San Francisco Ferry Building

Where: San Francisco, California

When: June 17, 2014

With: Dave

The San Francisco Ferry Building is one of the most important buildings in the city. With its distinctive clock tower sitting at the crossroads of two major thoroughfares, Embarcadero and Market, it has survived earthquakes, fire, the industrial revolution, freeways, and abandonment. Now, it has emerged with new life in the 21st century. 

When it was built in 1898, it was served as the main ferry terminal building to transport people to various locations across the bay. During its heyday, it was the second busiest transport center in the world, second only to London's Charing Cross train station. It served as the focal point of this famous footage showing a drive down Market Street just before the 1906 earthquake. While the damage and fires resulting from the earthquake destroyed nearly 80% of the city, the Ferry Building survived. 

However, with the building of the Golden Gate and Oakland Bay bridge in the 1930s, there was a decline in the use of ferries. The Ferry Building was used less and less as years went by until eventually, it was converted almost completely into office space and cut off from pedestrian traffic. 

Thankfully, a massive restoration took place in the 90s/early 2000s, and now it is back to being a top site to see in the city.  The restoration took advantage of the original arcade architecture and open halls inside the building, and put shops and stalls along the long, open corridors. Now, it is a bustling market filled with specialty food stores, boutiques and restaurants. 

We got the full Ferry Building experience when we visited, taking a day trip to Napa via ferry right from the building. Upon our return, we decided to enjoy the architecture with some oysters and champagne. 

A beautiful and historic old building with lots to see and eat that will hopefully enjoy its new heyday for years to come.