Financial District / Embarcadero
Built during the Gold Rush on land reclaimed from the Bay, the Financial District has been the city’s banking and business hub since the 1850s. Skyscrapers with corporate names – such as the iconic Transamerica Pyramid – fill the skyline, and business-suited professionals crowd the sidewalks. Though there isn’t much here as far as sightseeing, the area offers a number of good restaurants and a large shopping center.
Stretching for blocks along the waterfront, the Embarcadero once languished in the shadow of a freeway. After the 1989 quake, the freeway was demolished, opening up spectacular Bay views which attracted businesses and visitors to the area. Luxury hotels, excellent restaurants, the renovated Ferry Building and the Embarcadero promenade all add to the neighborhood’s vitality and appeal.
topFerry Building
This historic building regained its landmark stature in 1991, when the earthquake-damaged Embarcadero Freeway that had obscured it from view was demolished. Now restored to its former glory, the Ferry Building is home to a bustling farmer’s market and a range of excellent restaurants and specialty food purveyors. You can easily spend hours here, sampling gourmet olive oils and artisan breads, browsing cookware and antiques, and buying the highest-quality local produce and meats to take home. The complete list of merchants and restaurants can be found here – we’ve listed a few of our favorites below.
Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market
Tue, Thu 10am-2pm;
Sat 8am-2pm
Tel: (415) 291-3276
This market is renowned for its quality and diversity, with dozens of stands offering local fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, meats, bread, jam, cheese and other products. The smaller Tuesday and Thursday markets are held at the front of the building – the larger Saturday market occupies both the front and the back. On Thursdays, artisan street food vendors join the other stands.
Boulette’s Larder
Larder Hours:
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm,
Sat 8am-2:30pm, Sun 10am-2:30pm
Table Service: Breakfast, Mon-Fri 8am-10:30am; Lunch, Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, Beignets/Brunch,
Sun 10am-2:30pm
Outstanding breakfast, lunch and Sunday brunch as well as sophisticated, daily-changing prepared food (try the beignets!).
Delica
Deli Hours:
Mon-Fri 10am-6:30pm, Sat 9am-6;30pm, Sun 11am-5pm
Sushi Bar: Mon-Fri 4-9:30pm, Sat 3-9:30pm, Sun closed.
Japanese delicatessen serving a healthy selection of "sozai" Japanese meals made up of many small dishes. A sushi bar has recently been added.
Gott’s Roadside
Open daily 10:30am-8pm
This retro-style restaurant specializes in “Tray Gourmet” – burgers and other fast food made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The large outdoor patio is ideal on a sunny day.
Slanted Door
Lunch daily: 11am-2:30pm
Dinner:
Sun-Thu 5:30-10pm,
Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30pm
An acclaimed, full-service Vietnamese restaurant with an enviable location overlooking the Bay. You can get a sampling of Chef Charles Phan’s cuisine at their adjacent takeout location, Out the Door.
MarketBar
Mon-Fri: Lunch & dinner from 11:30am Sat & Sun: Starting with brunch from 9am
Seasonal Mediterranean fare and a large selection of wines, served both indoors and on the lively sidewalk patio.
Hog Island Oyster Company
Open Mon-Fri 11:30am-8pm, Sat-Sun 11am-6pm
Sit at their bar with its tall windows overlooking the water, and enjoy fresh oysters from Tomales Bay, along with a glass of wine or beer. You can also buy oysters and clams to take home.
Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant
Open Mon 11am-8pm, Tue 10am-8pm, Wed-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 10am-7pm
Relax with a glass from their tasting menu, or browse the great selection of wines from around the world, assisted by their friendly, knowledgeable staff.
Cowgirl Creamery
Open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm
The artisan cheeses from this shop’s North Bay creameries are a local legend. You’ll also find selections from distinguished North American and European cheesemakers.
Far West Fungi
Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm
This unique shop specializes in cultivated and wild mushrooms and fresh, seasonal truffles. You’ll also find dried mushrooms, truffle salts, even a Mini-Farm to grow your own mushrooms.
Frog Hollow Farm
Open Mon-Sat 6:30am-5pm, Sun 9am-5pm
Conserves, chutneys and marmalades made with fruit from their own farm, as well as fresh-baked pastries.
Miette
Open Sun–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 8am–6pm
This dainty, French-inspired patisserie offers beautiful cakes, cookies and pastries.
Recchiuti Confections
Open Mon- Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm
Handmade, gorgeously packaged chocolates and confections, many not available anywhere else.
Sur La Table
Open Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 10am-6pm
High-quality, comprehensive selection of cookware, glass and dinnerware, linens and cooking tools – everything from paella pans to brioche molds.
Culinaire
Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 9am-6pm. Closed Sun.
Antique shop specializing in items relating to food and wine. With an amazing variety of treasures from the 18th century onward, you never know what you’ll discover.
Book Passage
Sun-Fri 9am-7:30pm, Sat 8am-7:30pm
This independently-owned bookstore has a Bay Area focus, but also carries a good selection of fiction and non-fiction as well as hosting literary events.
Bay Crossings
Open Mon-Sat 6:45am-6:45pm, Sun 9am-4pm
Visitors will find this shop very useful – it offers ferry tickets and information, along with local maps, guides and postcards.
topSights and Activities
Kayaking
Kayaking along the edge of the Bay gives you a whole new perspective on the local scenery. City Kayak at Pier 40 offers both private rentals and guided trips; routes depend on the experience level of the paddlers.
Ferry Cruises
Enjoy views of the skyline and Bay on a day trip to the charming (if touristy) bayside towns of Sausalito and Tiburon, or to Jack London Square in Oakland. Golden Gate Ferry offers service from the Ferry Building to Sausalito and Larkspur. The Blue and Gold Fleet offers regular service from the Ferry Building to Tiburon, Oakland and Alameda.
Exploratorium
Opening at Pier 15 on Apr 17, 2013.
With over 600 hands-on activities and exhibits, this fascinating science museum teaches visitors about sensory perceptions, astrology, physics and other scientific phenomena. One of the most popular exhibits is the Tactile Dome, where visitors slide, crawl and walk through a sensory environment in total darkness, seeking out mystery objects (reservations recommended).
topRestaurants
Boulevard
One Mission Street
Tel: (415)-543 6084
This has been considered one of the city’s best restaurants since it opened in 1993. Renowned chef Nancy Oaks offers her contemporary American fare in a beautiful Belle Epoque space. One Michelin star.
Epic Roasthouse
369 The Embarcadero
Tel: (415) 369-9955
reservations@epicroasthouse.com
A classic steakhouse with a spectacular view of the Bay Bridge.
Kokkari
200 Jackson Street (at Front)
Tel: (415) 981-0983
This refined restaurant serves contemporary Greek cuisine.
Michael Mina SF
252 California Street
Tel: (415) 397-9222
The famed chef’s latest restaurant opened in October 2010, to rave reviews. Sophisticated American cuisine. Six-course tasting menu available. One Michelin star.
Ozumo
161 Steuart Street
Tel: (415) 882-1333
Sushi and contemporary Japanese cuisine in a stylish, loungey setting.
Perbacco
230 California Street
Tel: (415) 955-0663
Traditional northern Italian cuisine in a sleek, modern setting.
Prospect
300 Spear Sreet
Tel: (415) 247-7770
A more casual concept from Boulevard’s Nancy Oakes. Inventive, contemporary American fare.
Tadich Grill
240 California Street
Tel: (415) 391-1849
This city institution is San Francisco's oldest restaurant, opened in 1849. Try the cioppino.
Town’s End
2 Townsend Street (on the Embarcadero across from Pier 38)
Tel: (415) 512-0749
Best known for its brunch, this cheerful spot sets the tone with a complimentary basket of mini scones and muffins.
Wayfare Tavern
558 Sacramento Street
Tel: (415) 772-9060
A timeless tavern serving classic, locally sourced American dishes, by chef Tyler Florence.