In a San Francisco Chronicle February 2011 article on 100 trends shaping our West Coast lifestyle, artisan chocolates get a shout-out. Two local chocolatiers merited listing:
Au Coeur Des Chocolats (now Feve Artisan Chocolatiers), SF, for their air-brushed truffles (we love their S’mores kits), and Michael Mischer
We could’ve filled the list with all locals (starting with our recommended list), but since the article covers the West Coast, it includes chocolatiers in Seattle, Portland, Utah & Colorado. Most of them do not offer online sales, so they are truly local — just not SFBA-local. They all look worth a visit when you’re traveling.
UPDATE 2012: Au Coeur Des Chocolats closed, and its former owner, Shawn Williams, opened Feve Artisan Chocolatier, wholesale and online orders only.
UPDATE 2019: Feve Artisan Chocolatier now has a store in their factory kitchen.