Bucket list experience:
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Located in the historic Ferry Building on the Embarcadero at Market, this first-rate foodie foray – a hall of more than 40 different restaurants and food shops – has outlets offering anything from mushrooms grown in Moss Landing (a town two hours south), to cheeses from a local creamery.
The building itself is a late 19th-century landmark that was completely renovated and restored in 2002. It still serves as a transportation centre for ferries to Oakland, Alameda, Sausalito, and Angel Island.
Its views overlooking the bay and out toward the SF-Oakland Bay Bridge are worth going for alone.
Learn more about the colourful historic street cars, which come from as far afield as Milan, at the tiny San Francisco Railway Museum. It’s located just west of the Ferry Building on Stuart Street. Closed Mondays.
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Destination Guide >The Ferry Building sits on the eastern end of Market Street, San Francisco’s main artery. It’s easily accessible via many of the Muni bus lines and most of its metros, as well as all BART lines that run through the city. Just look for the ‘Embarcadero’ stop.
Ferries run to/from the backside of the building to several locations, including Oakland’s Jack London Square, Angel Island, Tiburon, and Vallejo.
While wandering around the marketplace, consider grabbing a milkshake at Gott’s Roadside, an empanada at El Porteño, or a couple of ice cream scoops at Humphry Slocombe, then head outside and watch the bay roll in.
The marketplace is open all year round, seven days a week.
The Ferry Building is especially crowded from morning to mid-afternoon on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, when the Farmer’s Market is on. It’s liveliest on Saturdays.
If you’re going to the Farmers Market, visit close to opening time to get the pick of the fresh produce.
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)[0.2 miles]
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Artsy, eclectic, and one-of-a-kind, the great value Hotel Triton stands in prime location between three distinct (and walkable) neighbourhoods: Chinatown, the Financial District, and Union Square.
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A high-gloss city hotel full of luxe creature comforts, including butlers at guests’ beck-and-call. The best of the top-end luxury hotels in San Francisco.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
California, United States of America (USA)
Beautiful bayside city with home-grown authenticity, charmingly unique neighbourhoods and excellent locally-driven food.
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Three days a week, the Ferry Building hosts this, one of San Francisco’s best markets. Every morning to mid-afternoon on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, more than 100 local purveyors set up shop offering top-quality, locally-grown produce.
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