Ghirardelli Square is a lovely part of the San Francisco waterfront. Long associated with chocolate, it is now a beautifully restored plaza/shopping area with upscale stores, restaurants, shops, stunning views, and, of course, chocolate.
Many years ago, a man named Domingo Ghirardelli left his native Italy for South America, to make confections and chocolates in a new land. After establishing a thriving business in Peru, he was lured, like thousands of others, to California, by the Gold Rush of 1849. He started a variety of business in San Francisco and surrounding towns, always falling back on his skills as a confectioner. In 1851, he and his wife began the Mrs. Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. The old factory at 415 Jackson Street can still be seen today.
His business boomed, and soon he was selling sweets to Canada, South America, and the western United States. He and sons eventually needed more room, and in the 1880's built Ghirardelli Square on North Point Street. For many years, San Franciscans and visitors alike passed the big beautiful Ghirardelli Chocolates sign as they sailed into the San Francisco Bay.
In the early 1960's, the square fell into disrepair, but was saved from the wrecking ball by local philanthropists. The remaking of Ghirardelli Square was the first successful adaptive land reuse project in the United States. In 1982 Ghirardelli Square was given National Historic Register status.
Ghirardelli Square is a fun place to visit for a variety of reasons. Many unique shops and stores dominate the interior. You can purchase shoes, gifts, toys, books, leather goods, and crafts. There is even a music box store and a number of fine art galleries. It's an enjoyable place to people watch.
The square also hosts some of the best restaurants in San Francisco including: Indian, Chinese, French, Italian, and Continental cuisine. Many casual cafes and pubs are in the vicinity for the visitor to take a welcome break. And of course, the little chocolate factory store remains which features the best sundaes in town.
The cable cars stop at the foot of Hyde Street one block from the square. This is where you'll find the famous Buena Vista, the bar recognized as having invented the Irish Coffee. It's a good place to enjoy the scenery and the festive camaraderie of fellow travelers.
Ghiradelli Square is next to the National Maritime Museum which holds a number of interesting displays and exhibits featuring our nautical past and present. Fisherman's Wharf, with its myriad of seafood restaurants is only a short walk away. The view from Ghirardelli Square is always interesting, but is best at sundown, when the afternoon sun banks slowly over the Golden Gate Bridge, filling the sky with the warm violet hues of another day.
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