Ultimate Guide to Farmers' Markets in Silicon Valley

Nancy Dinshaw
September 13, 2020
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There are Farmers' Markets every weekend at different locations throughout the Bay Area, along the peninsula, and in the South Bay. Some cities have more than one, so you are sure to find one near you. Most of the following markets are open year-round from morning to noon or 1 PM on either Saturday or Sunday. They offer a wide variety of local produce, fresh organic fruits and vegetables, handmade art, and homemade goodies. Some even have live music! But mostly you can feel good about helping small, local farmers and food artisans.

PALO ALTO

Palo Alto is fortunate enough to have two large farmer's markets. The markets are open on different days so that if you miss one, you can always make the other.

Downtown Palo Alto Farmers' Market

The farmer's market in downtown Palo Alto takes place on Gilman Street between Hamilton Ave and Forest Ave every Saturday between 8 AM to 12 PM. Since May 2019, the market has started operating year-round. It has a well-curated selection of fresh, seasonal, local produce and artisan foods from award-winning local farmers and artisans like Full Belly Farm, Little Sky Bakery, The Mulberry Guy, and Charlotte Truffles. Also, you can enjoy live music on most weekends. Check out the market's complete list of vendors here.

Location: Gilman Street, Downtown Palo Alto, CA
Hours: Saturday, 8 AM to 12 PM

California Avenue Farmers' Market

The California Avenue Farmers' Market is located on California Ave at El Camino Blvd in Palo Alto. It is open rain or shine every Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM year-round. Bring your knives for sharpening by Perfect Edge Knife Sharpening every 1st Sunday of the Month.

Location: California Avenue at El Camino, Palo Alto, CA
Hours: Every Sunday including holiday weekends, 9 AM to 1 PM

MOUNTAIN VIEW

Mountain View has one of the larger markets with 80+ farmers and vendors selling local fresh organic produce, baked goods & flowers. It is located at the Mountain View Caltrain Station at 600 West Evelyn Ave. There are free city lots along Hope St and two parking garages, the nearest of which is on Bryant St & W Evelyn Ave. Limited parking is available at the Caltrain Station and in nearby neighborhoods. The market is open every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Location: California Avenue at El Camino, Palo Alto, CA
Hours: Every Sunday, 9 AM to 1 PM

SARATOGA

The Saratoga Farmers' Market is held at West Valley College in Saratoga. The market is open every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and features fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, mushrooms, eggs, fresh roasted herbed-crusted chicken, and more from more than 50 farmers and vendors from nearby farms.

Location: West Valley College, Parking Lot 3 at Fruitvale Ave & Career Way, Saratoga, CA
Hours: Every Saturday, 9 AM to 1 PM

LOS GATOS

The Los Gatos Farmers' Market is located in Downtown Los Gatos and features fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables from Santa Clara County. In addition, you will find honey, mushrooms, eggs, and herb-crusted roasted chicken from over 40 local farmers and food producers.

Location: Town Park Plaza on Main Street & N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Downtown Los Gatos, CA
Hours: Every Sunday, 9 AM to 1 PM

CAMPBELL

The Campbell Farmers' Market is located at the Campbell Community Center. It offers fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, as well as flowers and baked goods from Beckmann's Bakery. The market is open every Sunday of the year, except when there is a special event. Check their website for an up-to-date schedule. Parking is available in the lot between the Skate Park and the Track.

Location: 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell, CA
Hours: Every Sunday including holiday weekends, 9 AM to 1 PM

CUPERTINO

The Cupertino Farmer's Market is located in the Oaks Shopping Center across from DeAnza College. It is one of the smaller markets operated by the West Coast Farmer's Market Association with only about a dozen or so regular stands. However, the produce is of high quality at good prices. There is always plenty of parking.

Location: 21275 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA
Hours: Every Sunday 9 AM to 1 PM

SUNNYVALE

The Sunnyvale Farmers' Market is one of the larger farmer's markets. Besides fresh local produce and flowers, there are plenty of food stands as well as live music. It is open every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM in downtown Sunnyvale on Murphy Avenue at Washington Ave. Knife Sharpening is available every 1st Saturday of the Month, except in the holiday months of November and December; check online at the Finest Edge for schedule.

Location: Murphy Ave at Washington Ave, Downtown Sunnyvale, CA
Hours: Every Sunday 9 AM to 1 PM

SANTA CLARA

The Santa Clara Farmer's Market in downtown Santa Clara is open every Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the parking lot at the corner of Jackson Street and Homestead Road in Santa Clara. It is one of the smaller farmer's market, but it has everything you need including fresh produce, fruits and berries, flowers, meat, honey, nuts, and cheese. There is also bakery stand, as well as Vietnamese, Mexican, and Indian food stands.  Free street parking is easy to find.

Location: Jackson St & Homestead Rd, Santa Clara, CA
Hours: Every Saturday, 9 am - 1 pm

SAN JOSE

San Jose has a selection of fantastic farmer's markets to choose from. Not all are open year round, so be sure to check the market's website for the most up-to-date information.

Willow Glen Farmers' Market

The Willow Glen Farmers' Market is located at the Willow Glen Elementary School, walking distance to downtown shops and restaurants. It is open year-round on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. There is a great selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as cheese, meats, and seafood. You can also get fresh and delicious Bao at the market from BunBao, as well as amazing bread and baked goods from The Midwife and the Baker.

Location: 1425 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA
Hours: Every Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM

Berryessa Farmers' Market

The Berryessa Farmers' Market is one of the smaller markets. It offers farm-fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices. You will also find vendors selling other local goods like honey, eggs, artisan cheese, seafood, honey, flowers, and of course the ubiquitous, kettle corn.

Location: 1376 Piedmont Rd, San Jose, CA
Hours: Every Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM

Downtown San Jose Farmers' Market

The Downtown San Jose Farmers Market is located in the heart of downtown San Jose on the lovely San Pedro Square between Santa Clara and St. John streets. It is one of the few markets that are seasonal, so be sure to check their site to check when they are open.

It is a fairly small market, but you can still find a little of everything: fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms, unique crafts, and flowers. There are plenty of food vendors offering Mexican, Indian, and Thai cuisine as well as poke bowls. Take a stroll and enjoy the live music, or participate in one of the fun contests. It's also conveniently located near over 20 local restaurants as well as the Tech Museum and San Jose Museum of Art.

Parking is free for the first 90 minutes at nearby garagesSecond & San CarlosMarket & San PedroThird Street near Santa Clara, and Fourth Street at San Fernando. The closest garage to the market is at Market & San Pedro. Better yet, take VTA Light Rail Blue or Green line to downtown San Jose, and get off at the Santa Clara or St. James stop.

Location: 18 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA
Hours: Every Friday from 9 AM to 1 PM

Santana Row Farmers' Market

The Santana Row Farmers' Market offers products from 20+ farmers and vendors, and features local farmers from Gilroy, Hollister, Watsonville, and Santa Cruz. This family-friendly market is open on Wednesdays from 4:00 pm to 8 pm from May - September. Visit their website for precise dates. The parking in nearby garages is free.

Location: Between Olin Ave & Olsen Drive on Santana Row, San Jose, CA
Hours: Every Wednesday 4 PM to 8 PM

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