This post was contributed by Lisa Crovo Dion
San Francisco is a devout foodie town, not only will you find a dizzying array of restaurants, but also a wide spectrum of Farmers’ Markets.
Over the decades, Farmers’ Markets have evolved from the utilitarian purpose of selling veggies hauled in by farmers around the state, to community gathering places with entertainment and restaurant-quality meals.
Farmers’ Markets are scattered throughout the city, each with different personalities and allure. Here is a round-up of some of the most popular San Francisco Farmers’ markets.
First off, we’ll start with the mack daddy of Farmers’ Markets, the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market on the Embarcadero.
Tuesdays: 10 a.m-2 p.m.
Thursdays: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Saturdays: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
1 Ferry Plaza
The oldest Farmers’ Market in California was founded in 1943 and is perhaps the most down-to-earth and affordable. This would be the Alemany Farmers’ Market, located at the crossroads of two major highways, 101 and 280. It earned the reputation as the “people’s market” due to the lower price points and because of its role as major part of the community.
Saturdays: 6 a.m –3 p.m.
100 Alemany Blvd.
Arguably San Francisco’s most beautiful Farmers’ Market is the Fort Mason Farmers’ Market in the Marina, overlooking the Bay with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Year-round
Sundays: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Fort Mason Center, Marina and Buchanan
Plagued with the surrounding homelessness blight, the Heart of the City Farmers’ Market in Civic Center is an independent, farmer-operated, nonprofit. This market’s objective is to support and sustain small farmers and make fresh, wholesome food accessible to low-income customers.
Year-round
Sundays: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wednesdays: 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
United Nations Plaza, Market St., between Seventh and Eighth Streets
415-558-9455
A market with a village-like appeal is the Noe Valley Farmers’ Market which began as a response to the closing of the beloved Real Food Company, a market that supplied organic produce and much more to those in the close-knit neighborhood.
Year-round
Saturdays: 8 a.m -1 p.m., live music at 10 a.m.
3861 24th St. between Vicksburg and Sanchez Streets
415-248-1332
Located on one of San Francisco’s most culinarily diverse streets that includes Chinese, Russian, Burmese, Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, German, Japanese, Indian, Korean, and American food options, is the Clement Street Farmers’ Market in the Inner Richmond.
Year-round
Sundays: 9 a.m..-2 p.m.
200 Clement Street
On the opposite side of Golden Gate Park from Clement Street is another culinarily diverse neighborhood and the location of the Inner Sunset Farmers’ Market.
Year-round
Sundays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
1310 9th Avenue
Some consider the Stonestown Farmers’ Market to be the best family-oriented farmers’ market in the city. This market has been serving the Westside of San Francisco almost a decade and is located just off 19th Avenue and next to the UA Theatre.
Year-round
Sundays: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
3251 20th Avenue
415-472-6100
These are just some of San Francisco’s vibrant Farmers’ Markets. You’ll find others in neighborhoods such as the Fillmore, Castro, the Mission, and near Alamo Square.
Two local hospitals have gotten into the game as well, Kaiser on Geary Street and UCSF in Mission Bay.
Photos by Dan Dion