Auction Ends: Dec 1, 2008 03:00 AM PST

Life Experience

San Francisco Shop and Taste for 10 . Historic Ferry Building Marketplace via Vallejo BayLink Ferry

Item Number: 174

Estimated Value: Priceless
Sold: 185 USD to cukili

Number of Bids: 4 - Bid History

Item Description

Shopping and tasting for Party of Ten (10) at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and Ferry Building Marketplace on the Embarcadero in San Francisco! Round trip BayLink Ferry from Vallejo. Guided by Solano Local Farming and Produce Expert.

Our Expert guides will lead you and your Party of Ten (10) through the Farmers Market.
Teach you about selecting the freshest, ripest food available.
Give you ideas on preparing fresh food, share a favorite recipe or two.
Guide you on how to Buy Local and Eat Fresh!
Offer tips on nutritional value of fresh foods.
Make suggestions about planting and growing your own edible landscape.
AND leave you plenty of time for fine dining and shopping at the Marketplace, as well as the Farmers Market
And you don't have to drive.
The Ferry Boat alone costs $28 per person round trip and that's included. $280 value added.

But wait, there's more!

You and your friends will enjoy the fresh salty air of the San Francisco Bay. One hour each way crossing the bay to San Francisco on the Ferry. Time to talk, relax, see the sights, love life.
Slow Food is the opposite of Fast Food.
GOLD Enjoy the company of your group of old friends - Slow Food style. Over a cup of San Francisco coffee or a scrumptious Market Place Lunch (Sorry, that's your expense. We are picking up the Ferry ride, after all.)
SILVERMake new Friends.
PLATINUM Shopping with old friends and new.

But wait, there's more!

Enjoy a sensory experience you and your friends (10 people) will talk about for a long time.
See an explosion of color - food, flowers, sky, sea.
Touch the foods in the market and learn how to test them.
Smell the delightful aromas of fresh fruits and vegetables, freshly baked breads and coffee.
Taste a variety of foods that will please your palate.
Hear the hustle and bustle of the market, the music.
Learn the fascinating history of the Ferry Building, circa 1898, including its recent $100 million renovation.
Stroll the waterfront.
Visit with the farmers.
Tour the renovated Ferry Building and the marketplace booths and stores.
Time for Shopping at the Ferry Building Marketplace.

Don't forget to bring your camera!

Don't forget - SHOPPING, SHOPPING, SHOPPING!

Includes round trip tickets on the Ferry from Vallejo.

Experience is for a group of Ten (10). Get all your buddies together and bid! Or buy it and give your friends a treat.

Your Guides:

Mario Moratorio, PhD. University of California Davis Small Farm Advisor for Solano and Yolo County. But he's on his own time as a gift to the SCC Foundation. Mario is a general bon vivant and gourmet chef in his own right.
Joy Warren. Organizer and scout. Strategic Philanthropy. Public Relations, friendraiser and fundraiser.

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Ferry Building Market Place - Shopping and Dining

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

Another site for Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

And for the Ferry: BayLink Ferry

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Item Special Note

Read the following carefully for important information.

Tour will be on a date to be mutually agreed.
If not used, tour will expire on October 31st, 2009.
You will need to call to arrange your dates within one month of the close of the auction. That is, by December 30th.
There are black-out dates. Make sure to ask when you call in.
Market, however, is only open on Tuesdays and Saturdays year round.

Lunch will be at the Ferry Building Marketplace. Your choice of locations. Cost of lunch not included in auction item. Lots of GREAT places to eat.

Cost of Ferry Boat round trip passage ($280) from Vallejo is included in auction item.

Approximate day schedule:

8:30 AM. Meet at the Vallejo Ferry.
9:00 AM. Leave by Ferry for San Francisco.
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Tour the Market with Mario.
1:00 PM to 3:00pm. Lunch with your friends on your own at one of the delightful Marketplace restaurants, deli's or food stands. Time for shopping.
3:00 PM. Last round up for questions for Mario or for special requests or shopping.
4:00 PM. Return to Vallejo by Ferry.
5:00 PM. Arrive in Vallejo.

Important Note:

Auction winner should contact Joy Warren, organizer and scout, to arrange tour. Phone number given at close of auction.

Royal Visit to the Ferry Building

The Royal Visit to Equity Office's Ferry Building on Monday, November 7 increased the worldwide recognition of the Marketplace as an artisan food destination. "The phone call came to our office in late August," said Ferry Building senior property manager Mary Hunter. "Matthew Goudeau, Mayor Gavin Newsom's chief protocol officer, explained, in hushed tones, that parties representing His Royal Highness, were interested in hosting an event at the Ferry Building and to expect a phone call shortly from the city's British Consulate."

A few days later, representatives from the Royal Staff arrived at the Ferry Building, including The Royal Highnesses Private Secretaries and the British Consulate. Members of Scotland Yard, US Secret Service, San Francisco Police Department as well as the Mayor's Officer of Protocol also attended. The group discussed with the Equity Office building team how the Ferry Building might figure into the royal visit. The group then went on a building tour to discuss security concerns, points of interest and feasible space for the event.

After the tour, the Prince's Private Secretary exclaimed that the Ferry Building was perfect for the planned agenda. The mission of the Marketplace, to be a celebrated source of local, sustainable food, would fit perfectly with the ethos of the Prince’s visit – a focus on organic farming and environmental concerns. A phone call a day later confirmed that all parties agreed that the Ferry Building's grand hall would be the perfect venue for His Royal Highness's luncheon and official keynote speech.

On Monday, November 7, Equity Office's Regional Sr. Vice President Mark Geisreiter and Ferry Building Communications Specialist, Jane Connors met the Royal Party at approximately 12:50 pm at the entrance to the Ferry Building's back plaza. "The roar of the crowd indicated the Royal Party had arrived. After a quick walk through the crowd on the back plaza, Charlotte Schultz introduced Mark and myself to the Royal Couple" said Ms. Connors. The Prince immediately asked, "Where are the food stalls?" The Prince and the Duchess were able to connect with several of the merchants in the Marketplace, including: Frog Hollow Farm, I Prefert Di Boriana, Far West Fungi, Prather Ranch Meat Company, Recchiuti Confections, Stonehouse Olive Oil and The Gardener. At each store the Prince was able to engage in conversation about products and farming practices.

At the end of the Marketplace tour Mark Geisreiter bid farewell and offered the Prince a pictorial history book of the Ferry Building inscribed by the author Nancy Olmstead (granddaughter of famed landscape architect Frederick Olmstead). The Prince remarked on how impressed he was with the historic restoration and the sustainable standards set forth in the Marketplace. Mark Geisreiter, the consummate dealmaker, took this opportunity to offer His Royal Highness a kiosk at the Marketplace that would feature His Royal Highness's line of organic food products – Duchy Organics. The Prince eyes brightened and he exclaimed "Really? Could we? Here is my Private Secretary's card. I'd love to have a shop here. Where could we do it?" Looks like a consummate Equity Office dealmaker has struck a royal deal.