Everything You Need to Know About San Francisco's Ferry Building

In a destination with more than its fair share of world-famous icons, San Francisco's Ferry Building stands out for its two-fold celebrity status: it's both a historic architectural landmark and a pillar of the city's celebrated culinary scene.

The Ferry Building Marketplace and its adjacent farmers market serve in an equally outstanding capacity as places to eat and immerse yourself in the local community. Spend some time browsing the vendors lining the Nave, the market's central indoor thoroughfare, and you'll experience one of San Francisco's most-vibrant gathering places, while discovering the bounty of Northern California's artisan food and wine producers.

History

The San Francisco Ferry Building first opened in 1898, when it was the largest project ever undertaken in the city. With its elegant arches and 245-foot clock tower, the enormous Beaux Arts-style building was inspired by classical European architecture. It served as the city's primary transportation hub, welcoming as many as 50,000 commuters a day, who rode in on the ferry in the mornings and reversed the journey in the afternoons. At its peak, it was one of the busiest transit terminals in the world. The construction of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge in the 1930s, along with the proliferation of the automobile, made the Ferry Building all but obsolete. It was transformed into office space in 1955.

In March 2003, the San Francisco Ferry Building re-opened to the public as the Ferry Building Marketplace, marking the end of an extensive four-year restoration project. Ferry services resumed. The marketplace's mission is to promote regional artisan producers and be a gathering place for the Bay Area's communities. It's also a very popular tourist attraction.

Sit-Down Restaurants

The Ferry Building Marketplace is packed with food vendors who offer treats from coffee and pastries to charcuterie and farmstead cheeses. Visitors can find the makings of a fine picnic or hotel room feast, but you can also stay put and enjoy a meal at one of the numerous sit-down restaurants in the marketplace. 

At Cholita Linda, dine on fresh Latin dishes made from scratch. The breakfasts at Boulettes Larder, country-inspired and eaten at communal tables, are renowned. The ahi burger at Gott's Roadside is a local favorite, as are its hand-spun milk shakes. Hog Island Oyster Company offers the freshest Tomales Bay oysters, raw or in creative preparations, serving them alongside other seafood options and incredible views of San Francisco Bay. The Slanted Door, with its contemporary take on classic Vietnamese cuisine, is notable for being twice-named the nation's most outstanding restaurant by the James Beard Foundation. It is scheduled to reopen in 2023.

Farmers Market & Outdoor Vendors

The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is adjacent to the Ferry Building on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market attracts around 40,000 shoppers every week. The crowds come for fresh, local produce and artisan offerings including breads and cheeses. The Thursday market offers street food, and on Saturdays, a number of local restaurants come out to showcase items from their menus.

How to Get There

The Ferry Building Marketplace is located on the Embarcadero, where Market Street meets the water. It is easily accessible via public transport, including Muni, BART, the F-Line historic streetcar, and by ferry. The BART Embarcadero station is one block from the marketplace, and multiple Muni buses, subways and streetcars stop at or near the building as well.

Drivers are advised to park at Pier 3 along northbound Embarcadero or get validated parking at the ProPark Parking Lot at Embarcadero and Washington Street or the Golden Gateway Garage at 250 Clay St. On Saturdays, drop off your purchases with the Veggie Valet from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. while you continue shopping.

Nearby Attractions

A number of other great San Francisco attractions are in the vicinity of the Ferry Building Marketplace, along with many hotels and restaurants.

Further up the Embarcadero at Pier 15 is the Exploratorium, one of the most unique science museums you'll ever visit. A little further still is bustling PIER 39, home to the Aquarium of the Bay, a carousel, and the city's famous resident sea lions. Continue from here to Fisherman's Wharf, one of the most famous attractions in San Francisco. It's the departure point for ferries to Alcatraz as well as sightseeing cruises.

Southward on the Embarcadero is Rincon Park, known for Cupid's Span, a giant bow and arrow sculpture, and unmatched views of the Bay Bridge. Continue south into SoMa and you'll find yourself at the front gates of Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. Go further south across the Third Street bridge into Mission Bay and before long you'll come to Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, and the shops and restaurants that make up its surrounding community, Thrive City.