Farmers Markets in San Diego Neighborhoods: Days, Hours and Locations
Weekly farmers markets and community markets in Little Italy, Hillcrest, North Park, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Downtown, Old Town and Balboa Park.
This guide lists the regular weekly farmers markets and community markets in San Diego neighborhoods, with each market's day, hours and street location. The two biggest names are the Little Italy Mercato, which fills six blocks of West Date Street on Saturdays, and the Hillcrest Farmers Market, which the market's site says has more than 175 vendors on Sundays. For a weekday evening, Ocean Beach and North Park both run Wednesday and Thursday markets after the workday.
Quick picks
For a big Saturday morning market: Little Italy Mercato, Little Italy
For a Sunday market with live music: Hillcrest Farmers Market, Hillcrest
For a weekday after-work stop: North Park Farmers Market (Thursday), North Park
For a midweek beach-town evening: Ocean Beach Farmers Market (Wednesday), Ocean Beach
For handmade goods on a weekend afternoon: Gaslamp Artisan Market, Downtown
Little Italy
Little Italy Mercato (Saturday)
The Little Italy Association describes this as San Diego County's largest farmers' market. It fills six city blocks of West Date Street and sells California-grown produce, eggs, poultry, meat, nuts, plants, fish, olive oil, bread and sauces. Selected artisans and gift sellers are at each end of the market.
Where: Piazza della Famiglia, 523 West Date Street, San Diego (the market runs from west of Kettner Boulevard to Front Street)
Good to know: The association lists Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., year-round, rain or shine.
Little Italy Mercato (Wednesday)
The Wednesday market is a smaller version of the Saturday one, with farm produce, pastured eggs, poultry, meat, fish, baked goods, dips, spreads and local arts and crafts. It works for a weekday lunch break.
Where: Piazza della Famiglia, 523 West Date Street, San Diego (three blocks between Kettner Boulevard and State Street, per the association)
Good to know: The association lists Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., year-round. The City of San Diego's market list shows the same hours.
Hillcrest
Hillcrest Farmers Market
This is a Sunday market with produce, prepared foods (with an emphasis on international cuisine), gifts, arts and crafts, flowers and clothing. The market's site says many farmers grow organically or without pesticides, and it counts more than 175 vendors.
Where: 1601 University Avenue, San Diego, on University Avenue between Herbert Street and Park Boulevard
Good to know: The market's site lists Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine and on holidays. It lists weekly live local music, $5 and $10 Market Bucks gift certificates, and a punch card for frequent shoppers. WIC checks are accepted at select farm vendors, and EBT is not accepted. Service animals are allowed, but pets are not.
Source: Hillcrest Farmers Market
North Park
North Park Farmers Market (Thursday)
A Thursday afternoon and evening market behind the North Park Theatre. Vendors sell organic produce, hot food and local goods, including bread, hot sauce, tamales, eggs, meat, cheese, pastries and jewelry. The market's site says vendor attendance varies, so ask at the info booth if you want a particular stall.
Where: North Park Way from Ray Street to Granada Avenue (the City of San Diego lists 2901 North Park Way)
Good to know: The market's site lists Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It accepts EBT and Market Match, and runs a loyalty program that gives a $5 market bucks token for every 10 visits and 20 vendors.
Source: North Park Farmers Market
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach Farmers Market (Wednesday)
Run by the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association, this Wednesday evening market sells local San Diego farm produce, ready-to-eat food from around the world, and handmade crafts and jewelry. The association links a band line-up on its market page.
Where: Newport Avenue between Bacon and Cable Streets, Ocean Beach (the City of San Diego lists 4900 Newport Avenue)
Good to know: The association lists every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Source: Ocean Beach Farmers Market
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers Market
The City of San Diego describes this as an outdoor grocery option where shoppers can meet local farmers and makers. Vendors sell produce, meats, cheeses, bread, flowers, dips and spreads, prepared food and handcrafted goods. Vendors occupy the whole block at both locations.
Where: The 4400 block of Bayard Street from Garnet Avenue to Hornblend Street, and the 800 block of Hornblend Street from Bayard to Mission Boulevard (address listed: 901 Hornblend Street)
Good to know: The city lists Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Other listings give an earlier end time, so confirm before you go.
Source: City of San Diego: Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers Market
La Jolla
La Jolla Open Aire Market (Sunday)
A Sunday market with local farmers, local artisans and international gourmet food vendors. The city says all proceeds benefit La Jolla Elementary School.
Where: Girard Avenue between Genter and Pearl Streets, La Jolla (the market ends just south of 7421 Girard Avenue; the city lists 7337 Girard Avenue)
Good to know: The city lists Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Confirm the current schedule before you go.
Downtown and Gaslamp
Gaslamp Artisan Market
An artisan market rather than a produce market. The Gaslamp Quarter Association lists more than 70 local artisans each weekend.
Where: Fifth Avenue between Market Street and J Street, Gaslamp Quarter, Downtown San Diego
Good to know: The association lists every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free to attend.
Old Town
Harney Street Market
A weekend street market with vendors selling jewelry, photography, pottery, clothing, paintings, hand-painted glass and woodworking. The city's page says it is free and open to the public.
Where: Harney Street between San Diego Avenue and Congress Street, Old Town (the city lists 3998 Harney Street)
Good to know: The city lists Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the off-peak season. In peak season it lists Saturday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Confirm which season applies before you go.
Balboa Park
Tianguis de la Raza Artisan Market (monthly)
This is a monthly artisan market, not a weekly one. It features makers who are people of color, with music, raffles, food, natural medicine and children's activities. It uses the area just outside Centro Cultural de la Raza, including a small parking lot and nearby grass.
Where: 2004 Park Boulevard, San Diego
Good to know: The city's listing says every third Sunday of the month, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. No cost is listed. The dates are subject to city approval, so check before you go.
Source: City of San Diego: Tianguis de la Raza Artisan Market
At a glance
Little Italy Mercato (Saturday): Little Italy (Large Saturday produce market, Pay per vendor)
Little Italy Mercato (Wednesday): Little Italy (Midweek lunch-hour shopping, Pay per vendor)
Hillcrest Farmers Market: Hillcrest (Sunday shopping with live music, Pay per vendor)
North Park Farmers Market: North Park (Thursday evening produce and hot food, Pay per vendor)
Ocean Beach Farmers Market: Ocean Beach (Wednesday evening food and crafts, Pay per vendor)
Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers Market: Pacific Beach (Tuesday afternoon groceries, Pay per vendor)
La Jolla Open Aire Market: La Jolla (Sunday morning farmers and artisans, Pay per vendor)
Gaslamp Artisan Market: Downtown (Weekend handmade goods, Free to attend)
Harney Street Market: Old Town (Weekend crafts and art, Free to attend)
Tianguis de la Raza Artisan Market: Balboa Park (Monthly artisan market, Not listed)
Sources worth bookmarking
Days, hours and locations can change, and markets may close for holidays, weather or street events. Check the official pages above before you go. For local businesses across the city, browse the San Diego directory.
By Thomas Hassett and Eric Andrews, Local Business America
Photo: Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Little_Italy,_San_Diego.jpg)
