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THE PERFECT STARTING POINT
Dating back to it’s opening year in 1898, there is a rich history to The San Francisco Ferry Building that has gone through many architectural changes, renovations, and operations throughout the years with a clock tower that can been seen as you walk towards through Market street. Just located on the Embarcadero, this is the perfect starting point to and around the Bay Area especially for going into downtown San Francisco and all along the water. The San Francisco Ferry Building is a terminal for all ferries connecting to all parts of the bay area and a marketplace featuring restaurants, retail shops, a farmer’s market, and office spaces including venues for startups and entrepreneurs of the Bay Area.
THE MARKETPLACE & FERRIES
Upon entering the main entrance of the building there’s history set in stone outside and educational information placed throughout the entrance walls inside along with with stairs leading to upper levels for office space and venues and more with a beautiful architectural ceiling above that can be viewed from the ground floor below. My most favorite and interesting thing about the ferry terminal is the ferry departure board because of how it updates and sounds through it’s scrolling tiles.
Enjoy yourself here to some things like coffee with many cafes including a popular long time favorite like Blue Bottle, wine and dine in restaurants especially if you love seafood since it’s by the ocean, and retail shops featuring books, collectibles, & souvenirs after your time here.
TERMINALS & SERVICE
What a beautiful view outside towards the back near the waterfront where you can enjoy a seated view from a restaurant or take a stroll around at the pier and terminals. The terminals are primarily for commuters to and from the Vallejo/Mare Island in San Pablo Bay, Treasure Island, North Bay (Sausalito, Tiburon, & Larkspur), and Oakland-East Bay. If you plan to see Angel Island, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge–you would take a ferry service from Pier 41 and take Alcatraz City Cruises at Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island. Pier 41 and 33 are also located near Pier 39 which is Fisherman’s Wharf with a lot of tourist attractions–you can also get there from the San Francisco Ferry Building going all the way north along the Embarcadero waterfront.
MY FAVORITE RECOMMENDATIONS
A few things I will recommend here is the rose wine, avocado tacos, & ice cream from Gotts. The Blue Bottle coffee is always a popular favorite of mine and among others–a great grab on the go before you head into the office in the morning. If you love Mexican food especially tasty fish tacos–then you will also love Cholita Linda.
There’s so much more to do and some of the other things I look forward to experience are to try the beauty body and skin care by Benedetta based out of Sonoma. I’d love to read a book with my coffee at Book Passage and try other restaurants like Boulette’s Larder and Boulibar, try the Asian dishes, tea or wine tasting at the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant, retail shopping to support local shops, and buy some groceries.
SURROUNDING ATTRACTIONS
There’s a lot of other attractions and places you may be interested in checking out which are close by surrounding The Ferry Building and worth seeing. Curious and experimental? Check out the Exploratorium Museum of science, technology, and arts–just a walk north up from The San Francisco Ferry Building along the waterfront of the Embarcadero. Want to go dine and shop for some well known brands at an outdoor type of mall? Head on over to the Embarcadero Center! With a park nearby to relax and chill enjoying the water views. Another park you will enjoy is Rincon Park south of the Ferry Building with beautiful up front near views of the Bay Bridge facing towards the east bay. You’ll also be near and in around the financial and tech district with a lot of nice restaurants, bars, and cafes on mostly every corner.
SIGNING OFF
Before you go, here are some other stays to note within the vicinity of The San Francisco Ferry Building, especially if you are coming in to visit from faraway places. The Hyatt Regency San Francisco is the perfect place to stay just across The Ferry Building and the surrounding attractions previously mentioned.
1 Hotel San Francisco, Hotel Griffon, & Harbour Court Hotel are also options located across close by just a little south of the Ferry Building with a close up and beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay Bridge. The last few places are a bit further away but still within walking distance to The Ferry Building at the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, Omni San Francisco Hotel, Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero, and last but not least Le Méridien San Francisco.
I hope this information for The San Francisco Ferry Building & Marketplace was helpful and that you found inspiration to prepare for a future trip that will give you an experience that will bring you loads of memories to come. Please check out other travel ideas you might be interested in the travel section page.
