A Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Francisco’s Chocolate Story

1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English and 1 more

Join this self-guided audio tour of San Francisco and go far beyond the tech city to discover the port transformed by the American artisan chocolate revolution. On this walking tour, you'll explore how Gold Rush prospectors, Swiss immigrants, and modern bean-to-bar pioneers built a chocolate capital from the ashes of earthquakes and buried ships. Beginning at the iconic Ferry Building, you'll stroll up historic Market Street, stop at celebrated chocolatiers like Dandelion and Teuscher, and walk over the hulls of a Gold Rush fleet buried beneath your feet. Learn the professional "Melt" technique to taste chocolate like an expert, hear the real story behind Mary See's chocolate empire, and sample the world's first Champagne Truffle. Bring your walking shoes and your sweet tooth and by the end, you'll never look at a truffle the same way again.

What's Included

Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
App for Android and iOS
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
Smartphone and headphones
Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Food and drink
Transportation

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Ferry Building

This tour starts at the San Francisco Ferry Building. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

The tour ends outside See's Candies, at the intersection of Market and Sutter Street.

Itinerary

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approximately)
  • Ferry Building (Pass by)

    Marvel at this iconic 1898 landmark that stood defiant against the Great Earthquake, marking the starting point of your chocolate journey. You'll discover how this historic port was transformed by the American artisan chocolate revolution.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Stroll up historic Market Street, crossing "The Slot" — the old class divide that once separated San Francisco's worlds. Along the way, you'll walk directly over the hulls of a Gold Rush fleet buried beneath your feet.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Pass Lotta's Fountain, where opera stars once performed for thousands and families searched desperately for the missing after the great fire. This beloved landmark brings to life the city's resilience in the wake of the 1906 earthquake.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Explore one of San Francisco's celebrated bean-to-bar chocolatiers, where modern pioneers have helped build a chocolate capital from the ground up. You'll learn the professional "Melt" technique here, revealing hidden flavor notes in every bean.

    Admission ticket free
  • Union Square (Pass by)

    Walk through the heart of the city and discover the evolution of Maiden Lane, from a notorious brothel row to a hub of luxury retail. You'll also peek inside San Francisco's only Frank Lloyd Wright building — a spiral ramp prototype for New York's Guggenheim Museum.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Enjoy the story behind Domenico Ghirardelli's ingenious chocolate-making techniques, which turned chocolate into a durable survival ration for miners in the gold fields. You'll hear how Gold Rush prospectors, Swiss immigrants, and modern pioneers shaped this beloved San Francisco institution.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Discover the world's first Champagne Truffle, crafted with Dom Pérignon and traditional Swiss mastery, at one of the city's most celebrated chocolatiers. You'll sample the flavors that have made Teuscher a cornerstone of San Francisco's chocolate story.

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Supplied by VoiceMap Audio Tours
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Tags

Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Audio Guides
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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