Ghirardelli Square, Historic retail complex in Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, United States.
Ghirardelli Square is a commercial complex in the Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood of San Francisco, United States, spread across several interconnected brick buildings. The site sits on a hillside overlooking the bay and includes shops, dining options, and open plazas between the structures.
The buildings were constructed starting in 1893 as a chocolate factory and remained in operation until the 1960s. After closure, William Roth purchased the site and had the structures converted into a shopping and dining area, creating an early case of industrial reuse.
The name recalls the chocolate maker Ghirardelli, whose factory buildings now house boutiques and cafés. Visitors still see the old trademark on the brick facades and can stroll through the inner courtyards, where fountains and benches invite them to linger.
The complex opens daily around midday and closes in the evening, with exact times varying by season. A parking garage on Larkin Street offers spaces, and the site is within walking distance of other waterfront attractions.
In the former chocolate workshop, a chocolate wall flows, and old production machines stand as exhibits in the rooms. The large clocks on the towers were originally hung inside the factory hall and later mounted outside, making them visible from afar today.
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