LAGuide
Where To Find The Best Farmers Markets In LA
photo credit: Mar Vista Farmers Market
Farmers markets aren’t just a handy narrative device to show the progression of a relationship in a rom-com. They’re also an essential part of our local economy, a tremendous way to support local artisans and vendors, and most of all, a place to get some really delicious produce. So we put together this guide to farmers markets across the city, where you can shop local and put your money back into the neighborhood you live in.
For even more information on farmers markets near you, check out Sustainable Economic Enterprises of LA.
The Spots
Open since 1934, The Original Farmers Market in Beverly Grove is one of LA’s most recognizable landmarks, but if you write off this historic market as a tourist trap, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Sure, there will be plenty of out-of-towners taking photos of The Grove’s trolley, but the fact remains this place is stacked with tremendous vendors. This isn’t a conventional farmers market with locally-grown produce (it’s essentially an outdoor food court), but there are plenty of iconic stalls to try, like Bennett’s Ice Cream, Bob’s Doughnuts, and Magee’s. Tip: Head there before 10am for zero crowds. Open daily, 9am-9pm.
One of the best-known markets among Eastsiders, the Atwater Village Market is like walking into a super-sized Whole Foods—with even more produce. You’ll find fruits and produce from some of the top farms in the city (with names you’ll recognize from some great restaurant menus), like Sunrise Organics and Jimenez Family Farms. There’s also an oyster bar and a knife sharpener. Open Sunday, 9am-2pm.
photo credit: El Segundo Farmers Market
El Segundo Certified Farmers Market
The El Segundo Market sets up on Main St. in front of City Hall and features a mix of fresh produce, floral bouquets, pressed juices, cheeses, crafts, and enough prepared food vendors to turn a leisurely shopping trip here into lunch. There’s a great diversity of vendors here, including pupusas, Himalayan steamed dumplings, and rotisserie chickens hot off the spit. Open Thursday, 3-7pm.
photo credit: Sonya Sharp
Culver City Farmers Market
The Culver City Market is a great option for breaking up your midweek errand rotation. On Main Street in Downtown Culver, this market is on the smaller side but packs a lot into a few blocks: meat and seafood vendors, fresh produce, and plenty of prepared food if you’re looking for a quick lunch or dinner. Open Tuesday, 2-7pm.
photo credit: LA River Farmers Market
LA River Farmers Market
This weekday option is one of the city’s newer farmers markets and pops up at Los Angeles Historic State Park. There’s a relatively small number of producers (at least in comparison to other neighborhood markets), but expect to find twice as many prepared food vendors. After scoring some seasonal produce, you can grab a deli sandwich at Little Palace Delicatessen, a Taiwanese-style grain bowl from Gu Grocery, and chicken tenders at Cargo Snack Shack, to name a few. Open Thursday, 3-7:30pm.
photo credit: Mar Vista Farmers Market
Mar Vista Farmers Market
The Mar Vista Market is a full-blown destination with tons of prepared food vendors, the usual tables of beautiful produce, and events like salsa dance lessons and workshops on pasta-making. Expect to see vendors selling fresh crepes, Afghan baked goods, and French pastries, as well as live music acts, including water glass performers, folk duos, and the occasional 21-piece jazz bands. Open Sunday, 9am-2pm.
Located on Meridian Ave and El Centro next to the Gold Line station, the South Pas Market is a local fave with a wide range of fruit and vegetables and an even wider selection of flowers, baked goods, shellfish, sundries (like goat’s milk soap), and prepared food vendors like Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ and Vegano’s plant-based paletas. Open Thursday, 4-8pm.
photo credit: Joyce Chan
Torrance Certified Farmers Market
Popping up in Wilson Park on Crenshaw, the Torrance Market has a little bit of everything, including fruit and vegetables from growers like Harry’s Berries in Oxnard and Mr. Thao Farms in Fresno, as well as seasonal jams and preserves from Forbidden Fruit Orchards, and baked goods from Southwest Bread. Open Tuesday & Saturday, 8am-1pm.
photo credit: Hollywood Farmers Market
Hollywood Farmers Market
Each time we visit the Hollywood Farmers Market, we’re struck by its sheer scope. With more than 100 farmers and vendors, it’s one of the largest markets in LA, with rows and rows to explore. Some of our favorite vendors include Dave’s Gourmet Korean for fresh coconut milk and high-end restaurants like Gwen, which sells its excellent cured meats and patés. Check its Instagram for info on upcoming events because famous food types love doing activations here. Open Sunday, 8am-1pm.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Larchmont Village Farmers Market
You can easily spend an entire afternoon at the Larchmont Market, but not because there’s tons of produce to inspect. This market is on the smaller side but is surrounded by idyllic cafes, boutiques, restaurants, and people showing off their cute dogs you’ll inevitably want to play with. The market itself, though, has plenty to offer, including French pastries, jewelry, fruits, veggies, and flowers. Open Sunday, 10am-2pm.
City of Alhambra Certified Farmers Market
Over in the San Gabriel Valley, the City of Alhambra Certified Farmers Market carries a spectacular assortment of locally sourced Asian produce, like bundles of watercress, Taiwanese spinach, bright green bok choy, and Chinese amaranth. Open since 1984, this medium-sized market also sells homemade salsa, live seafood, cherry tomatoes, and tonics made from apple cider vinegar. Open Sunday, 8:30am-1pm.
At the AFIBA Center off Crenshaw and Slauson, the Crenshaw Market features dozens of local farmers, artisans, and prepared food vendors selling East African sambusas, tamales, and fresh pressed sugar cane juice, to name a few. There’s also monthly events ranging from cooking demonstrations to DJs to Zumba classes, so keep an eye on the official Instagram for more details. Open Saturday, 10am-3pm.
photo credit: City of Santa Monica Farmers Market
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Known for its absolutely huge lineup of specialty produce vendors—and for being a favorite among LA chefs—the Santa Monica Farmers Market is hands-down the crown jewel of SoCal farmers markets. You’ll find everything from sustainably raised prawns to peak-season peaches to heirloom corn masa and artisanal goat cheeses. Make sure to check their Instagram for updates since there’s always something going on here, like folkloric dance performances, live jazz, and communal sound baths (it is Santa Monica, after all). Open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, 8am-1pm.
Long Beach has a whole network of farmers markets across the city, but the largest and most popular one takes place every Sunday at the Alamitos Bay Marina. You’ll find more than 40 vendors, including big-name local growers like Weiser Family Farms, Tenerelli Orchards, and Bautista Organic Date Ranch, plus prepared fresh seafood from Wild Local Seafood and baked goods from Colossus Bakery. Parking can be tricky but plan on taking a stroll around the marina park and enjoying the great bay views afterward. Open Sunday, 9am-2pm.
Located on a quiet street off Lankershim Blvd, the NoHo Farmers Market features a diverse mix of fresh produce, clothing, jewelry, and a Brooklyn-style bacon, egg, and cheese to kick off your morning. Here you’ll find everything from glowing blocks of Himalayan salt to blue sourdough made with pea flower and turmeric root, as well as tamales, premium seafood, kombucha, and beautifully potted plants. Open Saturday, 9:30am-2:30pm.
Run by the non-profit VELA (Volunteers Of East LA), this mid-scale market is a hub for vendors in the community, and a good place to find something delicious to eat. There’s specialty coffee and hot chocolate imported from El Salvador, freshly baked pan dulce, and birria-stuffed tacos dorados, plus artisan goods, organic produce from RC Farms’, and jars of raw honey from Don Pilis Apiaries. Open Saturday, 8am-1pm.
