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Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory: A Sweet Taste of Chinatown

Experience a San Francisco tradition: handmade fortune cookies in historic Chinatown. Watch the process & customize your own!

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Tucked away in Ross Alley, San Francisco's oldest alley, the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory offers a glimpse into the traditional art of handmade fortune cookie creation. Since 1962, this family-owned factory has been delighting visitors with its freshly baked cookies and the chance to witness the fascinating process.

A brief summary to Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

  • Monday 9 am-7 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-7 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-7 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-7 pm
  • Friday 9 am-7 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-7 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-7 pm

Local tips

  • Bring cash, as the shop may not accept credit cards.
  • Be prepared for a small line, especially during peak hours.
  • Pay the small fee to take photos and videos of the cookie-making process.
  • Try a free sample of a freshly baked, flat fortune cookie.
  • Explore Ross Alley and admire the colorful murals.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Grant Avenue, one of Chinatown's main streets, walk east until you reach the intersection with Sacramento Street. Turn left onto Sacramento Street and walk one block. Ross Alley will be on your right. Walk down Ross Alley about 100 feet to find the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory at 56 Ross Alley on your left. Alternatively, from Jackson Street, walk towards Stockton Street. Ross Alley will be on the right-hand side, between Stockton and Kearny.

  • Public Transport

    From the Ferry Building, walk to Clay St & Drumm St. Take the 1 Muni bus (Geary + 33rd Avenue). Exit at Sacramento St & Grant Ave. Walk right up Grant Street, then make a left on Washington, and Ross Alley will be immediately on your right-hand side. A one-way trip on Muni is approximately $3.00. From Fisherman's Wharf, walk to Columbus Ave & Bay St. Take the 30 Muni bus (Market + Fourth Street). Exit at Stockton St & Jackson St. Walk left on Jackson, Ross Alley will be on the right-hand side.

  • Driving

    From the East Bay, take the Bay Bridge (I-80 West). Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 2C to merge onto Fremont St. Merge onto Fremont St, then continue onto Front St. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Pine St. Turn right onto Powell St, then right onto Jackson St. Finally, turn right onto Ross Alley. Parking near the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory can be found at several garages, including the Chinatown Parking Garage (728 Pacific Avenue), Portsmouth Square Plaza Garage (733 Kearny St), and California Parking (555 Jackson St). Parking rates vary, but expect to pay approximately $3-5 per hour.

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Discover more about Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, nestled in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown at 56 Ross Alley, is a unique and captivating experience. Founded in 1962, this small factory has been hand-making fortune cookies using the same traditional methods for decades. Located in Ross Alley, the oldest alley in San Francisco, the factory provides a step back in time. Ross Alley itself has a rich history, once known for gambling dens and brothels in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it's a vibrant alleyway adorned with colorful murals that reflect the life and culture of Chinatown. Visitors to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory can witness the entire fortune cookie-making process. Skilled workers use motorized circular griddles to bake the cookies, then quickly fold them by hand, inserting the tiny paper fortunes with practiced precision. The aroma of freshly baked cookies fills the air, adding to the immersive experience. For a small fee, visitors can take photos and videos of the cookie-making process. You can even have custom fortunes made for a personal touch. The factory also offers a variety of fortune cookies in different flavors, including chocolate, strawberry, and green tea. You can purchase bags of freshly made cookies, including the traditional vanilla flavor, as well as flat, fortune-less cookies. The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory is more than just a place to buy cookies; it's a living piece of San Francisco history. It's a place where you can witness a traditional craft, learn about the history of fortune cookies, and experience the vibrant culture of Chinatown.

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