# San Diego Farmers Markets: How to Shop Them Well > How to find and shop San Diego farmers markets: the County's official list, what certified means, using CalFresh and Market Match, and timing tips. Published October 30, 2026 · By Marisol Keane (https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/authors/marisol-keane/) · Things to Do (https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/things-to-do/) URL : https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/things-to-do/farmers-markets/ San Diego Informer — Your practical guide to living in and exploring San Diego County — https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/ ## Quick take - The County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures publishes the official list of certified farmers markets in San Diego County, sorted by day of the week. - In the certified section, farmers sell what they grow and must display a Certified Producer's Certificate listing their products. - Prepared food, crafts and bakery items belong to a separate non-agricultural area of the market. - Many markets accept CalFresh EBT, and some add Market Match, which matches what you spend up to a daily cap. San Diego farmers markets run all year, and the County keeps the official list. The [County of San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures](https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/awm/farmers_markets.html) certifies the markets and publishes them in a day-by-day list with addresses, seasons, managers and whether each one takes SNAP or WIC. Start there, pick a market near you, and go early for the best choice or late for the best deals. Shopping one well comes down to a few habits. Know which stands are certified growers, bring small bills or your EBT card, and treat each market as a weekly habit rather than a one-time outing, because the produce changes with the season. The rest of this guide explains how certified markets work here, how to read a stand and when to show up. ## What "certified" means at a San Diego farmers market A certified farmers market is one approved by the county agricultural commissioner under California's direct marketing rules. Inside the certified section, farmers sell products they grew themselves. Each certified producer receives a Certified Producer's Certificate from their county, and that certificate lists the crops they are allowed to sell. California regulations require producers to post that certificate where you can see it at their stand. The California Department of Food and Agriculture publishes its enforcement notices, and failing to display the certificate or selling something that isn't on it are among the violations it cites. Selling produce bought from someone else is not allowed in the certified area. Certified doesn't only mean fruit and vegetables. County guidance for market managers lists other farm products that belong in the certified section, such as eggs, honey, nuts and cut flowers. If you're building a weekly routine, that's handy: one stop can cover breakfast basics as well as produce. ### Organic is a separate claim A certified farmers market is about who grew the food, not how it was grown. Organic is its own label with its own rules, set by the USDA's National Organic Program. If organic matters to you, ask the farmer directly or look for organic certification displayed at the stand, and don't assume it from the market's name. ### The non-certified side Most markets also have a separate area for things that aren't farm products: prepared food, bakery items, crafts, soaps and similar goods. State rules keep those out of the certified section, and markets separate the areas with signs, barriers or simple distance. Nothing is wrong with the hot food side. Just know that the "farm" rules apply to the produce rows, not to the tamale stand. ## How to find a market near you The County list is the most reliable source because the agency that certifies the markets maintains it. It is published as a PDF, the [Certified Farmers' Markets list by day](https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/awm/docs/CFM%20List%20by%20Day.pdf), and is updated as markets open, close or move. Some markets close for a season or relocate for street work, so look at the date on the list and the market's own page before driving across town. A few well-established markets in city neighborhoods give you a sense of the spread. | Market | Day | Neighborhood guide | |---|---|---| | Little Italy Mercato | Saturday, plus a smaller Wednesday market | [Little Italy](/neighborhoods/little-italy/) | | Hillcrest Farmers Market | Sunday | | | Ocean Beach Farmers Market | Wednesday, late afternoon into evening | [Ocean Beach](/neighborhoods/ocean-beach/) | | North Park Farmers Market | Thursday, afternoon into evening | [North Park](/neighborhoods/north-park/) | Days come from the markets' listings and the County's certified market list. Hours and exact blocks change, so confirm them before you go. Outside the city of San Diego, you'll find certified markets in North County, East County and South Bay communities too. Markets just over the line in southwest Riverside County, such as Temecula, are certified by Riverside County, so they won't appear on the San Diego list. ## Reading a stand before you buy Walk the whole market once before buying anything. It takes ten minutes and tells you who has what, how prices compare and which stands have lines for a reason. ### Look for the certificate Find the posted Certified Producer's Certificate at each produce stand. You don't need to read it closely every week, but it's there for you. If a stand has something unusual for the season, the certificate shows whether that crop is on the producer's list. ### Ask a simple question Farmers are usually happy to talk when the line is short. "When was this picked?" and "What's best this week?" get you more useful answers than anything printed on a sign. Ask how to store what you're buying, too. Stone fruit, avocados and tomatoes each want different handling. ### Taste when it's offered Sampling is up to each stand and to local health rules. If samples are out, use the toothpicks or cups provided and don't handle the display fruit. **A short market kit** Bring two or three sturdy bags and one small cooler bag for anything delicate. Carry some small bills, since not every farmer takes cards. Keep a list, but leave room for whatever looks good that week. If you bike or ride transit, a backpack beats a tote, and our [San Diego Trolley guide](/getting-around/san-diego-trolley/) covers how to get around without parking. ## Paying with CalFresh, WIC and Market Match Many San Diego County markets accept CalFresh EBT, and the County's list notes which ones take SNAP and WIC. At those markets you go to an information or EBT booth, your card is swiped for the amount you choose, and you receive tokens to spend at eligible stands. Some markets also take part in Market Match, a statewide program led by the nonprofit Ecology Center. It matches what you spend with CalFresh at participating markets, up to a daily limit set by each market. Caps and participating markets change from year to year, so ask at the booth. Locally, 2-1-1 San Diego can also point you to markets that accept benefits. ## Timing your visit Early is for selection. Popular items like berries in late spring or certain heirloom tomatoes in summer can sell out before midday at busy markets. If you're after something specific, come in the first hour. Late is for deals and space. In the last half hour, some farmers would rather sell than reload the truck, and the aisles are calmer. You'll trade choice for price. The calendar matters as much as the clock. San Diego's mild climate keeps markets open all year, but what's on the tables still turns over: citrus and greens through the cooler months, strawberries building in spring, stone fruit and tomatoes in summer, and apples and squash from the backcountry in fall. A market that looks thin in February looks very different in July. Weather plays a part too. On a hot inland afternoon, bring a cooler bag for greens and fish. On the coast, a grey morning keeps produce fresh and crowds lighter. ## Etiquette that makes the market better Let farmers bag delicate fruit for you when they offer. Keep dogs close and leashed, and check the market's own rules, since some don't allow pets at all. Step aside to count change or check your list so the line keeps moving. And if you loved something, tell the farmer. They plan next season around what sells. ## Make it part of your week Picking one market and going most weeks is the easiest way to learn the seasons and the growers. A neighborhood market also pairs well with the rest of the area: coffee, a walk, a park. For more ideas around town, browse our [Things to Do section](/things-to-do/). ## Before you head to the market **Where are tamales, pastries and crafts sold?** In the non-agricultural area. State rules keep prepared food, bakery items and crafts out of the certified produce section, so markets separate the two with signs, barriers or distance. **What should I do if a stand has a crop that seems out of season?** Look at the Certified Producer's Certificate posted at the stand. It lists the crops that producer is allowed to sell. **Why doesn't the Temecula market appear on the San Diego County list?** Markets in southwest Riverside County, such as Temecula, are certified by Riverside County, not San Diego County. **Is it better to go early or late?** Early gives you the best selection, since popular items can sell out before midday. The last half hour is calmer and some farmers lower prices rather than reload the truck. **What should I bring?** Two or three sturdy bags, a small cooler bag for delicate items, some small bills because not every farmer takes cards, and your EBT card if you use CalFresh. Next up: [See where the rest of a San Diego household budget goes](https://www.sandiegoinformer.com/living/cost-of-living-in-san-diego/) ## Questions readers ask **Where can I find an up-to-date list of San Diego farmers markets?** The County of San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures publishes the official list of certified farmers markets by day of the week, with addresses, seasons and whether each market accepts SNAP or WIC. **How do I know a vendor actually grew what they sell?** Look for the Certified Producer's Certificate. Under California rules, certified producers must post it at their stand, and it lists the crops they are allowed to sell. **Can I use CalFresh EBT at San Diego farmers markets?** Many markets accept it at an information or EBT booth, where your card is swiped and you get tokens. Some also offer Market Match, which adds extra tokens up to a daily limit set by each market. **Is there a farmers market every day in San Diego?** Most days have several markets across the county, but some weekdays have very few. Check the County's day-by-day list before you go.