For my fellow chocolate lovers out there, this one’s for you.  If I were to ask you what comes to mind when I say Ghirardelli, for most it would be chocolate. We need to say a big thank you to Italy for the longest continually operating chocolatier in the US.  A note here, the family sold the company to Lindt in 1998.  Keep reading to find the longest family owned chocolatier in the US (yes, they too are in the Bay Area).  Ghirardelli opened the first store in San Francisco in 1849 and what was to become the modern day chocolate company opened in 1852.  After all this time, you know they had a lot of practice to get us to the chocolatey goodness we have today.

The chocolate store

The Ghirardelli Square you visit is where the company moved in 1893 and it was declared an official city landmark in 1965.  One of the primary things to do is take the factory tour.  While the manufacturing moved to San Leandro (on the East Bay south of Oakland) in 1967, the original factory is where you can see how the chocolates are made.  Probably the best part for us chocolate addicts is visiting the original store and ice cream shop.

The store is where you can find the famous Ghirardelli chocolate squares.  They have all the flavors, plus the squares that are filled with extra goodness like raspberry and caramel.  Sometimes those are hard to find.  Stock up!  The chocolate bars should be on your shopping list too.  They claim some of the most popular are the toffee bar and the dark chocolate cabernet bar.  I wouldn’t argue against that last one.  Plus don’t forget about the baking chocolate and the hot chocolate.

The ice cream shop…and the view

My favorite is the ice cream shop.  Now let’s keep it real.  It’s San Francisco, it’s Ghirardelli Square, it’s touristy.  You’re going to be paying a pretty penny for some ice cream.  That being said, it’s not like you’re doing it every day and it’s a splurge.  Just go for it.  Take it to-go and enjoy the great view.  Walk up to the second floor and see if the ice cream shop up there is open.  Sometimes the line there is much shorter or non-existent.  

Speaking of the view…the location is on point.  You have an amazing view of the bay, Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge.  Stop for a moment and take it all in.  If you need to walk off some of the sugar, Fisherman’s Wharf is a block away.  If you’ve got time to kill and want to check the box, go see Pier 39.

Getting There

The square is at the end of the cable car tracks, so getting there is really easy.  The Muni bus lines will get you there and anywhere along that area that you want to go.  If driving is your thing, keep in mind you’ll have to deal with parking.  Finding it and paying for it.  Just something to think about.

More Bay Area Chocolate

Let me drop some more chocolate knowledge on you since we’re here.  In addition to Ghirardelli, the Bay Area is also home to Guittard Chocolate (1868).  These folks hold the prize for the longest family owned chocolate factory in the US.  Their factory is in Burlingame, which is south of the city (on your way to SFO).  Personal note here…I used to live in Burlingame and when timing was right on my way home from work, I could smell the chocolate coming from the factory.  I tell you that was the BEST welcome home I could get.  Our thanks for Guittard goes to France.  Now, when it comes to baking, I can be a snob about my chocolate.  It HAS to be Guittard.  If you were to compare a cookie or any baked good that uses Guittard versus say Nestle or Hershey, you’ll see what I mean.  It just doesn’t compare.  You can’t get a tour of their factory, but when you’re in the grocery store baking aisle, see if they sell Guittard and pick up a bag.  You’ll thank me later once you taste it.

Happy tasting!

Until next time…

May the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back.