Ferry Building Marketplace – What You Need To Know BEFORE You Visit

(Last Updated On: May 10, 2023)

The San Francisco Ferry Building is a unique and historical landmark that serves as a terminal for ferries that travel across the San Francisco Bay, a food hall, and an office building.

It was designed in 1892 by American architect A. Page Brown, and was completed in 1898. It is located on The Embarcadero in San Francisco, California and is served by Golden Gate Ferry and San Francisco Bay Ferry routes. On top of the building is a 245foottall clock tower with four clock dials.

The public spaces of the building have been broken up and renovated in 2002.

This renovation included restoring the 660footlong Great Nave, creating a marketplace on the ground floor, and adapting the second and third floors for office and Port Commission use.

This renovation created the Ferry Building Marketplace, which is home to many artisan food vendors, specialty shops, restaurants, and cafes. The marketplace is open from 10am8pm every day and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

The ferry building is a designated San Francisco landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a unique and beloved part of San Francisco and offers a unique experience to explore the past and present of the city.

From the views of the Bay to the artisan food vendors, the Ferry Building Marketplace is a great place to visit for both locals and tourists.

Ferry Building Marketplace History

The Ferry Building Marketplace has been a staple of San Franciscos waterfront for more than a century. Located at the foot of Market Street on the western edge of the continent and center of the citys financial, banking and transportation district, it served as the primary portal of the city from the Gold Rush until the 1930s.

The iconic clock tower has been a part of the San Francisco skyline for over 100 years, and during its heyday the Ferry Building was used by up to 50,000 people a day for commuting by ferry before the opening of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges.

In 1955 the Ferry Building was converted to office space and overshadowed by the Embarcadero Freeway until the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, when the freeway was destroyed and the Ferry Building was rediscovered.

In 2003, the Ferry Building underwent a major renovation and reopened to the public with a worldclass public food market and ferry terminals at Larkspur, Sausalito, Vallejo, and Alameda.

Today the Ferry Building Marketplace is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. It offers a unique shopping, dining, and cultural experience along with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay. The Ferry Building Marketplace has come a long way since its early days as the primary entry point for the city.

It has become an important part of the citys culture and a symbol of San Franciscos enduring spirit.

Ferry Building Marketplace Key Information

  • Located on The Embarcadero in San Francisco, California
  • Served by Golden Gate Ferry and San Francisco Bay Ferry routes
  • Designed in 1892 by American architect A. Page Brown in the BeauxArts style and completed in 1898
  • 245foottall clock tower with four clock dials
  • Public spaces have been broken up and renovated in 2002
  • 660footlong Great Nave restored, a marketplace created on the ground floor, and the second and third floors adapted for office and Port Commission use
  • Designated San Francisco landmark
  • Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Author

  • Tamara M

    Hey there! My name is Tamara, welcome to my little world! I’m a 20-something-year-old from Toronto, Canada (though I’m rarely there) and I’m super passionate about exploring the world, photography, and cooking delicious plant-based recipes. I created this blog to share my favorite places, adventures, restaurants, accommodations, and travel tips with all of you and keep a bit of a travel diary for myself.

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