Ferry Plaza and Farmers Market, Embarcadero

Ferry Plaza, or Ferry Building, is a historic ferry building situated on the 3-mile Embarcadero waterfront walkway, with cute shops selling artisan cheese, oysters, and other specialty foods.  On Sunday mornings, Book Passage, a small used and new bookstore with a good local travel section and great kids section, often has sing-alongs for kids at 10:30am. 

Ferry Plaza comes alive with a large, upscale farmers market several days a week (Tues/Thurs 10-2, Sat 8-2, not in winter). The displays are beautiful and there's lots of organic produce to buy. The Saturday market is the largest, and is held on the promenade in front of the Ferry Building and also on the bayside of the building- great views!
Ferries arrive at the dock behind Ferry Plaza. It's fun to watch them and admire the views of the Bay Bridge, and Yerba Buena Island across the water. 
Take the trolley to Ferry Plaza and you will have the chance to ride one of the gorgeous imported trolleys that were brought to San francisco from all over the world. We rode in an Italian one and it was fun to see the signs posted in Italian.
You can catch a Golden Gate Ferry ferry here (or the touristy Blue and Gold ferry). There are snacks to buy on board, and it's fun to go out on the deck- dress warm, with a bubble jacket and beanie that covers your ears! The ferry to and from Sausalito passes right by Alcatraz- it's gorgeous. Even if you can't go on a ferry, your kids will love to stand and watch the ferries come and go from the Ferry Plaza!
Don't miss Pier 7, a gorgeous wooden pier. Walk to the end past romantic lampposts, benches, and views of a historic steamboat. 
Slightly north is the dock for the San Francisco Water Taxi, a small boat that makes for a bumpy ride. 
Walk south along the San Francisco Bay Trail, the path along the water, and you can see the most amazing sculpture, a gigantic bow and arrow called Cupid's Span, on a hilly park called Rincon Park. If you continue walking south you can see the boats in the marina at South Beach Harbor, and walk the path around Oracle Park Stadium, admiring the plaques and statues about baseball players. Cross the dark gray 3rd Street Bridge and you will come to China Basin Park, with amazing views of the water and Bay Bridge. Here you can enjoy a delicious chocolate croissant at Arsicault Bakery. It is a 39 minute walk from the Ferry Building.

Directions

The Ferry building is located at 1 Ferry Plaza, at the end of Market Street.
Take the trolley here on the F line- the trolleys go from Market Street to Ferry Plaza to Fisherman's Wharf.
The farmers market is Tues and Thurs 10-2, and Sat 8-2 (not in winter).
Book Passage, open daily 10-5, Sun 11-5.
Ferry info: www.goldengateferry.org. A ferry trip takes about 25 minutes to get to Sausalito.

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