How to Put Together the Perfect Date at the Farmers Market

February 14, 2025

If you’re looking for a low-cost and relaxed date over the weekend, look no further than the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. The scenic, sensory setting of the farmers market is ripe for meeting people, starting flirtations, and even falling in love. The Saturday market can also provide all of the fixings for a delicious date, whether it’s a casual morning meetup at the Ferry Plaza or romantic homemade feast. Peruse the stalls to pick up shareable bites and sweets, grab a bouquet of sustainably grown flowers, and enjoy a laid-back date while taking in a spectacular view of the San Francisco Bay. Though this list is a great place to start, the farmers market brings many different opportunities to discover new favorites and explore locally made food together. Read on for a few ideas on how you can put together the perfect picnic date at the farmers market.

Picnic for Two: Shareable Bites and Plates from Local Food Makers

The best picnic is the kind you can share. Grab delicious shareable snacks made with care by these local food crafters, with real ingredients sourced from farmers near you. 

At Aedan Fermented Foods, you can pick up premade bento boxes that come with rice, miso, shio koji-marinated tofu, amazake tamagoyaki, and more. Aedan sources their ingredients from their neighboring farmers in the market, including Eatwell Farm, Dirty Girl Produce, Star Route Farms, and Far West Fungi. Pick up a pair of bento boxes to go, or split the finger food in one box between two people. Visit Aedan Fermented Foods on Saturdays in the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. 

Cap’n Mike’s Holy Smoke uses local, wild-caught salmon in their lox sandwiches, soups, and bagels. For an easy picnic, pick up a pound of their salmon lox to go and pair it with bagels from Wise Sons. Or, enjoy a hearty seafood lunch for two with a San Francisco Style Red Lox Sandwich from their booth in the back plaza. Visit Cap’n Mike’s Holy Smoke on Saturdays in the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. 

Marin Gourmet partners with a local farm in Fresno to get garlic, eggplants, peppers, and fresh herbs to use in their popular dips. Pick up bread or crackers from their booth and dip them in their signature aubergine dip, which is made with fresh eggplants barbecued over mesquite charcoal. Visit Marin Gourmet on Saturdays in the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

If you’re looking for much smaller bites, split a sustainable cheese plate with locally made cheese from Achadinha Cheese Co, Stepladder Creamery, and Tomales Farmstead Creamery. Top it off with cured meats from Canteen Meats and fruit and nuts from the farmers market for a delightful array of finger foods. 

Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice: Valentine’s Day Sweets

For couples with a sweet tooth, the farmers market has a wide range of treats to share. Shop the market for a delicious treat and find a bench along the waterfront to sit and enjoy a front-row view of the Bay Bridge. From mini cheese cakes at Crumble & Whisk to small and portable pies at Delightful Foods and Baby Bean Pie to hand-crafted truffles from Bisou Chocolate, there’s a dessert option for every palate. 

At Batter Bakery in the front plaza, February comes with themed Valentine’s treats. Pick up hand-decorated shortbread cookies, brownies, and other baked goods on your way to your favorite date spot. Find Batter Bakery on Saturdays at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. 

Dig into delicious pastries from Portside Bakery while you travel around San Francisco. Their flaky, chocolate croissants (and all of their other pastries) are made by hand in Sausalito and served fresh and warm in the farmers market. Bonus: they’re big enough for both you and your date to bite into! Find Portside Bakery on Thursdays and Saturdays at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. 

What could be more romantic than sharing two scoops of slow-churned, handcrafted gelato? At Flora Gelateria in the front plaza, you and your date can try plant-based gelato either in a cup or on top of a warm, gluten-free waffle. Both you and your date can choose different seasonally inspired flavors that you like, and then mix and match on the same waffle. Find Flora Gelateria on Saturdays at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. 

Set the Scene: Lunch and a View Near the Farmers Market

Whether you’ve recently found love or you’re celebrating Valentine’s weekend with a life partner, setting the scene makes for the most romantic dates, no matter where you are. 

There’s no need to travel back home after paying a visit to the farmers market. The Embarcadero Plaza, just south of the Ferry Building, is filled with scenic benches to sit on. A short walk further south will take you to Rincon Park, where you can enjoy San Francisco’s iconic giant bow sculpture. Walk in the other direction and enjoy the green space at Sue Bierman Park, just across the street, or go further up the Embarcadero and you’ll find yourself at Pier 7, a popular photo spot, which has a wooden boardwalk and lanterns straight out of a romcom.

If you’re willing to travel a little further, take a hike up to Coit Tower for scenic views of the city. And both Washington Square Park in Little Italy and Dolores Park in the Mission District are only a short Muni or BART ride away. Pick up a Foodwise tote bag (or bring your own) to carry your food and flowers and find a nice patch of grass to sit and soak up the sun. Enjoy a relaxed and laid-back morning in San Francisco and show some love to local farmers and small food businesses near you at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

For more date ideas at the farmers market, or for more inspiration on gifts to get your Valentine this weekend, check out our Valentine’s Day Guide.

Topics: Farmers market