Ferry Building
The Ferry Building, located in San Francisco, California, is famous for being a historic architectural landmark as well as a cornerstone of the city's acclaimed culinary scene. The Ferry Building Marketplace and its neighboring farmers market are both excellent locations to dine and socialize. Spend some time visiting the booths and you'll find the abundance of Northern California's artisan food and wine makers, as well as one of San Francisco's most vibrant social areas. If you're ever tempted to experience San Francisco's culinary side, head down to the Embarcadero and eat your way around the Ferry Building.
It's easy to forget that you can get on the ferry, with the farmers' markets celebrating the most gorgeous fruits and vegetables in California, as well as the numerous legendary restaurants and specialized food businesses that fill its historic halls. Some of San Francisco's most well-known chefs and farmers may be found at the market on any given day, especially on Saturdays.
The Ferry Building is loved by both tourists and locals alike, where they can get lunch, pick up some groceries, watch a cooking demonstration, or just enjoy the waterfront view. The 40,000 people that visit each week can attest to its popularity.
History Of The Ferry Building
The San Francisco Ferry Building, constructed in 1898, was the city's largest enterprise at the time. The edifice was influenced by classical European architecture, with its graceful arches and 245-foot clock tower. It functioned as the city's principal transit center, attracting up to 50,000 commuters each day who took the boat in the mornings and out in the afternoons. At the height of its popularity, it was one of the busiest transit hubs in the world. The completion of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge in the 1930s, and also increasing amount of automobiles, left the Ferry Building obsolete.
When most of the Ferry Building was converted to conventional office space in 1955, the historic interior of the structure was lost. For 35 years, until the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, the double-deck Embarcadero Freeway projected its shadow. Following a four-year repair, the historic San Francisco Ferry Building reopened to the public in March 2003. The Ferry Building Marketplace is structured along the Nave, an impressive interior roadway.
Popular Features of Ferry Building
Farmers' Market at the Ferry Building
The Ferry Building is home to a world-renowned farmer's market. More than 50 California farmers set up booths to sell seasonal produce like fruits, vegetables, cheese, flowers, and more.
Restaurants at the Ferry Building
The Ferry Building has several notable restaurants, including the Slanted Door, which is a James Beard Award-winning Vietnamese establishment, and Hog Island Oyster Co., a sustainable seafood restaurant.
Vendors at the Ferry Building
You can find vendors selling everything from books to artisanal chocolate. Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant is a popular spot to buy wine, and Miette confections are a favorite among those with a sweet tooth.