Farmers Markets are a great (admission-free) destination for the whole family to get some fresh air, while also gathering fruits and veggies for the week — and supporting local farmers!
While all farmers’ markets welcome families, our favorites offer extra family-friendly amenities like fruit sampling, live music, and special kid entertainment.Â
The list of family-friendly markets | Produce storage guidelines to keep it all fresher longer
Kids’ Favorite East Bay Farmers Markets
A few of our favorite local farmers’ markets go beyond the freshest of fresh food to offer entertainment for the littles. Here are our children’s favorite weekly food-centered festivals:
Grand Lake Farmers Market (Saturdays 9-2)
Splash Pad Park sits at the nexus of Grand and Lakeshore Avenues, and this overflowing market often offers a bouncy house and a chance for little ones to get wet if they want to step into the fountain, and live music. Sources tell us on a really sunny weekend, there’s face painting and a balloon guy, too. Find out more about the Grand Lake Farmers Market.
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Downtown Berkeley Farmers’ Market (Saturdays 10-3)
Besides the local produce, live music, fresh pretzels, and apple cider, this market’s location (Center Street @ M. L. King, Jr. Way) is a quick walk from the Berkeley Public Library, BAMPFA and the YMCA; or walk up Center Street to access more room to run on the lawns at the Cal Campus. All to say, there’s a lot to do with kids in downtown Berkeley. In warmer months, there’s been a Farmers Market Storytime hosted by BPL’s children librarians, too.
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Temescal Farmers’ Market (Sundays 9-1)
Rain or shine, the parking lot of the Claremont Ave DMV transforms on Sunday mornings to an urban village with a creek running through it. Kids love messing around in the creek, water or not, and parents love the coffee cart. Bring your wheels because a bike path takes you one block from the Market to Frog Park. There’s also a ton to do in Rockridge with your family.
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Kensington Farmers’ Market (Sundays 9-2)
Colusa Circle shuts down Oak View Ave and fills up with vendors on Sunday mornings and live musicians. Camp chairs invite you to sit and watch a while. This market isn’t usually overly crowded, yet is still well attended. The little hill overlooking the market is a great spot for snacking on treats or climbing on the couch sculpture. There’s often seasonal kids activities like trick-or-treating or visits from the Grinch. We like tying in a visit to nearby Memorial Park.
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Jack London Square Farmers’ Market (Sundays 11-4)
Kids love the proximity to boats and the train tracks, plus big kids will want to stop in at Plank for a round of skeeball. Stop by the kids’ corner for crafts and other fun activities for the whole family. There’s so much to do at Jack London Square for kids.
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Up for a bigger adventure? Take the ferry to San Francisco’s Ferry Building Farmer’s Market on Saturdays from 8-2. There’s a lot to do in and around the Ferry Building with kids.
Lots More East Bay Farmers Market locations
On a mild weather day, pushing a stroller around any Farmers Market can be a pleasant enough experience. Many farmers markets have areas just for kids, like art tables, bubbles or hula hoops. It’s likely there’s another kid-friendly destination like a museum or park a short walk away, too! Here are a few more to add to your rotation.
Community Produce Stand (Various Roving Locations!)
Mandela Partners’ mobile markets bring fresh, high-quality, and sustainably grown fruits and vegetables to communities that are under-served by more established farmers market programs. See the map to find one near you. SNAP saves half. CSA also available.
Alameda Farmers’ Market
Haight Ave & Webster Street, Alameda
Tuesdays & Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Downtown
Center Street @ M. L. King, Jr. Way
Saturdays 10 am – 3 pm
Berkeley Farmers’ Market, North
Shattuck & Vine
Thursdays 3 pm – 7 pm
Berkeley Farmers’ Market, South
Adeline Street & 63rd (near Sweet Adeline Bakery)
Tuesdays 2 pm – 6:30 pm
Castro Valley Farmers Market
Corner of Redwood Rd. & Norbridge Ave (Castro Valley BART)
Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
El Cerrito Plaza Farmers’ Market
El Cerrito Plaza
Tuesdays & Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
Grand Lake Farmer’s Market
Grand Ave. & Lake Park Ave.
Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm
Hayward Farmers’ Market
City Hall Plaza
Saturday 9 am –1 pm
Irvington Farmer’s Market, Fremont
Bay St & Trimboli Way, Fremont
Sundays 9 am – 2 pm
Kensington Farmers’ Market
Colusa Circle, Kensington
Sundays 9 am – 2 pm
Newark Farmers’ Market @ New Park Mall
2086 Newpark Mall, Newark
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm
Montclair Village Farmers’ Market, Oakland
La Salle Ave & Moraga Ave
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm
Old Oakland Farmers’ Market, Oakland
9th St between Broadway & Clay
Fridays 8 am – 2 pm
Jack London Square Farmer’s Market, Oakland
Jack London Square
Sundays 11 am – 4 pm
Temescal Farmer’s Market, Oakland
5300 Claremont Ave (DMV)
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm
Pinole Farmers’ Market
798 Fernandez Ave., Pinole
Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
Richmond Farmers Market, Civic Center
325 Civic Center Plaza., Richmond
Fridays 7 am – 1 pm
Richmond Farmers Market, Marina Bay
Regatta Blvd & Melville Sq., Richmond
Sundays 10 am – 2 pm
San Leandro Farmers’ Market @ Bayfair
Bayfair Center, E 14th St.
Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
San Leandro Farmers’ Market, Downtown
300 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro (near library)
Wednesdays 3 pm – 7 pm (Seasonal, May through October)
Union City Farmers Market
30940 Watkins St., Union City
Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
Summer Farmers Market Food Storage Tips
Other tips on keeping produce fresh and eating it in time
Always shop with a list. Part of the joy of shopping at the farmers market is discovering new and seasonal produce, but using a list will keep you on track and reduce the temptation to take home a purple cauliflower if you already have a regular one in the crisper.
FIFO – First In First Out: When bringing home fresh produce, rotate the older stuff to the front or top. Use this Eat This First sign to let everyone know what food is a priority.
Need to use up a lot of produce – fast and easy!
- Roast it. Wilted veggies? Get in here.
- Soup it. Use up limp vegetables, leftover pasta, cheese ends, and even old ketchup.
- Freeze it. Prep now. Eat later. Thank yourself.
- Pickle it! You’d be surprised at how many things can become quick and easy refrigerator pickles.
- Popsicle it! Ugly fruit? No problem!
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1 thought on “East Bay Farmers Markets Guide for {510} Families”
Check out the West Oakland Farmers ‘ Market near the new Prescott Market Hall. https://www.westoaklandfarmersmarket.org/