From Bay Hotel’s downtown side of San Francisco, the Ferry Building is a waterfront landmark where a food marketplace, ferry terminal and offices share the Embarcadero. It offers a change of scene from the city centre, with market browsing and bay connections in one stop.
- Location: Embarcadero, San Francisco
- What’s inside: Ferry terminal, food marketplace and office building
- Farmers market: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- Ferry service: Routes depart from gates B through G; schedules and fares vary by provider
Where is the Ferry Building in San Francisco?
The Ferry Building stands on the Embarcadero, where San Francisco’s waterfront meets the downtown street grid. From the Bay Hotel, a downtown San Francisco hotel, it’s about 12 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by car. You can pair a marketplace visit with time along the waterfront.
The building is easy to recognize by its 245-foot clock tower. Each of its four clock faces measures 22 feet in diameter. The Ferry Building marked its 125th anniversary in 2023.
What can you browse at the Ferry Building Marketplace?
The Ferry Building Marketplace brings food merchants together inside the landmark building. Merchant hours can vary from the hours shown for individual businesses, so check the official site before you go.
Use the marketplace as a place to browse at your own pace, then step outside to the Embarcadero. If you’re planning a broader day around the city, the one-day San Francisco itinerary from the Bay Hotel area offers a route to build on.
When is the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market open?
The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with different hours by day. The nonprofit Foodwise operates the market.
Tuesday and Thursday market hours are 10 AM–2 PM, while Saturday hours are 8 AM–2 PM. For vendor profiles, seasonal produce information and market updates, Foodwise is the source to consult. Market schedules and details can change, so check the official site before you go.
Keep in mind that the marketplace says dogs and other pets are not permitted inside either the Ferry Building Marketplace or the Farmers Market.
How do you reach the Embarcadero waterfront?
The Embarcadero promenade runs alongside the Ferry Building, making the waterfront a natural next stop after browsing the market. Follow the open waterfront for views across the bay, then return to the building when you’re ready to use the terminal or head back into downtown.
The Ferry Building can also fit into a city route that includes central neighborhoods and transit. For connections around the Civic Center area, see how to get around San Francisco from the Civic Center.
How do ferry, transit and access details work?
Ferry services use separate gates at the Downtown Ferry Terminal. Golden Gate Ferry serves Tiburon, Sausalito and Larkspur from gates B, C and D, with those routes marked as daily service. San Francisco Bay Ferry uses gate E for Richmond, gate F for Harbor Bay and gate G for Alameda–Oakland, also marked as daily service.
Schedules and fares depend on the ferry provider, so check the relevant operator’s official site before setting out. Parking costs $14–$20 for 0–1 hour; confirm the current rate and its conditions before relying on it.
FAQs
What is the San Francisco Ferry Building?
It is a waterfront building that combines a ferry terminal, food marketplace and offices.
Which days does the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market operate?
The market operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Tuesday and Thursday hours are 10 AM–2 PM, and Saturday hours are 8 AM–2 PM.
Which ferry destinations are served from the Ferry Building?
Golden Gate Ferry serves Tiburon, Sausalito and Larkspur. San Francisco Bay Ferry serves Richmond, Harbor Bay and Alameda–Oakland.
Can you bring a dog into the marketplace or farmers market?
No. The marketplace says dogs and other pets are not permitted inside the Ferry Building Marketplace or the Farmers Market.