When you envision San Francisco, you might think of Fisherman’s Wharf or the famous Golden Gate Bridge. There are definitely several places to visit while travelling in the Bay area, and they are all surely set to please. However, there is one place that you just might not think to visit right away.
For those of you with the ultimate sweet tooth, this next stop in San Francisco will sure to cater to your chocolate needs. We are talking about the famous Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, which have been around in this west coast city for over 160 years. Known for its rich, delicious chocolates, Ghirardelli has truly been a staple in the world of desserts and this continues to be the case to this day.
Mr. Ghirardelli, like many people during his time, first went out west in hopes of striking it big with the California Gold Rush. When this sadly was not the case, he soon started to sell various confections to local miners. In 1852 and after some minor setbacks, Mr. Domingo Ghirardelli finally opened what is now known as the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company.
When making a stop in San Francisco, you will be very disappointed if you skip out on such a sweet experience. With its original location at Ghirardelli Square (overlooking the water), you get to taste some of the finest chocolates and ice cream in the world. Make sure you head into the gift shop, as you will be greeted with a free chocolate sample. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you might even receive a few more samples if you walk in and out a few times.
If you are in town during the month of September, you definitely cannot leave without hitting the annual Chocolate Festival. You will be able to learn more than you could possibly imagine about the man and the company who put chocolate on the map. Since its first festival in 1996, the Chocolate Festival continues grow each year and adapt to the newest trends in chocolate. This time, it is your taste buds that are in for a real adventure.
