A Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Francisco’s Chocolate Story
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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.
Free cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reserve now
Check a date here, then finish booking with our partner. Payment options are confirmed at checkout.
Duration 1.5 hours – 2 hours
Check availability to see start times.
Guided experience
English
Key facts
What's included
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
Not included
- Smartphone and headphones
- Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
- Food and drink
- Transportation
Itinerary
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Stop 1
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.
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Stop 2
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.
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Stop 3
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.
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Stop 4
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.
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Stop 5
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.
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Stop 6
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.
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Stop 7
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.
Meeting point & pickup
Meet at the starting point
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.
Open in Google MapsCancellation & confirmation
Free cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- 100% refund if cancelled at least 1 day(s) before
- 0% refund if cancelled 0–1 day(s) before
Instant confirmation
Your booking is confirmed immediately after checkout.
From $11.99 per person
- Free cancellation
- Secure checkout with our booking partner
