Discover San Francisco's Korean Immigration History

Discover San Francisco's Korean Immigration History

Discover San Francisco's Korean Immigration History

Join a Tour, Explore and Learn!

Everyone knows about San Francisco’s Chinatown, but so few know about the small yet vibrant Korean immigrant community that took root here. From the merchants and political exiles who landed in San Francisco in the late 1800s, to the students, activists and families who landed on Angel Island during the Japanese occupation of Korea, these pioneers left their mark with their impressive organizational skills, their fervent anti-Japanese activism and their devotion to family and the church. We will visit locations where the earliest Korean settlers lived, worked and gathered and hear how they created a community to support each other in their new land, in a time marked by extreme hostility and prejudice against Asians.

Tour Info

This is a free walking tour.  We will start at the Ferry Building and end in Chinatown.  Tour length:  about 1-1.5 hours.

Next Tour:  April 25, 2026, 10:30 AM

Meet your guide at the main entrance of the Ferry Building, near the stairs to the second floor.  Please take public transportation if you can.  The Embarcadero BART station and MUNI stations are all nearby.  Bring water, dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes. 

About the Guide

My name is Rosemarie Nahm.  Around 2014, I learned about the immigration history at Angel Island and discovered that about 1,000 Koreans were admitted to the U.S. at Angel Island from 1910-1940.  This inspired me to  study the history of Korean immigration in San Francisco.  I also joined the board of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF) where I gained a deeper appreciation for the shared, collective history of all Asian immigrants.  I have given presentations at community events, curated an exhibit at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center and now I am excited to share the forgotten stories from the early San Francisco Korean community through this walking tour!