Best Central Coast Farmers Markets

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.

Arroyo Grande Farmers Market

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.

Farmers market, Avila Beach

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.

Cambria Linns Farm

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.

Cayucos Farmers Market

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.

Farmers market, Avila Beach

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.

Avila Beach Farmers 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)

Farmers market, Avila Beach

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.

Talley Farms, 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.

Rutiz Family Farm

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.

Apples

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.

Visit at Biddle Ranch Road at Edna Road, San Luis Obispo.

pumpkin patch at Talley Farms, Arroyo Grande

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.

Luffa at the Luffa Farm in Nipomo, CA

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.

Peacock Cellars

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.

Avila Valley Barn, Avila Beach

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