On San Francisco’s northeastern waterfront, the Ferry Building brings together a ferry terminal, food marketplace, and offices. Browse the indoor merchants, visit the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on its regular market days, or head to the terminal for connections across the bay.
- What’s inside: a food marketplace, ferry terminal, and offices.
- Farmers market: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with different hours by day.
- Ferry services: routes serve destinations including Tiburon, Sausalito, Richmond, and Alameda–Oakland.
Finding the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero
The Ferry Building is a waterfront landmark on the Embarcadero, recognizable by its clock tower. The tower rises 245 feet and has four clock faces, each 22 feet in diameter.
The building celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2023. Today, its mix of terminal, marketplace, and offices makes it more than a place to catch a boat: you can combine a market visit with a look around the waterfront building.
What to Expect at the Marketplace
The Ferry Building Marketplace brings food merchants together inside the building. Merchant hours can vary, so check the official site before you go if you are planning around a particular shop.
Foodwise operates the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. The marketplace directs visitors to Foodwise for vendor profiles and information about market seasonality. Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the Ferry Building Marketplace or at the Farmers Market.
There is no single marketplace schedule to rely on for every merchant. If a particular shop is part of your plan, check its hours before setting out.
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market Days
The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM–2 PM, and on Saturdays from 8 AM–2 PM.
Saturday’s market starts earlier than the weekday markets. If you want to browse the farmers market as well as the indoor marketplace, plan your visit around the market day and allow time for both. Foodwise provides vendor profiles and seasonality information to help you see what is available.
Prices and times checked November 2026.
Ferries and Waterfront Connections
The Ferry Building terminal serves several ferry routes, with gates and destinations varying by operator. Golden Gate Ferry serves Tiburon, Sausalito, and Larkspur from Gates B, C, and D. San Francisco Bay Ferry serves Richmond from Gate E, Harbor Bay from Gate F, and Alameda–Oakland from Gate G.
Schedules and fares depend on the ferry provider, so check the relevant operator’s website before you travel. The terminal’s gate information can help you identify where to board once you know your route.
Getting There from Nob Hill
From Nob Hill Hotel, Powell Street station is about a 15-minute walk; take public transport from there toward the waterfront and Ferry Building.
Pair the visit with the nearby Embarcadero waterfront and a look around the Ferry Building Marketplace.
If you plan to drive, parking is listed at $20 for 0–1 hour and $14 for 0–1 hour. Confirm parking details before you go; San Francisco’s public transport options can help you plan a car-free trip.
Union Square/Market Street is a transit station; what to know about Union Square can help you plan a visit to that part of the city.
FAQs
Is the Ferry Building only a ferry terminal?
No. It also houses a food marketplace and offices.
Who operates the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market?
The nonprofit Foodwise operates the market and provides vendor profiles and seasonality information.
Are pets allowed at the Ferry Building Marketplace?
No. Dogs and other pets are not allowed inside the marketplace or at the Farmers Market.
Where can you check ferry schedules and fares?
Check the website of the ferry provider serving your route; schedules and fares vary by operator.