Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop

Dating back to 1864, Ghirardelli Square is the former factory of Domingo Ghirardelli, San Francisco's original chocolatier. The factory was long ago converted into a high-end shopping and dining complex, but the original chocolate manufactory and soda fountain is still the spot to pick up one-pound chocolate bars and indulge in enormous ice-cream sundaes and banana splits. If you're brave, team up and try the Earthquake: eight scoops of ice cream, eight toppings, fresh bananas, whipped cream, chopped almonds, semi-sweet chocolate chips and cherries in a trough-size bowl; or the more modest Ghirardelli Square—a classic sundae made with scoops of vanilla ice cream covered in hot fudge, whipped cream, chopped almonds and a cherry. Don't miss the demonstration production center at the back of the room where luscious melted chocolate sloshes around in big vats.