Chocolate lovers in Santa Barbara can expect free treats, discounted sundaes, and a ribbon-cutting celebration when the Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop officially opens on State Street this week.
The popular chocolate and dessert shop will officially open at 3:15 p.m. on January 22, 2026, at 509 State Street, according to a video shared by the company on Instagram.
The grand opening celebration will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, with the first 100 guests receiving a complimentary Ghirardelli World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae and a tote bag.
The store will celebrate the opening day with an introductory offer. After the grand opening, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., visitors can enjoy Mini Hot Fudge Sundaes for $5 and an exclusive tote bag for every purchase worth $30, available while supplies last.
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In addition to the introductory offers and to mark Ghirardelli’s arrival in Santa Barbara, The Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory will offer a local discount of 15% off their entire purchase to locals, students, and tourists, according to the store’s website. To avail the offer, visitors are required to show proof of valid ID or hotel room key.
The video offered glimpses of the new store, Ghirardelli’s classic hot fudge sundaes, the signature chocolate being prepared, and staff preparing desserts.
The Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop features design elements inspired by the original location at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. The Santa Barbara store includes indoor and outdoor seating, such as an enclosed patio, benches, and bistro tables, and offers hot fudge sundaes, shakes, hot cocoa, chocolate squares, bars, and gift items.
The Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop will be open Monday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to the website.
The new store held a soft opening on December 20, 2025.
The store’s location was the earlier home of the Cadiz and Pascucci restaurants, situated between the Galanga Thai and Aura Chinese restaurants. Pascucci announced its closure in November 2025, after over 30 years in business, over increasing financial pressures.
Ghirardelli Chocolate was established by Domingo Ghirardelli in 1852 in San Francisco. Part of the Lindt & Sprüngli Group, Ghirardelli’s is one of the longest continually operating chocolatiers in the U.S.
The brand emphasizes the use of high-quality, sustainably sourced cocoa beans and follows a “bean-to-bar” approach, making it one of the few large-scale chocolate manufacturers in the U.S. that controls the entire production process.
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According to the article: ” visitors can enjoy Mini Hot Fudge Sundaes for $5 and an exclusive tote bag for every purchase worth $30,” – BUT that’s not quite the same as “..& FREE gift with any $30 purchase”?
you almost got ME to purchase the $5 Mini Hot Fudge Sundae “thinking I’d be getting a disposable bag FREE”…
almost? As i obviously interpreted the translation to be the disposable bag being worth $30?
👽
Tried the new Ghirardelli spot yesterday. It’s a nice space, seems a bit oversized for an ice cream shop. The prices a bit high.The sundays, were delicious, however none of us could finish them, they were probably one of the richest most off the charts sugary deserts we had ever had. The consensus we had is that if you didn’t have diabetes before you got there you will leave with diabetes once you walk out. Hence the new nickname we have jokingly given the spot now to be Ghirabetes! If you like super rich chocolate sundays you won’t be disappointed.