Over a century ago, Ghirardelli Square was home to the eminent Ghirardelli family's chocolate, cocoa, mustard and box factory. The building's first incarnation was the Pioneer Woolen Mill. Italian chocolate king Domingo Ghirardelli took over the structure in 1893 and built it into an empire with the help of his sons. When the confectioners moved across the San Francisco Bay Area to larger quarters in the 60's, the historical landmark made its debut as a multilevel restaurant and retail destination-a design concept that inspired similar restoration movements around the country.
Today one of the most popular shopping centers in the world with 50 unique shops and restaurants, Ghirardelli Square remains the capital for chocolate lovers everywhere. Our self-guided walking tour gives you a glimpse of this fascinating area's history. This intriguing stroll not only offers a sense of days gone by, but also an experience of the Square's distinctive ambience.