When you’re in San Francisco’s Chinatown, visit St. Mary’s Square, a compact, thoughtfully designed green space set on top of a parking garage. Robert Royston reimagined the historic park, creating pedestrian spaces, curved gardens, a play area and sculptures.
Admire Beniamino Bufano’s 14-foot-tall (4-meter) statue of Sun Yat-Sen, the first president of the Republic of China. This famous leader of the rebellion that ended the Qing Dynasty often visited San Francisco and spent time in St. Mary’s Square.
Before leaving the park, look for Stephen Whyte’s controversial cluster of statues, The Comfort Women's Column of Strength, at the southeastern corner of the park. Three young Filipina, Korean and Chinese girls depict the bravery of women forced into sexual slavery in Japan during World War II. The modern statue’s installation so offended Japanese officials that Osaka ended its sister-city relationship with San Francisco.
The park is part of San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. Use the benches and restrooms here when you need a break. Appreciate how tourists and residents from all parts of the community can relax for a few minutes in this peaceful setting at the juncture of Chinatown’s busy streets and the financial sector’s tall buildings.
Just west of the park, stop at Old St. Mary’s Cathedral and Holy Family Chinese Mission, which was established in 1894. The cathedral is open every day. Services are held twice daily, with Cantonese language, contemporary music and choir Masses on Sundays.
Be sure to explore Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in North America and one of the largest in the world outside Asia. In addition to excellent restaurants and souvenir shops, you’ll find hotels, a Chinese theater, museums and a fortune cookie factory. Look for a Bank of America building with very atypical architecture featuring dragons.
Find St. Mary’s Square in San Francisco’s Chinatown across California Street from Old St. Mary’s Cathedral. Walk through the Dragon’s Gate, a block south, to reach the square. The park has easy access from Muni and several express bus stops and is on the California Cable Car Line, very close to the Grant Street stop.