There are many different sides to San Francisco Chinatown. Although it is a relatively small area geographically, people who live within its boundaries generally view it as having different sections that cater to a different clientele. The most telling juxtaposition would be the contrasting nature of its two main streets, Grant Street and Stockton Street, that run parallel to each other.
Locals suggest that Grant Street, which is a shade closer to the downtown area, is geared more towards the tourism industry. It is where most of the novelty shops and fancy restaurants can be found. Stockton Street, on the other hand, is generally viewed as an avenue where locals can go about handling their daily needs, such as shopping for food, picking up children from school, or catching a bus to another part of San Francisco.