Staff, The Examiner
2008-02-19 19:10:56.0
Current rank: Not ranked

SAN FRANCISCO -

Sleuthing happens on the winding streets of San Francisco’s northeastern neighborhoods during the 18th annual Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt.

Both a celebration of the Year of the Rat and a game of urban exploration, the four-hour clue-solving adventure is the creation of local gumshoe Jayson Wechter. The Chinese New Year parade provides a colorful backdrop.

Here’s a sample clue: Where George and Betsy meet, there’s a man who’s going with the grain. The solution: Where George Washington and Betsy Ross meet at the south end of Ross Alley (in Chinatown) is one of four murals depicting a workman carrying a sack of rice.

If you’re up for the challenge — there are three levels, beginner, regular and master — join hundreds of others for the fun. Last year, some 1,600 would-be gumshoes participated. The event begins Saturday at 4:30 p.m.; check-in is at 3:30 p.m. at Justin Herman Plaza, 1 Market St., San Francisco. Tickets are $10 to $40. Call (415) 564-9400 or visit www.sftreasurehunts.com.