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Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco: Top Shops, Restaurants, and Other Fun Activities

by Jill Loeffler   •

Updated: March 19, 2024

Located on the western side of Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco is a popular attraction for those who love to dine and shop.

As this square was the original home of the first Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, the main draw is the famous SF chocolate treats, which make the perfect pick-me-up on a day of sightseeing. You can stop into one of the three chocolate shops on the square to enjoy a specialty coffee drink, ice cream, or another delectable sweet. 

Apart from reveling in chocolate consumption, there are many other fun things to do, eating at one of its amazing restaurants, boutique shopping, a free walking tour, and several large annual events.

Insider's Tip: How do you pronounce Ghirardelli? It's a little different from how it looks -- "Gear-r-deli"

Located near the bayfront on Beach Street, Ghirardelli Square is easy to find. The famous white letters comprising the sign sit high on top of the building and can be seen from many blocks away, as well as from the water if you happen to take a boat out on the bay.

Read on to learn more about this famous attraction's past and the top things to see and do here today!

Table of Contents

Ghirardelli chocolate shops.

• More Shopping Options
• Restaurants on Ghirardelli Square
• Ruth Asawa Fountain
• Fun Activities
• Tour of the Square
• Annual Events
• Where to Stay
• Address and Hours
• How to Get Here
• Things to Do Nearby
• More about Ghirardelli Sweet Treats

History of Ghirardelli Square San Francisco

Ghirardelli Chocolate is the oldest continuously operating chocolate maker in the U.S. 

It was started by a man named Domingo Ghirardelli, an Italian immigrant. Growing up in Italy, his family introduced him to sugar-based treats early on in his life. He always had a fascination with them and later set out to start his own chocolate and candy company.

He first tried his skills in Peru in South America, and later relocated to California during the height of the Gold Rush. He originally sold sweet treats and drinks to the gold miners.

A few years later he decided he wanted to open up a shop. In 1852, his dreams came true and he opened the first chocolate business in San Francisco. This business would later become known as the Ghirardelli Chocolate company we know today.

In 1893, his business continued to expand. To keep up with demand he moved his chocolate factory to the buildings in what is now known as Ghirardelli Square.

Over the years, the company added buildings. They added and sold portions of the business. At one time, they also produced mustard (this is evident by signs on one of the buildings in the courtyard today).

The company added the famous 15-foot high "Ghirardelli Square San Francisco" sign in 1923. Finally, in 1967, they moved the factory to San Leandro in the East Bay. It's an important piece of San Francisco history.

Ghirardelli Square San Francisco is just one square city block in size. Investors purchased and updated the original buildings of the factory shortly after Ghirardelli moved out, and turned it into a small retail area, making it what is considered the first successful adaptive reuse project in the country.

Disclaimer : I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

Most people come here to buy chocolates and see what is under the famous white Ghirardelli sign that lights up the San Francisco skyline.

There are three places to buy Ghirardelli chocolates within this small complex. Here is where you will find them:

• The Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop : The first one, the Original Chocolate Manufactory, is the main shop located on the eastern side of the square. Here, you can indulge in some hot fudge sundaes and see some of the original chocolate factory equipment. Don't fall into the trap of standing in line waiting for hours just to buy some chocolates at the main store. Unless the line is short, I recommend heading over to one of the other two shops, so you don't end up spending an hour or more in line.
• Larger Shop on the Main Level : The first chocolate shop alternative (and my current favorite) is the "Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience," tucked into the West Plaza of Ghirardelli Square. You can access it from the main courtyard. This space is larger than the original shop with views out across the SF Bay. In addition to shopping, you can also grab a sweet treat and sit at one of the windows with sweeping views of the SF Bay, Alcatraz, and beyond.
• Ghirardelli-On-The-Go on Beach Street : The second additional shop is the smallest and newest addition on Beach Street, called Ghirardelli-On-the-Go, where you can quickly duck in for some of their famous hot chocolate or other chocolate goodies. This location is petite, but perfect if the lines at the other two are too long.

>> More places to find ice cream around San Francisco

More Shops in Ghirardelli Square

There are several small boutique shops in the square that offer great souvenirs. Here is the current list of Ghirardelli stores:

• Compass: Real estate agency for San Francisco and the Bay Area
• elizabeth W: Bath and body, fragrance, and other home and body products
• Gigi + Rosie: Fun gifts and items for kids
• Gigi Rose: Women's clothing
• Jackson & Polk: Souvenir store
• LOLA San Francisco: Gifts and accessories
• Mashka: Earnings, necklaces, and other fun jewelry
• vom Fass: Oils, vinegars, wines, spirits, gifts, and more
• Yap USA: Pet store with fun accessories for your four-legged friends
• 7th Avenue: Luxury furniture
• COL Gallery: Contemporary art (paintings and sculptures)

Fun Activities at Ghirardelli Square

You will also find two other fun activities on Ghirardelli Square.

• GamedayVR : This is a fun, immersive gaming experience. It features 4D technology for games, escape rooms, and motion chair experiences. They feature more than 20 virtual reality games, 4 position voyager experience chairs, and 8 VR stations. They are open Wednesday - Sunday. 
• Subpar Miniature Golf : One of the other fun things to do in Ghirardelli Square is miniature golf. Located on the lower plaza, this 18-hole indoor course allows you to explore the best of SF in just a few hours. The holes are based on SF's top attractions and it's a fun experience. They also have an arcade and a Glow in the Dark Golf experience. They are open daily.

Ghirardelli Square Restaurants

When you're ready to take a break from walking and shopping, there are a handful of delightful restaurants and cafes on the square, apart from the Ghirardelli ice cream shops and cafes.

Here is what is currently open at Ghirardelli Square:

• Barrio Tacos & Tequila
• Culinary Artistas
• Ghirardelli Chocolate
• McCormick & Kuleto's Seafood and Steaks
• Palette Tea House
• San Francisco Brewing Co. & Restaurant: I love their outdoor beer garden. Their beers are tasty too!
• Square Pie Guys 
• Broad Street Oyster Co.
• Cultivar Wine & Kitchen

>> More great places to eat around Fisherman's Wharf

>> Additional outdoor dining options in SF

Ruth Asawa Fountain in Ghirardelli Square

As you explore Ghirardelli Square, make sure to spend a little time checking out the wonderful fountain in the center of the plaza. 

The piece is by famed artist Ruth Asawa and is titled Andrea Fountain.

William Roth, the owner of Ghirardelli Square in the 1960s, commissioned the fountain from Asawa to serve as the centerpiece of the new square.

The piece was unveiled in 1968 and was a bit controversial at the time because it depicts a nursing mermaid. The controversy wore off quickly once everyone learned more about its meaning. 

After you photograph or video this amazing piece of work, make sure to stop by the plaque to read more about its history. 

You can also scan the QR code at the fountain to listen to the audio tour.

Tours of Ghirardelli Square

If you are a history buff, then you might enjoy a free guided tour of the area that meets in Ghirardelli Square, offered by San Francisco City Guides. 

It's called Fisherman's Wharf: A Hidden History . It runs most Monday and Friday mornings and starts at the Ruth Asawa Fountain in the main courtyard.

During the 1.5- to 2-hour tour, you'll learn more about the history of Ghirardelli Square. You'll also learn about the city's famous cable cars and visit the Hyde Street Pier (the largest in-water ship museum in the world).

You do need to register ahead of time on the SFCityGuides site. 

>>  Find the current schedule and register for your tour here .  

Annual Events at Ghirardelli Square

Every year, Ghirardelli Square hosts the following events.

1. February -  Lunar New Year : Ring in the Lunar New Year with traditional lion dancing around the square, dumpling-making demonstrations, fortune telling, and more at Palette Tea House.  Make additional Lunar New Year pans in San Francisco.

2. April -  Earth Month : Celebrate Earth Day at Ghirardelli Square. Take the entire family to enjoy these reflections with artists about the value of our planet and our human role in it.

3. May - June - Live Music : For several days during the summer months, come to the square to relax and enjoy live music from 3 to 6 pm or from 6 to 8 pm. 

4. September - Oktoberfest : Head over to the SF Brewing Co. at Ghirardelli Square, grab your boot, and start drinking! Throughout the afternoon, you'll also have good German fun with polka, pretzels, and a yodeling competition. 

5. October - Fleet Week : This large week-long SF event features an airshow by the Blue Angels, ship tours, and more. Every year, Ghirardelli Square provides live music and other fun activities around the square for spectators to gather and take in the views. Read more about Fleet Week .

6. October - Ghirardelli's Spooky Square : This is another great family-friendly event at Ghirardelli Square San Francisco, an annual Halloween celebration that includes fun activities like magic shows for the kids, a dog costume contest, and, of course, sweet treats. Check out other Halloween festivities around the city.

7. November/December - Light the Menorah : For Hanukkah, head over to the square to light the first candle on the menorah with Rabbi Peretz Mochkin. After the ceremony, stick around for some kid-friendly events.

8. November/December - Santa Lights the Square : Watch the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony with a visit from Santa, live music, and other children's activities. Click here to find a full list of tree lighting ceremonies and other holiday events .

Where to Stay: the Fairmont in Ghirardelli Square

If you decide to stay in the area, consider staying right at this San Francisco landmark itself. This old chocolate factory is now home to one of the top hotels in San Francisco, the Fairmont Heritage Place.

This hotel offers over 51 two- and three-bedroom guest rooms and visitors love it! Find ratings and reviews for the Fairmont Heritage Place .

If you are like me and your budget doesn't allow you to stay at the priciest hotel in SF, then check out the great deals. Many also offer free cancellations on most rooms. Browse the deals today !

Other Places to Stay Near Ghirardelli Square

Even though the Fairmont is an amazing place to stay, it's one of the most expensive properties in San Francisco. However, you will find numerous other properties in the Fisherman's Wharf area that are more in line with most budgets. These are a few that are close to Ghirardelli Square.

• Argonaut : 4-star hotel just two blocks away
• Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf : 4-star hotel that is about two and a half blocks away
• Travelodge by Wyndham by Fisherman's Wharf : 2-star hotel that is about three blocks away

>> Find a full list of my top recommendations for Fisherman's Wharf hotels and accommodations here

Address & Hours

You will find Ghirardelli Square San Francisco on the western end of Fisherman's Wharf at 900 North Point Street. Shops are open from 11 am to 9 pm every day. Some businesses stay open a little later (mostly the restaurants and bars).

Holiday Hours

The holiday hours here vary by store and restaurant. On Thanksgiving , only a handful are open, and on Christmas , all shops and restaurants are closed.

All are open on New Year's Eve and only some will be open on New Year's Day.

Parking Near Ghirardelli Square San Francisco

You will find plenty of parking near Ghirardelli Square San Francisco. Here are some of the best options.

Ghirardelli Square Garage : The closest and easiest place to park is right in Ghirardelli Square. The lot is beneath the shops and is open from 6 am to midnight daily. You can either enter on Larkin Street between Beach and North Point or on Beach Street between Larkin and Polk. Parking here is $18 for the first three hours, another $10 for the fourth hour, and then $6 for each additional hour of parking, up to $52 for 24 hours. If you spend $25 or more at the shops and restaurants, parking is half-price, but ONLY from Monday to Thursday.

Anchorage Square Garage : You will also find parking just three blocks away at the Anchorage Square Mall on the corner of Beach and Jones. This parking garage is open 24 hours and charges $3 per 15 minutes. The maximum daily charge is $50. 

Fisherman's Wharf Parking : You will find two places to park just four blocks away in the heart of the Fisherman's Wharf district, both of which are valet only. One is the garage at 380 Beach Street. The rate is $10 per hour on weekdays with a daily maximum of $20, or $15 on weekends with a daily maximum of $30. This one closes at 8 pm on weekdays and 10 pm on weekends. The other is open 24 hours and is located at 550 North Point Street inside the Holiday Inn Express. Prices start at $10 per hour with a fee of $30 for up to 12 hours. The overnight or 24-hour rate is $75. 

>> Find additional parking around San Francisco

Getting Here

The easiest and cheapest way to get from Union Square or downtown San Francisco to Ghirardelli Square is by taking public transit .

Cable Car : One of the best ways to get here from Union Square is by taking a cable car. The best route is the Powell/Hyde line that ends about a block away at Hyde and Beach Streets. This ride takes about 20 to 25 minutes.

30-Stockton Bus : You can also take the bus. The 30-Stockton is your best best. You can pick it up on Stockton and Geary Streets. You will then take this to the stop at North Point and Larkin Streets, which is right across the street from Ghirardelli Square. The ride takes about 20 minutes.

Cab/Uber/Lyft : Another option is to take a cab or rideshare from Union Square. This will cost around $15 to $20 and take only about 10 minutes. This is a faster and probably more pleasant, way to get to Ghirardelli Square.

From Fisherman's Wharf, you can walk. Pier 39 is on the other side of the district from Ghirardelli Square and it's about a 15-minute walk (0.8 miles).

The square is on the western side of the neighborhood and a pretty quick walk. Walk all the way down Jefferson Street to Hyde Street, head up the hill, and then walk a block west on Beach Street.  You'll see its towering white letters on the top, so it will be easy to find. 

Details on the Hop-On Hop-Off Tours

Another way to get to Ghirardelli Square and other top attractions around SF is on the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. It's a great first-day activity in any city you are visiting. The San Francisco bus has more than 20 stops, taking you from one end of the city to the other.

With stops in Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, and other popular neighborhoods, you will quickly make your way around San Francisco. You will also listen to recorded audio so you can learn more about the City by the Bay during the ride.

The first bus starts in Union Square at 9 am. The last bus leaves Fisherman's Wharf at 4 pm. This is a great option for getting over to Ghirardelli Square San Francisco for a few hours or to other parts of the city.

You can buy passes for one or two days. Find pricing and learn more about the San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus today !

More Fun Things to Do Nearby

Buena Vista Café : Just a short walk from Ghirardelli Square is one of our most famous restaurants, the Buena Vista Cafe. It's the first location in the US to serve up Irish coffee and people flock here for this tasty treat. This isn't the only reason to visit. They have an amazing selection of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Here's more about what you can expect when you stop by .

Maritime Museum : The Maritime Museum is another great place to visit near Ghirardelli Square. You will find two locations. One is right across the street from Ghirardelli and is the original museum with murals and a handful of exhibits. The newer, interactive museum is on the first floor of the Argonaut Hotel on the corner of Jefferson and Beach Streets. Learn more about this fun local attraction . 

Bike to the Golden Gate Bridge : You can also rent a bike in Fisherman's Wharf and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a fun activity and a great way to spend a morning or afternoon in San Francisco. Most people ride over to the small waterfront town of Sausalito and then ferry back to Fisherman's Wharf. Learn more about this activity here .

More About Ghirardelli Sweet Treats

Okay, I'll admit it—I love chocolate and can't resist the famous Ghirardelli chocolate squares. My favorite is their milk chocolate squares filled with caramel. These yummy chocolate square treats were first introduced in 1999.

You can find some fun San Francisco-themed treats at all three of the Ghirardelli Square shops. If you want to replenish the stash of sweet treats you buy on your SF vacation, you can easily find a wide selection of Ghirardelli chocolates and gift baskets on Amazon .

Would you love to make your own Ghirardelli sweet treats? Wow your friends and family with recipes from the official Ghirardelli chocolate cookbook .

This cookbook is a chocolate lover's dream with over 80 recipes. Find everything from cookies, bars, and cakes, to some of their world-famous chocolate drinks.

Inside, you will find both simple recipes to extravagant desserts only found in the Ghirardelli shops. 25 full-color, mouth-watering pictures showcase the final results of some of the best recipes in the book.

Though this cookbook is my favorite, there are also a few other  Ghirardelli cookbooks  available. All have uncovered the secrets of these amazing sweet treats that you can find in Ghirardelli Square.

More Fun Things to Do in SF

Want to learn more about San Francisco? Here are some additional pages you might enjoy:

North Beach : Located to the north of Fisherman's Wharf is the Italian neighborhood of North Beach. This friendly San Francisco neighborhood is full of shops, bars, and of course, Italian restaurants.

Chinatown : Another popular, must-see neighborhood is Chinatown San Francisco. From the amazing food to the bustling inexpensive shops, you could spend an entire day just soaking in the liveliness of the culture here.

SF Things to Do : Find information on other great neighborhoods in the city. From the Marina to the Mission, this section has all the details on what to expect from each district.

Additional Tips to Plan Your Stay

Are you looking for additional tips to plan your trip? Check out these great sections to help with the planning process.

Lodging and Places to Stay : Union Square, downtown San Francisco, and Fisherman's Wharf are three of the most popular neighborhoods for hotels. Find recommendations for different types of hotels in each location. In this section, you can also look at hotel recommendations by budget. Whether you are looking for a top-of-the-line hotel or something a little more modest, you can find it all here.

Best SF Restaurants : San Francisco is home to a wide variety of restaurants, including some of the best in the world. Discover a list and descriptions of top restaurants by neighborhood or by cuisine.

San Francisco Nightlife : Where do the locals go to play at night? Find out some of the best places to go for dancing, drinks, or even theater. Are you looking for live music? You can find recommendations for that here too! Uncover some of the best places to spend your evenings during your trip to San Francisco.

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group ! 

It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.

You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!

Come join the fun here !

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Ghirardelli Square San Francisco (The Best Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience!)

Are you wondering what to do in Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco? Want the ultimate Ghirardelli chocolate experience?  

Awesome! Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Factory is one of my favorite places in San Francisco! In fact, when we visit San Fran, we usually go 2-3 times! We are a little obsessed! 

In this post, I am going to tell you all about Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Factory. Including Ghirardelli Square hours and Ghirardelli Square parking.

I will also tell you all about my favorite Ghirardelli Square shops, which include the Ghirardelli ice cream and chocolate shops.

Touring the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory in San Fransico should be at the top of every San Francisco trip! 

Let's explore Ghirardelli Square SF and get ready for the ultimate Ghirardelli chocolate experience.

If you want to save this information for later be sure to pin this to Pinterest.

This post may contain affiliate links (including Amazon) that will give me a commission at no additional charge to you.  

Where is Ghirardelli Square San Francisco?

The San Fransico Ghiradelli Factory is located at 900 North Point St. 

It is centrally located near most of the most popular San Francisco attractions such as Pier 39, Fishermans Wharf, and the historic Marina District.  

Ghirardelli Square Hours

Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory San Francisco is open from 11:00 am – 9:00pm.

There may be some individual restaurants that have different hours.  This isn't an activity you would plan in the morning, but a really great idea for your San Francisco night plans .

Ghiradelli Square Parking

Parking in San Francisco is crazy! Ghirardelli Square parking is no different. There is a parking lot at Ghirardelli Square. 

Ghirardelli Square Parking Prices

• 0-3 hours $18
• 3-4 hours $28′
• 4-5 hours $34
• 5-6 hours $40
• 6-12 hours $46
• 12-24 hours $52

Parking Near Ghirardelli Square

If you are lucky you may find parking along the street near Ghirardelli Square. 

Avoid Driving

We typically have stayed in hotels near Ghirardelli Square ( Holiday Inn and Marriott Pulse) and have walked over.  You can also jump on the Hop on Hop off the bus and get off at the Ghirardelli San Francisco stop. (Getting a GoCity pass might be a good option if you want to do a lot of activities in San Fran)

What to Do at Ghirardelli Square

There are so many things to do in Ghirardelli Square San Francisco! I am going to list some of the best Ghirardelli SF attractions!   

1. Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory San Francisco

The best and main draw to Ghirardelli Square is, of course, the Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Factory! This is where you will experience the ultimate Ghirardelli chocolate experience!

When we visit San Francisco, it is not uncommon for us to visit Ghirardelli sf 2 or 3 times during our trip! We love it! 

The historic San Francisco Ghirardelli Factory is located in San Francisco. The main factory is located in Leandro, California.

Ultimate Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience

Ghirardelli Square San Francisco recently went through some major design updates. It now has 3 amazing Ghirardelli chocolate shops as well as restaurants and entertainment areas.

If you are looking for an authentic Ghirardelli Factory tour this isn't what you will get in Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco.  But don't worry it is still an amazing place to add to your San Francisco itinerary!  

Original Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory San Francisco

Ghirardelli Square has three areas where you can get the famous ice cream and chocolate. Let's start with the original Ghirardelli San Francisco location! 

The original Ghirardelli chocolate shop is located at the entrance of Ghirardelli Square.  There is usually a long line to enter.  Don't be too worried it doesn't take long to place your order.  

The line takes you into a small gift shop where you can purchase chocolates.  You will also be given a complimentary Ghirardelli Chocolate Square. 

After you check out the store you can head to the ice cream shop to place your order. 

Ghirardelli Factory Tours

You will order your ice cream before you head to your table. 

Once you enter you can pick any table.  Inside the store is a chocolate churner.  It is continually mixing the chocolate.  It is fun to take the time and watch it.  It is a great place for a picture as well! 

Ghiradelli Chocolate Flavors

It is good to be prepared and know what Ghirardelli Square flavors you want to try because you don't have too long to decide. If there is a line you can grab a menu while you wait.  If the line isn't too long you will want to know before you go! 

Ghirardelli is famous for its hot fudge sundaes. There are 14 different varieties of sundaes!  They are delicious! They also have shakes, single-serve ice cream flavors, chocolate treats, and beverages.

Our Favorite Ghirardelli Square Flavors

• Hot Fudge Sundae
• Crissy Fields
• Painted Ladies Mint Bliss
• Banana Split
• Cookies and Cream Shake

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience

The Ghirardelli Chocolate experience is an overflow for the Orginal Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop.  They serve the exact same menu items. 

There is still a line inside the Ghirardelli Chocolate experience but sometimes you will find that if the line at the original Ghirardelli Chocolate shop is long, there might not be a line at the Ghirardelli Chocolate experience location. 

Ghirardelli Chocolate Square SF

This new addition to San Francisco Ghirardelli Square is awesome! There are more areas to sit and more products to buy. You can watch the employees make your ice cream selections and have the ultimate Ghirardelli chocolate experience. 

There are also Ghirardelli chocolates available to purchase and other great Ghirardelli souvenirs. 

Pop UP Ghirardelli Location

There is another Ghirardelli Square walk-up counter service location. This only opens when it is really busy.  It wasn't opened when we went, but you could look inside and see what it had to offer. 

2. Ghirardelli Square Shops

During the Ghirardelli Square updates, nice shops were added around the square.  I am going to give you a fun list of Ghirardelli Square stores you can check out. 

Ghirardelli Square Shops

• Jackson + Polk
• gigi + rosie (kids)
• Lola (Best place to shop on a San Francisco Girls Trip )

The Ghirardelli Square shops are so cute.  This is a great area to enjoy an afternoon.  You can grab lunch, dessert, and shop! 

3. Ghirardelli Restaurants

If you are looking for more than just a sweet treat, there are a few Ghirardelli Square restaurants to check out! 

Ghirardelli Square Restaurants

• San Francisco Brewing (American)
• Barrio (Mexican)
• McCormick and Kuleto's (Seafood and Steak)
• Palette Tea House (Asian)
• Square Pie Guys (Pizza)
• Tea Square (Boba and Snacks)
• Broad Street Oyster (Seafood)

As you can see there are a lot of great options of Ghirardelli Square restaurant options. I love eating in San Francisco ! It is a foodie paradise! 

There are a few Ghirardelli Square SF activities you can do after you are done getting your ice cream! 

4. Ghirardelli Square Arcade 

If you have kids or you are a kid at heart, be sure to walk down to the lower level where you will find an arcade.

Our kids had a blast! It was a lot of fun playing the different games. You can actually buy a playing card and get your prizes all digitally! It is really nice.  

We stopped by twice because the kids loved it so much! 

5. Mini Golf Ghirardelli Square

There is a Subpar Miniature Golf location at Ghiradelli Square San Fransico.  A lot of it is indoors which is great if you are visiting when it is raining in San Fran or a cold time. 

Booking ahead is highly recommended.  The prices are very reasonable $14 per person for a standard 18-hole course or $16 for a glow-in-the-dark option. 

6. Ghirardelli Culinary Artista

Culinary Artista is located in Ghirardelli Square and offers a cooking experience.  There are lots of classes that cater to kids as well as corporate events. 

If you are traveling with at least 10 people you can book one of the fantastic experiences.  

7. San Francisco Ghiradelli Square Events

If you want to visit Ghirardelli Square during a certain time of the year, you might find fun Ghirardelli Square festivals and events going on. 

• Ghirardelli Easter Jubilee (Spring)
• Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival (September)
• Ghirardelli Spooky Square (October)
• Ghirardelli Square Christmas (December)

8. Get a Ghiradelli Square Souvenir 

Ghiradelli Square is one of the best places where you can get a San Francisco souvenir ! There are lots of fun options!

Some of my favorite souvenirs are the ones I eat, like chocolate and ice cream, but it is nice to take a few items home.  I typically will buy Ghiradelli Chocolate Squares in different flavors. 

I also love the San Francisco Cable Car filled with Chocolate. I used my cable car as a Christmas ornament.  It is perfect! 

San Francisco Ghirardelli Square Things to Do

Hopefully, you now know all the fun things to do at San Francisco Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Factory. 

We love visiting Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco! The Ice cream is amazing! Plus, we have made a lot of memories here over the years.  I am so happy they have updated the square.  It is so nice now with fantastic Ghiradelli Square restaurants and entertainment options. 

Have so much fun visiting Ghirardelli Square San Francisco's historic Chocolate Factory! 

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20 Comments

I never knew that Ghirardelli is a place!! I’m addicted to their dark mint squares, and pretty much have one every single night after dinner. Now I’m thinking I need to plan a trip to San Francisco just so that I can have the ultimate Ghirardelli chocolate experience!

Yes, you need to go! You would love it!

Oh Yeah – Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco is addictive. I want all the chocolate!

I love the ice cream! Such a fun place!

Ghirardelli Chocolate is one of my favorites! I love their peppermint bark squares at Christmas time. When we go to San Francisco, we will spend a lot of time here. YUMMMMMM!

Those are my favorites too!

Yum!! I would love to have an Ghirardelli chocolate experience. You had me at chocolate. 🙂

I know right! Love chocolate!

Everything looks so decadent! We love visiting Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco! So much to do!

It is one of my favorite things in san fran!

Ghirardelli Square sounds like so much fun! I would love the arcade and mini golf. I’ll have to add this to our list of things to do in San Francisco!

It is such a fun place to visit!

I’d love to visit Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Factory in San Francisco! I adore their dark chocolates.

Yum, Yes! so good!

All these treats look so good! I’ve only been to San Francisco once, and we were only there for about 24 hours. I have a list of things I’d love to do when I return, and this is on there. How cute is that cable car chocolate packaging? And it looks delicious!

We have been a few times and love it!

Ghirardelli Square looks like the perfect place for me! I will have to visit if I ever make it to San Francisco.

It is worth a visit!

We never knew that there was a Ghiradelli Square in San Francisco. This will be going on our must-visit list. Thank you for sharing.

It is the best!

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Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience

Ratings and reviews

Location and contact.

When we first entered I was slightly confused as I didn’t expect it to be a fast food style parlour and that was a bit disappointing. There are a couple of chocolate machines demonstrations and we looked While we waited for our food order. The... food was very delicious and was perfect as a holiday treat but they are expensive but we really enjoyed our visit. More

Visiting Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop during my trip to San Francisco last year was a memorable experience. Back then, everything was normal, and there was a short line when I visited the store around 6:30 pm. I placed an order for a medium Hot Cocoa and... picked up one of their Ghirardelli Toffee Interlude bar. I found an empty table and waited for my order. I had my drink served in a few minutes. The Hot Cocoa was delicious! It had a rich flavor of chocolate topped with whipped cream. I was trying a Ghirardelli chocolate for the first time, and the candy bar was a perfect treat. I became a fan of Ghirardelli Chocolate after the first bite. I loved the velvety texture of the chocolate as it melted in my mouth. The caramelized almonds and crunchy toffee bits do create a nice blend along with the dark chocolate. After relishing my drink and chocolate bar, I enjoyed watching the exhibit that displays the chocolate manufacturing process. It was very satisfying to look at all the liquid chocolate! The aroma at the store is delightful. It can instantly make you happy when you are in the vicinity. They do have a merchandise section with a lot of chocolates and goodies. I wish I had the time to check out the different flavors of the Ghirardelli Squares. I'd love to visit the store in the future and try more from the menu. More

We queued up to order a 'world famous sundae' and something else with strawberry (forgot the exact name). The queue progressed relatively fast. The cashier was not friendly, and told us to wait for our order 'over there' without specifying what she meant. The fudge... in my sundae was already solid, which is quite a feat for a 'warm fudge'. Both the ice cream and the chocolate were of average quality and taste. The strawberry sundae was ok, but again not spectacular in the taste department. Is it an experience you should do when in San Francisco? Maybe. Is the 'world famous' sundae' worth $16? Definitely not. We will probably not visit again. More

Visited the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience three times while in San Francisco. You only live once and why not enjoy a delicious World-Famous Ice Cream Sundae! The first night (Saturday) there was a little bit of a line outside the door, but it moved fast. Due... to the crowd size, there was no seating, and it took a bit of time to get our sundaes. The wait was well worth it. The second and third visits, (Sunday/Monday) there was no line to order, we found seating and the sundaes came out much quicker. Did not disappoint on any of the three visits. There is a "gift shop" area where you can make your own bag or container of chocolates. Bag is $22 a pound which is about 40-50 squares. They have other items as well already packaged. They even have a Powell and Hyde Souvenir Wooden Cable Car filled with chocolate because Ghirardelli Square is located just a short walk from the Powell and Hyde Cable Car end stop. There are two other Ghirardelli locations within the square (one was under renovation) so if the line at the Chocolate Experience is too long, you can get the same delicious sundae at the other stores. Can't go wrong with a visit or multiple visits to Ghirardelli! More

Ok, it is an overcrowded tourist trap, but I find the building and the old chocolate processing equipment fascinating. So here is the protocol: go here to check out the plaza, building, and old chocolate processing equipment (it is on the upper left or SE... of the old Ghirardelli building) and then go to the Ghirardelli shop ground level on Beach St (front or north side) to grab your treat. It is generally less crowded and calmer than the Original Giradelli Chocolate Manufactory. More

Nothing special about this place. Basically a large store selling Ghirardelli brand of chocolates with an area to sit and eat your ice cream. I expected a chocolate factory where you would see them making the chocolate. They had about 3 non working displays behind... glass that you can look at, but that was about it. It’s not worth a trip to go out of your way to visit. It didn’t even smell like chocolate. More

We went there after being recommended by friends! We just went to get ice creams to take away. Queue was only long out on the street because the service was so TERRIBLE. Shocking was an understatement, rude, slower than slow, unfriendly - it put us... off before even getting the sundaes. We ordered 4 sundaes - no brownies available, fudge sauce was just a cheap tasting choc sauce. All of us ate about 3 spoons before putting in the bin. Waste of time, money and calories! Didn’t deserve the reputation. More

While waiting in line to order, another customer almost stepped on my Frenchie and he barked once. Immediately the manager came over and rudely asked if he was a service dog and if he was not, I would have to leave because he has the... right to refuse service. How rude is that?! For the prices they charge for average ice cream, you could at least provide a good customer experience but as I can see from all the other negative reviews here mentioning rudeness, this is not a priority for them. More

I love this Ghiradelli because it has the whole operation of how the chocolate is made going on right in the dining area, but when we went it was Mother's day so everything at the Warf was extremely busy and it wasn't worth the wait... to pay the high cost of an ice cream Sunday for the opportunity to watch the machines run. Instead, we just got a bag of assorted chocolates to bring home with us from vacation and called it good. BUT if you are there and it's not busy, it is really a fun thing to do. More

3.5 rounded up to 4. The best thing to me about this pace is that they are open till 11PM on Friday/Saturdays. I came here after dinner on a Friday night about 10PM. What I really came here for was the Decadent Drinking Chocolate. I... was always a fan of the Trader Joe's Drinking Chocolate and fell in love with the real stuff when I was in Italy last year. So I always get it whenever I have a chance. I have never had a Ghirardelli Hot Fudge Sundae before but knew it would be too much along with the drinking Chocolate but I couldn't pass up a scoop of chocolate ice cream since I had never had Ghirardelli's ice cream before. Decadent Drinking Chocolate 3.5/5 It wasn't bad but I have had better here in the States. I guess I expected more from a chocolate shop. Chocolate Ice Cream 3/5 Now I was disappointed in the ice cream. I’m not saying it was bad, but it was just average chocolate ice cream and for the price I paid I think I would have been better off getting a 1/2 gallon from the grocery store, and not even the good stuff. I really expect more of a chocolatey flavor. The visit wasn’t a total loss because I did get some drinking chocolate and that’s hard to come by More

What a wonderful experience we had ending our daughter's 14th birthday celebration here. The desserts are as devilish as they are heavenly and the location is picture perfect. The icing on the cake, so to speak, was 'Valeria' who looked after us so warmly and... more so sweetly than Ghirardelli's delicious chocolate itself. Thank you! More

This place is absolute carnage - totally disorganised. How can it take over 30 minutes to dish up 3 scoops of ice cream and plonk some sauce on it? They seemed to be loosing loads of orders between the order point and the kitchen. The... person clearly the tables is also working at pace slower than a tortoise on top of the fact there are insufficient tables. Delicious hot fudge sauce but would suggest getting downstairs to go. More

Saying this place was a hot mess is being nice. One register open, huge line that hardly moved, cashier that just seemed angry and confused, crazy wait for a simple hot chocolate, then watching them hand wrong orders and get them returned multiple times. We... went to quite a few “touristy” places in San Fransisco, but this was the only one that was in rough shape. That being said, the hot cocoa was yummy when we got it - but not remotely worth the wait and frustration. More

Loved everything about this place. You can see the chocolate being manufactured. For dark chocolate lovers, Midnight Reverie is a must. Chocolate fudge sundae is also my favorite. Their Fudge is the best that I have ever had. I always ask for extra fudge on... the side (of course by paying extra). They have variety of eggless options. I haven't had brownie because it has egg. There is paid street parking available near it. It is free if parked after 8 pm on weekdays and after 7 pm on weekends. Timings might vary a bit. More

This review happened during CoVID (June 2021) before June 15th. My wife and I went to San Francisco for a short vacation. We visited the Ghirardelli Market Place on a Saturday. The location is right across the street of the Maritime Museum. The store is... big. They have lots of options for ice cream but on the day and time we went they ran out of a lot (We went after 1pm). We got a banana split. The ice cream is really yummy and worth the visit. The location is average and looks like every other tourist location in San Francisco. But you should stop by. Its fun. More

GHIRARDELLI CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE, San Francisco - Fisherman’s Wharf - Menu, Prices, Restaurant Reviews & Reservations - Tripadvisor

• Atmosphere: 4

Chocolate Factory Tour in San Francisco

If you were disappointed to learn there is no longer a San Francisco Ghirardelli chocolate factory tour (you can click that link to learn all about San Francisco’s chocolate-making history, in which Ghirardelli played an important role), we have some very good news for you.

In fact, tours are not all you’ll find at the new Dandelion Chocolate Factory . In addition to tours and tastings, there are now classes and even weekend teas offered in the Bloom Chocolate Salon. (Please note that Covid precautions have temporarily moved Dandelion’s customer experiences to online-only; click the link to see the current offerings.)

Dandelion Chocolate has another retail sales facility in the Mission District (their original location) as well as a kiosk at the Ferry Building — one of our recommendations for a self-guided San Francisco food tour. The Ferry Building kiosk is in good company, located across from ever-popular Blue Bottle Coffee and next to the always delicious Humphry Slocombe ice cream shop.

We enjoyed the TCHO chocolate factory tour years ago when the facility was located in San Francisco at Pier 17 (and wrote about the tour here ), but TCHO moved its operation to West Berkeley not long after our visit. While getting tours up and running at the new facility has been alluded to, thus far they’ve not materialized. You can click here to determine the current status.

Other San Francisco Chocolate Tours and Tastings

While Ghirardelli no longer offers tours of their factory, some of the company’s chocolate-making equipment still remains at Ghirardelli Square. Here’s a short video that shows it in action:

There are also tour companies and individuals that offer an organized introduction to some of San Francisco’s chocolatiers and various establishments that put the beloved substance to good use. However, it’s quite easy to construct a DIY, self-guided tour, working in “chocolate fortification” stops along the way while you enjoy and explore other San Francisco attractions and activities . It’s really just a matter of what suits you. If you decide to go the self-guided route, our San Francisco Chocolates article will help you locate some of The City’s best chocolatiers.

It should also be noted here that one of those chocolatiers, Fog City News , has announced that they may begin to offer chocolate classes covering topics like the origin of chocolate, how it is made and how to get the most from a tasting, and you may want to click their link before your San Francisco visit for a status update on that.

Photo of Dandelion Chocolate Factory by rulenumberone2 via flickr (Creative Commons).

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