16 Best Farmers Markets in San Diego

Every Sunday morning, head to Hillcrest to check out the offerings at Hillcrest Farmers Market.

This is a large market with more than 175 vendors, each offering a wide range of products including fresh produce, prepared foods, international cuisine, snacks, drinks, flowers, and local artisan crafts. It’s a great place to buy a handmade gift, or to try some seasonal organic fruit grown without pesticides or preservatives.

The Hillcrest Farmers Market stretches all the way down the street, and almost always has live entertainment, from local bands to performance art. It’s one of San Diego’s oldest farmers markets, originally opening back in 1997 with just 27 vendors, though it has grown significantly since then.

Today, it is the biggest farmer’s market in the city, with over 10,000 visitors each week. Free parking is available at the nearby School District lot on Campus Ave and the Hillcrest DMV.

With so much to do and see at the Hillcrest Farmers Market, visiting on a Sunday morning also makes our list as one of the best things to do in all of San Diego!

With hundreds of restaurants serving Italian and fusion cuisine, Little Italy is one of the best neighborhoods for sampling local flavors, and nowhere is this more true than at the Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market.

Here, you can purchase fresh, locally-sourced fruits and vegetables as well as hot and prepared food. There are plenty of local artisans selling their wares here as well, and you can easily spend an hour or two checking out the dozens of stalls that are spread out across six blocks.

This is the only major farmers market in San Diego that runs twice a week, on both Saturday and Wednesday mornings into the early afternoon. It’s a favorite market for many local farmers, whose offerings include produce, poultry, meat, eggs, nuts, fish, bread, olive oil, honey, sauces, and much more. The Mercato Farmers Market is also a great spot for picking up a hand-made souvenir to commemorate your trip to San Diego if you’re on vacation.

Spending some time at the Little Italy Farmers Market makes our list for one of the best things to do in San Diego!

Just inland from the sunny shores of La Jolla and its beaches, and not far from the nearby Children’s Pool and Marine Street Beach, you’ll find the La Jolla Open Aire Farmers Market.

This popular market is the perfect spot to purchase curios from local artisans, as well as other goods like prepared food and fresh produce. Look for handcrafted trinkets you won’t find anywhere else, or try something new from the wide array of international food on offer.

The La Jolla Open Aire Farmers Market runs every Sunday from 9am - 1pm, rain or shine, located at the La Jolla Elementary School. There are over 150 vendors, and in addition to supporting local businesses, market patronage also supports the students of the La Jolla Elementary School.

The farmers market also hosts family fun days and live musicians, and it boasts a large grassy space perfect for picnic lunches!

The Ocean Beach Farmers Market is a local Ocean Beach tradition that has been taking place for many decades!

While most farmers markets tend to occur in the early mornings on weekends, Ocean Beach Farmers Market is unique in that it takes place on Wednesdays from 4pm - 7pm. This makes it a great late afternoon to evening activity, whether you hit the market after a long day at the beach or on your way home from work.

Enjoy a wide variety of offerings, including fresh produce, prepared foods, and gifts made by local artisans. This beautiful open air market also frequently features live entertainment from local bands, making it a great place to simply stretch your legs in the evening and pick up a few odds and ends. Other favorites on sale at the farmers market include desserts, bread, honey, flowers, and health drinks like green smoothies and kombucha.

Get a taste of delicious fresh produce grown locally right in Coronado and surrounding neighborhoods at the Coronado Farmers Market. This market runs every Tuesday afternoon at the Coronado Ferry Landing, so in addition to picking up fresh fruits and veggies, you can also stroll around the docks and enjoy the sea breeze.

Local sellers also offer fresh cheeses, flowers, and other goods like oils and vinegars. Stock up on finger foods before a picnic, or pick up some ingredients to make the perfect salad from locally-sourced produce and dressings. Head over to the nearby park for a scenic spot to enjoy a late lunch or snack before dinner.

The Coronado Farmers Market brings the farm to the beach, and it’s a favorite afternoon stop for tourists and locals alike!

The town of Pacific Beach is always a lively locale for having a good time, but on Tuesday afternoons and evenings, the farmers market is the place to be.

At the Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers Market, shoppers can choose from dozens of stands selling a selection of fresh produce alongside prepared and hot foods. This is also a great place to pick up some gifts and souvenirs handcrafted by local artisans, who sell everything from homemade jewelry to soaps and lotions at booths that line the street.

As you walk through the market, enjoy live entertainment and discover new favorite bands. Check out art from San Diego residents and small business owners, and enjoy produce grown by real local farmers. You can even find gourmet foods, cheeses, meats, fresh baked breads, dips, spreads, flowers, and more - whatever you’re looking for, take advantage of the opportunity to buy local!

Skip the grocery store and head to North Park to pick up fresh groceries and other goods at the North Park Thursday Market.

As one of our favorite farmers markets in town, an afternoon visit makes our short list of the best things in San Diego!

Here, you’ll find locally grown produce alongside prepared foods and farm-fresh staples like honey, flowers, bread, yogurt, cheese, dips, sauces, fish, meat, and more. You can even pick up crafts and other goods made with care by local artisans, all while supporting the community.

Catch this incredible farmer’s market every Thursday, rain or shine, in the late afternoon and early evening. Cheap paid parking is available in the North Park Parking Garage, so you can take your time while you see what the market’s 50 vendors have on offer.

Be sure to stick around for live entertainment in the evenings, with live music and fun activities for all ages at the North Park Mini Park.

Every Sunday afternoon, join the community of Solana Beach in enjoying the offers from dozens of vendors at the Solana Beach Certified Farmers’ Market.

Like many other farmers markets, this is a great spot to pick up fresh produce grown by local farmers and free of pesticides and preservatives, but you can also enjoy an array of hot and prepared foods in an open-air food court for a truly memorable picnic lunch.

In addition to great food, don’t forget to stop by craft booths to pick up one-of-a-kind artisan goods like earrings, handmade soaps, clothing, floral bouquets, and other souvenirs. Get a taste of Solana Beach’s local businesses, many of which set up tables selling meats, fish, fruits, veggies, chocolates, pastries, and sauces. Find a new favorite vendor every week, or keep your fridge and pantry stocked up with farm-fresh staples.

Located in the Encinitas neighborhood in Leucadia, the Leucadia Certified Farmers Market consists of over 75 vendors who primarily sell fresh, farm-grown produce! You can also find other locally-made foods like baked goods, meats, seafood, marinades, sauces, and more, as well as handmade artisan crafts and gifts from local artists and sellers. Pick up a fresh cut bouquet of flowers, or choose a new plant that looks perfect in your front yard.

All farmers selling produce at the Leucadia Certified Farmers Market are certified local and the vast majority are also certified organic, so you can be sure you’re buying high-quality goods while still enjoying affordable prices.

The farmers market runs on Sundays from mid-morning to the early afternoon, so you can go early and beat the heat, or pick up some prepared or hot food for a picnic lunch.

On Wednesday afternoons, the State Street Farmers Market in Carlsbad is the best place to get fresh produce in a refreshing open-air environment. Choose from locally-grown fruits and vegetables provided by dozens of farmers, alongside artisan goods, hot meals, and prepared foods.

Support local businesses and members of the community when you shop at the market. Popular goods include honey, flowers, plants, meats, cheeses, fish, breads, baked goods and desserts, nuts, eggs, yogurt, granola, kombucha, and bone broth.

Rest assured that you’re getting the best of the best quality when you shop at the State Street Farmers Market. Locally-sourced, organic items are always available here, even when they’re tough to find in the grocery store. Enjoy a seasonal rotation of produce and new hot food vendors every week, so you can try something different each time you visit!

Right along the main road in Oceanside, you’ll find the Oceanside Certified Farmers Market setting up shop every Thursday morning. The market runs year-round and operates rain or shine, so you’ll always have a chance to pick up artisan crafts, delicious prepared foods, and plenty of fresh produce grown locally. Many booths also sell great souvenirs and handmade gifts.

Other favorites sold at the market include organic honey, sauces, dips, salsa, olive oil, and baked goods. If you’re interested in growing your own food instead, you can also pick up plants, flowers, and nursery items perfect for a backyard or windowsill garden.

With such a wide range of products for sale, it’s no surprise that the Oceanside Certified Farmers Market draws large crowds each week, especially among those looking for more health-conscious ways to feed their family. Many vendors are certified organic and local, so you can shop with confidence.

Just north of the Mexican border and not too far inland from Imperial Beach’s characteristic shores, you can find the Imperial Beach Certified Farmers Market at Pier Plaza, which is full of certified local and organic farmers selling home-grown crops and tasty prepared foods made with locally-sourced ingredients.

In addition to fresh produce, enjoy scenic beach views, and help support the volunteer efforts of I.B. Beautiful to improve and support the community. The farmers market has been running for over a decade, and new vendors join each year.

This market runs every Friday from the late afternoon to the evening, so many people stop on their way home to pick up something for dinner. In between the food stalls, you’ll also find plenty of vendors selling artisan crafts and other handmade goods you can’t get anywhere else, so be sure to browse their wares and pick out a new keepsake or a perfect gift for a loved one.

Pick up seasonal fruits and veggies grown organically and free of pesticides right in Del Mar at the Del Mar Certified Farmers Market.

This farmers market is the best place in the neighborhood to shop on Saturday afternoons, and attendees can find everything from fresh produce to prepared international cuisine, all while enjoying the lively atmosphere and great view.

Local favorites you can pick up every week include cheeses, breads, baked goods, eggs, seafood, honey, fruit juice, kettle corn, hummus, sauces, and non-food items like orchids, potted plants, and artisan arts and crafts.

The Del Mar Certified Farmers Market was established back in 1986, and it has been integral to the community ever since. Purchases at the market support sustainable local farming with organic crops, and they also ensure local businesses growing specialty crops can continue to contribute to California’s diverse agricultural scene.

If you’re looking for great food and entertainment, you can’t go wrong with the City Heights Farmers Market!

Even though City Heights is a more urban location than many of the other neighborhoods in San Diego hosting farmers markets, you can still find local, farm-fresh produce and other tasty prepared foods, right alongside crafts made by local artisans and even live music.

As an added benefit, the farmers market prides itself on its multicultural offerings. Try prepared and hot foods inspired by cuisines from around the world, and take advantage of San Diego’s high levels of diversity, with residents from many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

There’s always something new to see and try on Saturday mornings when you stop by the City Heights Farmers Market, often including live entertainment. Purchases from the market support the local community, so you can feel good when you buy from the market’s local vendors.

Head just east of the neighborhood of Miramar to Scripps Ranch on Thursday evenings, rain or shine, to check out over 60 different vendors at the New Scripps Ranch Farmers Market.

This market isn’t quite as old as some others on this list, having reopened in 2021. However, it’s still well worth a visit, as this renewed community effort is one of the best spots in town to get healthy, locally grown and made food for an affordable price.

Offerings at the New Scripps Ranch Farmers Market include fresh produce and prepared meals, as well as plenty of artisan foods alongside arts and crafts. Check out fruits and vegetables from local, organic farms, peruse the handmade offerings at different booths, and try something new each time you visit.

In addition to vendors, you can also enjoy live music as you shop. Grab dinner at the open-air market, which also has convenient tables and seating.

The South Bay Certified Farmers Market in Chula Vista offers a wide range of both food and craft items sure to please just about every visitor. Take your pick of fresh produce from local, organic farms, artisan crafts and gifts, and plenty of prepared foods. You can even pick up some cut flowers, or enjoy a meal from hot food vendors.

Other popular picks include fresh baked breads, pastries, sauces, dressings, eggs, meats, dips, and kettle corn. Stock the pantry, pick up some ingredients for dinner, or find the perfect handmade gift for that special someone.

The farmers market runs every Wednesday evening, and can be found at the Chula Vista Golf Course. Like many farmers markets throughout San Diego, it is a community-wide effort, and purchasing goods from the market is a great way to support local farmers, crafters, and other vendors!

Unlike the other items on this list, the biggest weekend market in the Gaslamp Quarter doesn’t sell any food, but it’s still well worth a visit!

Located right on the main street of the Gaslamp Quarter each Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 4pm, the Gaslamp Artisan Market is full of local handmade goods, artwork, and other crafts. It’s one of the best spots in San Diego to pick up gifts and new decor for your home, and it’s a favorite among amazing artisan talents just waiting to be discovered.

The Gaslamp Artisan Market is the perfect complement to local restaurants without drawing away any of their business. Work up an appetite perusing the stands, then head over to one of the many incredible restaurants in the neighborhood for lunch. Between the artwork on display at the market and tasty local dishes, this is one of the best ways to experience the culture of the Gaslamp Quarter firsthand, whether you’re a resident or a tourist.