13 farmers’ markets to visit throughout the region
Fill your basket with farm-fresh finds, local eats and handcrafted goodies at these 13 farmers’ markets around the region. Here is our cornucopian guide (including an interactive map) for your next trip to bountiful.
Capitol Mall Farmers’ Market
Take a break from the office and your brown-bag lunch to visit one of over a dozen mobile restaurants—such as Yolanda’s Tamales, Big Joe’s BBQ and Masa Guiseria (which offers tacos with stewed and braised meats and made-to-order corn tortillas) at this downtown bazaar. Before you load up on berries, cherries and chard from spots like Lodi-based Rhythm and Blueberries, lace up for Kaiser Permanente’s weekly Walk to Thrive, a 1-mile group loop that meets at 11:45 a.m. and wraps around the Golden 1 Center and the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel. Thursdays through Sept. 26. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Capitol Mall. 916-442-8575. godowntownsac.com
Cesar Chavez Plaza Farmers' Market
Refuel in the middle of a busy workweek at this Wednesday market at Cesar Chavez Plaza with eats from the likes of Upper Crust Baking Co. and What's Poppin'? Kettle Corn. Maybe you're wondering how to best put your just-purchased microgreens and sprouts from Auburn's Shared Abundance Organic Farm to good use? Join a "Follow the Chef" group tour hosted by Grange executive chef Dane Blom (make reservations by calling 916-492-4450)—you'll meet at Grange and be led across the street to the park, where Blom will introduce you to his favorite farmers and offer tips on picking the best fruits and vegetables before guiding the group back to the restaurant and preparing a three-course lunch from market bounty. Wednesdays through Oct. 30. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 910 I St. 916-442-8575. godowntownsac.com
Davis Farmers' Market
Consistently lauded as one of the best farmers' markets in the country (by Parade magazine and USA Today, to name a couple), the Davis Farmers' Market boasts produce like torpedo onions and jostaberries from Patrick's Garden and candy-striped figs from Free Spirit Farms, as well as the acoustic sounds of Guitar Mac and others, at its main event, the Saturday market. For the evening crowd, the group's Picnic in the Park, which takes place on Wednesday nights, also includes farm-fresh eats along with a leisurely beer and wine garden, featuring brews from Sudwerk and wine from Yolo County winery Heringer Estates, and kiddo-centric activities like the All About a Farm petting zoo. Saturdays year-round. 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 30. 4:30 p.m.-Sunset. 301 C St. Davis. 530-756-1695. davisfarmersmarket.org
El Dorado Hills Town Center Farmers’ Market
Peruse the stands of over 50 local produce, craft and snack purveyors at the El Dorado Hills Town Center, such as regional stalwarts Coalwell Red Shack, which offers a variety of fruits from freestone peaches to Morettini pears. If your stomach can’t wait for you to get home and cook up your market goodies, try a taste of the house-made dishes from Gold River-based The Pasta Queen—serving over a dozen types of pasta from squid ink tagliatini to classic ravioli filled with basil pesto and mozzarella—or grab a bite and brew from one of the nearby eateries like Selland’s Market-Café and Aji Japanese Bistro. Sundays through Oct. 27. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Town Center Blvd. El Dorado Hills. 530-622-1900. eldoradofarmersmarket.com
Fountains at Roseville Farmers' Market
Bring the kiddos along to this Tuesday market at the Fountains at Roseville (outside Whole Foods), where youngsters can catch a free ride on a miniature locomotive and play in the plaza's water fountains. Drop by Andolin's Pies and feed your little one a pear- or apricot-filled hand pie (don't forget to grab a full pie for yourself) that comes with floral, animal and holiday designs etched atop the crust, and grab fresh-picked fruits from Twin Peaks Orchards, a year-round market presence with seasonal selections like peaches in the summer and persimmons in the fall. Tuesdays year-round. 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Galleria Blvd. and East Roseville Parkway. Roseville. 916-774-5300. placergrown.org
Grass Valley Thursday Night Market
Go for the groceries, stay for the show. Performers take center stage at this entertainment-focused night market, with everything from belly dancing by Jewels of the Yuba to a summer concert series featuring the cover group Public Safety Band and surf rock outfit Sgt. Funky. Stop by the Xiong Family Farms stand for okra and Chinese radish before noshing on eats like personal-sized treats from An Honest Pie food truck and wine and beer from the likes of Grass Valley Brewing Co. and Sierra Starr Winery. Thursdays through Aug. 1. 6-9 p.m. Mill, Main and S. Auburn Streets. Grass Valley. 530-272-8315. downtowngrassvalley.com
Historic Folsom Farmers’ Market
Beat the summer heat at this foothills market with strawberries and raspberries from Rodriguez Farms, and if you want to drink your fruit, sip a handcrafted concoction from Jen’s Farm Stand Lemonade, with variations on the classic summer beverage like one with hibiscus, cinnamon and pineapple. Look for seasonal events like September's Tomato Taste Off, where the region's heirloom tomatoes take center stage in tasting and beauty contests; and grab a meaty morsel from local favorite Hensleigh Healthy Beef, whose grass-fed cows graze a parcel near Elder Creek and Bradshaw Road (tip: get there early, as they're known to sell out). Saturdays year-round. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Historic Folsom Plaza. 915 Sutter St. Folsom. 916-484-7000. historicfolsom.org
Midtown Farmers' Market
This Saturday market staple stays hopping all year with 90-ish purveyors—from farmstands by Golden Acorn Farms, Organic King Ranch and Capay Organic to booths of bites from Sweet Dozen doughnuts and Springhill Cheese—and a weekly rotation of events. Catch cooking demos every first Saturday, where midtown chefs craft recipes using in-season ingredients; on July 6, for instance, The Waterboy chef-owner Rick Mahan will prepare a tomato and cucumber salad with feta cheese. Musical acts like Dirty Chops Brass Band perform every fourth Saturday of the month and if you’re not too busy stocking up on Republic gear from the team's pop-up shop, take the youngsters to visit the Kids Activity Zone every third Saturday. Saturdays year-round. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 20th Street between J and L. 916-442-1500. exploremidtown.org
Oak Park Farmers’ Market
Every week, more than 1,000 patrons flock to this market at McClatchy Park, known for its demonstrations on cooking, gardening and preserving, as well as keeping bees and chickens. FreshWay Fish sets up shop with prepared dishes like Hawaiian smoked ahi salad and kimchi shrimp, as well as raw cuts of its popular king salmon. Taking fish home for dinner? Pick up some asparagus from Six O’ Clock Farms, or one of several oil-free spreads from Maza Hummus to finish off the evening meal. Saturdays through October. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. McClatchy Park. 3500 5th Ave. 916-704-2843. nwsac.org
Old Town Auburn Farmers’ Market
Soak up the sun or a set from local musicians as you fill your bag with everything from arugula to zucchini by local growers like Natural Trading Company and Hillview Farms, or field-fresh bouquets from Stone’s Throw Farm. Look for Bella Familia Wood Fired Pizza and its mobile kitchen trailer slinging fresh pizzas based on family recipes that often incorporate market-sourced ingredients. Saturdays year-round. 8 a.m.-Noon. Old Town Courthouse. 150 Auburn Folsom Rd. Auburn. 530-451-6822. placergrown.org
Sacramento Central Farmers’ Market
While shopping under Highway 50, which served as the canvas for one of Sacramento’s largest murals, Bright Underbelly, you just might spot local top chefs like Randall Selland, who frequents this year-round market. With over 100 growers like Sunshine Farms offering specialty items such as Chioggia beets and Japanese turnips, the area’s oldest farmers' market has been a mecca for Sacramento foodies since 1980. Sundays year-round. 8 a.m.-Noon. Between 7th and 8th streets and X and W streets. 916-688-0100. sacramento.downtowngrid.com
Sunrise Farmers’ Market
Hop off the Gold Line at Sunrise Station on a Saturday morning to reach the only regional farmers’ market directly accessible by light rail. Traverse the nearly 40 stalls doling out local products like Bariani Olive Oil’s balsamic vinegar (which is crafted with cabernet and zinfandel grapes from Yolo County), or Winters Fruit Tree's dried fruits and roasted nuts in flavors ranging from cheddar jalapeño almonds and chili lime pistachios. Saturdays year-round. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Sunrise Light Rail Station. Folsom & Sunrise Blvd. Rancho Cordova. 916-688-0100. visitranchocordova.com
Woodland Farmers' Market
Once you’ve satisfied your sweet tooth with Muddy Puppy Shortbread (cookies cut into the shape of a dog) from Cromwell & Hastings, and your heat tooth with dried or ground chilies from El Rey Chile Company, give your brain a snack at the Woodland Public Library, where kids can listen and sing along at interactive story time every Saturday morning. Let your tots load up on good-for-you foods at the Woodland Farmers' Market's kids' market—a free, biweekly event that shows little ones how to buy fruits and veggies from the market with play money. Saturdays through Sept 26. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Woodland Public Library. 250 First St. Woodland. 530-666-2626. thewoodlandfarmersmarket.org
Search the map below to find even more local markets near you
You Might Also Like
Your Supersized 2019 Guide to Outdoor Movie Screenings in and around Sacramento
The blockbuster Our Street Night Market returns for its second year
Shake Shack to open its first Sacramento location
