The Santa Monica Farmers Markets connect the upscale California community with local businesses and farmers. These markets are a favorite for local celebrity chefs, whose standards are exceptionally high. LAGO and Ocean & Vine are just a few of the restaurants that get their farm-fresh produce at the farmers markets and, in turn, offer farm-fresh meals to their customers. It’s a win-win for everybody.
Year-round sunshine makes farmers markets in Santa Monica a unique destination – whether for a picnic, music, activities for children, or local craft offerings. Don’t forget the colorful fresh food! In addition, visitors looking for a splurge – black truffles and emu eggs, anyone? – will feel quite at home here.
Our Favorite Santa Monica Farmers Markets
Table of Contents
Wednesday Markets
1. Downtown Farmers Market Wednesdays
Where: 155-199 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica
When: Every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Why Visit:
The Wednesday market in downtown Santa Monica is the leading Certified Farmers Market in Southern California, with 70 local vendors displaying their wares. It also has the largest organic selection within the Los Angeles area, including organic pastries. This is where local chefs arrive early in the morning for their produce and other needed food items.
Since this is a favorite market for top chefs, expect splurges such as sea urchins, black truffles, emu eggs, and more. Yes, celebrities shop here, as well. Don’t miss the opportunity to bag your avocadoes next to Brad Pitt. Speaking of bags – this market has a bring-your-own-bag rule.
After the chefs leave in the late morning, it’s time for the common folks to shop at a discount. The best produce may have been snapped up, but there is still plenty of freshness left, and all at great discounts—the farmers don’t want to take home leftovers, so shoppers get a deal. Some booths do not take cards, so bringing enough cash is an excellent idea.
Friday Markets
2. Venice Farmers Market
Where: 500 Venice Blvd., Venice
When: Every Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. except for holidays
Why Visit:
Venice Farmers Market is known for its farm-fresh products, flowers, aromatic baked goods, poultry, dairy, and fish trucks. The market has been in business since 1987 and has retained many loyal customers throughout the years. Visitors can enjoy free parking by the Dell Avenue entrance.
Saturday Markets
3. Santa Monica Saturday Pico Farmers Market
Where: 2200 Virginia Ave. by Pico, Santa Monica
When: Every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Why Visit:
Thirty-five farmers have booths set up to sell fruits and vegetables picked the previous day. The Pico Farmers Market is one of the few Santa Monica farmers markets where shoppers can enjoy a prepared breakfast and coffee on the lawn. Customers can take advantage of the market’s Market Match program, which is run by Hunger Action Los Angeles. This program matches a $20.00 purchase of fresh produce with its own $20.00, thereby doubling the available food for those in need.
4. Downtown Farmers Market Saturdays
Where: 155-199 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica
When: Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Why Visit:
This is a weekend sequel to the Downtown Wednesday Farmers Market. It isn’t as dominated by chefs as the Wednesday market, but it still offers top-of-the-line lux items. The seasonal produce is the best in the county, and certain vendors, such as Murray Family Farms, humbly offer Pink Oyster Mushrooms, che fruit (a rare California berry), and sea beans (asparagus grown in fresh seawater). It’s a fantastic opportunity to try something new. Los Angeles chefs get their juiciest strawberries here at Harry’s Berries.
Also Check: Best Farmers Markets in California
5. Playa Vista Farmers’ Market
Where: 12775 Millennium Dr, Playa Vista, CA 90094
When: Every Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Why Visit:
Playa Vista Farmers’ Market offers more than fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. Vendors offer baked goods, olive oil, flowers, seafood, pancakes, tamales, and other prepared foods. Shoppers can also pick up lovely artisanal crafts, jewelry, and soaps before stopping at one of the restaurants for fancy delicacies or taking the children to the interactive KidZone.
Sunday Markets
6. Santa Monica Sunday Main Street Farmers Markets
Where: 2640 Main St., Santa Monica
When: Every Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Why Visit:
Parking here is on the surrounding streets. There are 40 certified area farms with fresh produce, prepared foods, and live entertainment. Retail vendors set up booths for general shopping enjoyment. The market is one of the farmers markets in Santa Monica that accepts SNAP payments and WIC-Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks (for women with children) to ensure the availability of wholesome food for everyone. Like the nearby Pico Market, the Sunday Main Street Farmers Market matches $20.00 in purchases of fresh produce with $20.00 of its own.
7. Mar Vista Farmers’ Market
Where: 12198 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles
When: Every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Why Visit:
Farmers throughout the state come here to delight shoppers with their fresh products, from produce, nuts, dairy, grass-fed meat, berries, local seafood caught within California, and fresh juices. A tent serves as a fine restaurant with a range of prepared foods, or visitors can take pre-packaged meals to go. Vegan-friendly foods are available, as well. The hand-made pasta and organic chocolate are a treat.
Also Check: Best Farmers Markets in Los Angeles
8. Brentwood Farmers Market
Where: 741 S. Gretna Green Wy., Brentwood
When: Every Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Why Visit:
Local farmers and artisans meet here every Sunday to display their fresh fruits and vegetables, some of which are organic. The market is located across from the Brentwood Country Club, which attracts an elite crowd. In addition to fresh produce, booths sell bakery goods and seafood. Artisans display their jewelry, candles, pottery, and soaps, all of which make great gifts.
This is one of the farmers markets near Santa Monica that is frequented by Los Angeles celebrities, and the person squeezing the melons next to you may look a tad familiar. There is also a petting zoo with baby lambs and llamas for the children.
9. Beverly Hills Farmers Market
Where: 9300 Block Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
When: Every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Why Visit:
Vendors showcase their seasonal fruits and vegetables, bakery items, and juices to live music. There is a petting zoo for children. The market hosts fun events such as PickleFest (an annual pickling contest) in the summer and an annual pie bake in June. On the second Sunday of each month, Cookin’ Kids offers a workshop for children to boost their interest in healthy food and its preparation. The Kid Zone, with its arts and crafts, takes place by the petting zoo on the third Sunday. Free parking is available at the Civic Center parking lot.
Multi-Day Markets
10. Santa Monica Farms Jr
Where: 2015 Main St, Santa Monica
When: Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Why Visit:
This store carries natural groceries, prepared sandwiches, snacks, salads, and fresh, non-organic fruits and vegetables. It is popular with the neighboring residents and is a convenient place to go and buy all the food you need.
Check Next: Best Farmers Markets in San Diego
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest Market in Santa Monica?
The certified Wednesday Downtown Market is one of the largest farmers markets in the country, supplied by more than 60 farms. It is popular with celebrities and top area chefs, and this market also allows EBT to ensure everyone has access to nutritious fresh food.
What are the good Santa Monica Farmers Market Saturdays?
The Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market on Saturdays is a continuation of the Wednesday market mentioned above. Fewer chefs are hunting for the top products, but the Saturday market still specializes in rare, lux items such as Pink Oysters or sea beans.
What are the good Santa Monica Farmers Market Sundays?
The Main Street Farmers Market consists of products from 40 certified farms, activities, prepared meals, and music. Retail booths help create an overall shopping experience that includes face painting, cooking demonstrations, and balloon designs.
What is the longest-running farmers market in Santa Monica?
The Wednesday and Saturday Downtown Farmers Markets have served Santa Monica’s residents since 1981. The Wednesday market is one of the largest in the country and a weekly destination for Los Angeles’ most elite chefs.
Rounding Up
Santa Monica farmers markets not only offer high-quality fresh produce, but they also come at an affordable price since these markets remove the middleman – the grocery stores and their markups. The food goes straight from producer to consumer, being just-picked and mostly organic, is fresher and simply more nutritious than anything found in a grocery store. A strong bond between farmers and consumers creates a better community and the opportunity to know where your food comes from.