15 California Farmers Markets You’ll Want To Visit This Season
Early mornings take on a different energy when tents rise, crates open, and the air fills with the scent of ripe fruit and fresh herbs.
There’s a rhythm to it – shoppers wandering slowly, farmers arranging displays, and conversations flowing as easily as coffee from a paper cup. This isn’t rushed grocery shopping; it’s an experience meant to be savored.
Strolling through a farmers market feels like stepping into the heart of a community, where food has a face and a story.
You taste produce picked at its peak, learn how it was grown, and leave with ideas for meals you didn’t plan to make but suddenly can’t wait to cook.
In California, farmers markets reflect the state’s incredible agricultural diversity, offering everything from sun-warmed stone fruit and just-picked greens to fresh bread, local honey, and small-batch cheeses.
These markets are where seasons truly reveal themselves, one strawberry, tomato, or peach at a time. They invite you to slow down, ask questions, and reconnect with where your food comes from.
1. Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
Positioned along the Embarcadero waterfront with views of the Bay Bridge, this market draws over 100 vendors who arrive early to set up stalls brimming with heirloom vegetables, stone fruit, and artisan cheese.
The location sits at One Ferry Building #50, 1 Ferry Plz, San Francisco, CA 94111, where the historic clock tower serves as a landmark visible from blocks away.
Shoppers move through wide aisles on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, then return for the larger Saturday edition when prepared food vendors add hot crepes, wood-fired pizza, and breakfast burritos to the mix.
Chefs from nearby restaurants shop here before service, selecting ingredients that appear on dinner menus the same evening.
The rhythm slows mid-morning as families arrive with reusable bags and strollers, pausing at flower stands and bakery tables.
Seating areas near the water fill quickly on sunny days when the fog lifts early and the breeze stays gentle.
2. Santa Monica Farmers Market
Stretching along Arizona Avenue and Second Street, this market operates on Wednesday mornings and Saturday mornings, transforming downtown blocks into a canopy-shaded corridor lined with farm tables.
Vendors arrange citrus in neat pyramids, stack leafy greens in wooden crates, and offer samples of stone fruit that leave fingers sticky and sweet.
The location at 155-199 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, sits within walking distance of the beach, making it easy to combine a market visit with a coastal stroll.
Professional chefs arrive early to secure the best heirloom tomatoes and specialty herbs, while home cooks browse later for weeknight dinner inspiration.
Live music often plays near the center of the market, adding a soundtrack to the shuffle of footsteps and vendor greetings.
Parking fills quickly, so arriving by bike or on foot tends to reduce stress and increase the chance of finding everything on the shopping list.
3. Hollywood Farmers Market
Every Sunday morning, Ivar Avenue between Sunset and Selma transforms into a bustling market where locals arrive with tote bags and shopping carts, ready to stock up on produce that tastes like it was picked hours earlier.
The address is 1600 Ivar Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028, nestled in a neighborhood known for vintage theaters and recording studios.
Vendors set up before dawn, arranging avocados, strawberries, and bundles of kale under white tents that provide relief from the California sun.
Prepared food stalls offer breakfast burritos, fresh-squeezed juices, and tamales wrapped in corn husks, drawing lines that move steadily as orders get filled.
The crowd includes everyone from young families to longtime residents who remember when this market first started decades ago.
Visiting early means better selection and cooler temperatures, though the energy stays lively well into late morning when musicians sometimes set up near the entrance.
4. Davis Farmers Market
Central Park in downtown Davis becomes the gathering point every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning when farmers from the surrounding agricultural region arrive with truckloads of seasonal crops.
The market sits at 301 C Street, Davis, CA 95616, in a college town where bicycles outnumber cars and community connections run deep.
Vendors know many customers by name, remembering preferences and offering recipe suggestions based on what’s ripe that week.
Prepared food vendors serve dishes that rival food truck quality – everything from Thai noodles to wood-fired flatbreads – and picnic tables fill quickly with people eating dinner while live musicians perform nearby.
The Saturday morning edition draws families who make market visits part of their weekend routine, stopping for coffee before browsing stands loaded with stone fruit, lettuce varieties, and farm-fresh eggs.
Arriving by bike fits the local culture and eliminates the challenge of finding parking during peak hours.
5. San Luis Obispo Farmers Market
Thursday evenings bring thousands of visitors to Higuera Street, where multiple blocks close to traffic and fill with vendor booths, street performers, and the smell of grilled corn and barbecue.
The market runs along Higuera Street from Nipomo to Osos, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, in a downtown area surrounded by rolling hills and historic architecture.
Farmers display strawberries, avocados, and bundles of fresh flowers while musicians play on street corners and families spread blankets on the sidewalk to enjoy dinner.
The atmosphere feels more like a festival than a typical market, with crowds moving slowly through the street and stopping to watch jugglers, magicians, and local bands.
Vendors offer everything from organic vegetables to handmade crafts, creating a mix of shopping and entertainment that keeps people returning week after week.
Arriving early means easier navigation and first pick of popular items, though the energy peaks around sunset when the temperature cools and the street lights begin to glow.
6. Marin Civic Center Farmers Market
Sunday mornings at the Marin Civic Center draw shoppers from across the county to what ranks as California’s third-largest farmers market, featuring over 200 vendors spread across a sprawling parking area.
The location is 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903, beneath the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building with its distinctive arches and blue roof.
Vendors arrive before sunrise to arrange displays of organic produce, fresh-baked bread, locally made cheese, and bunches of flowers that add bursts of color to every corner.
Live music plays near the entrance while families push strollers between rows of booths, stopping to sample honey, inspect heirloom tomatoes, and chat with farmers about growing practices.
The size of this market means it takes time to explore fully, and many visitors plan to spend an hour or more browsing the variety of food, plants, and artisan goods.
Parking can be challenging during peak hours, so arriving early or carpooling helps reduce the search for a spot.
7. Downtown Berkeley Farmers Market
Center Street near Martin Luther King Jr. Way hosts this market every Saturday morning, where the energy feels distinctly Berkeley – eclectic, community-focused, and filled with conversations about organic farming and seasonal eating.
The address is 1947 Center St, Berkeley, CA 94704, just blocks from the UC Berkeley campus and within walking distance of cafes and bookstores.
Vendors offer everything from Asian greens to heirloom apples, and many shoppers arrive with their own bags and containers to reduce waste.
Prepared food stands serve breakfast burritos, fresh juices, and pastries that pair well with coffee from local roasters who set up nearby.
The crowd includes students, longtime residents, and families who treat the market as a weekly ritual, often lingering to chat with vendors about crop updates and recipe ideas.
Visiting early means cooler temperatures and better selection, though the market maintains a steady flow of shoppers well into late morning when the sun climbs higher and the street begins to warm.
8. Leucadia Farmers Market
Sunday afternoons along Coast Highway 101 bring locals and visitors to a market that captures the laid-back coastal vibe Encinitas is known for, with vendors setting up near surf shops and beach access points.
The location is 185 Union St, Encinitas, CA 92024, where the ocean breeze keeps temperatures comfortable even during warmer months.
Farmers arrange displays of avocados, strawberries, and citrus while artisan vendors offer handmade soaps, jewelry, and baked goods that reflect the creative spirit of the area.
Families arrive after beach time, still wearing flip-flops and carrying sand toys, ready to pick up fresh ingredients for dinner.
The market operates year-round, which means seasonal shifts bring different produce – stone fruit in summer, root vegetables in fall, and citrus through winter.
Live music often plays near the center of the market, adding a soundtrack to the relaxed pace of browsing and conversation that defines Sunday afternoons here.
9. Long Beach Farmers Market
Friday mornings at Marina Drive transform a parking lot near the waterfront into a bustling market where vendors unload crates of seasonal vegetables, berries, and bundles of fresh herbs.
The address is 6602 E Marina Dr, Long Beach, CA 90803, in a neighborhood where boats bob in nearby slips and the morning air carries a hint of salt.
Shoppers move between stalls, comparing prices on heirloom tomatoes, selecting bunches of kale, and sampling stone fruit that vendors slice and offer on small paper plates.
Prepared food stands serve breakfast tacos, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and pastries that pair well with coffee from local roasters who set up at the entrance.
The crowd includes retirees who shop early, young professionals stopping by before work, and families who arrive mid-morning with strollers and shopping lists.
Parking fills quickly, so arriving early or walking from nearby neighborhoods tends to make the visit smoother and less rushed.
10. East Hollywood Certified Farmers’ Market
Unlike the Sunday market on Ivar, this certified edition operates on different days and draws a crowd focused on certified organic produce and verified growing practices.
Vendors arrive with documentation proving their farming methods meet state standards, which attracts shoppers who prioritize knowing exactly where their food comes from and how it was grown.
The atmosphere at 5448 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, feels more focused on produce quality than entertainment, with fewer prepared food vendors and more emphasis on farm-fresh vegetables, fruits, and eggs.
Customers ask detailed questions about pesticide use, soil health, and harvest timing, and vendors respond with specifics about their operations and growing seasons.
The market serves a community that values transparency and direct connections to the people growing their food, creating an environment where conversations run deeper than simple transactions.
Shopping here means supporting small-scale farms committed to sustainable practices, and many customers return week after week to build relationships with the farmers they trust most.
11. Healdsburg Farmers Market
Saturday mornings at the North Plaza parking lot bring together farmers from Sonoma County wine country, offering produce that reflects the region’s rich agricultural heritage and Mediterranean climate.
The market takes place On the Plaza, Downtown Healdsburg Plaza and Center Streets in a town square surrounded by tasting rooms, boutique shops, and restaurants known for farm-to-table menus.
Vendors display peaches, heirloom tomatoes, and bunches of basil while shoppers carry wicker baskets and chat about weekend cooking plans.
The market operates spring through fall, with peak season bringing stone fruit so ripe it needs to be eaten within a day or two.
Prepared food vendors offer breakfast items and coffee, though many visitors grab something to go and settle on benches in the nearby plaza.
The crowd includes both locals and weekend visitors exploring wine country, creating a mix of familiar faces and first-time shoppers discovering what makes this region special beyond the vineyards.
12. Alemany Farmers Market
Operating since 1943, this market claims the title of San Francisco’s oldest, drawing a diverse crowd to a location that feels more utilitarian than picturesque but delivers on quality and value.
The address is 100 Alemany Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94110, in a southern neighborhood where parking comes easier than at more tourist-focused markets.
Vendors arrange produce in no-frills displays, focusing on volume and freshness rather than Instagram-worthy presentation, which keeps prices lower and selection broader.
Shoppers arrive with rolling carts and large bags, planning to stock up for the week rather than browse casually.
The crowd includes longtime residents who remember when this market was one of the few in the city, along with newer arrivals who appreciate the straightforward approach to selling farm-fresh food.
Visiting on Saturday mornings means catching the market at its busiest, when vendors restock frequently and the energy stays high from opening until early afternoon.
13. Pasadena Victory Park Farmer’s Market
Tuesday evenings bring a festive atmosphere to South Pasadena Street, where the market operates under string lights and the glow of nearby storefronts.
The location is 2925 E Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107, in a historic district known for brick sidewalks and restored buildings.
Vendors set up stalls filled with seasonal produce, fresh flowers, and artisan goods while food trucks park nearby, offering dinner options that range from tacos to wood-fired pizza.
Families arrive after work and school, treating the market as both a shopping trip and an evening out, with kids running through the grassy areas while adults browse vendor booths.
Live music plays near the center of the market, adding to the relaxed vibe that makes this feel more like a community gathering than a simple shopping errand.
The evening timing means cooler temperatures and a different energy than morning markets, with crowds lingering longer and conversations flowing easily under the California sky.
14. Santa Barbara Farmers Market
Saturday mornings along Santa Barbara Street bring together coastal agriculture and a community that values local food, with vendors arriving from nearby farms to display produce grown in the region’s year-round growing season.
The address is 00 W Carrillo St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, in a downtown area where Spanish architecture and palm trees frame the market setting.
Shoppers browse stalls loaded with avocados, citrus, strawberries, and bundles of fresh herbs while musicians play acoustic sets near the entrance.
Prepared food vendors serve breakfast burritos, fresh pastries, and coffee that fuels early morning shopping trips, and many customers grab something to eat before filling their bags with produce.
The crowd includes everyone from young families to retirees who have shopped this market for decades, creating a mix of generations that reflects the community’s connection to local farming.
Arriving early means better parking and first access to popular items, though the market maintains steady energy well into late morning.
15. Old Monterey Marketplace & Farmers Market
Fridays bring together farmers from the Salinas Valley and coastal growers, offering produce that reflects the region’s status as one of California’s most productive agricultural areas.
The location is 98 Del Monte Ave #201, Monterey, CA 93940, where the market operates year-round and draws shoppers from surrounding communities.
Vendors display lettuce varieties, artichokes, strawberries, and root vegetables while prepared food stands serve lunch options that include fresh salads and sandwiches made with market ingredients.
The afternoon timing works well for people who prefer shopping later in the day, and the market stays lively through early evening as the coastal fog begins to roll in.
Customers include locals stocking up for the week and visitors exploring the area who want to experience the regional food culture beyond restaurants.
Parking tends to be easier than at downtown markets, and the relaxed pace allows time to chat with vendors about growing conditions and seasonal availability.
