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Katie Dillon is La Jolla Mom and shops at her nearby Farmers Markets in San Diego.
Katie Dillon is La Jolla Mom and shops at her nearby Farmers Markets in San Diego.
You’ll find San Diego farmers markets available on any day of the week. Most run on a weekly schedule, which we’ve outlined for you below.
Over 360 local farms are represented at our farmers markets. The ones featured below are certified by the County Agricultural Commissioner, which means shoppers can rest assured that they are shopping locally. Products are grown in California and are subject to rigorous quality controls.
You’ll find diverse fresh fruits and fresh veggies, meat, fish, shellfish, cheese, olive oil, and dairy products at most farmers markets in San Diego. Local crafters and artisanal food vendors enhance your experience year-round, rain or shine.
Check hours before you go. Some markets also close when there is rain or during holidays.
Third Avenue Village Farmers Market is located next to Memorial Park in Chula Vista. A San Diego farmers market Sunday favorite, it hosts 60+ local vendors.
This certified farmers market emphasizes organic produce and pastured eggs, highlighting the neighborhood’s rich agricultural roots.
Hillcrest Farmers Market is one of the original San Diego farmers markets. With over 175 vendors, it’s also the largest certified farmers market in San Diego County.
Along with abundant fresh produce, expect non-food vendors and international fare. (Try the Saigon coffee.)
Sunday’s La Jolla Open Aire certified farmers market caters to families thanks to its location at the La Jolla Elementary School campus. It features 120 merchants and sits beside the school’s expansive open green space.
Highlights include fresh fruits and veggies, international cuisine, massage and chiropractic services onsite, lawn games like Giant Jenga, live music, and complimentary dog-sitting services.
Many residents go for lunch because the prepared food vendors in the gourmet food court retail everything from delicious burritos to crepes to sliders. All proceeds benefit La Jolla Elementary School and it’s on my lists of top things to do in La Jolla and best things to do in La Jolla with kids.
Modeled after longevity villages, this San Diego County certified farmers market is ideal for the health and community conscious.
A Rancho Santa Fe favorite, patrons enjoy fish ceviche, grilled corn, strawberries, and watermelon juice. You’ll find live music, craft booths for kids, guest chefs, and guest speakers.
Located in North County, about 20 miles east of Escondido, Santa Ysabel is a San Diego County farmers market with small-town charm and a passion for sustainability. Local California producers offer specialties like microgreens, organic herbs, and blood oranges.
Fresh breads from pesto to pumpkin are market favorites.
Ten producers in North San Diego County provide all the produce at this organic certified farmers market. Twenty food vendors include Crescent Meat Co., Fathom Five Fish Co., East African Cuisine, and Onigiri House.
Pearline’s Apothecary from Escondido is a favorite for handmade plant-based soaps.
Another North San Diego County certified farmers market favorite, Leucadia Farmers Market has over 75 vendors, including Honey-Bee-Pollen and Poppas Fresh Fish.
Kids love the playground and face painting, and I loved the covered eating areas.
Situated 40 minutes north of Escondido in the Village Walk Plaza parking lot, this California certified farmers market also features specialty food items, including kettle corn, barbecue sauce, and hummus.
The Metal Art booth and Citrus Cellars are favorites here, offering spritzers, kombucha, and cold brews.
Tuna Harbor Dockside market is a small open-air seafood market with eleven vendors and a dedicated fish-cutting station.
Sustainable fishing practices mean fish varieties change weekly at this San Diego County farmers market. After picking up your fresh fish for the week, grab a bite from Dockside Fish N’ Chips.
This urban multicultural farmers market in City Heights has locally grown produce and food stands representing Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Mexican, and Ecuadorian cuisines. I love to build my own decadent crepe at La Creperie. Other highlights include a community internet café, Wellness Booth, and Children’s Story tent.
Del Mar farmers market is a Saturday favorite for its ocean views and rotating fitness classes. It’s located in the lower outdoor parking lot of the Civic Center (free parking garage).
Supporting small acreage growers, there are a variety of specialty crops here that larger growers do not traditionally provide.
A smaller farmers market, Fallbrook provides fresh produce from local producers and artisanal non-food vendors.
This Saturday certified San Diego farmers market has around 20 merchants, including Black Mountain Farm and Pookie’s Pantry. Other favorites include The Wildflower Express and Asko’s Stones of Clarity.
By far the largest, Little Italy certified farmers market spans six city blocks. Located downtown, it’s a Saturday morning San Diego farmers market favorite.
With over 200 vendors, My suggestion is to come hungry with plenty of reusable bags for your haul.
Nestled in Old Poway Park, this is a San Diego farmers market Saturday favorite with over 65 vendors. There are several local California farmers, including J.R. Organics and Bonsall Farm.
The most popular artisan food choices are Not Your Nonna’s Sauce Company and The Mulk Company. I recommend getting a topping-heavy avocado toast at Smashed Avocado Toast.
With over 90 certified local organic growers, this is a San Diego farmers market Saturday favorite. You’ll also find fresh baked goods, salsas, sauces, pickles, and artisanal foods.
Fourteen countries are represented here with tantalizing dishes. Bring your dull knives to the cool knife and tool sharpening booth. Farmers market goes can take advantage of the 600 free parking spaces.
There are over 40 growers at this farmers market offering varied produce and artisanal pantry products.
This includes specialties like Maui onions, White nectarines, Oro Blanco grapefruits, olive oils, sauces, and baked goods. There is an array of international gourmet eats too.
Nestled in Christmas Circle Park, this North County San Diego farmers market is truly unique. Due to its hot desert climate, it’s only open for half the year, but the market vendors are worth the wait.
It features rare locally grown produce like Fuerte avocados, cherimoyas, and Christmas tree broccoli. Its most famous item is homemade fudge.
A recently expanded San Diego farmers market at La Mesa Village is the energetic heart of the neighborhood’s downtown area.
There are 60 vendors at this San Diego farmers market, including various produce, fish, meats, and cheeses.
My favorite vendors were Sumo Size, Japanese-style street food, and Wise Granola. There’s free parking at the Civic Center.
Situated on the south parking lot of the Bernardo Winery, you can shop local produce, including eggs and honey, and artisanal products.
There are also a variety of handmade goods and food vendors. The bamboo clothing booth, homemade jams from Sagewood Vines, and the rice burgers at Thai Burger Company are all amazing.
This San Diego farmers market is a celebration of the rich heritage of this historically minority community. There are over 35 farmers, food makers, and crafters represented.
I recommend Sweet Whisking by Mhanette for delicious cake pops, cookies, and cupcakes. The Vietnamese Woodwork booth is another standout.
Boasting a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, this Thursday San Diego farmers market is another favorite of mine. It includes the North Park Mini Park, which hosts activities like face painting for the kids.
Over 50 vendors offer fresh produce, dips, sauces, yogurts, and artisanal goods like herbal apothecary candles and oils. The North Park Parking Garage charges a mere $1/hr.
This San Diego farmers market is located in North County and offers ocean views and cool breezes while you shop.
You’ll find fresh local produce and a large selection of gourmet goodies, baked goods, chips & salsas, dips, sauces, organic honey, and olive oils. The standout booth for me was the artwork at Craig A. Meyer’s fine art photography.
Located at the Newtopia Cyder parking lot, this San Diego farmers market has over 50 vendors. A rotating list of quality artisans, farmers, and food vendors bring freshness to the farmers market each week.
Current vendors include Golden Heart Farms, Gatson Microgreens, Fromagerie Cheese, Evolve Fitness, and House of Bao.
Pro Tip: Visit the Welcome Booth between 3-5 pm to receive an “Early Bird Special Punch Card.” Once all holes are punched, it’s worth $5 at any booth.
Situated in the parking lot of the Chula Vista Golf Course, this San Diego farmers market hosts growers, artisan crafts, and a variety of prepared foods.
Calikopitime offers a diverse collection of candles, cups, earrings, and handmade soaps. The coolest feature of this San Diego farmers market is, by far, a dancing miniature horse.
Located in the funky, hippy town of Ocean Beach, this San Diego farmers market has its own unique spirit and vibe.
There are over 100 vendors along Newport Avenue, including certified farmers, crafters, artisans, and a diverse collection of international cuisine. Favorite items include the pickled garlic, chocolate-coated apples, and H&B’s Guac Shac.
Like the Saturday Little Italy farmers market, the Wednesday Little Italy farmers market offers a variety of produce and non-food vendors. It’s a bit smaller, occupying three blocks and the Piazza della Famiglia.
I recommend trying the Watermelon Punch kefir soda and shopping for boutique clothes and jewelry at Wednesday’s Little Italy farmers market.
A smaller San Diego farmers market, Santee has local farmers and vendors selling fresh produce, microgreens, infused cheeses, and flavored oils.
Grab a bite at one of the international food vendors with selections like tamales, pizza, dumplings, burgers, and empanadas. My favorite vendor at this San Diego farmers market is Amazing Macarons. They are so delicious!
A self-proclaimed “open-air grocery store,” this certified farmers market has 15 growers and six fish, meat, and dairy producers.
There are close to 30 non-agricultural food sellers, including the Jerky Brothers and Kombucha Cares. Hot food vendors include Nomad Vegan Eats and Rafikiz, providing authentic Kenyan food.
This North County San Diego farmers market is in the parking lot of the Promenade Mall in Temecula near JCPenney. There are more than 15 local growers.
You’ll find gourmet selections like honey, baked goods, goat cheese, kettle corn, and hummus. I really liked the booth with eco-friendly bath and body products.
Considered the oldest San Diego farmers market, it’s relatively small. Situated by the sea, it’s located at Ferry Landing Marketplace and on our list of fun things to do in Coronado.
They feature elevated artisanal products and fresh produce. I like to get fresh herbs like cilantro and mustard greens from Quantum Microgreens. Kids love the different almond butters at Hopkins AG.
There are over 55 certified farmer and non-farmer vendors at this San Diego farmers market. Boasting ocean views and cool vibes, it’s a great place to purchase various California-grown produce.
My favorite booths are the SoCal Lemonade and PI Yoga Pants, and the kids love Uprising Pizza. I also buy plants at the Pacific Beach farmers market.
Located in the Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista, this San Diego farmers market features over 40 vendors.
Favorite vendors include Sinfully Sweet specialty breads, homemade fig and fruit spreads, and homemade granola from Nutty Duo. During the holiday season be sure to grab an iced pumpkin spice latte from Mr. Brown Bean.
This San Diego farmers market is in the Mira Mesa High School parking lot. A small yet charming San Diego farmers market, it offers unique international fare.
This includes Pad Thai Stand and fresh poke bowls at “O-Fish-AL” Poke Shop. I like to stop by the Baba Foods for hummus, tzatziki, and raw garlic spread.
Most of the time, you can find some exotic Asian fruit and vegetables. I stop here when my daughter practices volleyball nearby on Tuesdays.
This San Diego farmers market is located in Heritage Garden Park in downtown Escondido and boasts a town square-style charm.
Vendors at this San Diego farmers market include California-grown produce, local honey, pesto, fresh-roasted nuts, and Julian pies.
When you don’t have time to make dinner, stop here and grab ready-made meals like Salvadorian Pupusas.
This San Diego farmers market has almost 40 vendors, including growers, artisan food makers, craftspeople, and diverse fresh food booths.
Highlights include Drunken Noodles from Thai DD, kombucha from Kombucha Cares, and the churros and donuts from BomBom Bake House. My favorite booth at this San Diego farmers market was the Stone International Housewares booth.
Vail Headquarters, a historic 80,000-acre fully restored cattle ranch, hosts this North County San Diego farmers market every Tuesday.
There are local farmers, specialty food makers like the Tamale Guy, and artisan woodworking artists, and basket weavers. Your kids will love the petting zoo of llamas, goats, chickens, and sheep, plus train and pony rides.
Nestled in a slightly remote location, Welk Village San Diego farmers market offers a beautiful natural setting with mountain views, the perfect place to do your weekly shopping for a wide assortment of certified-organic, seasonal, and farm-fresh produce and ingredients.
Highlights include weekly raffles, scavenger hunts, and handcrafted artisanal goods.
Hat tip to the Hillcrest farmers market on Normal Street and Little Italy Mercato, but my favorite San Diego County farmers market will come as no surprise.
It’s La Jolla Open Aire. I am La Jolla Mom after all. It won me over because it’s the most family-friendly, and my kids love it.
The Vail Headquarters farmers market is the best North County, San Diego farmers market. Pony rides, train rides, and a petting zoo, need I say more?
Del Mar and Solana Beach are pretty great, too, if you’re looking for something more central.
Little Italy Mercato is the best farmers market in Central County San Diego, if not all of San Diego.
It’s the largest with the most vendor diversity, and the energy there is unlike anywhere else. Plus, you can browse the other things to do in Little Italy during your visit.
Otay Ranch Market is the best San Diego farmers market in South County because of its hometown-style atmosphere and unique vendor list.
Of all the farmers markets San Diego has to offer, which is your favorite?
Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).
And, don’t forget to save money on sightseeing with my discount tickets or a Go San Diego Card.
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SAN DIEGO TRAVEL GUIDE
Best Time of Year to Visit
San Diego with Kids
Top Attractions
San Diego Discounts
San Diego Zoo Tickets
What to Pack
San Diego Beaches Guide
