The Ferry Building Farmers Market runs year-round on Saturdays and Tuesdays at the historic Ferry Building in San Francisco

The Ferry Building Farmers Market is held inside and around the Ferry Building, a landmark structure at 1 Ferry Building on the Embarcadero in downtown San Francisco. The Saturday market runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is the larger of the two weekly sessions. The Tuesday market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is smaller but still draws regular vendors. Both markets operate year-round, though the selection of produce and vendors shifts with the seasons.

The market is managed by the San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market organization, which vets vendors to may support they grow or produce what they sell. You will find produce, flowers, prepared foods, dairy, eggs, meat, and baked goods. Vendors come from farms and producers within roughly 100 miles of San Francisco, though the exact distance varies by product type.

Parking near the Ferry Building is limited and can be expensive. Public transit is the most practical option — the building sits at the end of the Market Street cable car line and is accessible by BART, Muni bus, and ferry service. Arriving early, especially on Saturday, gives you the best selection, though the market does not run out of goods the way smaller markets sometimes do.

Key Takeaways

  • The Ferry Building Farmers Market meets Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. year-round at 1 Ferry Building on the Embarcadero.
  • Vendors must grow or produce their own goods, and most operate farms or businesses within about 100 miles of San Francisco.
  • The Saturday market is larger and busier than Tuesday, with more vendor variety and longer lines, especially in the morning.
  • Public transit is more reliable than driving; the Ferry Building is served by cable cars, BART, Muni buses, and ferry service.
  • The market operates in all seasons, but the types of produce and the number of vendors change throughout the year.

What you will find at different times of year

Spring brings leafy greens, asparagus, strawberries, and early stone fruits. Vendors selling herbs, seedlings, and flowers expand their offerings. The market becomes noticeably busier as the weather improves and more people venture out.

Summer is peak season. Tomatoes, stone fruits, berries, corn, and stone fruits dominate the produce stands. The crowds are largest, lines move slowly, and parking and transit become more crowded. This is when the market has the most vendors and the widest variety.

Fall brings apples, pears, grapes, squash, and root vegetables. Some summer vendors leave, but the market remains busy through October. By November, the selection narrows as fewer crops are in season.

Winter has the smallest selection and fewest vendors. Root vegetables, storage crops like squash and potatoes, citrus, and hardy greens like kale and chard are what you will find. Some vendors close for the season or reduce their hours. The market is quieter and easier to navigate, but your choices are more limited.

How to navigate the Ferry Building layout

The market spreads across the interior of the Ferry Building and extends outside along the Embarcadero waterfront. The interior is climate-controlled and less crowded than the outdoor sections. On rainy days, more vendors cluster indoors, which can make it tight.

Produce vendors tend to occupy the outer sections and the waterfront side. Prepared foods, baked goods, and specialty items are often inside. However, vendor locations shift week to week, so there is no fixed map. Walking the entire market before you buy gives you a sense of what is available and lets you compare prices.

The Ferry Building also houses permanent shops and restaurants — Cowgirl Creamery, Blue Bottle Coffee, Acme Bread, and others operate year-round inside the building. These are separate from the farmers market but add to the reason people visit the location.

Payment methods and what to bring

Most vendors accept cash and card payments. However, some smaller vendors or those selling prepared foods may be cash-only, so bringing cash is safer than assuming every stand takes cards. ATMs are available inside the Ferry Building.

Bring bags or a cart if you plan to buy more than a few items. The market does not provide bags, and carrying multiple paper bags from vendors becomes unwieldy quickly. A rolling cart or backpack works well. Some vendors will bag items in paper or plastic if you ask, but bringing your own is more reliable.

The Ferry Building has restrooms, water fountains, and seating areas. If you plan to stay and eat at the market, you can purchase prepared foods from vendors and eat at the tables and benches scattered throughout the building and outside.

Comparing Ferry Building to other San Francisco farmers markets

San Francisco has several other farmers markets. The Civic Center Farmers Market runs Wednesdays and Sundays at the Civic Center Plaza. The Alemany Farmers Market runs Saturdays at Alemany Boulevard and Crescent Avenue in the Outer Sunset. The Farmers Market at the Ferry Plaza is the largest and most central, with the most vendors and the widest range of products.

Ferry Building draws more tourists and downtown workers because of its location and the permanent shops inside. Civic Center and Alemany tend to draw more neighborhood residents and are quieter. Ferry Building has higher prices on average, partly because of the location and partly because vendors there tend to be more established operations. If you are looking for the widest selection and do not mind crowds, Ferry Building is the choice. If you want a smaller, quieter market with lower prices, Alemany or Civic Center may suit you better.

Parking, transit, and timing tips

The Ferry Building sits at the foot of Market Street, where several transit lines converge. The F-line historic streetcar runs along the Embarcadero and stops directly at the Ferry Building. BART stations at Embarcadero and Civic Center are both within walking distance. Muni buses 2, 6, 9, 14, 21, and 31 serve the area. If you arrive by ferry, the Ferry Building is the terminal.

Street parking near the Ferry Building is scarce and metered. Paid lots are nearby but cost $3 to $5 per hour or more. For a two-hour market visit, transit costs less and is faster than driving and parking. If you drive, arriving before 9 a.m. on Saturday gives you a better chance of finding street parking.

Arriving between 8 and 9 a.m. on Saturday gives you the best combination of vendor availability and manageable crowds. By 10 a.m., the market is packed. Tuesday mornings are much quieter if you prefer a less crowded experience. Late morning on either day means some vendors have sold out of popular items.

What vendors typically charge and how to budget

Prices vary by season and by vendor. In summer, a pound of tomatoes costs between $2 and $4. Berries cost $4 to $6 per pint. Leafy greens cost $3 to $5 per bunch. Prepared foods like sandwiches, pastries, and hot dishes cost $8 to $15. These are rough ranges; specialty or organic items cost more, and off-season produce costs more than peak-season.

Farmers market prices are generally higher than supermarket prices, especially for out-of-season items. However, the produce is fresher, picked more recently, and often tastes noticeably better. Many people budget $30 to $50 for a typical visit if they are buying produce for the week plus a prepared food item or two.

Some vendors offer discounts for buying in bulk or for repeat customers. Asking does not hurt. A few vendors accept SNAP benefits (food stamps) if you have a card, though not all do — ask at the stand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring my own bags?

Yes. The market does not provide bags, and vendors may have paper bags but do not always offer them. A reusable bag, backpack, or rolling cart makes carrying purchases much easier, especially if you buy more than a few items.

Is the Ferry Building Farmers Market open in winter?

Yes, it operates year-round. However, the number of vendors and the variety of produce shrink in winter. You will find root vegetables, storage crops, citrus, and hardy greens, but not the abundance of summer. Some vendors reduce their hours or close for a few weeks, so the market is quieter and smaller.

Can I use food stamps or SNAP at the Ferry Building Farmers Market?

Some vendors accept SNAP benefits, but not all. Ask at individual stands. The Ferry Building also has a CalFresh matching program at certain times, which doubles the value of SNAP purchases up to a set amount. Check with the market office for current details.

What is the best time to go if I want to avoid crowds?

Tuesday mornings are much quieter than Saturday. If you go on Saturday, arriving between 8 and 9 a.m. gives you good selection before the peak crowd arrives. Late morning or early afternoon on either day is less crowded but means some vendors may have sold out of popular items.

Is there parking at the Ferry Building?

Street parking is limited and metered. Paid lots nearby cost $3 to $5 per hour or more. Public transit is faster and cheaper — the Ferry Building is served by cable cars, BART, Muni buses, and ferry service, all of which are more reliable than finding parking.