Ferry Building Marketplace

One of my favorite places in San Francisco is the Ferry Building Marketplace, located inside the Ferry Building.

The Ferry Building is historical as it was built in 1898 and even survived the 1906 earthquake. This building has had its ups and downs throughout the years and was unfortunately blocked by a freeway overpass (and neglected) from the 1950s until San Francisco's 1989 earthquake. Following the earthquake, the overpass was taken down and the building was renovated.

Inside the Ferry Building is a food lover's dream. All sorts of artisan food shops are available including Acme Bread Company (which supplies breads to some of the city's restaurants), Cowgirl Creamery (which offers fantastic cheeses--and free samples) several coffee shops, a mushroom shop called Far West Fungi, a gelato shop, chocolate shop and several pastry shops.

Book lovers can relax at the Book Passage, which offers a great selection of books including several local guides on San Francisco.

Several restaurants are in the Ferry Building including one of my favorites, The Slanted Door, which offers fantastic Vietnamese food with a stunning view.

Great people watching is available at the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant where you can sit at the bar sipping wine while watching locals and tourists browse the foodie shops.

Outside the building, ferries are still available across the bay to either Sausalito or Oakland. The Bay Bridge rises right above the Ferry Building where visitors can watch traffic cross from Oakland. All sorts of benches are available along the water and I have enjoyed just sitting outside with some bread and cheese watching boats and looking across the bay.

On Tuesdays and Saturdays there is also a farmers market.

There are fantastic shops and restaurants in the Ferry Building and I highly recommend visiting. Prices are not particularly cheap but the quality and diversity of food and restaurants available, along with the bay view, is really worth the visit.