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The Monterey Peninsula’s eight farmer’s markets and four independent groceries are teeming with affordable freshly picked produce, locally crafted wares, and hot-off-the-grill prepared dishes. Use this 7-day photo-packed highlights guide to find your favorite food-fair.
The P.G. Farmer's Market, Lighthouse Avenue -- with Eventual Plans to Relocate to Central Avenue
Monday: The Pacific Grove Farmer’s Market
4pm – 8pm (summer)
3pm — 7pm (winter)
Lighthouse Ave. between Forest Ave. and 17th St.
Pacific Grove 93950
Head to P.G. on Monday for some Farmer's Market Flora
You’ll Love: These freshly cut flowers, especially the 50 cents-a-stem gerbera daisies.
I Bet You Know a Gerbera Daisy-Lover Who Could Use a Pick-Me-Up...
* According to the Monterey Herald, the Pacific Grove city council has unanimously voted to relocate the farmer’s market to Central Avenue, between Fountain and Forest, and halfway up Grand towards Lighthouse Avenue. Until the permits are changed, the market will remain on Lighthouse. I’ll keep you guys updated.
Pacific Grove Farmer's Market Map
Tuesday: The Carmel Farmer’s Market (May-September)
9am-1pm
3690 The Barnyard
Carmel, CA 93923
Monterey Herald Shout-Out
Carmel Farmer's Market Photo Courtesy of MontereyBayFarmers.org
Carmel's Market-Fresh Produce, Photo Courtesy of MontereyBayFarmers.org
You’ll love: Environmental crusader and bee-keeper Lynne Bottazzo’s organic Amen Honey stand.
Itty-Bitty Honey-Stand Photo Courtesy of MontereyBayFarmers.org
Carmel Farmer's Market Map
Tuesday: The Old Monterey Marketplace
4pm-8pm (summer)
4pm-7pm (winter)
Alvarado Street and West Franklin Street
Monterey, CA 93940
Reviews
Tuesday's Old Monterey Marketplace, on Alvarado
You’ll love: The delicious and broad selection of internationally inspired prepared food. OldMonterey.org elaborates, “Arts and crafts vendors come from around the world, selling treasures from Africa, Colombia, Mexico, Russia, Japan, China, and Yugoslavia, just to name a few.”
Browse Surprisingly Affordable Cashmere Scarves on Western end of Alvarado
“Our food vendors also serve up delicacies that are as international as our products serving up Indian, Japanese, Korean, Mexican, Mediterranean, and BBQ delicacies. In our Baker’s Alley you can find fresh pastries like baklava, European breads, cookies, muffins, pies, and cakes.” When in doubt, go for the gourmet cupcakes!
Smoky BBQ Goodness at Monterey's Farmer's Market
The Best. BEST. Root Beer Around.
Monterey Farmer's Market Map
Wednesday: Santa Cruz Farmer’s Market (Downtown)
2:30pm – 6:30pm
Lincoln and Cedar Streets
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
You’ll Love: The (ever-expanding) size, selection, cooking demonstrations, veggie valet, and unofficial but enthusiastic sitar-playing hippies. It’s a market for market-lovers, and you’d have to be; Santa Cruz is an hour’s drive north of Carmel. Ideally, you’ll plan ahead and pass through Santa Cruz on the way to, or home from, Carmel. Imagine the car-ride snacking opportunities!
Downtown Santa Cruz Market Photo Courtesy of SantaCruzFarmers.org
Santa Cruz Farmer's Market Photo Courtesy of SeasonalChef.com
Downtown Santa Cruz Farmer's Market
Thursday: The Monterey Peninsula College Farmer’s Market
2:30pm-6pm
Monterey Peninsula College
930 Fremont Street
Monterey, CA 93940
Monterey Herald Shout-Out
You’ll love: Kay Gatanaga’s roses, and the Community College’s ample public parking.
Kay Gatanaga's Roses, at the MPC Farmer's Market, Photo Courtesy of MontereyBayFarmers.org
Monterey Peninsula College Farmer's Market Photo Courtesy of MontereyBayFarmers.org
Monterey Peninsula College Farmer's Market Map
Visiting during the only market-free day? If you’re dead-set on eating in, want some tasty locally prepared snacks to tide you over between meals, or spaced out and forgot to pack a toothbrush — resist the Walmart-urge; check out these independently owned groceries:
Bruno’s Market and Delicatessen in Carmel-By-The-Sea
6th and Junipero
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923
(831) 624-3821
Reviews
You’ll love: Bruno’s sandwiches — legendary among locals.
Bruno's Produce, Photo Courtesy of www.brunosmarket.com
Bruno's Deli Map, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Nielsen Bros. Market in Carmel-By-The-Sea
7th and San Carlos
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923
(831) 624-5939
Reviews
You’ll love: The huge wine selection and early-afternoon tastings!
Nielsen Brother's Market & Deli, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Neilsen's Brother's Map, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Grove Market in Pacific Grove
242 Forest Ave
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 375-9581
Reviews
You’ll love: The homey small-town vibe, and experienced meat department staff. Last year, they rightfully earned The Monterey County Weekly’s “Best Butcher Shop and Hometown Market” title.
The Grove Market, Pacific Grove, Photo Courtesy of Yelp.com
Grove Market Map, Downtown Pacific Grove
Troia’s Market in Old Montereyy
350 Pacific Street
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 375-9810
Reviews
You’ll love: The rare international goods, and friendly run-ins with the market’s worldly neighbors — Monterey Institute of International Studies students.
Troia's Market, Photo Courtesy of Yelp.com
Troia's Market Map, Old Monterey
Saturday: Salinas Certified Farmer’s Market
9am-2pm
Main Street and Central Avenue
Salinas, CA 93901
You’ll love: The affordable prepared food (2 dollar tacos!) and ample picnic table seating.
Salinas Farmer's Market Hot Dog Vender Photo Courtesy of Flikr.com
2 Dollar Tacos at Salinas' Certified Farmer's Market, Photo Courtesy of Flikr.com
Salinas Certified Farmer's Market Map
Sunday: Del Monte Farmer’s Market (June-October)
8am-noon
Del Monte Shopping Center
1410 Del Monte Center
Monterey, 93940
Monterey Herald Shout-Out
You’ll love: The location. Post-market, spend a lazy Sunday afternoon browsing The Del Monte Center, and anything accidentally omitted from your grocery list can be snagged from Whole Foods — right next door.
A Still from the Del Monte Market's Televised Grand Opening
Del Monte Farmer's Market Map
Sunday: Marina Everyone’s Harvest Certified Farmers’ Market
10am-2pm
215 Reservation Road
Marina, CA 93933
You’ll love: The market’s dedication to the community and small-scale family farmers.
Marina Everyone's Harvest Market Photo Courtesy of EveryonesHarvest.org
Marina Everyone's Harvest Farmer's Market Map
Share your favorite markets and vendors in the comments; happy foraging, visitors!
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[...] 7 Days and 12 Ways to Explore the Peninsula's Freshest Food Fairs … [...]
I happen to know a gerbera daisy lover! I always forget there are farmers markets that sell flowers, I’ll have to look for these this summer when I visit as a gift for my hosts! I also love the affordable cashmere scarf market, can’t wait to check that one out!
[...] book finds at Ocean Avenue’s Carmel Coffee House, grab a bottle of wine and chat with locals at The Carmel Barnyard Farmer’s Market, and relive dad’s legendary stories around a Carmel-by-the-Sea Beach [...]