10 Must-Visit Sonoma County Farmers’ Markets

Nearly every day of the week, there’s a different farmers’ market to explore and a new opportunity to connect with farmers, artisans, and locals.

Some of these markets operate from spring and into fall, while some run year-round. And while they all center around locally grown produce, Sonoma County farmers’ markets offer far more. People come to buy a juicy peach or a mouthwatering tomato, but also a fresh-baked red velvet cupcake, locally made pancetta, or a beautiful hand-carved wood bowl. Locals and visitors also love Sonoma County farmers’ markets as delightful places to hang out with friends, listen to live music from homegrown talent, or grab a meal from the food trucks.

Explore just a few of our favorite farmers’ markets:

1. Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market

This oldest and largest farmers’ market in Sonoma County is a feast for all five senses. “Certified” means that every good on display was grown or made by the person selling it, so don’t pass up the chance to chat with friendly farmers, fishmongers, bakers, chocolatiers, and makers while filling your shopping bags.
When: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. (year-round)
Where: Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa

2. Mercadito Market at Roseland Village

Taking place in Santa Rosa‘s Roseland neighborhood—the heart of the city’s Latine community—Mercadito Market offers a vibrant selection of farm-grown produce every Thursday and Sunday. Bonus: The market shares a space with Mitote Food Park, a gathering of food trucks where you can taste a rainbow of Mexican street food.
When: Thursdays, 2–6 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (year-round)
Where: Roseland Village, 777 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa

• More Santa Rosa Farmers’ Markets and Farms >

3. Petaluma East Side Farmers’ Market

Petaluma was once called “the World’s Egg Basket” (the town once produced 10 million eggs per year!), and this market offers a tasty introduction to its amazing agricultural variety. Stock up on farm-fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and, of course, eggs. Grab a café table and stick around for pastries, brunch, and coffee.
When: Tuesdays, 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (year-round)
Where: Lucchesi Park, 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma

• More Petaluma Farmers’ Markets and Farms >

4. Sebastopol Farmers’ Market

Explore one of the more eclectic assortments of local goods at this market in downtown Sebastopol. Beyond the fruit and veggie staples, you’ll find everything from herbal remedies and skincare products to artisan-made clothing, handcrafted jewelry, baskets, and New Age curios—not to mention food carts dishing out global cuisine.
When: Sundays, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (year-round)
Where: Sebastopol Plaza on Weeks Way, Downtown Sebastopol

• More Sebastopol Farmers’ Markets and Farms >

5. Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market

Assemble your perfect Wine Country picnic at this weekly market in elegant Sonoma, just a stone’s throw from historical Sonoma Plaza. Peruse tables bursting with colorful produce, baked goods, fresh flowers, and locally made condiments ranging from honey to hummus to olive oil.
When: Fridays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (year-round)
Where: Arnold Field parking lot, 241 First Street West, Sonoma

6. Sonoma’s Tuesday Night Market

During the spring and summer, Sonoma Plaza is the place to be for Sonoma’s Tuesday Night Market. Vendors fill the green and live music sets the scene as you browse (and taste!) homegrown goods from Sonoma County farmers and gourmet foodmakers. Keep the good vibes going by strolling the many shops, tasting rooms, and restaurants that line the plaza.
When: Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. (May–September)
Where: Sonoma Plaza

• More Sonoma Farmers’ Markets and Farms >

7. Healdsburg Certified Farmers Market

One of the original 22 Certified Farmers’ Markets in California, this Healdsburg market offers an ever-rotating variety of produce, wild fish, delicious prepared foods, and much more. Thanks to its lively schedule of family-friendly events throughout the season (zucchini races, anyone?),  the market has been a community favorite since 1978.
When: Tuesdays, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (mid-May–late September) and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.–noon (mid-April–late December)
Where: Tuesdays, on the Plaza in downtown Healdsburg; Saturdays, at West Plaza Parking Lot (one block off the Plaza)

• More Healdsburg Farmers Markets and Farms >

8. Cloverdale Tuesday Farmers’ Market

Cloverdale, the northernmost town in Sonoma County, lies at the center of the fertile Alexander Valley wine region—so it’s no surprise that the Cloverdale Tuesday Farmers’ Market is a treasure trove of fruits, vegetables, and other farm-raised goodness. Mingle with farmers, food purveyors, craftspeople, and locals who all share a love of community and good food.
When: Tuesdays 4–7 p.m. (April–November)
Where: Downtown Plaza, Cloverdale

9. Forestville Certified Farmers Market

There’s lots to love about this market: it offers plenty of homegrown goodies, it sits on the West County Regional Trail (which connects Forestville to the neighboring communities of Graton and Sebastopol), and it supports Farm to Pantry, a program in which farmers donate produce to be distributed to local food banks.
When: Fridays 4–7 p.m. (June–late-September)
Where: 6990 Front Street (at Forestville Downtown Oaks Park)

10. Windsor Certified Farmers Market

Even the kids will enjoy coming to this Windsor farmers market, where the “Kidz Dig It” club holds cooking classes and other good, healthy fun for children under 12. The market’s schedule is jam-packed with family friendly events, too, from the Zucchini Festival and Tomato & Art Fest to the Pumpkin Jamboree.
When: Sundays, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (April–December) and Thursdays, 5–8 p.m. (June–September)
Where: Windsor Town Green in Old Downtown Windsor

More Sonoma County Farmers’ Markets

• Bodega Bay Community Farmers Market: Sundays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (Memorial Day–October), 2255 Highway 1 (behind the community center)
• Santa Rosa Community Farmers’ Market: Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. and Wednesdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (year-round), Farmers Lane Plaza, 1501 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa
• Cotati Community Farmers’ Market: Wednesdays, 4:30–7:30 p.m. (June–September), La Plaza Park (Old Redwood Highway and West Sierra Avenue)
• Occidental Community Farmers Market: Thursdays, 4–8 p.m. (May–October), at the south end of downtown Occidental
• Petaluma Evening Market: Thursdays, 4:30–8 p.m. (June–August), on Second Street between B and D streets
• Petaluma Walnut Park Farmers’ Market: Saturdays, 2–5 p.m. (May–November), in Walnut Park, on the corner of D Street and Petaluma Boulevard
• Russian River Farmers Market: Thursdays, 3–7 p.m. (June–August), Fourth and Church Streets, behind Hubert’s Hall
• Santa Rosa Downtown Market: Wednesdays, 5–8:30 p.m. (May–August), Courthouse Square, Fourth Street from Mendocino Avenue to E Street

What to Get When

In spring, you’ll find baby artichokes, red-and-white striped beets, young garlic, baby favas, tender lettuces, colorful cauliflowers, broccoli rabe, a rainbow array of herbs, and bouquets of edible flowers.

Then the apples appear on the trees, starting with Sebastopol’s famed Gravenstein variety with its tart, juicy flavor. Before you know it, berries are plentiful, and then the summer stone fruits arrive, in a bounty of apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines, cherries, and plums.

Soon after in fall, gardens brim with near-endless zukes and cukes, and vines grow heavy with tomatoes that might be red or yellow or green or even black.

Just as this cornucopia fades away, another spills over in squash and melons and corn and pumpkins, nuts and grapes and beans. Even in the quietest days of winter, you can relish an abundance of local broccoli and bok choy and lettuces, chard and endive and mushrooms.

Looking for farms? Find more info on Farms & Farmers Markets, Restaurants, and Lodging in Sonoma County.