Ghirardelli Square Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Ghirardelli Square. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• North Beach Tour With Alcatraz Plus Cruise and SkyStar Options

• North Beach Walking Tour

• Private San Francisco Custom City Tour–Lucky Tuk Tuk (max 6)

• 24-Hour Bike Rental in San Francisco

• Early Bird San Francisco GoCar Tour

While it’s free to visit Ghirardelli Square, many travelers stop here during sightseeing tours of San Francisco. There are plenty of ways to visit: walking tours start around US$35, hop-on hop-off bus tours from US$55, and bike rentals from US$9.

Yes, whether you're exploring San Francisco on foot, by bike, or on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, many sightseeing tours pass by Ghirardelli Square. Visiting with a guide provides insight into the square's lesser-known history, including the famous Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, and the waterfront complex is equally a must-do for shoppers and diners.

Per one customer who booked the North Beach Walking Tour, "We were only in town for 24 hours, and we wanted to see SOMETHING, but we had a tight timeline. This tour was perfect—Jamie is a knowledgeable guide and will also take family pictures for you! In an hour and a half, we were able to see the beach and trolleys, Golden Gate Bridge, the Ghirardelli factory, sea lions, a fabulous arcade game museum (sounds odd, but it was a highlight for us!), walk along Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, and gaze at Alcatraz. Jamie recommends good spots for local seafood and takes you through a market where you can even grab some fresh crab that they will pack in ice for you!"

San Francisco’s popular Ghirardelli Square is where the old Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory once thrived. Now the area is a retail square filled with shops and eateries, and many visitors come to see the large Ghirardelli sign and clock tower and visit the Original Ghirardelli Chocolate and Ice Cream Shop.

Ghirardelli Square is open daily, typically from 9am until 10pm, but keep in mind that some of the shops or eateries may not be open during those hours every day. It’s best to check the opening hours of the shops you want to visit, so you don’t miss out.

You can do a lot of shopping at Ghirardelli Square, and the area also has a miniature golf course. The most popular thing to do at Ghirardelli Square is to visit the ice cream and chocolate shop to sample an ice-cream cone or to shop for chocolate to take home.

Yes, there’s parking available at San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square. You can enter the main parking garage for Ghirardelli Square on Larkin Street between North Point and Beach Street or on Beach Street between Larkin and Polk streets. The parking garage is pricey; check the square’s website for discount parking offers.

No, you can’t take a tour of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory as the original building in San Francisco no longer houses a factory. However, you can grab chocolate and ice cream at the Original Ghirardelli Chocolate and Ice Cream Shop, which has been operating since 1966.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Ghirardelli Square. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in San Francisco:

• Alcatraz

• Golden Gate Bridge

• Golden Gate Park

• San Francisco Bay

• Bay Bridge

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in San Francisco.