Farmers Markets for Everyday of the Week in L.A.
There are a number of reasons why you should shop at farmers’ markets, and in Los Angeles, there are a number of farmers' markets to choose from! Whether you’re up at the crack of dawn and like to have all your errands run by lunchtime, or your engine doesn’t really get going until late afternoon, there’s an option for you.
For one week, I rode my bike to a new farmers’ market each day. Each one was nestled into a different L.A. neighborhood, which contribute to a slight variation of vibes, crowds and offerings. Check them out below to see which one may flow with you the most.
Sunday — Melrose Place Farmers’ Market
8400 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
Time of Day: 10am to 2pm
Size: medium space, large amounts of people (line to get in)
Variety/Offerings: wide - flowers, baked goods, array of produce, creameries
I absolutely loved the fresh-baked cranberry walnut bread from the local baker’s tent. Being that it was my first time there, I didn’t know what I wanted. All I knew is that I’m a fat girl that likes bread… correction: loves bread. I basically asked him to tell me what to buy and he steered me in the direction of that delight. He wasn’t kidding when he said it’s a best seller; the next two Sundays I went back, he was sold out. It’s better to get to this very popular market early!
Monday — East Hollywood Certified Farmers’ Market
5448 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Neighborhood: Thai Town
Time of Day: 3:30-7:30pm
Size: very small space, very small amount of people
Variety/Offerings: slim - basic produce
This little baby on the corner of Hollywood Blvd and Western Ave is great to quickly pick up standard fruits and veggies. When I say there weren’t a lot of people, I mean I was the only person there other than the vendors. From the way it’s set up, I doubt it’s ever a party. It’s a get-in-and-get-out type of situation. I bought some eggs straight out of a chicken’s woo-ha to give riding with something delicate in my basket a try. Also, I really appreciate how they broadcast that they accept food stamps. It seems that’d take away any possible shame in using an EBT card there. However, if you receive CalFresh benefits and you still think you’d feel uncomfortable, give me a call and I’ll help you spend them.
Tuesday — Culver City Farmers’ Market
3800 Main Street
Culver City, CA 90232
Neighborhood: Downtown
Time of Day: 2-7pm
Size: large space, not too crowded
Variety/Offerings: wide - produce, Asian vegetables, meat, seafood, creameries, pre-packaged goods, bakeries, confitures, specialty items
Now this spot, you can tell it’s meant to be a party! Right now, with the restrictions that are in place, we can’t really break it down (^inserts corny dance move^) and/or hang out, but the vibe is still there. Maybe it being in a downtown area, or the guy sitting on the sidewalk playing an instrument as I rolled up, gave me that feeling. Whatever it was, I like it. (You know, or maybe you don’t, New Orleans is infamous for live music. We’re the type of people that’ll dance in the middle of the street in broad daylight like nobody’s watching.) This farmers market is a bit more lively, and I look forward to when it’s back to its full spunk.
Wednesday — Adams Vermont Farmers’ Market
1432 W. Adams Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Neighborhood: Adams-Normandie
Time of Day: 2-6pm
Size: small amount of vendors, small amount of shoppers
Variety/Offerings: slim - basic produce
This is another get-in-and-get-out situation. Located right off of two main streets in a big parking lot, it’s very convenient to drop on in. At most farmers markets, even now, the vendors are right on top of each other; At this one, the tents were rather spaced out. Guests can easily shop and not come within six feet of any other shopper.
Thursday — La Cienega Farmers’ Market
1801 S La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Neighborhood: Crestview
Time of Day: 2-7pm
Size: smedium, not too crowded
Variety/Offerings: wide enough - produce, hummus, yogurts, honey
This is the first farmers’ market I stumbled across after moving to Los Angeles, and years later, it’s still my go-to. Right now, vendors aren’t allowed to offer samples, but ever since Mr. Don of Don Pilis Apiaries took me thru a tasting tour of honey types, I’ve been hooked! No matter how organic or raw honey on the shelf of a grocery store claims to be, it doesn’t compare to his! His honey goes from the beehive to you. He’s also the one that got one of my girlfriends an extra 20 bucks! While at his booth, he told us about an offer to get $20 when spending $20 of EBT. It’s those types of helpful interactions that make shopping at a farmers market special.
Friday — Venice Farmers’ Market
499 S Venice Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
Neighborhood: Venice Canal Historic District
Time of Day: 7am-11am
Size: large, good amount of people but didn’t have to wait in line
Variety/Offerings: wide - plants, fresh-squeezed juices, kefir, pickles, dried fruit & nuts
From the old man at the citrus booth randomly giving me a free tangelo, to the girl at the yogurt stand clowning with me after commenting on the “southern accent” people out here insist I have, this was a fun little meetup with a buddy from college. (Sidenote: This buddy, Sydney, is also from Louisiana and we were both talking to the yogurt lady, but she only heard an accent in my voice. I found that surprising. Hm.)
Saturday — Silver Lake Farmers’ Market
1500 Griffith Park Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Neighborhood: Silver Lake
Time of Day: 8am-1:30pm
Size: medium
Variety/Offerings: wide enough - flowers, jewelry, clothing, produce
Okay, listen… Is this a safe space? I hope so.. Let me be honest. I actually didn’t make it to a farmers’ market on the final day of the week. I’d made notes in my notepad and figured I’d add in Saturday the following week, because I still needed to work on the layout of my website before I could post any blogs anyway. Well, I didn’t make it that following Saturday either. And now that I think about it, I’ve never been to a farmers’ market on a Saturday. I suppose it simply isn’t my day for that. See, isn’t it great we have all these markets on different days of the week to choose from?! Nonetheless, I’ve done my research and this one is surely as great as the rest. Plus, they have an active Instagram. We love an active Instagram.
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
Looka hea
Even the days that I told myself I didn’t need anything, and was only going “to see” for purposes of this article, I ended up buying something. The trip you take to any one of them will be worth it. From food to safety, they are all a good choice. I had to wear a face covering and wash my hands upon entering, which was only from one point and the exit from another (to avoid people crossing each other). There was hand sanitizer, wipes and disinfectant readily available, as well as other safety measures in place, set by the city’s COVID-19 Operational Plan.
Conclusion. California leads the nation in number of farmers’ markets and Los Angeles has its fair share. This by far isn’t a comprehensive list. These are only the ones I chose to visit based on which bicycle routes I felt like taking. Give one in your neighborhood a try; I promise you won’t regret it. (Seriously, I actually don’t even like going make groceries; it’s a bit of a chore. But visiting farmers’ markets makes the adult responsibility fun!)
Which of these would you want to visit? Or, is there one that’s not on this list that you go to? I’d love to know. Tell me in the comments below!
