Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

What you need to know

The Ferry Building clock tower presides over the best farmers market in California. Saturday mornings, over 100 farmers and producers spread across the plaza, and the chefs who shape Bay Area dining push carts through the crowd filling boxes with the week’s ingredients.

This is where Alice Waters shops. This is where the farm to table movement found its urban stage. The vendors here helped define California cuisine, and the quality standard they set in 1993 still holds.

The Saturday market runs from 8am to 2pm year round, rain or shine. Arrive early for the best selection and fewer crowds. By 10am the plaza fills with strollers, dogs, and tourists who discovered the market on their hotel concierge’s list. By noon, the popular vendors start packing up whatever they have left.

Tuesday and Thursday markets run smaller operations from 10am to 2pm, focused on the lunch crowd from nearby offices. The selection narrows but the quality stays. These midweek markets offer a calmer experience for visitors who cannot make Saturday work.

Inside the Ferry Building, the permanent vendors complement the outdoor market. Cowgirl Creamery, Acme Bread, Hog Island Oysters, and Blue Bottle Coffee anchor a food hall that continues the market’s philosophy in year round storefronts.

The cooking demonstrations at the Foodwise Classroom teach seasonal techniques using ingredients from the market vendors. Free to attend, these sessions connect shoppers with the people who grow their food.

EBT cards work here, and Market Match doubles CalFresh benefits up to ten dollars. The market believes good food should be accessible, and the programs make that real.

📍 Location: This activity is in The Embarcadero. Explore the neighborhood →

Pro tips

Arrive early Saturday for the best produce. Grab coffee from Blue Bottle and browse the stalls along the Embarcadero. The Tuesday and Thursday markets are smaller but less crowded.