03/30/09

Ahh, summer!

by meilee6

We love the Square! We've been visiting this spot since my dog was a puppy! I used to take him here to help socialize him in his youth. Lots of friendly tourists coochie-cooing mainly because they miss their own dogs back home.

Let's give more stars to the Square! We love the street performers, and then a giant Earthquake Sunday from the Ghirardelli Ice Cream store nearby.

Ahh, summer!

11/03/08

Great place for old-timey San Francisco

by elfkat

While in SF on a business trip, I decided to go to Ghirardelli square, on the recommendation of a friend. Boy, am I glad I did! Maybe it was the rain keeping business at a minimum, but everyone seemed glad to see me. The people at the various shops were friendly, courteous and helpful. In particular, I enjoyed going to the Marche on the Square, where I got a lovely bottle of wine. Brian, the owner, was very nice to me. I would highly recommend his restaurant (which is attached to the market) for an evening out.

I was looking for the somewhat offbeat, historic and friendly San Fran you always see in movies. I found it in Ghirardelli square. :-)

• Pros: Friendly people, interesting assortment of shops
• Cons: None.

11/13/06

Good chocolate, tourist friendly

by vynnp

Typical tourist trap, but one you should try out. Chocolate is great, some fun stors, but this visit it appeared that there were more empty spaces than usual. My favorite fountain is in the square, and its an easy walk from Fisherman's Wharf and the cable car turn around.

02/27/06

User review by stainlessmirk

by stainlessmirk

This is my favorite ice cream place so far. I can tell it's not the best but it has very good sundaes, the square itself is quaint but TOURISTY is the major downside.

• Pros: ice cream
• Cons: touristy

This altar to the chocolate gods houses many shops and hangouts.

by Contributor

In Short
A former chocolate factory that was renovated in the '60s, Ghirardelli Square is considered by some as the first major example of post-modern adaptive re-use. This loosely structured collection of 19th-century factory and mill buildings spilling down Russian Hill to the shoreline now houses some clever shops and restaurants mostly frequented by tourists, but even locals can find something to like. Visitors flock in from all over to sample the many varieties of world-class Ghirardelli chocolate.

07/03/05

Beware of parking scam

by sanfranlocal

Beware of the parking garage at Ghirardelli Square. They will claim you have been there all day and then tell you they have no alternative but to charge you the maximum parking fee!

11/02/02

Coco Heaven

by tanbellisima

Yummy chocolate! More affordable than Godiva.

If you are not a chocolate gourmet but enjoy candy then this is a fun place for a day trip especially with the kids.

• Pros: Yummy, Great gifts, Tasty
• Cons: Crowded, touristy