The Original Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop

A late-night visit to The Original Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop with my large group of 11 turned into a delightful experience, especially since we found the place surprisingly empty around 10 pm. The joy of walking into an uncrowded dessert haven, particularly with a group of 7 adults and 4 kids, was unparalleled. The ambiance of the shop was immediately welcoming, with an inviting design that set a relaxed and cheerful tone for our visit. We were seated promptly, allowing us to delve into the menu without delay. The standout recommendations from our experience are the Sea Salt Caramel Sundae and the hot chocolate drink. The sundae, with its perfect blend of sweet and salty, was a hit among the adults, while the rich and comforting hot chocolate was thoroughly enjoyed by the kids. Our seating upstairs at the 'train table' was a special treat for the kids. This unique setting added an element of fun and novelty to our visit, making it more than just a dessert outing. The staff at Ghirardelli were exceptionally nice and attentive, efficiently catering to our requests and ensuring our experience was smooth and enjoyable. A notable aspect of visiting Ghirardelli during the holidays is the festive ambiance, complete with light shows that add a magical touch to the whole experience. It’s moments like these that make holiday outings so special and memorable.

Ocean Beach Sundae with dark chocolate sauce was really flavorful. I’m not sure what we were expecting. The hot fudge sundae sauce hardened into chocolate bars by the time we got halfway through the sundae. Three of us were able to share one sundae. We ordered the ocean beach version with the beautiful sea salt caramel. Caramel stayed nice and smooth and creamy. Sprinkling of sea salt was needed to cut through the super sweetness in the sundae. Didn’t go back for another (even though we visited the area on two different days). I have a good sweet tooth and anticipated going back again to try the brownie sundae, but after being underwhelmed, didn’t visit a second time. Again, my opinion- not the best- but definitely worth visiting at least once for the ambiance!

It’s hard to miss the iconic red brick structure of Ghirardelli Square on the hillside south of Beach Street, much less the delectable smell of rich chocolate when you get closer. Saved from demolition in 1962, the chocolate factory has been transformed to a popular shopping and dining destination, famous for its ice cream parlors run by the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. The bay side landmark several food options while it will be travesty if you skip dessert in the form of a milkshake, hot chocolate, brownies, cookies or hot fudge from one of three Ghirardelli stores; the Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop, Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience, and the Ghirardelli On-The-Go. Heck, visit all three and get your chocolate fix! Here’s a recommended chocolate itinerary - enjoy a Ghirardelli’s World-Famous Hot Fudge Sundae while sitting in a replica San Francisco cable car at the ice cream shop near Larkin Street and Beach Street. Then, grab a free Ghirardelli Square and take in a breath-taking view of the bay at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience. Finally, grab a gift for someone (or yourself) before taking a calorie-burning stroll along the beaches of Aquatic Cove.