California Town Pays Homage to its Chinese Settlers during Lunar New Year Block Party

It’s the Year of the Dragon!

Few people are aware that the city of San Luis Obispo, along California’s Central Coast, once had a robust Chinatown. To mark the 150th anniversary of the Ah Louis Store, which served the Chinese community for many years and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, SLO–as the city is fondly called–will host a Lunar New Year Block Party on February 10th from 11am to 6pm along Palm Street where Chinatown has its roots.

Chinese immigrants arrived in SLO around 1874 after surviving a harrowing ocean crossing from China to San Francisco where they found jobs washing dishes and sleeping in overcrowded boarding houses. They eventually made their way to SLO. What remains of SLO’s once bustling Chinatown is the Mee Heng Low restaurant with its vintage “Chop Suey” neon sign still intact, and the Ah Louis Store founded by the enterprising Mr. Ah Louis.

The Lunar New Year Block Party pays homage to SLO’s Chinatown and its settlers with the Ah Louis family, students of Cal Poly SLO, Chinatown Historic District businesses and many others coming together to make this happen.

The Block Party will include:

Activity and Food booth

Performances and Demonstrations

Cal Poly Dance Team

Special Screening at the solar-powered Palm Theater: In the Mood for Love

In addition, there will be food, drink and lots to celebrate for this one-day Lunar New Year gathering. SLO has several hotels and inns, from major brands to intimate boutique properties, with a charming walkable downtown, award-winning restaurants, sip-worthy wineries and an airport with several direct flights as well as train service via Amtrak.