The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company has announced the Grand Opening Celebration of its newest storefront in Santa Barbara. This milestone marks the brand's 19th Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop in the U.S., expanding more of its chocolate and ice cream lineup throughout the Golden State.

To celebrate the debut of its new coastal storefront, Ghirardelli will host a soft opening on December 20, inviting guests in for an early taste of its treats, including handcrafted hot fudge sundaes layered with premium ice cream, and chocolate squares.

The official Grand Opening Celebration and ribbon cutting will take place on January 22, 2026, from 3:00–5:00 pm PST, with the ceremony beginning at 3:15 pm. The first 100 guests in line will receive a complimentary Ghirardelli World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae to mark the occasion. Following the grand opening, guests can enjoy a Mini World Famous Sundae for just $5 from 4 pm to close (10 pm). With a purchase of $30 or more, guests will receive a free Ghirardelli tote bag, available while supplies last.

"We couldn't be more delighted to open our new storefront along the sunny, scenic State Street in Santa Barbara," says Lacey Zane, VP of restaurant & retail at Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. "We're excited to plant roots in this beautiful community, creating a place to gather with friends and family over an ice cream sundae or enjoy a sweet treat while on vacation. With Ghirardelli's rich history in California, this beautiful location on Santa Barbara's State Street is the perfect place for us to expand our vision of Making Life a Bite Better for our guests, and we can't wait to welcome them here soon."

The Santa Barbara store will offer a menu featuring its "World-Famous Hot Fudge Sundae," plus 26+ signature specialty treats, including the following plus more:

• Dubai-Style Hot Fudge Sundae
• Peppermint Bark Sundae and Peppermint Hot Cocoa (available through January 20)
• Strawberry Passion Hot Fudge Sundae
• Classic Hot Cocoa with Milk Chocolate Caramel SQUARE
• Sweet Treats (chocolate brownie, chocolate chip cookie, dipped strawberry)

The new Santa Barbara store blends Ghirardelli's heritage with its coastal surroundings, subtly nodding to the original Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco through signature blue-and-white details and historic imagery, the brand says. Designed as a beautiful, comfortable space to relax and enjoy a treat any time of day, the store features inviting indoor and outdoor seating, including a breezy enclosed patio, cozy benches, and intimate bistro tables, it adds.

To celebrate being part of the Santa Barbara community, locals and students will receive a discount of 15% off their entire purchase, with the offer valid until further notice.

For the Grand Opening Celebration event information and new California location details, visit www.ghirardelli.com/our-stores#southerncalifornia.

Related: Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark LTO returns to shelves