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 APA Historical Spot: Angel Island
Having crossed over by ferry, visitors to Angel Island can trek through lush hiking paths or picnic on the island. What some visitors may not know is that this choice outing spot is considered the Ellis Island of the West. Between 1910 and 1940, nearly one million immigrants—Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Indians and Chinese — were detained on the island. The ethnic mosaic and history of first generation APAs of the early 1900s can be traced to this immigration station. “Angel Island Immigration Center is like our Plymouth Rock,” Katherine Toy, executive director of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation said. “Angel Island helps fill the missing piece of the [immigration] story and helps us to realize how hard it was.”
 APA Museum: Chinese Historical Society of America Museum and Learning Center
You might walk right past the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum and Learning Center on Clay Street if it weren’t for the sandwich board they have blocking the sidewalk. Once you pry open the vault door, you are in for quite a shocking discovery. Created by one of the oldest and largest organizations dedicated to the study, documentation and dissemination of Chinese American history, the museum has three different galleries and a learning center where they house educational programs for the community. The permanent gallery holds one of the largest Chinese American historical exhibits. A display of song sheets, advertisements and cards with cover art depicting racist attitudes towards Chinese Americans during the late 1800s and early 1900s is just one part of the collection, which portrays much of society’s early attitudes toward Asians in America. Although the history of Asians in America is riddled with racism, CHSA strives to educate the community about all aspects of its history in hopes that we all may learn and grow from the past.
965 Clay St., S.F., 415-391-1188
 Chinatown Alley: Waverly Place
One of the best things about Chinatown is its alleys. Something about the dark and secluded alleys retains the history of days past. Waverly Street is a great place to get away from the congested streets of Chinatown. Time stops along this three-block alley from Washington to Sacramento streets. Away from the clutter of the kitsch architecture along Grant Avenue, the structural designs found on Waverly Street are ornate and subtle. Red, green and golden buildings and balconies line this historical alley as old and young walk along the street. Apartments, restaurants and other small merchants make their home on Waverly. On the corner of Clay and Waverly is the Tien Hau Temple, which is on the top floor of a 100-year-old building. The incense wafting from this temple will guide you and your nose through the entire alley. Don’t just take Amy Tan’s word for it: get out and see Waverly for yourself — it was there long before The Joy Luck Club.
Waverly Place (between Washington, Clay and Sacramento streets), Chinatown, S.F.
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