Best Farmers Markets in the East Bay for Kids

East Bay Farmers Markets Guide for {510} Families

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 splash pads on hold or only slowly returning. 

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.
Website >>

Grand Lake Farmers Market
Music and fountain at Grand Lake farmers market | Photo: Julia Gidwani

Downtown Berkeley Farmers’ Market (Saturdays 10-3)

Location (Center Street @ M. L. King, Jr. Way) is king with this market. Besides the local produce, live music, fresh pretzels, and apple cider, it’s adjacent to the Berkeley Public Library and the YMCA with more room to run on the lawns at the Cal Campus.
Website >>

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.
Website >>

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.
Website >>

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. Grab some fresh flowers along with your treats to eat.
Website >>

Akoma Outdoor Market (1st Sundays 11-3)

Weather permitting, this farmers’ market highlights local Black and Brown farmers, vendors, organizations, and artists. In addition to the tasty treats, look for a roller skating rink (somehow, it is outdoors with a beautiful hardwood floor) that offers free family skating on market days. Typically hosted on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month and the first Sunday during the wintertime.
Website >>

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.

Ayva loves the Farmers Market popcorn | Photo: Brandi Riley

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. 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

Akoma Outdoor Market, East Oakland
Foothill & 73rd Ave in East Oakland
1st & Third Sundays of the month, 10 am – 3 pm

Berkeley, Downtown
Center Street @ M. L. King, Jr. Way
Saturdays 10 am – 3 pm

Berkeley, North
Shattuck & Vine
Thursdays 3 pm – 7 pm

Berkeley, 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

Jack London Square Farmer’s Market, Oakland
Jack London Square
Sundays 11 am – 4 pm

Kensington Farmers Market has different live music every Sunday | Photo: Kat Choi

Kensington Farmers’ Market
Colusa Circle, Kensington
Sundays 9 am – 2 pm

Livermore Farmers Market
Second St between J and L Streets, Livermore
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm

Montclair Village, Oakland
La Salle Ave & Moraga Ave
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm

Newark Farmers Market @ New Park Mall
2086 Newpark Mall, Newark
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm

Old Oakland
9th St between Broadway & Clay
Fridays 8 am – 2 pm

Pinole Farmers Market
798 Fernandez Ave., Pinole
Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm

Pleasanton Farmers’ Market
46 W Angela Street, Pleasanton
Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm

Richmond Farmers Market
24th Street & Barrett Ave., Richmond
Fridays 8 am – 5 pm

Montclair Farmers Market
Don’t miss the Sunday Farmer’s Market in Montclair | Photo: Adam Miller

San Leandro Farmers’ Market @ Bayfair
Bayfair Center, E 14th St.
Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm

San Leandro Farmers’ Market, Downtown
1 Parrott Street @ E. 14th, San Leandro
Wednesdays 3 pm – 7 pm (Seasonal, May through October)

Temescal Farmer’s Market, Oakland
5300 Claremont Ave (DMV)
Sundays 9 am – 1 pm

Union City Farmers Market
30940 Watkins St., Union City
Saturdays 8 am – 12 pm


9 food storage tips
Best tips for storing farmers market produce to make it last | Tips via StopFoodWaste.org

Summer Farmers Market Food Storage Tips

farmers market tomatoes
Picking ground cherries at Grand Lake farmers market | Photo: Julia Gidwani

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. More shopping tips >>

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.

fruit and vegetable storage instructions
The best way to store produce via StopFoodWaste.org

Need to use up a lot of produce – fast and easy!

  1. Roast it. Wilted veggies? Get in here.
  2. Soup it. Use up limp vegetables, leftover pasta, cheese ends, and even old ketchup.
  3. Freeze it. Prep now. Eat later. Thank yourself.
  4. Pickle it! You’d be surprised at how many things can become quick and easy refrigerator pickles.
  5. Popsicle it! Ugly fruit? No problem!

xxx

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1 thought on “East Bay Farmers Markets Guide for {510} Families”

  1. The Downtown San Leandro Farmers’ Market has moved to the San Leandro library! It’s the perfect activity for you and your kids to enjoy live music, delicious dining options, the best local seasonal produce, and all that the library offers in the form of books and board games. Parking is plentiful thanks to the nearby parking garage.

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