Ghirardelli Square San Francisco
The California gold rush of the mid 19th century brought thousands of people to San Francisco seeking their fortune in the precious metal. One of the thousands who arrived was Domenico Ghirardelli, an Italian entrepreneur who came by way of Peru. Ghirardelli found his fortune, but it wasn't in gold; rather he found it in the chocolates that his father had taught him to make as a boy. After a number of attempts at various businesses, he finally began selling his chocolates in a small store in San Francisco. The business grew rapidly to several stores and a small factory in Jackson Square.

In 1893 he purchased an entire city block to build a new factory that would take his business into the next century. His sons finished the project 11 years later. When the company was sold in the early 1960's, the new owners moved the operation and the red brick buildings were slated for destruction. Needless to say, the buildings were preserved, restored to their original condition and reopened as shopping center filled with shops, boutiques and cafes. Of course, you can still buy some of that delicious chocolate as well. Ghirardelli Square is now listed on the National Historic Registry.

Click here for the Ghirardelli Square San Francisco website