Sonoma County farmers' markets serve up fresh produce, great vibes, live music and plenty of fun.
Petaluma Farmers Markets, three locations: Petaluma, a town with a rich agricultural history, has three popular farmers markets: the year-round East Side market (every Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in Lucchesi Park), and the seasonal markets in the Theatre District (every Wednesday, 4:30-8 p.m., June 5-Aug. 28) and Walnut Park (every Saturday, 2-5 p.m., May 11-Nov. 16). Nearly 40 vendors at each market provide everything from nuts and spices to barbecued chicken and fresh seafood (and everything in between). communityfarmersmarkets.com
Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market: There’s something for everyone at this sprawling market, with Bay Area vendors such as Anna’s Seafood, Costeaux French Bakery, Two Rock Valley Goat Cheese, The Taste of Tea and other local favorites supplying all your farmers market needs. Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., year-round, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, thesantarosafarmersmarket.com
Santa Rosa Community Farmers' Market: This popular year-round market is always adding new superstar food and craft producers to its lineup. A popular newbie from last year, The Silo, is a no-waste grocer offering staples like herbs, flour, rice and beans in reusable containers. Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. year-round, 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa, communityfarmersmarkets.com.
Oakmont Farmers Market: For early birds (or those looking to make the most of their weekend), this morning market provides fresh produce and eggs to get your Saturday started right. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, year-round, Oakmont and White Oak drives in Santa Rosa.
Santa Rosa Downtown Market: This farmer’s market is locally renowned and anticipated all winter and spring-long. On Wednesday nights, Courthouse Square transforms into a mini festival, complete with craft and farmers’ tables, a bouncy house, a beer garden, chess tables and food tents (offering everything from pies to Thai food). Wednesdays, 5-8:30 p.m., starting May 15 through Aug. 28, Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa, wednesdaynightmarket.org.
Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market: A Sonoma staple since 1985, this farmers market offers an abundance of local produce, baked goods and crafts from farmers and establishments such as Hector’s Honey, Strauss Dairy, The Hummus Guy, J’amie Patisserie and more. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., year-round, 241 West First St., Sonoma, svcfm.org.
Valley of the Moon Certified Farmers' Market, Sonoma: The historic Sonoma Plaza bustles with life during its Tuesday night farmers market, where patrons can enjoy locally sourced produce, educational forums and live music from Bay Area artists. Find gourmet food from locally renowned restaurants such as Gerard’s Paella and the girl & the fig, and artisan crafts from companies such as Morningbird Soap Company and Jessica Jo Designs, and so much more. Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. to dusk, starting May 7 and ending Sept. 24, Sonoma Plaza, vomcfm.com
The Springs Community Farmers Market: This seasonal market is open rain or shine from summer to winter, offering both fresh and packaged food, meats and eggs, artisan crafts, live music and plenty of family fun. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting June 2 through Dec. 15, at the plaza in Boyes Hot Springs, communityfarmersmarkets.com
Kenwood Community Farmers Market: Fresh produce and friendly people galore at this country-side farmers market, where you can find anything from meat and cheeses to honey and flowers. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., June through September, 9000 Sonoma Highway at St. Patrick’s Church, Kenwood.
Cotati Community Farmers' Market: With bouncy houses, horse rides, live music, and beer and wine, this farmer’s market is great for attendees of all ages. Enjoy handcrafted foods, artisan wares and plenty of fun activities for the whole family. Thursdays, 4:30-7:30 p.m., June 6-Aug. 29 (closed July 4), in La Plaza Park, communityfarmersmarkets.com.
Rohnert Park Community Farmers' Market: Celebrating 10 years partying on the plaza, this year’s Rohnert Park Friday night farmers market is sure to be as lively as ever. Hunt for fresh food and listen to local bands all summer long in the Rohnert Park Plaza. Fridays, 5-8 p.m., June 7-Aug. 30, 500 City Center Dr., Rohnert Park, communityfarmersmarkets.com.
Windsor Certified Farmers Market: With an impressive lineup of vendors offering fresh, preserved and cooked foods along with handmade art and crafts, this market supplies everything one could wish for and then some, including fun events each month. On “Kidz Day on the Farm,” children can learn about farm animals and plants and cook healthy meals. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., now through Dec. 8, and Thursdays, 5-8 p.m., starting May 30 through Sept. 5 at the Windsor Town Green, windsorfarmersmarket.com.
Healdsburg Farmers' Market: Founded in 1978, this original market provides an array of seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, flowers and baked goods, along with fun activities, such as the zucchini races and pumpkin festival carving contests. Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon, starting May 4 through Nov. 30, in West Plaza parking lot. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting May 28 through Sept. 24, on the downtown plaza, healdsburgfarmersmarket.org.
Cloverdale Tuesday Farmers Market: In Cloverdale, a relatively small list of vendors offers a wide variety of food and drinks along with fun events such as an ice cream social and a tomato tasting. New vendors this year are Quail & Candor bakery and Victorian Farmstead Meat Company. Tuesdays, 3-6 p.m., through Nov. 26, 225 N. Cloverdale Blvd, cloverdaletuesdayfarmersmarket.com
Sebastopol Farmers' Market: This ever-growing market boasts an abundant list of vendors that include the traditional fruit and vegetable farmers and fishmongers, along with massage therapists, textile crafters, herbal skin care producers and more. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., year-round, Sebastopol Plaza, sebastopolfarmmarket.org.
Forestville Certified Farmers Market: Along with a dedicated group of farmers bringing high quality fruits and vegetables to the market, patrons can look forward to a beer and wine booth (with Jell-O shots on opening day), handmade tamales, delicious Indian food, fresh fruit smoothies and much more from new vendors. Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m., starting June 4, 6990 Front St., Forestville, forestvillefarmersmarket.com
Russian River Farmers Market: Right by the old walking bridge in downtown Guerneville, locals can socialize on the river town town plaza while browsing fresh produce and local artisan crafts. Thursdays, 3-7 p.m., May-September, Guerneville Plaza.
Bodega Bay Community Farmers Market: Situated behind the Bodega Bay Community Center, this market is a great place to fly kites, bring your dog, or buy provisions for a picnic lunch, which can be enjoyed at the picnic tables as you listen to live music. With a collection of artisan bread, olive oils, cheeses, meats and veggies, in addition to different food trucks each week, there’s a little something for everyone to snack on here. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Memorial Day Sunday through October, 2255 Highway 1, bodegabaycommunitycenter.org/farmers-market
Shopping in grocery stores can be drab and routine, as you snake up and down the same aisles collecting boxed and canned goods, ticking off your regular shopping list. Luckily, Sonoma County is a hub for farmers offering an abundance of fresh produce, seasonally and year-round, to hungry locals. Click through the gallery for a list of all the fun farmers markets spreading healthy fare and good times across the county.
![5/11/2011: B3: [Farmers Market] PC: Candi Edmondson of Paul's Produce sells to waiting customers during the Sonoma Farmer's Market held at Sonoma Plaza, May 10, 2011.](https://d1sve9khgp0cw0.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CJ0510_SONOMAMARKET04_559954-1024x646.jpg)
