Ghirardelli Square

This former chocolate factory is one of the city's quaintest shopping malls and most popular landmarks. It dates from 1864, when it served as a factory making Civil War uniforms, but it's best known as the former chocolate and spice factory of Domingo Ghirardelli (say "Gear-ar-dell-y"). A clock tower, an exact replica of the one at France's Château de Blois, crowns the complex. Inside the tower, on the mall's plaza level, is the fun Ghirardelli soda fountain. It still makes and sells small amounts of chocolate, but the big draw is the old-fashioned ice-cream parlor. Stores range from a children's club to a perfumery, cards and stationery to a doggie boutique. The main plaza shops' and restaurants' hours are 10am to 6pm Sunday through Thursday and 10am to 9pm Friday and Saturday, with extended hours during the summer. The square has recently undergone a major face-lift, which not only jazzed up its appearance a bit, but brought free Wi-Fi to the area. Along with elegant Vietnamese restaurant Ana Mandara, there's now an English tea experience (Crown & Crumpet), wine bar (Cellar360), cupcake bakery, and more.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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