Ghirardelli Square is a converted chocolate factory on the waterfront near Fisherman's Wharf. The brick buildings date to the 1890s, when Domenico Ghirardelli moved his chocolate company here, and the clock tower is a San Francisco landmark. The company moved out in the 1960s, and the complex was converted into shops and restaurants -- a pioneering adaptive reuse project that has since been copied worldwide.
The Ghirardelli chocolate shop in the old clock tower building still gives out free samples, which alone makes a visit worthwhile. The square is pleasant for wandering, with views across the Bay and good people-watching from the outdoor terraces.