Travel bucket list idea:

Ferry Building Marketplace

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)

Ferry Building is a foodie hub, and the terminal for ferries that travel across the San Francisco Bay and a shopping center

Credit Shutterstock.com/happycreator

Last updated: 28 April, 2024

Located in the historic Ferry Building on the Embarcadero at Market, this first-rate foodie foray – a hall of more than 40 different restaurants and food shops – has outlets offering anything from mushrooms grown in Moss Landing (a town two hours south), to cheeses from a local creamery.

The building itself is a late 19th-century landmark that was completely renovated and restored in 2002. It still serves as a transportation centre for ferries to Oakland, Alameda, Sausalito, and Angel Island.

Its views overlooking the bay and out toward the SF-Oakland Bay Bridge are worth going for alone.

While you're there

Learn more about the colourful historic street cars, which come from as far afield as Milan, at the tiny San Francisco Railway Museum. It’s located just west of the Ferry Building on Stuart Street. Closed Mondays.

Logistics

Price: Free

Minimum age: 0

Age suitable: 18+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The Ferry Building sits on the eastern end of Market Street, San Francisco’s main artery. It’s easily accessible via many of the Muni bus lines and most of its metros, as well as all BART lines that run through the city. Just look for the ‘Embarcadero’ stop.

Ferries run to/from the backside of the building to several locations, including Oakland’s Jack London Square, Angel Island, Tiburon, and Vallejo.

While wandering around the marketplace, consider grabbing a milkshake at Gott’s Roadside, an empanada at El Porteño, or a couple of ice cream scoops at Humphry Slocombe, then head outside and watch the bay roll in.

When to do it

The marketplace is open all year round, seven days a week.

The Ferry Building is especially crowded from morning to mid-afternoon on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, when the Farmer’s Market is on. It’s liveliest on Saturdays.

If you’re going to the Farmers Market, visit close to opening time to get the pick of the fresh produce.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

San Francisco Combo: Ferry Building Food Tour and Alcatraz

San Francisco

Viator

The historic Ferry Building and Alcatraz are two of San Francisco's most prolific attractions. On this not-to-be missed combo tour, you get to see them both in one day. First, enjoy 90 minutes in the Ferry Building to nibble on some of the city’s finest fare during a guided tour. Please note that the Farmer's Market is active on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Tours on all other days will spend more time and visits inside the building. After the food tour, walk over to Pier 33 to pick up your tickets and board your ferry to Alcatraz. On Alcatraz Island, the Cellhouse audio tour will captivate you with live recordings from the former prisoners.

Price $174

Min age 0

Rating 4.49 / 5 [152 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

San Francisco

Viator

Awaken your senses and tickle your taste buds on this culinary journey through San Francisco's famous Ferry Building! Sample San Francisco's bounty of local, seasonally grown food products including meats, cheeses, breads and chocolates, on this 90 minute tour that will delight foodies of all ages. The shops of the Ferry Building and adjoining thrice-weekly Ferry Plaza Farmers Market are revered by locals for their seasonal, sustainable produce and a tempting array of sweet treats. Join your epicurean concierge to discover the quality and cultural diversity of San Francisco's artisanal food community! Please note that the Farmer's Market is active on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Tours on all other days will spend more time and visits inside the building.

Price $90

Min age 0

Rating 4.72 / 5 [90 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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