Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Ghirardelli Square
SQUARE
Willy Wonka would tip his hat to Domingo Ghirardelli (g
ear
-ar-deli), who founded the
West's largest chocolate factory c 1893. After the company moved to the East Bay, deve-
lopers reinvented the factory as a mall in 1964. Today, the square has entered its third in-
carnation as a boutique timeshare/spa complex with wine-tasting rooms - care for a mas-
sage and Merlot with that Ghirardelli chocolate sundae?
(
www.ghirardellisq.com
;
900 North Point St;
10am-9pm;
19, 30, 47,
Powell-Hyde)
Take a Break
Try the Cable Car Sundae at
Ghirardelli Ice Cream
(
415-771-4903;
www.ghirardelli.com
; 900 North Point St, Ghirardelli Sq; ice creams $4-9;
10am-11pm Sun-Thu, 10am-midnight
Powell-Hyde)
: marshmallow and hot fudge atop rocky road ice
Fri & Sat;
;
19, 30, 47,
cream.
5
Aquatic Park
Eccentricity along Fisherman's Wharf is mostly staged, but at this beachfront park, it's the
real deal: extreme swimmers dive into bone-chilling bay waters in winter, weirdos
mumble conspiracy theories on the grassy knoll of Victoria Park, and wistful tycoons stare
off into the distance and contemplate sailing far away from Silicon Valley.
(northern end of Van
PARK
Ness Ave; admission free;
;
19, 30, 47,
Powell-Hyde)
6
Blazing Saddles
CYCLING
GOOGLE MAP
To gear up for a Gary Danko feast, cover the waterfront from Pier 39 to the Golden Gate
Bridge on a rental bicycle. Besides the main shop on Hyde St, Blazing Saddles has seven
rental stands around Fisherman's Wharf, and offers electric bikes and 24-hour return ser-
vice. Reserve online for a 10% discount; rentals includes all extras (helmets, bungee
cords, packs etc).
(
415-202-8888;
www.blazingsaddles.com
; 2715 Hyde St; cycle hire per hour $8-15, per day
$32-88; electric bikes per day $48-88;
8am-7:30pm;
Powell-Hyde)
