Things to Do in Downtown San Francisco: One-Day Itinerary from Knights Inn

A practical day can pair a Chinatown visit with time at the Ferry Building, using transit rather than assuming the two stops are an easy walk from the hotel. Chinatown-Rose Pak station is about a 6-minute drive away.

If you want a walking-focused start, the station is about a 50-minute walk from Knights Inn. For more on getting between neighborhoods and choosing transit, use this guide to getting around San Francisco.

Keep the day flexible around your priorities: the farmers market has set days and hours, while the Marketplace itself operates daily. For a Chinatown visit, a practical guide can help you plan that part of the day.

The Ferry Building Marketplace combines a waterfront setting with food businesses and a year-round farmers market. It stands at One Ferry Building, at the foot of Market Street on the Embarcadero. Foodwise has operated the market since 1993.

On Saturdays, market stalls spread across the area in front of the Ferry Building, along its south side and onto the rear plaza overlooking the Bay. Weekday markets take place in front of the building. The Saturday market has over 100 vendors; its listing describes about 70 farmers and 50 artisan and prepared-food vendors, with some participating seasonally.

For a break between market browsing and the next stop, public benches line the promenade, and outdoor dining is available on the bayside. Public restrooms are in the north and south ferry-terminal passageways inside the building, and they are ADA accessible.

The Ferry Building is served by Muni, BART, ferries, the F Market streetcar and the California Street Cable Car. The F Market stops directly in front, while Embarcadero BART is one block away. The F Market & Wharves line operates daily from 7:00am to 12:00am.

Pets are not allowed inside the Marketplace or farmers market; service animals are welcome. Foodwise operates the farmers market, and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency operates the F Market line. Check the official site before you go for current market and transit details.

Chinatown-Rose Pak station gives you a practical transit reference for planning a Chinatown stop. The city centre is about an 8-minute drive or a 59-minute walk from the hotel.

Use Chinatown as a separate part of the day rather than assuming it sits on a quick walking route from the waterfront. To plan street-level stops and neighborhood details, refer to this Chinatown San Francisco visitor guide.

The Ferry Building gives you several ways to continue across the city: Muni, BART, ferry, the F Market streetcar and the California Street Cable Car all serve the area.

For a ferry connection, the Downtown San Francisco terminal is a short walk from Embarcadero Station, which connects with BART and Muni Metro; the F Market & Wharves line stops beside the terminal.

For a visit to Alcatraz, plan it as its own outing rather than squeezing it into the market stop. This Alcatraz Island visit guide covers how long to set aside.

When does the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market run?

Foodwise operates it year-round on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm, and Saturdays from 8:00am to 2:00pm.

What are the Ferry Building Marketplace hours?

The Marketplace is open daily from 6:00am to 10:00pm, but individual businesses may have different hours. It closes on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Can you reach the Ferry Building by public transit?

Yes. Options include Muni, BART, ferry, the F Market streetcar and the California Street Cable Car. The F Market stops directly in front of the building.