The Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street is both a working ferry terminal and San Francisco’s favorite food hall. It opened in 1898, when nearly everyone arriving in the city came by boat, and its 245-foot clock tower is still one of the landmarks of the waterfront. A restoration in 2003 turned its long skylit nave into a marketplace of local food producers, cafés and restaurants.
In this guide
This guide is part of our best restaurants in San Francisco hub. The Ferry Building is on the Embarcadero, close to the Exploratorium.
Inside the marketplace
The ground-floor nave is lined with shops selling bread, cheese, chocolate, olive oil, mushrooms, wine, coffee and more, most of them from Northern California producers. It is a great place to graze and to shop for edible souvenirs.
Long-running favorites include Hog Island Oyster Co. for oysters and clam chowder on the bay side, Acme Bread for sourdough and baguettes, Blue Bottle Coffee, and Humphry Slocombe for inventive ice cream. Several sit-down restaurants have bay views.
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
One of the best farmers markets in the country takes over the plaza and sidewalks around the building on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Saturday morning is the main event, with dozens of farmers and food stalls and the biggest crowds. Arrive early for the best produce and shorter lines at hot-food stands. See our farmers market guide for more.
Ferries
Behind the building, ferries leave for Sausalito, Larkspur, Oakland, Alameda, Vallejo and other Bay Area towns. A short ride to Sausalito or Oakland is one of the cheapest bay cruises you can take. See our Sausalito day trip guide.
History
The building survived both the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes. For decades it was hidden behind an elevated freeway, the Embarcadero Freeway, which was damaged in 1989 and torn down, reopening the waterfront. The clock tower was modeled on the cathedral bell tower in Seville, Spain.
Tips and getting there
Weekday mornings are calmest. Many shops open around 10am, while cafés open earlier. Take BART or Muni Metro to Embarcadero station, or the F line streetcar along the waterfront. There is limited paid parking nearby.
Official resources: Ferry Building Marketplace, Foodwise (Ferry Plaza Farmers Market).
Frequently asked questions
When is the Ferry Building farmers market?
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Saturday morning is the largest market.
Is the Ferry Building free to visit?
Yes. The marketplace is free to walk through.
What is the Ferry Building known for?
Its clock tower, its local food hall and the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.
Can you take a ferry from the Ferry Building?
Yes. Ferries run to Sausalito, Larkspur, Oakland, Alameda, Vallejo and more.
Photo credits
Featured image: Centpacrr (Digital image) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Ferries: JaGa / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.