Santa Monica Farmers Markets - Sunday Main St

Farmers markets are one of my favorite pastimes: they're calming, exciting because of their vendors, and extensive. The Santa Monica market on the weekends is no exception! I really like the various vendors that carry their unique food items, such as breads, vegan pastries, flowers, jewelry, and home appliances. Each worker gives their own suggestions on what to purchase and pair with the items you want, such as the best types of bread for any nut butter you're eyeing or how to serve the fresh fruits on the tables.

This market is nicely spaced out for people to walk around at a reasonable distance and it's not too noisy in the mornings (though afternoons are a different story). I would bring a cart and/or plenty of reusable bags if you're looking to finish some grocery shopping. Some of the vendors are a little pricey, but the quality is worth it!

This is one of the three famers markets in Santa Monica (Main Street, Downtown, and Pico) and has been around since 1995.

[Hours]: Sunday from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

[Parking]: There are designated public parking lots right next to the market. The parking rate is $1.25 per hour.

[Amenities & vendors]: I counted about 30 vendors and they include gelato, coffee truck, boutique vendors, and fruit/vegetable vendors.

Can't say I was particularly excited about this farmers market, but nothing disappointed either and paid parking is to be expected in Santa Monica. Personally it is better to visit this market after 11 AM as most of local brick and mortar shops on Main Street opens at 11 AM - 12 PM.

Do y'all remember John Denver with his granny glasses?
"Well, a simple kinda life never did me no harm
A raisin' me a family and workin' on the farm
My days are all filled with an easy country charm
Thank God, I'm a SoCal boy!"

I ain't sure if John Denver was really a SoCal boy, probably not. I just know Santa Monica takes its farmers' market pretty seriously because they hold it three times a week at two different locations. And why not? It's gorgeous down here with fresh produce and plants in plentiful supply. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the market is held downtown on Arizona Avenue near the popular Third Street Promenade. On Sundays, it's in an open space further south on Main Street, and frankly I preferred this location more since it was smaller than I expected and didn't feel nearly as crowded. The produce is as bountiful as you'd expect in these parts, and the artisan foods were quite appetizing.

"Well, I got me a fine wife, I got me an ol' fiddle
When the sun's comin' up, I got cakes on the griddle
And life ain't nothin' but a funny, funny riddle
Thank God, I'm a SoCal boy!"

RELATED - Exploring LA? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2TWT63v

I have been meaning to visit this market for years (I don't live in Santa Monica). I finally made my way over and was very pleased. This is a medium sized market compared to others I've visited. The selection is fantastic. Parking was easily found in a metered lot adjacent to the market. It costs $1.25 to park for an hour. The lot was probably only about half full. The market wasn't too crowded. Everyone wore masks, and the vendors had a variety of safety measures. Some had one-way only lines. Others had signs asking customers to avoid touching the products. I felt quite safe. I want to especially send a shout out to the woman who sold me micro greens. She was lovely to talk to. Here are other items I purchased from other vendors:

Smith Farms - baby watermelon, baby kabocha squash, okra, baby collard greens, zucchini

Laurent Le Coffee Shop - Pasteis de Nata, Ham & Cheese Croissant, & Chocolate Croissant

Suncoast Farm - brussel sprouts

Vang Farm - cucumbers, Chinese eggplants, dill, snow pea shoots

Behneman Farms - green onions, pomegranate, grapefruit, guava

I'd say the selection is pretty awesome for November, but I suppose that is the beauty of living in Southern California. Hopefully that gives you an idea of what's available right now. By the way, try the guava. They are so tasty. There was even a vendor selling corn which is typically found in the summer. Several vendors had berries including strawberries, again, typically found in the summer. I saw one vendor selling seafood and a couple of vendors with gorgeous flowers. Like most markets, there was honey, olive oil, and yogurt. Overall, the market is definitely worth a visit.

Everything is 1.5 times the cost you would find at the market. $7 lattes, supposedly fresh bread that starts to mold in 2 days and fruit is not fresh picked. Your better off going to Trader Joe's.

Was just bothered by the smell of urine. Kinda threw me off walking through each area.

WARNING: MAGGIE'S FARM IS A FRAUD !!!

I'm a former employee of several years with Maggie's Farm owned by Nate Peitso. I think everyone should be aware that they do not grow approximately 90% of their produce. They purchase it in bulk from Kenter Canyon Farms who supplies both Whole Foods and Bristol Farms. Do yourself a favor and purchase the same product for less at those stores or purchase from a more reliable vendor at the farmer's market.

Pretty decent sized farmers market with tons of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, clothing, baked goods, hummus & dips and much more. They also have a little section that sells coffee and food. The worse thing here is probably parking which is mainly street.

Sunday is the day for bounties of beautiful local produce, meats, fish, flowers and artisanal goods being sold along Santa Monica's Main Street. Consider this market the smaller cousin to Wednesday's FM on Arizona Ave, but it's still home to farm-fresh fare worthy of filling your crisper or dry pantry. When a global pandemic isn't wreaking havoc, you'll find live music, prepackaged food, cooking classes and pop-up kitchens serving breakfast and brunch. It seems like vendors are slowly emerging from the shadow of 2020. So do yourself a favor and arrive early for the best selection these growers can offer, and beat the crowd.

Always feels like home this market with so many great farms and the focus on local grown goodness! No smelly food stalls or sales people distrusting your journey to find and smell the items you are looking for. Miss this place if only the west side was an easy drive!