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Find Your San Diego Farmers’ Markets

The inside scoop on San Diego's top markets
Little Italy Mercato | Photo: Priscilla Iezzi

By Jenna Miller

Ocean Beach Farmers Market

4900 Newport Avenue

Parking

Free street parking, but it may be hard to get a spot that’s close to the market.

Best Things to Buy

This market sells a lot of fresh flowers and sweets, and the hot empanadas at the Paraná Empanadas Argentinas stand are popular.

Pro Tip

Get there closer to 4 p.m., look for parking along Ebers Street instead of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. After shopping, walk a few blocks to OB Pier and watch the sunset.

When to Go

Wednesdays, 4–7 p.m.

Little Italy Mercato

600 West Date Street littleitalymercato

Parking

Paid parking structures at 610 West Ash Street, Piazza della Famiglia, and 1536 Kettner Boulevard. Visit littleitalysd.com for more parking info.

Best Things to Buy

The produce stands sell everything from kale to radishes, peaches, and zucchini flowers. Don’t miss the hot food, like 500°F Gogi Korean BBQ.

Pro Tip

On Saturdays, circle through the whole market first because it’s so large, then head back to make purchases.

When to Go

Wednesdays, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.

Hillcrest Farmers Market

3960 Normal Street hillcrestfarmersmkt

Parking

Free street parking throughout the neighborhood. Free parking in the school district lot on Campus Avenue or at the Hillcrest DMV on Normal Street.

Best Things to Buy

Stop, try, and buy some fresh, live uni at Dry Dock Fish Co.

Pro Tip

Get there when it opens and have breakfast to fuel up for shopping—there’s fresh coffee, smoothies, pizza, crepes, and breakfast sandwiches.

When to Go

Sundays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Carlsbad Farmers’ Market

2907 State Street carlsbadfarmersmarket

Parking

Free street parking.

Best Things to Buy

The market carries fresh produce from farms in Escondido and Perris, like J. R. Organics Farm and Gaytan Family Farm.

Pro Tip

Go around 3:30 p.m., so you’ll have plenty of time to shop and then walk up to Carlsbad State Beach to watch the sunset.

When to Go

Wednesdays, 3–7 p.m.

City Heights Farmers Market

4325 Wightman Street cityheightsfm

Parking

Free street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Best Things to Buy

Fresh vegetables like black kale and squash flowers, and tropical fruits like passionfruit and dragonfruit from Eli’s Farms.

Pro Tip

Take reusable bags for all the fresh produce available.

When to Go

Saturdays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

La Mesa Farmers’ Market

4878–4898 Nebo Drive

Parking

Free street parking on surrounding streets. Paid lots and paid street parking closer to the market.

Best Things to Buy

Unique gifts not seen at the other markets, like Peruvian kids’ sweaters, and alpaca and guinea pig keychains from Llama Llamita.

Pro Tip

Get there well before 6:30 p.m., because a lot of the stands start closing early.

When to Go

Wednesdays, 4–7 p.m.

Find Your San Diego Farmers’ Markets

Little Italy Mercato | Photo: Priscilla Iezzi

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