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Ghirardelli Square: A San Francisco Legacy
Ghirardelli Square turned its old chocolate-factory buildings into shops in 1964; the hot fudge sundae still gives people a reason to queue.
Ghirardelli Square sits at North Point and Larkin in the Fisherman’s Wharf area. It used to be a working chocolate factory. In the 1960s, the old brick buildings became shops and restaurants instead of being demolished. The complex reopened on November 29, 1964, as an early large-scale example of adaptive reuse.
The giant Ghirardelli sign on the roofline is the thing you notice first. It lights up at night and you can see it from blocks away along Beach Street. Domenico Ghirardelli started the chocolate company here during the Gold Rush. Manufacturing moved to San Leandro decades ago, but the name and the buildings stayed.
[!TIP] On our 2023 visit, the chocolate shop gave out samples at the door and the hot fudge sundae line moved faster than it looked.
The chocolate shop on the ground floor gave out small samples when we walked in. The sundaes were the real draw. I ordered the hot fudge sundae; the fudge was warm, thick, and dark, with more chocolate flavor than sweetness.
Subpar Miniature Golf is upstairs—18 holes based on SF landmarks. From the upper terrace, you can see Alcatraz sitting in the bay. On calm days, you can hear the sea lions barking from Aquatic Park one block east. The Maritime Museum and its curved white building are right there too.
Fort Mason is a ten-minute walk west along the waterfront. The square itself is free to wander, and parking is available in the underground garage. The 30 Stockton bus stops a block away on North Point.