Show up hungry. Seriously.

Skip a meal or two if you have to - you won't regret it. The Ferry Building is a historic city landmark that survived every major earthquake it met (1906 and Loma Prieta), and ferries still operate from the building (albeit fewer than in the days when the only way to get into San Francisco was by water). The view from the water side of the building is fantastic, but it's what's inside that draws most visitors to the Ferry Building, and rightly so.

Inside the building are more than 40 shops, restaurants and cafes, mostly selling gourmet food. There are two stores focused on olive oil, three fishmongers, a couple of butchers, a patisserie, a confectioner, half a dozen fruit and vegetable markets, a store that sells nothing but exotic mushrooms and, conveniently located right next to each other, a specialty cheese shop and a bakery selling fresh breads, including the local sourdough - a must-try for visitors to San Francisco. And, in case all the gourmet ingredients are particularly inspiring, there's a Sur La Table for high-end kitchen equipment. Most people will pick up the makings of a picnic here, but you can also get takeaway prepared Vietnamese, Japanese, Mexican, French, and deli meals, or eat in one of three sit-down restaurants. If I had any nerve at all, I'd have put the $73 caviar plate at Tsar Nicoulai on my expense account, but I stuck with an under-$10 sandwich from Lulu Petite instead, and was well satisfied. I finished off my lunch at the Ferry Building with two tiny squares of Scharffen Berger chocolate. Out-of-towners think "Ghiradelli" when they think of San Francisco, but Scharffen Berger is also a local chocolate-maker, and their chocolate is the better of the two by a wide margin. If you can't make it out to Berkeley for a factory tour, the next best thing is a visit to the retail store in the Ferry Building.

Before you plunk down money for any food at the Ferry Building, pop into every store that strikes your fancy - most of them have samples out and you can practically make a meal of olive oil-drenched cubes of sourdough, smears of spreads and dips on crackers, and finely-portioned appetizers and slices of exquisite cheese. Finish off your cheapskate tour with a tiny spoonful of gelato, and don't you dare be ashamed!

There are free walking tours of the building (with even more samples!) at noon on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays, and a farmer's market on Saturdays - that's when locals pack the place, so if crowds aren't your thing, save your visit for a weekday afternoon. (Fresh organic produce isn't so hard to find in SF as in other parts of the country, so don't be afraid of missing out.)

The Ferry Building Marketplace is located in the Embarcadero district. It offers a wide range of stores from Olive Oil producers to meat to antiques. There is something for everyone here. After you've worked up an appetite shopping, you can eat at any of the outdoor restaurants with spectacular views of the Bay Bridge and the ferry boats.

Ferry Building Marketplace is located at the beginning of Market Street along the Embarcaderro has been revamped from an office building into a nice place of shopping and restaurants along with a Farmer's Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. No dogs allowed. Accessible by BART, Muni F-line, ferry boat.

Information +1.415.693.0996, lost and found +1.415.591.0952
email info@ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

The Ferry Building has long been a part of the San Francisco skyline. It was opened to the public in 1898, when getting around the bay area via ferry was the only way. The Italian looking clock tower and long building sitting on the bay was an impressive sight. It survived earthquakes and the decline of ferry service in the bay area. Today it's been reborn and is once again the gem it was in years past.

I have always loved this building and have been so thrilled to see it reopen in 2003 in its present state. Today it has been reopened (it had been offices with narrow halls and rooms). The skylights provide a soft light inside the hall. Food stalls and shops fill the walls today.

The shops are all high end, and currently they are not overrun with knick-knack or T-shirt shops like other places in the city. You will find cheeses, breads, Italian ice cream, caviar bars, chocolates, wines, flowers, mushrooms and teas and coffees. There are wonderful floral shops, kitchen stores, bookstores and much more. It is full of rare and unusual finds, a perfect place to find a one-of-a-kind gift.

On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, the area in the back of the Ferry Building hosts one of the BEST Farmer's Markets in California. Farmers from Napa and Sonoma bring in their produce to sell. You will find flowers, fruits and vegetables that are the top of the line. Everything has just come off the farm or out of the bay. Even if you are only here for a visit, stop by and take a look. I suggest getting some bread, fruit and cheese and sit by the water and enjoy a great snack with a world-class view.

There is so much to see and eat here. If I can give you one suggestion, it would be to have an ice cream at CIAO BELLA. They have some of the best ice cream on the planet and wild offerings like tomato and wasabi. They are always happy to give you a sample. It's the best, I can never go by without getting a scoop.

Yes, ferries still run from the Ferry Building. Not like the old days when the pier was lined with boats. But you can still grab a ferry and head for Marin or Oakland. Commuters who hate our traffic find this the most civilized way to get to work! Tourists enjoy grabbing a ferry for an up-close view of our bay.

If you are visiting the city, plan to spend a few hours in the Ferry Building. It has history, a wonderful view and one of the best places to grab a tasty lunch. The Ferry Building is just one of the many reasons why San Francisco is my favorite city.