Farmers Markets Near Stanford

Monday

No farmers markets nearby. Head to Sigona's Farmers Market at Stanford Shopping Center (see Bonus section) for fresh produce daily.

Tuesday

Stanford University (10am–2pm) · Kaiser Redwood City (9:30am–1:30pm)

Wednesday

East Palo Alto (8:30am–12:30pm, seasonal Apr–Nov) · VA Palo Alto (9:30am–1:30pm, seasonal May–Nov)

Thursday

Portola Valley (2–6pm summer / 2–5pm winter) · Los Altos (4–8pm, seasonal May–Oct)

Friday

Stanford University (10am–2pm)

Saturday

Downtown Palo Alto (8am–noon) · Redwood City Kiwanis (8am–1pm, seasonal Apr–Nov) · Sunnyvale (9am–1pm)

Sunday

California Avenue, Palo Alto (9am–1pm) · Menlo Park (9am–1pm) · Mountain View (9am–1pm) · San Carlos (9am–1pm)

Stanford University Farmers' Market White Plaza — 10am–2pm, year-round

Located in the heart of the Stanford campus at White Plaza near Tressider Memorial Union. Operated by the West Coast Farmers' Market Association. A compact but lively market with certified produce, prepared foods (Thai street food, Peruvian dishes, Oaxacan specialties, sourdough from Little Sky Bakery), flowers, and more. Popular with students, faculty, and campus visitors — the setting is beautiful and the food vendors make it a great lunch stop. Visitor parking is available in campus lots; check Stanford's transportation website for current visitor parking policies.

Kaiser Redwood City Farmers Market 1100 Veterans Blvd — year-round

Operated by West Coast Farmers' Market Association on the Kaiser Permanente medical campus. A convenient stop if you're in the Redwood City area. Note: the operator lists hours as 9am–2pm, while the county listing shows 9:30am–1:30pm — verify current hours on the WCFMA website before visiting. About 15 minutes from Menlo Park.

East Palo Alto Community Farmers' Market 2555 Pulgas Ave — 8:30am–12:30pm, April–November

Operated by Fresh Approach, a nonprofit focused on food access and equity. This is a standout community market with affordable, culturally diverse produce. Accepts cash, credit, CalFresh/EBT, WIC, and Senior FMNP checks, with a generous Market Match program (up to $10 for CalFresh, plus additional matches for other qualifying programs and VeggieRx vouchers). Regular programming includes cooking demonstrations and gardening workshops. About 10 minutes from our property. Verify the exact opening and closing dates each year via Fresh Approach.

VA Palo Alto Farmers' Market 3801 Miranda Ave — 9:30am–1:30pm, May–November

Operated by Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association (PCFMA) on the VA medical campus. A smaller seasonal market. The 2026 season runs approximately May 6 through November 4. Accepts CalFresh/EBT, WIC, and Market Match. Located on a federal campus — verify public access and parking procedures on arrival, as these can change. About 10 minutes from Menlo Park.

Portola Valley Farmers' Market 765 Portola Rd — 2–6pm (summer) / 2–5pm (winter), year-round

A charming small-town market at the Historic Schoolhouse in Portola Valley's Town Center. Vendors typically include organic and seasonal produce, bakery items, honey, jams, meats, eggs, and occasional seafood. The setting is beautiful — rolling hills and open space — and the afternoon hours make it easy to pair with a hike on nearby trails (Windy Hill, for example). About 15 minutes from Menlo Park.

Downtown Los Altos Farmers' Market 200 State St — 4–8pm, seasonal (late April–mid-October)

Operated by PCFMA. An evening market in the heart of downtown Los Altos — great atmosphere on a warm summer evening. The 2026 season runs approximately April 30 through October 15. Accepts CalFresh/EBT, WIC, and Market Match. Parking is distributed across nearby streets and small lots, so plan for downtown congestion. About 20 minutes from Menlo Park.

Stanford University Farmers' Market White Plaza — 10am–2pm, year-round

Same market as Tuesday (see Tuesday section for details). Friday was added in recent years and features a similar mix of produce, prepared food vendors, baked goods, and flowers. A perfect pre-weekend stop for stocking up on fresh ingredients.

Downtown Palo Alto Farmers' Market Gilman St between Hamilton & Forest — 8am–noon, year-round

The classic Saturday morning market. Run by a volunteer nonprofit since the 1980s, originally created when downtown Palo Alto lost its last grocery store. Located on Gilman Street behind the downtown post office, with a well-curated mix of certified produce, dairy, eggs, honey, meat, fish, baked goods, flowers, and prepared foods. The market takes a short holiday break each winter (typically the last 2–3 Saturdays of December and first weekend of January). Accepts CalFresh/EBT. Abundant free street parking and a small adjacent public lot. Dogs are not allowed except service animals. About 10 minutes from our property.

Redwood City Kiwanis Certified Farmers' Market 500 block Arguello St — 8am–1pm, April–November

The oldest farmers market on the Peninsula, founded in 1979 by the Kiwanis Club of Redwood City. A large seasonal market with certified produce, baked goods, honey, tamales, hummus, flowers, and other prepared foods. Live acoustic music, community outreach tables, and a strong neighborhood feel. Accepts WIC and Senior FMNP checks; CalFresh acceptance is not confirmed — check at the market's information booth. About 15 minutes from Menlo Park.

Sunnyvale Farmers Market Murphy Ave at Washington — 9am–1pm, year-round

Operated by Urban Village Farmers' Market Association (UVFM). Accepts EBT/WIC with a Market Match program. Knife sharpening every 3rd Saturday (except some holiday weekends). A solid general market, about 25 minutes south of Menlo Park.

California Avenue Farmers' Market California Ave at El Camino Real — 9am–1pm, year-round

Operated by UVFM. One of the most popular and well-attended markets on the Peninsula. Located on California Avenue between El Camino Real and Birch Street, it stretches along several blocks and has a festival-like atmosphere on nice weekends. Accepts EBT/WIC with a dollar-for-dollar Market Match (up to $15 for qualifying fruits and vegetables). Knife sharpening on the first Sunday of each month. Parking along side streets and in nearby lots. About 10 minutes from our property. This is our top recommendation for visitors.

Menlo Park Farmers Market Chestnut St between Santa Cruz Ave & Menlo Ave — 9am–1pm, year-round

Sponsored by the Menlo Park Live Oak Lions Club since 1992. A quaint, community-oriented market in the parking lot next to Trader Joe's in downtown Menlo Park. Vendors offer California-grown fruits and vegetables, mushrooms (Far West Fungi is a local favorite), fresh fish from Half Moon Bay, herbs, flowers, honey, olive oil, eggs, and baked goods. Live music most weeks. A portion of proceeds supports local community programs, and leftover produce is donated to feed the homeless. This is the closest market to our property — about a 5-minute drive or a pleasant walk.

Mountain View Farmers' Market 600 W Evelyn Ave (Caltrain station) — 9am–1pm, year-round

One of the largest markets in the area with 80+ vendors. Operated by California Farmers' Markets Association (CFMA). Located at the downtown Caltrain station. Free city lots along Hope Street and parking garages nearby; limited Caltrain lot parking. Note: the market occasionally relocates to California Street and Brant Street (Lot 12) when the Caltrain lot is unavailable — check CFMA's website the week of your visit. Accepts CalFresh/EBT and WIC. About 15–20 minutes south of Menlo Park.

San Carlos Farmers' Market 600 Laurel St at Cherry St — 9am–1pm, year-round

Operated by UVFM. A lively downtown market with produce, flowers, specialty foods, local artists, and frequent live music. Restaurants and cafés line the surrounding blocks, making it easy to combine with brunch. Accepts CalFresh/EBT, WIC, and Market Match. Closed during the annual Art & Wine Faire weekend (typically late summer). About 15 minutes north of Menlo Park.

California Avenue (Sunday) CalFresh + Market Match up to $15

East Palo Alto (Wednesday, seasonal) CalFresh + Market Match up to $10 + VeggieRx

VA Palo Alto (Wednesday, seasonal) CalFresh + WIC + Market Match

Downtown Palo Alto (Saturday) CalFresh accepted

Sunnyvale (Saturday) CalFresh + WIC + Market Match

Mountain View (Sunday) CalFresh + WIC

San Carlos (Sunday) CalFresh + WIC + Market Match

Los Altos (Thursday, seasonal) CalFresh + WIC + Market Match

Bring your own bags

Most vendors provide bags, but bringing reusable totes is easier and more eco-friendly. Bring a cooler bag if you're buying meat, fish, or dairy on a warm day.

Bring cash and cards

Most vendors accept credit cards now, but some smaller stalls are still cash-only. Having a mix of both ensures you won't miss anything.

Arrive early for the best selection

Popular items (berries, stone fruit, artisan breads) sell out. Arrive within the first hour for the widest selection. Arrive in the last hour for occasional deals as vendors prepare to close.

Talk to the farmers

Ask what's at peak season, how to prepare something unfamiliar, or what will be available next week. Farmers are genuinely happy to share — that's the whole point of buying direct.

Check for closures

Markets occasionally close for holidays, campus events, or weather. Check the operator's website or social media the day before, especially around holiday weekends.

Make it a meal

Many markets have prepared food vendors — tacos, baked goods, fresh juices, coffee, Thai food, crepes — making them a great casual lunch outing, not just a grocery run.

Peak produce seasons

Strawberries peak April–June. Stone fruit (peaches, nectarines, cherries) from May–September. Tomatoes and corn from July–October. Citrus from November–March. Mushrooms, greens, and root vegetables are available year-round.