Ferry Building Marketplace, San Francisco

San Francisco (Alaska Pre Cruise) . 2012 . September 13

This post is part of our Alaska Pre and Post Cruise Report and follow-up of our popular Alaska cruise series. Do check out our Alaska Cruise story too if this is your first time here! :)

Ferry Building Marketplace
One Ferry Building, San Francisco, California 94111
Nearest BART Station:  Embarcadero

After leaving our luggage at Red Roof Inn San Francisco Airport following our early morning flight from Los Angeles, we made our way to downtown San Francisco by taking the BART to Embarcadero Station to visit the Ferry Building and have our lunch at Hollywood Cafe before our visit to Alcatraz Island.

BART System Map (Source: http://www.bart.gov/guide/brochures.aspx)

The ride was around 40 minutes from the airport station to Embarcadero Station. Once alighted from the Embarcadero station, we decided to make our first stop at the nearby Ferry building before walking towards our lunch destination at Hollywood Cafe. On hind sight, we might have taken the F Train to Pier 33 (closest to the cafe), as the walk was pretty long!


On our way to the Ferry Building, we passed by a roadside marketplace selling hand made crafts.  It reminds us so much of the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Night Market in Gold Coast.  Even some of the wares they sell are the same!
 

Notice the Hyatt Regency Sign at the background. The market is just outside the hotel!

Took one final last look of the art market before we made our way to the Ferry Building.

Ferry Building Marketplace

Just across the road from the market is the Ferry Building Marketplace.  It's tall clock tower is the symbolic figure. Besides its historical value, the Ferry Building is also the place for ferry services.

Clock Tower at the Ferry Building.  Its before 10am when we reached there...

 Looking back at the Art Market across the road from the Ferry Building.

There's really not many shops in the Ferry Building, but there's a famous Blue Bottle Coffee outlet.  Do check out our review on its fabulous coffee!

 Ferry tickets sold here. Loved the large clock.. :)

Farmers Market

Started initially as a one-time event in the 1990s, the Farmers Market proved to be so popular that it became a routine event.  Today, The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from morning until 2 pm.  For more information, please visit its official website @ http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com.  We were so lucky to chance upon this on a Thursday, but we've heard there are even more stalls on Saturdays!

The Farmers market is famous for its wonderful showcase of organic produce.

And also for its hot and piping food, cooked and served to you on the spot. No wonder this market is so popular! 

Roast chicken! Smells nice even from a distance. If not for our planned lunch at Hollywood Cafe, we would have grab some to eat! :)

 If roast chicken is not your taste, you might want to try the Japanese Ramen or the Italian Pizza.

After your feast at the farmers market, you might want to venture to the back of the Ferry Terminal where you can have a full and undisturbed view of the Bay Bridge.

How to Get Here

The Ferry Building Marketplace is located along the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street. It is the center of a transit hub that connects all of San Francisco's neighborhoods and the surrounding bay communities. The marketplace is accessible by MUNI, BART and Ferry Boat. The historic trolley cars (Line F Market) stop directly in front of the Ferry Building. 

Getting to the Ferry Building (Source: http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/visitors.php)

Opening Hours

Information correct as of 6 June 2013 (Source: http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/visitors.php)

This post is part of our Alaska Pre and Post Cruise Report and follow-up of our popular Alaska cruise series. Do check out our Alaska Cruise story too if this is your first time here! :)

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To receive notifications on updates, subscribe to our blog via RSS feed and email.

Like us on Facebook @ Discover. Book . Travel and follow us on Twitter @Discoverbooktra!

Do check out our Flickr photos & Youtube videos too!