San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade
 

My husband and I are planning a long weekend trip to SF sometime from February to early April, 2004. We are currently flexible on our dates, depending on when we can get FF tickets.

So, I was checking out info on the parade for Chinese New Year at www.chineseparade.com and it sounds wonderful.

But, can anyone who has done it personally offer more info? What time would we need to arrive to be able to see anything? What did you love about attending the parade? What did you not love so much?

Any personal stories will help us decide if we want to plan our trip during that time.

Thanks! :)

I haven't been in years, but those times that I did go, I recall lots of firecrackers and dragon dancers. It is a fun event and I really enjoyed it the first few times I went. I used to go to many of the SF parades: Carnival, the Cherry Blossom, the Gay Parade, the Chinese New Year but over time I have stopped. I guess familiarity does breed contempt or at least less effort.

I remember watching the parade somewhere in the Union Square area - they were filmed for TV so it allowed me to see the best. If you see the cameras try to stand close. And this parade is well worth seeing.

Chinese New Year is January 22 this year - much earlier than usual.

Thanks for the info so far!

Does anyone know how early it would be prudent to arrive to see? I'm not terribly tall. ;)

Also, for anyone else considering it, although the Chinese New Year is January 22 this year, the parade is Saturday, February 7 at 5:30pm.

BTW-Does any one know what Year/Animal
this New Year will be?
R5

Bring your rain gear!

it always rains!

R5~I think it is year of the monkey.

Good to know it always rains. ;)

Bumping to see if I can get any more detailed info or opinions.

Thanks! :)

Unless you want to sit in the grandstands, you probably are safe getting there about a half hour early. You can just walk along adjacent streets until you see a less crowded spot. Keep in mind that an area may be crowded because a lot of the groups stop there - they have a lot of cute kids in the parade who occaisonally stop and do a martial arts routine.

I think we usually watch along Post St., but I always get my street names confused in that area. It's the street the parade comes up before turning at Union Square and the grandstand. And, yes, it always rains on the parade.

Thanks Pam! I also found out that the year is 4071 and that in 2001 it was a leap year and that instead of getting an extra day they add an extra year.
Do you really get an extra months pay?
R5

Jennifer,
Just a bit of advice about dining in Chinese restaurants during the New Year week: The Lunar New Year is a prime occasion for Asian families to gather and have restaurant meals, often in groups of 10 or more. So, restaurants will be festive but crowded. I've never had to make a reservation, but it might take a wait to find a table for you at the more popular places. Don't let that stop you, though - you'll be taking part in the spirit of the New Year to have a nice meal in good company!