The Basics

One Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA, 94111

Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Farmers Market: Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m, and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

size: 65,000 sq ft.

Around 50 vendors, including cafes, restaurants, delis, cheese, meats, beans, wine, and specialty foods.

Back Story

The San Francisco of 1898 was a bustling city at the heart of the Gold Rush when the Ferry Building opened on the site of the wooden Ferry House, built in 1875. The ferry (and its building) the only way to enter the city, and by 1892 a new steel and concrete construction was underway, its iconic clock tower (modeled after that of Seville Cathedral in Spain) welcoming some 50,000 commuters and visitors each day. When bridge and freeway construction from the 1930s to 1970s made ferry travel obsolete, the building fell into disuse, but when the Embarcadero Freeway was torn down in 1991 due to earthquake damage, the Ferry Building was revived. In 2004, after extensive renovation and restoration, 65,000 sq. ft. first floor space was created for a marketplace. Today, the building houses retail wine, food, and cooking shops, stalls of food and agricultural products with a local emphasis. The farmers market stretches into the arcades and surrounding plazas.

Impressions

The Ferry Building houses a type of permanent gourmet market that’s a virtual who’s who of the California food scene and local food movement: Cowgirl Creamery Cheese Shop, Rancho Gordo Beans, Acme Bread Company. There are cafes and coffee shops to relax in, tableware (like the famed California standby, Heath ceramics), a wine shop, olive oil to sample, a renowned deli, and restaurants like the Slanted Door and Hog Island Oyster Company, making it an all-around food experience.

The farmers market (operated by the nonprofit Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, aka CUESA) presents a diverse selection of farm-fresh produce and products: fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, and meats from local farmers and ranchers, many of whom are certified organic. There are a number of vendors selling artisan jams, breads, and cheeses, and on Thursdays, there are a number of street food vendors: Wood-fired pizza, grilled meats, tacos, and sandwiches. CUESA also provides market talks, farm tours, cooking classes and cooking demonstrations. Weekends are packed with locals and tourists alike, and its newly renovated space makes it a fun outing. This market has truly succeeded in revitalizing an area that was failing, and making it a true bay area destination.

Tourist-wise

While locals may stock up on produce to tote home and cook in their home kitchens, visitors will love the experience of trolling the prepared food or tableware shops and dining at one of the cafes or restaurants. Weekends tend to be crowded and require planning, but the ease of transportation in the area simplify this. Market tours and special events add to the vibrancy of the market, as well as its selection of delectable and high-quality foods. The Ferry Building website is comprehensive and provides information on everything from events, to history, to vendors.

Travel Tips

At the foot of Market St. along the Embarcadero, the Ferry Building is a transit hub connecting San Francisco’s neighborhoods and surrounding communities in the bay area. It’s accessible via MUNI, BART, and by Ferry Boat, the Line F Market historic trolleys also make a stop in front. Tickets for ferries to Sausalito, Oakland, Alameda, Vallejo, and Larkspur are available at the terminal inside the Ferry Building. Ace Parking offers parking at the Washington Embarcadero Parking Lot across the street from the Ferry Building, and accepts validations from the marketplace merchants. There is a curbside valet operating Monday Through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (not on weekends) and bike racks are located both in front of and behind the building. Bike lane maps can be found at www.sfbike.org Additional transit information, including maps and schedules, can be found at www.transit511.org. The Ferry building has Bank of America ATMs at the north and south passthroughs, where there are also public restrooms. The market is wheelchair accessible.

Contact/Links

www.ferrybildingmarketplace.com
phone: 415-983-8030
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