no alt text

Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 20 January, 2023
Expert travel writer: Laura Kiniry

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.

While you're there

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.

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

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.

When to do it

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.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

San Francisco

Awaken your senses and tickle your taste buds on this culinary journey through San Francisco's famous Ferry Building! Sample San Francisco's...

$87 | Rating 4.71 / 5 [83 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
San Francisco Combo: Ferry Building Food Tour and Alcatraz

San Francisco Combo: Ferry Building Food Tour and Alcatraz

San Francisco

The historic Ferry Building and Alcatraz are two of San Francisco's most prolific attractions. On this not-to-be missed combo tour, you get ...

$174 | Rating 4.49 / 5 [151 ratings]

Website >

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

1 Hotel San Francisco

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)[0.2 miles]

Boutique retreat that blends an eco-forward sensibility with California cool, in an excellent location right on the revitalised waterfront.

Official star rating:

Hotel des Arts

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)[1.1 miles]

Affordable, funky hotel that’s centrally-located, featuring rooms and public spaces designed by provocative, contemporary artists.

Official star rating:

Hotel Triton

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)[1.2 miles]

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.

Official star rating:

St Regis San Francisco

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)[1.2 miles]

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.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

San Francisco

California, United States of America (USA)

Beautiful bayside city with home-grown authenticity, charmingly unique neighbourhoods and excellent locally-driven food.

Website >
Overview >

Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Chinese New Year Festival

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)[1.1 miles]

One of the world’s best Chinese New Year celebrations, held in the oldest Chinatown in North America. The highlight is the Chinese New Year parade, complete with a 28-foot-long golden dragon.

Best for ages: 6+ | Free | 2.5 weeks

Website >
Overview >

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)[1.3 miles]

One of the largest museums for modern and contemporary art on the planet, with seven floors packed with more than 33,000 works ranging from abstract paintings to Depression-era photographs.

Best for ages: 13+ | £20

aerial view looking at Lombard Street and cars driving down it
Experience

Lombard Street

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)[2.4 miles]

Marketers call Lombard the world’s crookedest street. True or not, the block-long lane hits eight hairpin turns – built to slow people as they drive the steep-steep street – as it snakes down Russian Hill. Instead of driving it (and sitting in traffic), you’ll have more fun walking it.

Best for ages: 6+ | Free

Website >
Overview >

Fisherman’s Wharf

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)[2.5 miles]

A hub for tourists, Fisherman’s Wharf is best known for its seafood, mainstream attractions, buskers, and sea lions who bed down on the docks of Pier 39.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free

Website >
Overview >

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Outdoor food amrket with stalls at the Ferry Buidling Marketplace
Experience

Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)[0 miles]

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.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
Overview >

Exploratorium

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)[0.8 miles]

Opened in 1969, this hands-on museum and ‘experimental laboratory’ of sorts focuses on science, art, and human perception. Great for kids.

Best for ages: 4+ | £33

exterior entrance of the Museum of African Diaspora
Experience

Museum of the African Diaspora

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)[1.2 miles]

Celebrating black cultures around the world through a global lens, MoAD remains one of the few museums in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to the artworks of the African Diaspora. Artist discussions, literary events, and film screenings take place here regularly.

Best for ages: 13+ | £8

Website >
Overview >
Aerial view down onto Coit Tower
Experience

Coit Tower

San Francisco, California, United States of America (USA)[1.3 miles]

Telegraph Hill, ascending 275 ft (84m), is crowned by Coit Tower, a mural-covered Art Deco column. An ascent on foot (via sidewalk and stairs) rewards with eye candy in many forms: gorgeous homes, gardens, and spectacular bay views from the observation deck at the tower’s top.

Best for ages: 8+ | Free

Website >
Overview >