The San Francisco Ferry Building

No self-professed foodie should leave the City by the Bay without paying a visit to the San Francisco Ferry Building. Once the center of one of the busiest ferry systems in the world, today the building pays homage to San Francisco’s obsession with top quality, local and sustainable food. The best time to visit the Ferry Building is on Saturday morning, when San Franciscans arrive early to do their weekly shopping. Dozens of organic farmers, purveyors of grass-fed meats or free-range fowl, artisan bakers and expert cheese makers come together at the Ferry Building Farmers Market. Top restaurants sell mouth-watering breakfasts from kiosks by the bay, as vendors offer samples of luscious tree-ripe fruit, roasted nuts or freshly baked bread.

If you can’t arrive on a Saturday, not a problem. Inside the Ferry Building on any day of the week you’ll find several excellent eateries, including Gott’s Roadside, offering scrumptious natural burgers, and Boulette's Larder, with its enticing seasonal fare. Specialized food stores sell everything from cured meats at Fatted Calf and trend-setting ice cream at Humphry Slocombe to award-winning cheese at the Cowgirl Creamery and perfect loaves at Acme Bread. Those in need of mushrooms check out Far West Fungi, while others head to the specialized herb, nut or honey shops. Be sure to pick up some Argentine empanadas from El Porteño, chocolates from Recchiutti Confections and unforgettable biscuits at Biscuit Bender (biscuitbender.com)