With temperate weather and an abundance of agriculture, coastal San Luis Obispo County boasts legendary farmers’ markets, every day, all year long. While produce, fish, meats and cheeses are available for purchase, purveyors also bring spices, honeys, seedlings and flowers. What’s more, Central Coast farmers’ markets bring more than fresh fixings ― they often bring prepared food, live music and entertainment, too. So grab your shopping bag or basket, walk the aisles and talk directly to the farmer who feeds you. You’re sure to find something flavorful and fun while you’re at the market.
Explore Farms Along Highway 1
Farmers Markets on Highway 1
Arroyo Grande Farmers Market
Located at the footbridge of the Old Village of Arroyo Grande, the Arroyo Grande Farmers Market has a distinct country feel. Roosters roam and crow around the town’s City Hall parking lot, where, in addition to fresh produce, local musicians play and artists sell their creations. Some picks include year-round Asian vegetables, homemade jams and jellies, avocados and a variety of freshly wrapped bakery items.
Market details
Day/time: Saturday 12pm-2:30pm, year-round
Location: Olohan Alley (behind Gina’s Italian Restaurant) in the Village of Arroyo Grande
Size: Small
Local tip: After your shopping, sit back and enjoy the sounds of local musicians in the gazebo, or walk the historic swinging bridge.
Avila Beach Farmers Market
Avila Farmers Market features booths overflowing with fresh local produce, fresh-caught fish, hand-crafted artisan foods, crafts, area restaurants selling delicious local fare, live entertainment, and fun for all ages.
Market details
Day/time: Fridays, 4pm-8pm, May through August
Location: Avila Beach Promenade
Size: Medium
Local tip: Bring your boogie! This farmers’ market is known for its great live music and dancing by the sea.
Cambria Farmers Market
This quaint seaside market offers a multitude of fruits, flowers, and vegetables grown on farms and orchards throughout Central California. Fresh baked goods, pies,BBQ, and many other gourmet items add to the culinary fun.
Market details
Day/time: Fridays, 2:30pm-5pm, year-round
Location: Veterans’ Memorial Hall parking lot (1000 Main Street) in Cambria
Size: Small
Local tip: Don’t miss the cheeses from Stepladder Farm, made on a goat farm in the foothills near Hearst Castle.
Cayucos Farmers Market
This small but mighty farmers’ market offers fresh produce, plants and flowers, as well as products made from local purveyors.
Market details
Day/time: Friday, 10am-12:30pm, June to September
Location: Corner of Ocean Street and D Street
Size: Small
Local tip: After shopping, change into your wetsuit and grab your surfboard. This market takes place just steps from the Cayucos Pier, one of the Central Coast’s best surf spots.
Los Osos/Baywood Farmers Market
Visitors to this beloved market find dozens of choices besides the standard fruit (dried and fresh), veggies and flowers. Some great picks are microgreens, homemade soups, goat’s milk hand lotion, knitted caps and handmade jewelry. There’s also live music, varying from one soloist to small groups.
Market details
Day/time: Monday from 2:00pm – 4:30pm, year-round
Location: Intersection of Santa Maria Street and 2nd Street
Size: Small-medium
Local tip: Just after the market ends, head to the Back Bay Cafe for Beer At The Pier, featuring live music, tasty brews and a killer view of the sunset.
Nipomo Farmers Market
This little farmers’ market offers an array of fruits and vegetables, as well as succulents, olives, olive oil, chocolate, baked goods and candles.
Market details
Day/time: Sunday, 11:30am-2:30pm, year-round
Location: Corner of Via Concha and Trilogy Parkway in Nipomo (across from the tennis courts at Monarch Club)
Size: Small
Local tip: After shopping, dust off your clubs for a round of golf at one of Nipomo’s premier golf courses near the market.
Farmers Markets by Day of Week
Monday
Los Osos/Baywood Farmers Market (2-4:30pm, Santa Maria Street and 2nd Street)
Tuesday
Paso Robles Farmers Market (9:00-11:30am, year-round, Spring and 12th Street)
San Luis Obispo Farmers Market (3-6pm, year-round, Farm Supply parking lot)
Cal Poly / SLO Farmers Market (3:30-5:30pm seasonally, Mustang Way, Cal Poly University)
Wednesday
Arroyo Grande Farmers Market (8:30-11am, year-round, Smart & Final parking lot)
Atascadero Farmers Market (3-6pm, year-round, Atascadero Sunken Gardens)
Thursday
Morro Bay Farmers Market (3:30-5pm, year-round, Spencer’s parking lot)
San Luis Obispo (6-9pm, year-round, downtown on Higuera Street between Osos and Nipomo Streets)
Friday
Avila Beach Farmers Market (4-8pm seasonally, Avila Beach Promenade)
Cambria Farmers Market (2:30-5:30pm, year-round, Veteran’s Hall parking lot)
Cayucos Farmers Market (10am-12:30pm seasonally, Ocean Avenue and D Street)
Saturday
Arroyo Grande Village Farmers Market (12-2:30pm, year-round, Olohan Alley)
Morro Bay Farmers Market (2:30-5:30pm year-round, Main Street and Morro Bay Boulevard)
Paso Robles Farmers Market (9am-1pm year-round, 11th Street and Spring Street)
San Luis Obispo Farmers Market (8-10:45am year-round, World Market parking lot)
Templeton Farmers Market (9am-12:30pm year-round, City Park)
Sunday
Nipomo Farmers Market (11:30am-2:30pm, year-round, Corner of Via Concha and Trilogy Parkway)
Farmstands on Highway 1
Even if you can’t make it to one of the numerous daily farmers’ markets in coastal SLO CAL, several farmstands offer fresh produce throughout the week. Check out one of these favorite roadside stands for local ingredients and plenty of charm.
Talley Farm Stand, Arroyo Grande
This little stand represents a multi-generational farming institution on the Central Coast. Selling fresh fruits and vegetables, plus pumpkins and u-pick berries in season, the Talley Farm Stand sits just beside the Talley Vineyards Tasting Room located at 2900 Lopez Drive, Arroyo Grande.
Rutiz Family Farms, Arroyo Grande
Fresh fruits and veggies stand alongside eggs, rustic breads, cheeses, seafood and meats at this beloved farmstand. Don’t miss the opportunity to pick the famous “Jerry’s Berries” during the warmer months.
Visit at 1075 The Pike, Arroyo Grande.
SLO Creek Farms, Avila Beach
Come enjoy the beautiful 40 acre apple orchard and pick your own fresh apples right from the trees! SLO Creek Farms grows some of the best apples you’ll ever taste. All apples are pesticide free, so you can enjoy eating them right off the trees.
Visit at 6455 Monte Road, San Luis Obispo.
The Pumpkin Patch, Edna Valley
The seasonal pumpkin patch in Edna Valley attracts families every fall in search of the great pumpkin. They have a large variety of pumpkins, some for carving, some for decoration, some for eating – as well as gourds of all shapes and colors.
Luffa Farm, Nipomo
Nestled on the mesa in Nipomo, this unique ranch grows and sells the beige sponges ― sometimes spelled loofah or luffah ― that so many of us use every day to refresh and exfoliate our skin. Luffas are grown in greenhouses and harvested from gourds on heirloom vines. Visitors to the Luffa Farm will discover how luxuriously soft luffas can be; unlike may grown outside the U.S.,, the ones at Luffa Farm are neither chemically treated nor vacuum packed. Visitors can tour the farm for free, and buy luffa or other herbal bath products. Group tours for a fee are also offered, some of which include a catered lunch, or tea and cookies. Visit at 1457 Willow Road, Nipomo.
Cornercopia Fresh Market, Edna Valley
This quaint farmstand offers locally grown, pesticide free produce. Everything is grown on site, with seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables are available daily. Visit at 606 Crestmont Drive, San Luis Obispo.
Avila Valley Barn, Avila Beach
The rich bounty of the earth lasts all year round at the Avila Valley Barn. Ripe peaches, juicy berries, crisp apples, and locally grown vegetables are displayed inside an open air barn. Sample freshly roasted corn or order a sandwich from the deli and soak up the sun during your visit. Shop for unusual kitchen wares, jams, jellies, cheeses, candies, and toys, plus homemade baked goods inside. The fresh fruit pies, cobblers and turnovers are popular with visitors and locals alike. You might also find yourself locally made ice cream or taking home some fudge as gifts. And don’t forget tractor rides! The Avila Valley Barn takes all ages out to its fields and orchards to pick blackberries, apples, or pumpkins, depending on the season.
Visit at 560 Avila Beach Drive, Avila Beach.
