The Ferry Building opened in 1898 as the city’s ferry terminal. Ferries still dock behind it, and the building now houses food shops and restaurants, with the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market running outside on the plaza three days a week. The Saturday market brings more than 100 farmers and food vendors to both sides of the building.
The Farmers Market
Foodwise runs the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market year-round: the flagship Saturday market from 8am to 2pm with over 100 vendors, and smaller Tuesday and Thursday markets from 10am to 2pm built around lunch stands and a core group of farms. Saturday mornings are the busiest, and lines form at popular stands. Current vendor schedules are on Foodwise’s market page.
Inside the Building
The central hall is lined with permanent food shops: coffee roasters, cheese and bread shops, olive oil, chocolate, and seafood counters, plus sit-down restaurants. Shop hours vary by merchant; the Ferry Building’s site lists current hours. Browsing is free.
Visiting
Address: 1 Ferry Building, the Embarcadero at Market Street.
Market hours: Saturday 8am to 2pm; Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 2pm; year-round.
Cost: Free to walk through; you pay for what you buy.
Best time: Early Saturday morning for the full market before the midday crowd; Tuesday and Thursday for a quieter version.
Getting There
BART and Muni Metro both stop at Embarcadero Station, one block west of the building, and the F Market streetcar stops directly in front. Ferries from Oakland, Sausalito, Larkspur, and Vallejo dock behind the building. Parking is in paid lots nearby; transit is the simpler option on Saturday mornings.