Destinations

Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market

The Farmer's Market is also a tasty melange of locals, tourists, and nutcases.

Ferry Building Marketplace
One Ferry Building
San Francisco, California 94111
(415) 693-0996

Location

CUESA's website has great directions. Hands down the best way to get to the Farmer's Market is BART. Just get off at the Embarcadero stop and take a 400 meter walk across Embarcadero Ave. to the Ferry Building. If you have to drive parking is a nightmare. If you get there early enough you might get one of the handful of street parking spots, if not try the parking garage under the Embarcadero 4 Tower. It'll cost ya! But, I have always been able to get a spot.

What It's All About

Alright the Ferry Building Farmer's Market is the coolest farmer's market in San Francisco. You just can't beat the location. To my mind there is nothing better than grabbing a coffee and going for a walk around the market. It situated right on the water with a spectacular view of the Bay Bridge. Across the Bay you get a great view of Treasure Island and on a clear day you get a nice view of Berkeley. On a sunny morning, it's THE reason I love living in San Francisco.

The Farmer's Market is situated outside the Ferry Building where the vendors line up stalls that encircle nearly all of it. You can find boatloads of fresh organic produce, wonderful and seemingly exotic organic meats, and a scintillating array of products. There are far too many to list but a few of my favorites include; Dirty Girl Produce (great organic produce and a cool name), Hare Hollow (awesome olive oil and vinegar; the pear raspberry champagne will blow your doors off), Hog Island Oysters, and Redwood Hill Farm (cheddar goat cheese!).

Why Should You Go

It's fantastic to me that when given a choice we still choose non-organic food! What goes through our minds? Do we think that non-organic is somehow healthier because there might be less poopy stuff on it like insects? (I once had a roommate tell me that very thing when I bought some organic produce that was infested with aphids. He was very self righteous and said, "See that's why I don't buy that hippie crap!") The Ferry Building Farmer's Market is the greatest example of what organic farmers have to offer. (And a wonderful counter argument to my old roommate!) Go to the Farmer's Market for rows and rows of plump, ripe, fresh organic food!

The Farmer's Market is also a tasty melange of locals, tourists, and nutcases. There is plenty of time, space, and seating to just sit with your purchases, have a mini-feast and watch the world go by.

Don't Forget

If you have kids (or if you are a big kid) bring your roller blades or skateboards or whatever. There is a huge multi-use walkway in front of the Ferry Building that stretches from PacBell Park to Pier 39. Let your monkeys run free!

You will need a comfortable bag to carry all your stuff in. The little plastic grocery sacks completely suck for walking around. I have a big string bag that can hold loads of stuff and easily slings over my shoulder.

There are shops inside the Ferry Building also. Most are not part of the Farmer's Market, so you'll be seeing different vendors. My all time favorite inside is Scharffenberger Chocolate. Pray for free samples--especially after getting a fresh coffee!

OK it's San Francisco so make sure you have sunscreen, a parka, and sani-wipes. The weather is, as always, unpredictable so make sure you have a jacket in case the wind picks up. But, generally just some sunscreen and comfy shoes will be all you'll need.

Help! I Forgot Stuff

I can't think of much that you might need that you can't get at the Market. But, I can remember being low on gas and trying to find a gas station in that part of town is was disastrous! If you need it head south on Embarcadero Ave. and turn right on Bryant. There's a gas station at the top of the hill.

Inside the Ferry building is the Cathay Organic Store which carries a pretty good selection of band-aids, sunscreen, and other various and sundry items.