Ferry Building Marketplace: http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/ or Farmer’s Market: http://www.cuesa.org/
The Ferry Building was completed in 1892 as a transportation hub for not only ferries to and from Marin and the East Bay but also for trains coming from the east. The Amtrak station today is just next door. As cars took over in popularity the ferries stopped running in the 1950’s but as roads became more clogged, began running again in the 1970’s. However it wasn’t until 2002 that the Ferry Terminal Marketplace opened, the space being completely renovated and restored to it’s former glory. Today it is both a market place and a working ferry terminal.
 |
 |
 |
There are interesting shops and restaurants inside the market open daily, as well as a farmers market and lunch stands that surround the outside of the building on certain days of the week. The Marketplace is a great stop for lunch as you catch a ferry to Sausolito, or to sample some California wines at Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant if you can’t make it up to the wine country. Most of the shops (with the exception of Sur la Table) offer locally sourced items such as fruit from Frog Hollow Farm where they give lots of yummy free samples with a great selection, Acme Bread Co a staple around SF, Cow Girl Creamery for ice cream and Blue Bottle Coffee Company a local chain that has become very popular, rivaling Peets and a nice change from Starbucks.
 |
 |
 |
The farmers market more the doubles the number of vendors when it’s open and some of the not to miss stands (according to my local source, Carolyn) are:
- Drinkwell Softers of Dixon, CA, sells carbonated softdrinks of lavender or cherry/lavender. It is surrounded by fresh lavender, which is also for sale. The drinks are super tasty and the bottles are beautiful bottles, though you get a $1 refund when you return the bottle!
- White crane Springs Ranch from Healdsburg, 75 miles to market ( many local vendors ID the “miles to Market” to give you an idea of how close they are and how fresh they are) sells herbs, vegetables and flowers.
- Downtown Bakery and Creamery always has a line, with lots of delicious baked goods.
- Achadinha Cheese Company from Petaluma has Farm fed, free range animals and the cheeses are organic. They are famous from their Capricious goat cheese, the salty brine Feta and the Curd made from Jersey cow and goats milks. Achadinha is #1 on the cheese trail (a map of local favorites, many in Marin Co)
Lastly be sure to hit some of the food vendors. Two of the most popular (for good reason) are:
- Namu Street Food has a selection of loco moco, kimchee, okonomyaki. Be prepared for the long lines!
- Hog Island Oyster Co is another huge favorite with the locals with another long line. You can buy the oysters to take home, but many them on the half shell to enjoy with the view.