Ghirardelli Factory Outlet

Please go here instead of the original factory in San Francisco. Don’t expect the Willy Wonka experience but do expect cheaper prices. Also, you can say you bought the chocolate here and not Safeway. Straight from the source.

Chocolate everywhere! This place is amazing.. The employees are also very nice and friendly.

How did I not know about this Ghirardelli factory outlet, given that they are in the east bay and not far away from Fremont, until a couple weeks ago?! I use their cocoa powder in both my baking and making my own hot chocolate all the time. Love their chocolates of all sorts of varieties too. For my best chocolate cake recipe I always use Ghirardelli’s all-​natural cocoa powder. This is premium quality chocolate so it’s not cheap. Now I know where to go to get it for a much better price!
Thanks to Unilocal I found out they were having their annual warehouse sale two weekends ago. I got there around 3:30 pm Sunday afternoon and they were still very busy. They gave you more discount at this sale than their already lower-​than retail prices and some of the selections you cannot find at regular retail stores. Also, they are open 7 days a week, so makes it easier for those who can only make it out there on the weekends.
They had a couple folks out at the parking lot directing visitors for parking. The parking lot was permeated with the aroma of chocolate already, which certainly drew you in. As soon as I walked to the front entrance, I was greeted with a sample of hot chocolate and a piece of chocolate. When I walked in, I literally became a kid in a candy store; everything I saw I wanted to buy! For example: San Francisco themed souvenirs, mini chocolate packs weighed by pound, baking cocoa, baking chocolate chips, variety packs, holiday packs, etc. etc., When I walked out, I was done with my Christmas treats shopping, as well as my shopping for next year’s trips back home. I got enough to give as presents to my family in Taipei and to their friends!
While the factory outlet may not have everything you can find at their retail stores, but for the varieties that they have there, and the prices that you can’t beat, this is a great choice to go when you need to get some high quality chocolates at much better prices. Now I know where to take my out-​of-​town chocolate loving friends next time!

They had a warehouse sale today and it is also on tomorrow (¹²⁄₁₂ & ¹²⁄₁₃). They have special discounts and on top of that you can get an additional 15% with the coupon. No complaint about the quality of their products.
I went in today and shopped in the main store … there was a line for the warehouse where I stood for about 10 minutes and it didn’t move. People were cutting in from the side and I moved up to peek around the corner… It was a warehouse room with an assortment of specialty items which were discounted… the line wasn’t to get inside the warehouse to shop… it was a line for the register. There must have been 200 people or more waiting in line to pay. I don’t have that kind of time. If you go today or tomorrow make sure you plan to stand in line for a couple hours. If they had an efficient checkout system I would have given them 5 stars.

The customer service is lacking. There wasn’t that much people in the store and yet the two ladies just want to rush you like calm the fuck down, so I can make my selections. Seems like they hate dealing with people who don’t speak English very well. Very snappy to dismiss you. Rather go to The Great Mall or Lindt.

As soon as you drive up to the parking lot, you smell chocolate!
When you enter, you are offered a piece of chocolate to sample (even better). And then the selection!
You can find wonderful items such as Cherry Tango (freeze dried cherries and almond in dark chocolate), Mocha, White mint and raspberry. You can buy loose items, or prepacked in bags or gift tins. And if you are really hungry, buy the bulk boxes or a five pound box of everything.
You can keep them for yourself, or if you feel like it provide them as gifts to out of town guests, or when you visit relatives (only the ones you like).
Then when you are done gorging on chocolate, don’t forget the brownie mixes, chocolate chips for cookies or hot cocoa options.
If you are nice, I might even share =)

The smell when you step out of the car is probably worth the trip alone… and the free sample they give you. 15% Unilocal coupon when checking in, don’t forget! I came here to get some SF-​themed souvenirs for gifts, and they didn’t disappoint. $ 6.95 for cute little cable cars, $ 10 for larger CA-​themed stuff and even more $$ options available. I just wish they had peppermint bark available year round!

I been coming here for years. Tons of selections and the prices are crazy affordable. You can’t walk out not buying a bag full of sweets. Did I mention they also sell hot chocolate for $ 1.50 Wow!!! You can come here for any gifts or occasion you might need. Have fun shopping here, I know I do

The only thing that sucks is that if you buy chocolate with the i store deals your 15% doesn’t work. It always works on the pick your own chocolate mix though. It’s $ 0.75 ea or 1lb for $ 12. If you do the math it is definitely worth it to get the pound. I believe it was ³⁰⁄₃₁ chocolate squares is exactly 1lb. It is definitely an awesome spot to hit if you are in the area for some chocolate and it doesn’t get much fresher when you’re right next to the factory. The customer service is awesome too.

Came through one night with friends, went to their store where they have pretty much every kind of chocolate they sell. Easy enough to navigate, a bit of a tourist trap, but overall worked for what we wanted!

I come here every now and then when I need gifts for people who like chocolate. The problem is, sometimes the prices aren’t the cheapest and you can find cheaper prices at walmart or such.
The last time I came here was during Christmas, they had free small cups of hot chocolate for people which was nice. They opened their warehouse inside because of the amount of people. They also had santa pictures! (Not sure if free, probably was).
You know that 15% off coupon that’s almost everywhere? Can’t use it on their Buy 2 get 1 bag free deal. But the 2^nd time I went, a nicer lady let me use it :).
Pretty much the only reason I’m giving this place 4 stars is because of the price and the coupon restrictions.

As others have mentioned, Ghiradelli has changed; if you buy less than a pound of chocolate squares, you are charged PER PIECE. And NO MORE LINDT! Looks like they took away the Lindt chocolate sometime in November. This broke the heart of DH who is convinced Lindt is far superior to Ghiradelli.
That said, there is still much to love; the 15% coupons are abundant, and though you can find the standards for cheaper at Target or Costco, if you are a fan of Dark Caramel or Pumpkin Spice squares or 60% Cacao Baking chips or need a commemorative tin as a gift, this is pretty much the only place to get them at some kind of discount.

My go to spot for chocolate. They offer great deals thats at least 15% off retail in various packaging. I love the rich intense smell of chocolate that this factory produces– I think I enjoy that more than eating the chocolate sometimes. It just smells so satisfying and comforting.
The staff are friendly and there is often a couple of people mulling around trying to decide which chocolate to buy. It’s also fun to see the new flavors they have sometimes. A cute store overall.

The great city of San Leandro located in the heart of the bay.
We’re truly blessed to have a chocolate confectionery manufacturing their sweets here but also selling their products at steep discounts.
As we sit outside the warehouse-​esque parking lot we’re witnessing big smiles from every single person exiting with their big box of goodies.
If ever you’re near, come by and support a Bay Area staple.

As a chocolate lover, I still love this place, but some of the recent changes in the pricing have taken a star off in my book. They’ve still got the best selection of Ghirardelli chocolate you can find and there are still some great deals and promotions, especially just after a holiday so long as you don’t care about the packaging (Christmas chocolates in January still taste great to me!).
However, the pricing for the pick your own mix has changed. BEWARE that if you don’t buy at least a pound then you will be charged $ 0.75 PER PIECE! Also, any discount coupon you have now only applies to the non-​specials you have bought, so do the calculations in your head on how you might get the best price or even if you’d be better off buying your Ghirardelli elsewhere, like Target or the grocery store. Like I said, still love their chocolate, it’s now just not as great of a place as it used to be with all the price changes that you now have to be mindful of.

I can’t believe I have never been here! I always see the banner on san leandro Blvd but never quite seen the factory. The directions on Unilocal is incorrect. Go down san leandro Blvd and turn into 139^st.
I came here just for the peppermint bark. The bars were 5/​$ 12 & i also got a pound of assorted chocolates which were $ 12/​lb. Make sure you get a coupon on Unilocal for 15% off

I still cannot believe that I didn’t know the Ghirardelli Factory Outlet was in San Leandro! I moved away for school (it’s okay it was only Hayward!) and moved back before I graduated and smelled the delicious chocolate in the air. I had moved into Parkside Commons on 143^rd, just a couple blocks from this wonder palace!
Once I knew this place existed I had to go! You can buy 5 lb bags of chocolate squares, single flavors or my personal (seasonal) mix for Christmas, as well as baking mixes, drink mixes, and even a «make your own bag» chocolate square bar if you want to make your own mix. They even have a hot chocolate machine in case you make your warm chocolate drink fix!
The prices are a bit cheaper but the candy and mixes taste the same and the packaging, at least to me, doesn’t seem to be any different! This is a total win-​win wonderland and perfect if you want to grab something for a gift basket or do like I did and get a mixed bag for stocking stuffers! The families were very happy to see them and they went with our local theme for that year.
Stop by, grab a hot cocoa, and shop of delicious candies all year ’round! There is even coupons in the San Leandro Times and even on their Unilocal page!!!
Be ware, they do have a small parking lot, so if you live close I saw walk or bike over.

Established in San Francisco, Ghirardelli has been making premium fine chocolates in the Bay Area since 1852. One taste of their chocolates and you can know this is good stuff!
Most people would buy their chocolates at candy stores, specialty stores and supermarkets. But how cool is it to be able their buy their surplus chocolates at outlet prices up to 60% off at the Factory Outlet stores. In the Bay Area, they have stores in Livermore and Milpitas, but this one in San Leandro is next to their corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility.
As you walk in, you are greeted by a friendly worker who offers you a free sample chocolate square, which was peppermint bark today. You can get their chocolate squares by the pound in your favorite flavors. They also have them in the 5oz bags at 4 for $ 11. They also had them in an 80 square mixed bag as well. For a bigger discount, you can buy items Costco style, by the case.
They also sell their chocolate bars at 5 bars of your choice for $ 10. You a baker? They sell baking chocolates and baking mixes and also cocoa powder. Today, I came looking for a nice gift and they have a nice selection of boxed truffles, various chocolate tins, cable car boxes and boxes with scenes of San Francisco.
Check in on Unilocal and get 15% off your purchase. However, the discount does not apply to certain items that are specially priced or promotional items. Then after your purchase, you’re presented with another 15% coupon for your next purchase.
A can’t miss place for outlet prices on premium chocolates. I’ll be back.

I Love Love Love this place! Can’t go wrong with discounted decadent chocolate! I’ve been coming here for years and it’s great place to buy gifts for people! And upon entering the store, you are offered a free chocolate square to snack on while shopping.
My favorite thing to get here are those 5.32 oz bags of chocolate (small bags they call it). You can get 4 for $ 11, which is totally a steal! Just today, I saw the same size bags at Safeway going for 2 for $ 7. Might as well just head on over to the Ghirardelli Outlet. The only thing I can see is a bad thing is that they don’t have all their flavors out for these bags. It’s just their surplus, but they usually have good options like caramel and a variety of dark chocolate ones. They do have more of a variety of flavors for the loose chocolate, which you pay by the pound.
I’ve received a reusable coupon for 15% off your purchase during a previous visit and I’ve been whipping it out every time! Also in the San Leandro newspapers, they have a one time use 15% coupon, so look out for those too. One thing though, that can get a little confusing is that you cant use this coupon for everything. For some items, they have deals that discounts the price even more, in which this 15% off coupon cannot be used. I’d say if there’s any confusion, just ask a worker.

What a great find! This is a hidden gem that you must use GPS to find. I’m not even a chocolate lover but I was thrilled to see there was an outlet there.
I loved the different flavors they have that I’ve never seen before i.e.„ Caco Creamy Devotion, Cabernet Manitee, or Hazelnut Cruch. I especially loved that the standup bags were 4/​$ 11.
The best thing to come out of this place… the 3lb canister for Hot Cocoa for $ 12! They also had some seasonal boxes for 60% off! I got several of those and the $ 3 assorted boxes of chocolate squares.
I took advantage of this outlet and started my christmas shopping for all the chocolate lovers I know. Great place, good deals, sweet staff and free samples!
Don’t forget to the Unilocal check-​in offer for 15% off your purchase!