Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco
Before it was prime San Francisco tourist turf, Ghirardelli Square was pumping out chocolate for a gold-crazed city.
In 1852, Italian immigrant Domingo Ghirardelli turned his failed mining dreams into something sweeter – starting with a little shop that grew into the massive brick chocolate factory we now know as SF’s favorite square.
Here’s the story.
An Italian immigrant turned Gold Rush dreams into reality
Domingo Ghirardelli’s historical displays can be traced back around the square, journeying from Peru to California during the 1849 Gold Rush.
In 1893, he bought this entire block for his company headquarters, cementing his place in San Francisco’s chocolate-making history.
Ghirardelli’s company has been going strong since 1852, making it America’s third-oldest chocolate maker after Baker’s Chocolate and Whitman’s.
There was a woolen mill before chocolate took over
Before Ghirardelli made chocolate here, the Pioneer Woolen Mill (built in 1862) occupied this spot as one of San Francisco’s oldest industrial buildings.
But Ghirardelli bought the mill in 1893 and transformed it into their chocolate headquarters. Many original architectural features remain visible.
Check out the historical photographs showing how dramatically the area has changed—it once featured large sand dunes on what was called Black Point.
The complex earned official recognition when it joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 as ‘Pioneer Woolen Mills and D. Ghirardelli Company.’
Giant Ghirardelli sign has guided sailors for a century
Since 1923, the fifteen-foot illuminated Ghirardelli sign has been a landmark for ships entering San Francisco Bay.
Pacific Heights residents complained about the brightness at night and wanted it removed but Lawrence Halprin simply turned it around to face the water.
Inside the chocolate shop, you can see pieces of the original sign, including the massive 19-foot ‘G’ now part of the interior design.
At night, the white lights are recognizable from miles away, continueing the tradition from around the bay as a waterfront beacon.
Urban designers in the 1960s were way ahead
Lawrence Halprin packed Ghirardelli Square with design elements that weren’t common in the 1960s like the custom-designed street furniture.
They even included a wheelchair ramp for William Wurster with accessibility features which were super rare during that era.
The underground garage design was revolutionary too, putting shops at street level instead of connecting directly to roads.
Follow the thoughtfully designed steps and ramps that guide you through the hilly site, connecting restaurants, shops, and terraces in a logical flow.
The Clock Tower brings French chateau vibes
You can’t miss the Clock Tower, the square’s centerpiece that’s been inspired by France’s Chateau de Blois design.
The tower is the most recognizable part of Ghirardelli Square, visible from all over Fisherman’s Wharf and the waterfront.
Head to the lower floor to find the original ice cream salon while admiring this 1915 structure that’s seen decades of San Francisco history.
Two determined San Franciscans saved this place
When Ghirardelli Chocolate moved manufacturing to San Leandro in the early 1960s, William M. Roth and his mother Lurline Matson Roth swooped in to gentrification.
Preservationists Karl and Jean Kortum also fought to keep this space before the National Historic Preservation Act even existed in 1966.
The project officially opened on November 29, 1964, turning old factory buildings into vibrant public spaces.
Halprin called his concept ‘Recycling’ and dubbed the area ‘the Beehive of Activity,’ which perfectly describes the buzzing atmosphere you’ll find.
Ice cream shop showcases 170 years of chocolate history
Since 1966, chocolate lovers have flocked to the Original Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop for Ghirardelli’s famous sundaes.
Watch North America’s largest chocolate wall flow while checking out the vintage chocolate-making equipment on display.
Choose from 15 different sundae varieties, including their World-Famous Hot Fudge Sundae with chocolate sauce made right there on-site.
Visit other chocolate locations across the square, including one in the historic Woolen Mill building where they once made all the chocolate from scratch.
Waterfront views that give a different perspective
Ghirardelli Square sits perfectly on San Francisco’s northern waterfront, giving you killer views of the bay, Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, and Aquatic Park.
The name ‘Buena Vista’ (good view) wasn’t chosen randomly. On clear days, you’ll get one of the city’s best views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
From the end of North Point Street, you get a direct visual corridor to the water that’s hard to beat as sailboats and ferries cross the bay.
Buena Vista Cafe serves legendary Irish Coffee
Right next to Ghirardelli Square sits the historic Buena Vista Cafe, where they’ve been pouring their famous Irish Coffee since November 10, 1952.
Grab a seat at the bar where owner Jack Koeppler and travel writer Stanton Delaplane perfected the recipe after Delaplane tried it at Shannon Airport.
Watch how they make each drink with two sugar cubes, hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and specially-aged cream that floats perfectly on top.
They’ve served over 30 million Irish coffees and even got into the Guinness World Record title in 2008 for making the World’s Largest Irish Coffee.
Historic architecture tells stories from every brick and beam
When you visit Ghirardelli Square, examine the brick patterns and the building’s decorative cornices that reveal their factory origins.
The Cocoa Building from 1900 got extra floors in 1923, showing how the business expanded during that era.
Check out the Power House, the Apartment Building, and other structures added in 1916, each with unique features that hint at their original purposes.
Look for the subtle details like the original ironwork and window designs that show how these buildings evolved from manufacturing to retail over 160+ years.
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