Experience the Deliciousness of Ghirardelli Chocolate

If you find yourself in San Francisco, a visit to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience Store is a must. The factory, located in the heart of the city, has been a symbol of chocolate excellence for over a century. Stepping inside this iconic establishment is like stepping back in time, as you are transported to a world of rich aromas and delectable treats.

The Rich History of Ghirardelli Chocolate

In the world of chocolate, Ghirardelli holds a special place not just for its exceptional quality, but also due to its fascinating history. Domingo Ghirardelli, a young man from Italy, founded the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company in the heat of the California Gold Rush in 1852. While he didn't find gold, he discovered something equally priceless: the opportunity to introduce the people of America to his chocolate recipes.

As Ghirardelli set up his storefront in San Francisco, he quickly gained popularity among locals and gold miners alike. Word of Ghirardelli's delectable treats spread like wildfire, and soon his small shop became a bustling hub of chocolate lovers. Ghirardelli's dedication to using only the finest ingredients and his meticulous attention to detail in every step of the chocolate-making process set him apart from his competitors.

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company has grown from the humble storefront in San Francisco to a globally recognized brand today. Today, Ghirardelli's chocolates can be found in stores around the world. Their iconic square chocolate bars, decadent truffles, and luscious hot cocoa mixes continue to delight chocolate enthusiasts of all ages. Whether enjoyed on its own or used in baking, Ghirardelli chocolate remains a symbol of indulgence and superior quality.

Visiting Ghirardelli's Chocolate Experience Store

Although Ghirardelli chocolate can be found in many retailers and grocery stores across America and worldwide, if you happen to be at Fisherman's Wharf, why not also take the chance to visit the flagship chocolate experience store?

Situated within San Francisco's Ghirardelli Square, specifically in the historic Woolen Mill Building, sits the flagship chocolate experience store and eatery. The location used to be where the Chocolate Factory was located, and today, the store's aesthetic is a tribute to the brand's remarkable 170-year history of crafting chocolate from the ground up.

The chocolate experience store attracts tourists from all over the world, and is a pit-stop for those visiting Fisherman's Wharf. So you can definitely expect it to be crowded — very crowded, in fact. But if you are already there and if you are a chocolate lover, why not also stop by the store to see what it has to offer!

Live Chocolate Bar Creation

If you want to witness the creation of fresh Ghiradelli chocolate bars, this is the only location where you can do so! Watch as the chocolatiers do their magic, creating 4 different flavours of chocolate bars in house before putting them on sale. The nuts that are used in the creation of the chocolate bars are also freshly roasted in-stores!

Pick & Mix Your Chocolates

If you are looking to bring home a tin of chocolates for your friends and families, guests can personalize a tin of signature chocolate squares, chosen from the brand's most extensive Pick & Mix assortment yet, boasting up to 40 distinct flavors.

Unmissable Sundaes

Aside from the signature chocolate squares, you definitely can't miss the delectable sundaes that are offered. Of the various options, the hot fudge sundae is one of the must-try ones! With the hot fudge made fresh daily in store, the recipe highlights the unbeatable flavours of the Ghiradelli chocolate. Other popular flavours include the sea salt caramel sundae. To top it all off, you can choose to eat in the store’s Alcatraz room which offers stunning, unobstructed views of San Francisco Bay.

Other Ghirardelli Lcoations

Aside from the Ghirardelli Experience Store, the chocolate brand also has two other locations in the Ghirardelli Square — the first being The Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop, and the other the Ghirardelli On-The-Go store. These two locations are great alternatives if you just want to snag some chocolates or sundaes but want to do away with the crowds! The selections at these locations are limited, but you should be able to find some of the most popular flavours and options there!