Farmer’s markets in San Diego

HENLEY DOHERTY | ASST. BUSINESS EDITOR | THE USD VISTA | @ralphlaurhen

Now that the El Niño storms are over and the local weather is back to its usual sunny self, we get to enjoy the great outdoors once again. One unique way to spend more time in the sun is to take your grocery shopping outside, by going to one of the local farmer’s markets that are offered every week throughout San Diego.

The markets are held in various locations all around the city, and most of them are less than a 20 minute drive away from campus.

Each of these markets are open on different days of the week. Pacific Beach hosts a farmer’s market every Tuesday and Saturday, Ocean Beach reserves Wednesdays, Linda Vista and North Park snag Thursdays, Little Italy takes Saturdays, and Hillcrest, La Jolla, and the Gaslamp District  all have farmer’s markets every Sunday. You can find more information about the times and locations of these markets on the San Diego Farm Bureau website, which also lists the types of produce and items you can expect to find at these markets.

My favorite market is one held in Hillcrest every Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This market offers a wide range of locally-grown fruits and vegetables, as well as many neat flower vendors and art stands that are fun to walk through.

Some of the most popular vendors at this market include one that sells different flavors of locally-produced honey, and another that serves exotic flavors of lemonade, including one with chili powder sprinkled on top.

Even if you don’t do your grocery shopping at these markets, there is always a great assortment of clothing and trinkets. The markets are also a great place to grab lunch. At the Hillcrest market, I always stay well into the afternoon to grab a hot panini or a grilled Turkish kabob, as this market in particular has a wide range of great hot food options.

The produce you can get at these farmer’s markets is always straight from the local farms where they’re grown. Shopping at these markets not only allows you to buy fresh, organic produce, but it often ends up being cheaper than what you’d spend at a typical grocery store.