San Francisco Ferry Building: Everything to Know Before You Go
Discover the best things to do at the San Francisco Ferry Building, including top food vendors, farmers market tips, hours and nearby attractions.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | 1 Ferry Building, on the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street, San Francisco waterfront |
| Cost | Free admission to the building and marketplace |
| Hours | Shops generally open 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday (individual merchant hours vary). The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market runs Tuesdays 8 a.m.–2 p.m., Thursdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m, and Saturdays 8 a.m.–2 p.m. |
| Time needed | 1–2 hours for a leisurely stroll through the marketplace; plan longer if visiting the Farmers Market or stopping for a meal |
| Best for | Foodies, local culture lovers, and anyone who wants to browse nearly 50 artisan food vendors, grab a bite from one of the cafés or restaurants, and enjoy waterfront views of the Bay — all in one iconic historic landmark |
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 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.
Things to Do at San Francisco's Ferry Building
Start inside, where nearly 50 artisan merchants turn a stroll into a mini food pilgrimage. Time your visit right and you'll catch the beloved Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, held Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Step outside and the Embarcadero unfurls into a proper waterfront ramble. You can't miss R-Evolution, Marco Cochrane's 45-foot illuminated sculpture of a woman. A few blocks south in Rincon Park, Cupid's Span, a 70-foot bow and arrow sculpture by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, half-buried in the grass, rounds out the waterfront's flair for the dramatic.
If you're feeling nautical, hop a ferry right from the building's namesake terminal to explore nearby Bay Area destinations.
What to Eat at the Ferry Building
With dozens of vendors calling the Ferry Building home, it helps to have a shortlist. Start with Hog Island Oyster Company, a full oyster bar and restaurant right on the water, best enjoyed with a glass of something crisp. Wander over to Far West Fungi, a one-stop mushroom shop, and Tsar Nicoulai Caviar, handcrafting small-batch American caviar since 1984.
Craving heat and spice? Señor Sisig brings bold Filipino street food to the table, Cholita Linda keeps it simple with Baja fish tacos, and El Porteño Empanadas draws devoted Argentine expats back for more. Want something plated and polished instead? A16 La Pala, an award-winning Southern Italian spot, is worth the wait.
Looking for something to take away for later? Acme Bread Company's loaves are the stuff of local legend, Humphry Slocombe pushes ice cream flavors into wonderfully weird territory, and Recchiuti Confections turns chocolate into edible art. Bring a tote bag; you're leaving with more than you planned!
Take A Ferry from the Ferry Building
The Ferry Building is still an active transit hub. From here, you can take a ferry to multiple destinations in neighboring Marin and the East Bay, including picturesque Sausalito.
The History of the San Francisco Ferry Building
The San Francisco Ferry Building first opened in 1898. 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. 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.
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 there 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.
Journey 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, Golden State Valkyries, and the shops and restaurants that make up its surrounding community, Thrive City.
How to Get to the San Francisco Ferry Building
Good news: from Union Square or SoMa, you've got options—and half the fun is picking your favorite.
- BART or Muni Metro: The fastest route. Hop on at Powell Street Station and ride eastbound to Embarcadero Station, which is just two stops away (about 3 minutes travel time). Climb the stairs to exit the station and the Ferry Building is right there in front of you.
- Historic F-Line Streetcar: For the scenic (and slower) route, board one of the vintage streetcars running along Market Street. They arrive every 10–12 minutes and drop you right in front of the building.
- Cable Car: From Nob Hill or Union Square, board the California Street line and ride it all the way to its terminus, two blocks from the Ferry Building at California, Drumm, and Market streets. It's generally less crowded than the Powell lines, so it's a relaxed way to travel.
- On Foot: It's a flat, downhill stroll straight down Market Street, with plenty of window-shopping along the way.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Here are our recommendations for how to best plan your visit to San Francisco's Ferry Building.
Carol is a digital marketer creating media-rich content for global audiences covering travel, San Francisco and the Bay Area, food & drink, outdoor experiences, and cross-cultural storytelling. Her work is found in the San Mateo Daily Journal and The Skyline View (Skyline College). Before travel writing, her professional background included working internationally in business, nonprofits, and government. She lives in San Francisco with her family and regularly explores the parks in her city, especially untamed McLaren Park.
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