San Diego Farmers Market Guide
Find out what farmers markets are available in San Diego County Monday through Sunday.
$40 at the Sunday La Jolla Open Aire Market
With over a million households in San Diego County, if each one committed to spending just $40 every month at their local farmers’ market, it would equate to over $500 million in support of small-scale, local businesses each year.
The La Jolla Open Aire Market was founded in 1998 with a portion of their proceeds benefiting the La Jolla Elementary school. Over 20 years later, it continues to be a thriving spot for weekly community engagement.
A few steps off Girard Avenue, you’ll find the entrance to a marketplace set up in the school parking lot bustling with over 120 weekly vendors, including farmers, artisanal producers, local makers, and small businesses.
The sun truly does seem to shine a bit brighter in La Jolla, offering the perfect atmosphere to stroll, shop, eat, drink, and enjoy live music. When you’re ready to eat your haul, there are plenty of tables on the grassy perimeter of the market as well as a central covered dining area.
The market is busy, but spaced out well so that it offers an open feeling. A very family friendly bonus is access to some of the school’s playgrounds. There’s a great neighborly feeling here. I only wish the market was open an hour longer to allow for more casual perusing.
Photo 1: Oh Momo! Fresh Curry
Photo 2: Erthē Foods
Reconnaissance
I made two separate trips to the La Jolla market. It’s a bit of a drive, but worth it for the variety of vendors.
On the first trip, I arrived toward the end of the day and had just enough time to enjoy what seemed like half of the market. I recognized familiar vendors and faces from other area markets, as well as new stands, like Erthē Foods. I ran out of time to shop before the market closed, so on my return visit a few weeks later, I came earlier to sample the offerings and new pop-up dining concepts.
The Haul
I’d run into Momoko Jackson of Oh Momo! Fresh Curry earlier in the week at my chiropractor’s office (love this small San Diego world) and had promised to visit her. As we made our way toward her booth to stock up on tubs of Panang and green basil curry paste, my market companion (a dumpling fanatic) was sidetracked at the neighboring House of Bao tent.
He decided on freshly rolled chicken potstickers and shrimp dumplings, while I caught up with Momoko.
Photo 1: Da Le Ranch
Photo 2: So Cal Famous Beach Ice
Dumpling cravings attended to, I set out to find some breakfast ingredients for the week, selecting a dozen eggs from Meza Ranch in Warner Springs and a half-pound of country breakfast sausage from Da-Le Ranch.
I made my way to the Erthē booth and opted to mix and match three energy truffles in vanilla coconut, cinnamon almond, and raw cacao, tucking them in my bag for later. A small scoop of lemon ice from So Cal Famous Beach Ice was devoured on the spot.
On our way out I noticed a new vendor, Alma California, and stopped by to chat with the owners.
Neale Holaday, a Santa Clara baker, and husband Ross Garcia, a NY chef and whole animal butcher, recently moved to San Diego to develop a restaurant concept showcasing local ingredients and seafood through a seasonal and regionally-driven menu. They were already closed for the day, but the soft cracked pepper salted caramels they handed me as a consolation were enough to convince me to return specifically to visit them.
Using My Local Bounty
At home, farm fresh eggs were hard boiled for the week’s breakfasts, while the sausages were perfect in a gluten-free pigs-in-a-blanket dinner one night. I mixed a dollop of the divine Oh Momo! curry paste with my standard coconut rice, which added freshness and robust flavor to the simple dish. The Erthē energy truffles kept well in the fridge and were the perfect midweek indulgence when I rediscovered them a few days later.
My $40 at the La Jolla Open Aire Market bought…
Treats On-the-Spot
House of Bao chicken potstickers and shrimp dumplings ($5 each)
So Cal Famous Ice ($3.50 per scoop)
Treats to Take Home
Oh Momo! Curry Paste ($7 each)
Eggs from Meza Farms ($8 per dozen)
Da Le Ranch Breakfast Sausage ($14 per pound)
Erthē Energy Truffles (3 for $7)
Visit the La Jolla Open Aire Market
Location: 7335 Girard Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037
Hours: Sundays, 9 am–1:30 pm
Market Notes: Bring cash, because while many vendors do take cards, merchant service fees can cut into slim profit margins.
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