In the mid-1800s, James Lick and Domenico Ghirardelli established the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company in the Fisherman’s Wharf area. That site, now known as Ghirardelli Square, has become a must-see when visiting San Francisco. In addition to other shops and restaurants, it now houses the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop.
On the dessert-only menu, you’ll find indulgences like the Ocean Beach, which was named after one of the Bay Area’s top surfing spots: it’s a vanilla ice cream sundae with creamy caramel, hot fudge, sea salt, and whipped cream. Chocolate-loving families should go straight for the colossal Earthquake, a bowl filled with eight scoops of ice cream, eight different toppings, and fresh bananas.
Looking for the perfect San Francisco souvenir? Don’t miss the emporium stocked with everything from dark chocolate-covered honeycomb to milk chocolate squares housed in cable car-shaped red tins.
