For one day in San Francisco, keep your route downtown: start around Civic Center, take transit to the Ferry Building, then choose a museum stop before returning through Union Square. Civic Center station is about a 5-minute walk from the Bay Hotel.
- Starting point: Civic Center station.
- Waterfront stop: The Ferry Building is at the foot of Market Street.
- Marketplace visit: Allow 1–2 hours for a leisurely visit.
- Fare basics: An adult Muni single ride costs $2.85 with Clipper, MuniMobile or contactless payment, or $3 cash or at a Metro ticket machine.
Start near Civic Center
Civic Center makes a practical first stop. Start here, then head toward the waterfront for the next part of the day.
The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is a downtown museum option. Details for planning a visit are in this Asian Art Museum San Francisco guide.
How do you get from Civic Center to the waterfront?
Use Muni to travel toward the waterfront, and check the route that best fits your starting point and plans. SFMTA lists Muni fares and routes, including services that reach the Ferry Building and North Beach.
An adult single ride costs $2.85 with Clipper, MuniMobile or contactless credit or debit payment, or $3 cash or at a Metro ticket machine. A single ride is valid for 120 minutes of travel. The Muni-only Day Pass costs $5.70 and covers unlimited rides on Muni buses, trains and historic streetcars through 11:59 p.m.; cable cars are not included.
Visit the Ferry Building area
The Ferry Building sits along the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street, making it a natural waterfront stop on a downtown itinerary. Admission to the building and marketplace is free, and a leisurely visit takes about 1–2 hours; leave longer if you plan to visit the farmers market or have a meal.
General marketplace hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday. Individual merchants keep different hours. The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market runs Tuesdays from 8 a.m.–2 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
BART’s Embarcadero station is one block from the Ferry Building. Muni, BART, the F-Line historic streetcar and ferries serve the area; the E Embarcadero, F Market & Wharves, N Judah and T Third Street routes, along with the California Cable Car, also serve the Ferry Building.
Choose a downtown museum or Chinatown stop
The Asian Art Museum is a downtown museum option. If you would rather spend this part of the day outdoors, North Beach has a range of Muni connections, including the E Embarcadero and F Market & Wharves, Powell/Hyde and Powell/Mason cable cars, and several bus routes.
A single cable car ride costs $9 and does not include transfers. At Powell & Market, Bay & Taylor, or Hyde & Beach, you must buy your fare in advance between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.
Return through Union Square
Finish downtown around Union Square. Powell Street station can also work as a reference point when you plan your return.
If you are considering a cable car as part of the day, factor in its separate fare: the Muni-only Day Pass does not cover cable cars. A Muni single ride, by contrast, remains valid for 120 minutes of travel.
Check transport and opening times
Check the official site before you go: use SFMTA for current transit fares and routes, and San Francisco Travel or the Ferry Building’s official site for marketplace and farmers market details. Hours and fares can change.
FAQs
How long should you allow for the Ferry Building?
Allow 1–2 hours for a leisurely marketplace visit. You may need longer for the farmers market or a meal.
Is the Ferry Building marketplace free to enter?
Yes. Admission to the Ferry Building and marketplace is free.
Does the Muni Day Pass include cable cars?
No. The Muni-only Day Pass covers buses, trains and historic streetcars, but not cable cars.
When is the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market open?
It runs Tuesdays from 8 a.m.–2 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.–2 p.m.