Ghirardelli Square is a former chocolate factory turned shopping and dining complex in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf area, close to the waterfront. Its brick buildings preserve the site’s industrial past, and the square’s shops and restaurants make it easy to browse or stop for a meal. The main draw for many visitors is the Ghirardelli chocolate shop, where you can order a hot fudge sundae, browse chocolate bars and build a pick-and-mix selection. Look for historic chocolate-making equipment on display and views across the bay.
From chocolate factory to public square
Ghirardelli Square occupies brick buildings that once housed a chocolate factory. Domingo Ghirardelli, an Italian immigrant who founded the chocolate company in the 1850s, bought the property in 1893. Chocolate production moved away in the 1960s, and the complex was adapted for shops and dining. The square opened in 1964 as a retail and restaurant destination in the former factory buildings.
The old factory setting remains part of the visit. The complex includes several levels of shops and restaurants, and historic chocolate-making equipment is on display. Production has moved from the site, so the equipment offers a look at the factory’s past rather than a view of full-scale chocolate making.
Chocolate, shops and dining
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience includes a shop with bars, gift sets and a pick-and-mix selection of individual chocolate squares. At the ice cream and chocolate shop, hot fudge sundaes are the signature order. The portions can be substantial, so sharing is a practical choice if you want room to browse afterward.
Chocolate is not the only reason to stop for food. The square has restaurants and other shops, including places to eat beyond dessert. You can combine a meal with a walk through the historic buildings, or make a shorter stop for ice cream and chocolate.
A waterfront stop in Fisherman’s Wharf
The square sits in the Fisherman’s Wharf area, above Aquatic Park, with views across the bay. The illuminated Ghirardelli sign is a recognizable part of the complex, and the setting gives you room to pause between nearby waterfront stops.
The Powell-Hyde cable car line ends close to the square, making it a convenient stop at the end of that route. The area can draw crowds, particularly around the chocolate shop. A weekday visit or an early start can give you more room to browse; one Saturday morning visit was quiet before the crowds arrived.
Perguntas frequentes
What is Ghirardelli Square?
It is a shopping and dining complex in former Ghirardelli chocolate factory buildings in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf area. The square opened in 1964.
What should I order at Ghirardelli Square?
The hot fudge sundae is the signature treat. The portions can be large, so consider sharing one.
How do you get to Ghirardelli Square by cable car?
The Powell-Hyde cable car line ends near the square.
