Question 1

DO I NEED TO BUY A TICKET FOR EACH MEMBER OF MY TEAM?

Accepted Answer

Yes, every member of your team needs their own ticket to participate, though one person can buy tickets for their teammates. If you know your teammates' names, enter them separately for each ticket you purchase.

Question 2

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Accepted Answer

Each team of 2 – 9 people solves cryptic clues (or puzzles), each leading to a unique location in the hunt area where the team must find and use a piece of information to answer a question at the end of each clue, to be written down on their Team Answer Sheet.

Question 3

ARE THERE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COMPETITION?

Accepted Answer

There are 4 different levels you can compete in,  offering clues suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to experts. The hunt is designed to be enjoyable by all ages and ability levels, by long-time San Francisco residents and new arrivals. You can participate at your own pace.

Question 4

DO I NEED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH SAN FRANCISCO TO PLAY?

Accepted Answer

No. Common sense, and the ability to work effectively as a team are more important. Clues often involve references to popular culture, the arts, science or history, and most of them can be solved through intelligent use of the map and street index that you will receive.

Question 5

WHAT DO I GET?

Accepted Answer

Each participant gets a detailed 11" x 17" map of the treasure hunt area, a clue packet and a treasure hunt button. Each team receives a Team Answer Sheet and an alphabetical index of street names (corresponding to the treasure hunt map.)

Question 6

HOW DIFFICULT ARE THE CLUES?

Accepted Answer

Clues involve wordplay, puzzles, trivia, anagrams, map reading, and other fun challenges. They’re designed to be too difficult for one person but solvable by a team using their collective skills and brainpower, so working together is key to succeeding!

Question 7

WHAT SORTS OF THINGS ARE WE LOOKING FOR AT EACH LOCATION?

Accepted Answer

The information could be wording on an historical plaque, a detail in a mural or public artwork, a unique architectural feature or a distinctive business sign; it’s often something you might never notice if you weren’t looking for it.

Question 8

WHAT WILL WE SEE?

Accepted Answer

Participants often discover memorable sights they’d passed by hundreds of times and overlooked. They travel over streets trod by 1849 gold-seekers, 1870s silver barons, 1920s crime writers, and 1950s beat poets.

Question 9

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?

Accepted Answer

1st place teams in each division receive a bottle of champagne, a large box of gourmet chocolates and an award certificate. 2nd & 3rd place teams In the Beginner’s, Regular and Master’s Hunts receive a bottle of champagne, chocolates & a certificate; 4th & 5th place teams get champagne & certificate

Question 10

DOES A TEAM HAVE TO SOLVE ALL THE CLUES TO WIN?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. If no one solves all the clues, then the first team turning in a Team Answer Sheet with the most correct answers wins.

Question 11

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE HUNT?

Accepted Answer

1) Comfortable footwear  2) a flashlight (the brighter the better) 3) pens and/or highlighters  4) a ruler  5) Regular & Master's Divisions: binoculars or a monocular or  a cell phone camera with a 15x zoom  . Recommended: A clipboard for your Team Answer Sheets (9-1/2”x11”); water & snacks.

Question 12

I WANT TO PLAY, BUT I DON'T HAVE A FULL TEAM.

Accepted Answer

Team Formation Consultants will help singletons and duos to form or join, larger teams. There's  a "FORM TEAMS HERE" area at the meeting site for folks who want to link up with others. It’s a great way to meet new people.

Question 13

HOW MUCH WALKING WILL I DO?

Accepted Answer

The hunt area is roughly one square mile and includes Telegraph Hill and Nob Hill. You can expect to walk several miles during the hunt (except for the Thinks Faster Than Walks Hunt, which involves somewhat less walking.)

Question 14

WHAT IS THE TEAM NAME CONTEST?

Accepted Answer

Prizes are awarded to the teams with the cleverest names, typically puns related to the year of the Chinese zodiac (2024 is the Year of the Dragon) or current events or culture. There’s a separate category for Noir-Themed team names related to film noir or hard-boiled crime fiction. 10 words maximum

Question 15

HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN I HAVE ON MY TEAM?

Accepted Answer

Up to nine players per team is the accepted range. Four to six is probably best, but smaller teams are welcome.

Question 16

WHERE CAN I SEE EXAMPLES OF PAST WINNING TEAM NAMES?

Accepted Answer

Visit the "Contests" page at : https://sftreasurehunts.com/chinese-ny/

Question 17

HOW DIFFICULT IS THE BEGINNER'S DIVISION HUNT?

Accepted Answer

Beginner’s Hunt is best for first-time treasure hunters. It has less difficult clues leading to different locations than Regular and Master’s hunters. If you solved all the clues in the Beginner’s Hunt, you may want to move up to the Regular Hunt. If you won the Beginner’s Hunt, you must move up

Question 18

HOW DIFFICULT IS THE REGULAR DIVISION HUNT?

Accepted Answer

The Regular (intermediate difficulty) Hunt is good if you’ve successfully solved all the Beginner’s Hunt clues before, are more familiar with the hunt area, or want a bit more of a challenge. Regular Hunt clues are more challenging than those in the Beginner’s Hunt.

Question 19

WHAT IS THE THINKS FASTER THAN WALKS HUNT?

Accepted Answer

Teams in this category compete against one another in a smaller and flatter playing area and have fewer clues to solve. Teams can participate if:
•	Half their members are age 55 or older; or
•	The average ages of team members are 55 or older; •	One or more team members has a mobility limitation

Question 20

HOW DIFFICULT IS THE MASTER'S DIVISION HUNT?

Accepted Answer

Master’s Hunt clues are especially difficult and are designed for those looking for a real challenge. The teams in the Master’s Division tend to be more competitive, but there are fewer of them (usually 10 – 15) than in the Regular Division.

Question 21

HOW AND WHEN DO WE CHOOSE OUR TEAM NAME?

Accepted Answer

You can register your team’s name when you buy your tickets. Team Names may be no longer than 10 words and must be submitted by 4 pm on Monday, February 19 to be considered for the contest.

2024 Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt

Follow this organizer to stay informed on future events

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Walk to Chabot Dam: Contributions of Chinese Laborers

2024 Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt

Follow this organizer to stay informed on future events

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