For things to do in downtown San Francisco in one day, start in Civic Center, continue through Union Square and Chinatown, and finish at the Ferry Building. European Hostel is about a 6-minute walk from Civic Center station, making this a natural neighborhood to begin from; European Hostel rooms near Civic Center put that starting point in context.
- Start: Civic Center and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.
- Middle: Walk or ride toward Union Square, then continue into Chinatown.
- Finish: The Ferry Building and its waterfront market area.
- Market pattern: The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market runs year-round on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
At a glance
5 places · swipe
01Start with Civic Center and the Asian Art MuseumCivic Center makes a practical first stop, with the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco as the day’s main…
02Continue into ChinatownContinue from Union Square into Chinatown, then take time to walk through the neighborhood before heading…
03Spend the afternoon at the Ferry BuildingThe Ferry Building sits at the foot of Market Street on the Embarcadero, and its Marketplace is open daily…- 04Adjust the route for time, weather and interestsIf you have less time, keep the sequence simple: begin in Civic Center, choose a shorter stop around Union…
- 05FAQsPets are not allowed in the Marketplace or farmers market.
Start with Civic Center and the Asian Art Museum
Civic Center makes a practical first stop, with the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco as the day’s main cultural visit. Its location gives the itinerary a clear starting point before you head toward the shopping and neighborhood streets farther east.
Check the museum’s official site for current visiting details before you plan time inside. The Asian Art Museum visit from Civic Center can help you focus this first part of the day.
How do you get from Civic Center to Union Square?
From Civic Center, make Union Square your next stop, walking or riding depending on how you want to pace the day. The plan keeps the square between the museum area and Chinatown, so you can pause here before continuing east.
For a more focused look at the area and nearby cable cars, the Union Square and Powell Street cable car guide adds context to this leg.
Continue into Chinatown
Continue from Union Square into Chinatown, then take time to walk through the neighborhood before heading toward the waterfront. Keeping Chinatown between the square and the Ferry Building makes it a natural middle stop in a downtown day.
Spend the afternoon at the Ferry Building
The Ferry Building sits at the foot of Market Street on the Embarcadero, and its Marketplace is open daily from 6:00am to 10:00pm, though individual businesses keep their own hours. It closes on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, so check the Ferry Building’s official site before you go.
The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, operated by nonprofit Foodwise since 1993, runs year-round on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm and Saturdays from 8:00am to 2:00pm.
Weekday markets are in front of the building; on Saturdays, the market extends along the Embarcadero, the south side and the rear plaza overlooking the Bay. The Saturday market has over 100 vendors, including about 70 farmers and 50 artisan and prepared-food vendors, some of whom participate seasonally.
Leave room to sit outside: public benches line the promenade, and outdoor dining is available on the bayside. The Ferry Building market and waterfront guide covers this stop in more detail.
Adjust the route for time, weather and interests
If you have less time, keep the sequence simple: begin in Civic Center, choose a shorter stop around Union Square or Chinatown, then head to the Ferry Building. If the farmers market is part of your plan, match your visit to its regular weekday or Saturday schedule.
For transit connections, Muni, BART, ferries, the F Market streetcar and the California Street Cable Car serve the Ferry Building area; the F Market streetcar stops directly in front, and Embarcadero BART station is one block away.
The F Market & Wharves line runs daily from 7:00am to 12:00am. San Francisco Bay Ferry’s downtown terminal is a short walk from Embarcadero Station, which connects with BART and Muni Metro; the F Market & Wharves line stops adjacent to the terminal.
Check the SFMTA and San Francisco Bay Ferry official sites before setting out for current service details.
FAQs
Can you bring a pet into the Ferry Building Marketplace?
Pets are not allowed in the Marketplace or farmers market. Service animals are welcome.
Are there public restrooms at the Ferry Building?
Yes. Public restrooms are in the north and south ferry-terminal passageways inside the building, and they are ADA accessible.
Where is the Ferry Building?
Its address is One Ferry Building, San Francisco, California 94111.