To Market, To Market

Spring offers the perfect invitation to sample the bounty of our local farmers’ markets. From Vista to Little Italy, we take you to the region’s best outdoor markets, each boasting its own distinct flavor. Disclaimer: You may never want to step into a chain supermarket again.

La Jolla Farmers' Market

Sunday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. La Jolla Elementary School, upper playground (enter on Girard Street; cross street is Genter Street)

One of the region’s larger farmers’ markets (organizers dub it an openaire market), La Jolla’s version features some 75 vendors—an eclectic mix of growers, artists, crafters and food purveyors. Held on the school’s playground blacktop, the market is heavily attended by families and has the familiar feel of a county fair. A bustling food court serves up everything from kettle corn and crêpes to kebabs and gyros. Kids proudly tote balloon animals made on the spot, and bluegrass music blasts from a nearby speaker. This gathering has a heftier arts-and-crafts component than its counterparts, with booths showcasing paintings by a local plein air artist, handmade jewelry, knitted hats, women’s clothing and antiques. You’ll still find an extensive offering of locally grown produce and flowers. Among the highlights: handmade pasta and breads from Peggy’s Pasta; organic veggies from Sage Mountain Farms; locally sourced, raw organic honey; and specialty coffees from Café Virtuoso, which roasts some of the world’s finest organic coffee and promotes fair-trade practices.

Little Italy Farmers' Market

Saturday, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Date Street between India and Columbia streets

The most festive neighborhood in San Diego finally got its own farmers’ market last summer: the Little Italy Mercado. A musical stage also accommodates cooking demonstrations. With coffee cups and dog leashes in hand, urban couples stroll Date Street Saturday mornings for a well-balanced array of produce, prepared food and goods, including French pastries, cheese, sea salts, olive oil, honey, hummus, pesto, holistic products, Bread & Cie loaves, nuts, Mexican candy, pasta and artisan salami. And look for the orange Joe’s on the Nose coffee truck. Handmade cutting boards and soaps further diversify the offerings. Some of the freshest and more exotic vegetables can be found here. In a neighborhood with no supermarket, the Mercado offers a fine alternative for its residents.

Solana Beach Farmers' Market

Sunday, 2-5 p.m. 410 South Cedros Avenue

On the south end of the upscale Cedros Design District, this market offers the perfect conclusion to an afternoon spent perusing the diverse shops lining Cedros Avenue. But it also draws visitors who come just for the organic herbs and veggies from Archi’s Acres, a Valley Center grower known for its sustainable and biodynamic techniques, and the locally grown strawberries. Classic jazz streaming from an overhead speaker lends to the sophisticated vibe. Rainbow-based Trethowan Farms displays its prismatic bounty, including blood oranges, Asian pears, dried fruits and huge lettuce heads. Other offerings include juice blends from Born This Morn (bottled that morning, as the name implies), smoked salmon, artisan chocolate bars from eclipse chocolat, baguettes and loaves from Bread & Cie, and Rocky’s Barkery all-natural dog treats. Start at the south end and work your way to the small food court at the north. Grab a seat at one of the streetside tables beneath an oversize umbrella and sample your succulent finds.

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Hillcrest Farmers' Market

Sunday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. 3960 Normal Street (adjacent to the DMV)

Widely regarded as the best farmers’ market in San Diego, Hillcrest’s extravaganza is likely to make a regular customer out of anyone. The selection of vegetables is gourmet-market impressive. The aromas drifting out of the DMV parking lot are reminiscent of those from a street in Mexico or the Middle East. Intricate glass sculptures; skin-refreshing lotions; mounted and framed butterflies and insects from Indonesia; clothes; handbags; and leather goods make this more than just a food stop. No matter what kind of produce you’re after, you’ll find a variety of vendors to choose from. One table is dedicated solely to mushrooms. All kinds. And if you’re after flowers or succulents, look no further. As at a few other markets, Hillcrest often features entertainers.

Vista Farmers' Market

Saturday, 7:45-11 a.m. County Courthouse (325 South Melrose Drive)

The longest-running farmers’ market in the county (starting in 1981), the Vista market has a devoted following of patrons who make a visit their Saturday-morning ritual. It’s a one-stop shop with offerings that range from Jackie’s Jams to beef jerky. Within the maze of booths, you’ll find locally harvested macadamia nuts, handmade soaps from Beauty & the Bath, fresh bread from Sadie Rose, gourmet items from San Marcos–based T&H Prime Meats & Sausage and bright yellow sunflowers bursting from white buckets. Schaner Farms brings fresh citrus and oversized gourds, Gaytan Farms sells an array of vegetables, and Oakes Knoll Ranch offers Dancey tangerines and extra-large Haas avocados. One unique offering comes courtesy of Rancho Borrego Negro, a Fallbrook outfit that sells homegrown and handspun wool yarns. At this booth, a woman spins wool into yarn as onlookers pause to watch; also posted are photos of local sheep for sale, presumably belonging to the proprietor.

Ocean Beach Farmers' Market

Wednesday, 4-7 p.m. Newport Avenue between Cable and Bacon streets

Count on militantly independent, anticorporate OB to turn out one of the region’s best and most populated farmers’ markets, year after year. Wednesday evenings feel like an event on Newport Avenue. All the local color and flavor of OB is on hand while shoppers sample the staggering amount of prepared food: organic smoothies, sambusas, kebabs from Kebabistan, donuts and much more, along with the so-old-they’recute Buky & the Blues Wizard, singing and busking for change. OB also boasts a sideshow of handmade apparel and crafts in an adjacent parking lot, from knit hats to leather belts, in addition to some of the better rock, metal and glass jewelry and attractive shells to add a dash of nature-inspired adornments to your OB-inspired wardrobe. Take it a step further and add any number of natural, holistic products to your health regimen—they can all be found here. This farmers’ market is about as earthy as it gets. Bonus: After a brief hiatus, llama rides for the kids are back.

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