This is particularly helpful for families or groups traveling together -- each person must have their own ticket and will skip long lines at the ticket machines by purchasing them in advance.
To calculate your round trip fare ahead of time, visit BART Ticket Calculator. Discount BART tickets for children! Don't forget, children 4 and under ride FREE! Plus, BART offers discounted tickets for Children 5 to 12 Years Old - a $24 ticket costs only $9. You must purchase these red discount tickets PRIOR to the parade date - you will not be able to purchase them at the station on the date of the parade.
To purchase your discount tickets in advance: Purchase online at BART Discount Tickets or at one of the locations listed at BART Retail Sales. Enter your zip code to find the location closest to you to purchase tickets, and make sure to call first to make sure that they have the tickets you need available. (Note - you can visit BART Ticket Types for information about discount tickets for Seniors or Persons with Disabilities.)
Public Transportation
AC Transit: Serves Berkeley, Oakland and other East Bay communities. In SF, buses depart from the Transbay Terminal and Financial District. (510) 839-2882.
BART: Links San Francisco with the East Bay and Daly City. In SF, trains run underground along Market Street. Stops at Embarcadero, Montgomery, Powell, Civic Center. (415) 992-2278.
CalTrain: Rail service to the Peninsula, San Jose. In SF, trains depart from the San Francisco Cal-Train Station. 4th St./Townsend (800) 660-4287.
Golden Gate Transit and Ferries: Serves Marin County, parts of Sonoma. In SF, buses stop on Lombard St., Van Ness Ave., Geary Blvd., Financial District, Transbay Terminal. (415) 923-2000.
SamTrans: Serves San Mateo County including the San Francisco International Airport, Palo Alto, Daly City. In SF, buses stop in Financial District, Transbay Terminal. (800) 660-4287.
S.F. Muni: For complete schedule information call (415) 673-MUNI.
San Francisco Taxi Information: Note:If you plan to take a taxi, be SURE you read this important information! Go to: Taxicab Crooks and Scam Cabs in San Francisco
Additional Ferry, Bus, Rail, Transit Information:
Baylink Ferry
511.org Transt Info
511.org Transit Provider List
Baylink Ferry
511.org Transt Info
511.org Transit Provider List
Parking Garages:
Ellis-O'Farrell Garage, 123 O'Farrell St. 415-986-4800
Union Square Garage, 333 Post/Geary 415-621-6751
Sutter-Stockton330 Stockton/Sutter 415-982-7275
Fifth & Mission Garage, 833 Mission/5th St. 415-82-8522
Four-Fifty Sutter Garage, 450 Sutter Street 415-421-4444
Union Square Garage, 333 Post/Geary 415-621-6751
Sutter-Stockton330 Stockton/Sutter 415-982-7275
Fifth & Mission Garage, 833 Mission/5th St. 415-82-8522
Four-Fifty Sutter Garage, 450 Sutter Street 415-421-4444
Chinatown Portsmouth Square Garage, 733 Avenue 415-421-6057
St. Mary's Square Garage, 433 Kearny Street, SF 415-956-8106
Vallejo Street Garage, Vallejo At Powell Street
St. Mary's Square Garage, 433 Kearny Street, SF 415-956-8106
Vallejo Street Garage, Vallejo At Powell Street
Embarcadero Center Garages, 415-398-1878
Moscone Center Garage, 255 3rd St./Howard St. 415-777-2782
Museum Parc, Third & Folsom St. 415-543-4533
Museum Parc, Third & Folsom St. 415-543-4533
Internet Resource Guide
Hotels, Hostels, Bed & Breakfasts - Reservations & Referrals
Traditional Celebration of the Chinese New Year
Traditional Celebration of the Chinese New Year
Other related Articles from Sam Spade's San Francisco:
The Ultimate Chinese New Year Guide Book
A Different New Year by Joe Huang, Softcover: $5.00 Order from Chinese Cultural Center
A Different New Year by Joe Huang, Softcover: $5.00 Order from Chinese Cultural Center
Learn all about Chinese New Year! Information on Chinese New year including background information, a three-day lesson plan, and an appendix with reading materials and a resource guide (secondary school material). Shipped from San Francisco.
.And for the next time you are in San Francisco:next time you are in the City:
Exploring the Presidio of San Francisco
California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park
City Hall - Architectural Masterpiece
San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
The Exploratorium
Union Square Shopping District
Alcatraz History (great site)
Alcatraz Cruises and Ferry
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Exploring the Presidio of San Francisco
California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park
City Hall - Architectural Masterpiece
San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
The Exploratorium
Union Square Shopping District
Alcatraz History (great site)
Alcatraz Cruises and Ferry
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
San Francisco Maritime Park (tour 19th Centiry sailing ships)e
USS Pampanito Online Virtual Tour (WWII U. S. Navy submarine)
SS Jeremiah O'Brien (last fully-seaworthy Liberty Ship from WWII)
Garden Court at the Palace Hotel - SF's most elegant Sunday brunch!
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Gay and Lesbian Resources in San Francisco:
Theatre Bay Area - be
Theatre Rhinoceros - SF's oldest and original queer theatrefo
.told
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1 comments:
Fantastic resource guide! This is the kind of focused information referral that was the original intention of what blogs should be. Very professional work and a great service to San Francisco and everyone who comes to visit.
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