California Farmstand 101: The Best Farmstands in California
Whenever we are planning a California roadtrip we make sure to plan stops at as many permanent farmstands on our route as possible! There is nothing better than visiting a unique farmstand, eating locally-grown produce, and sampling delicacies from the Golden State all while searching for the perfect souvenir.
Farmstand locations: North Coast
The North Coast of California is a region in Northern California that lies on the Pacific coast between San Francisco Bay and the Oregon border. It commonly includes Mendocino, Humboldt, and Del Norte counties.
Nye Ranch Farm Stand
OPEN: SATURDAY 10 AM – 3 PM
23300 N. Hwy 1 Fort Bragg, Ca 95437
Mendocino farmers Kyle and Mel Burns grow over 300 different varietals of vegetables and flowers on a plot of land near the ocean in Fort Bragg, a charming seaside community on Northern California’s Mendocino Coast.
Plan a visit to see how Nye Ranch is revitalizing the 120-year-old barn in the middle of the property which was previously a dairy by the sea.
Click here to read our exclusive article about Nye Ranch Farm.
Farmstand locations: Bay Area
What is known as the Bay Area of Northern California actually includes nine counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, and San Francisco.
Oakville Grocery
OPEN: SUN – THUR 7AM-5PM / FRI – SAT 7AM – 6PM
NAPA: 7856 St. Helena Hwy, Oakville, CA 94562
SONOMA: 124 W Matheson St, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Since 1881, Oakville Grocery has been a fixture in the wine region. In the center of Napa Valley, among some of the nation’s most renowned wineries and eateries, their flagship location is tucked away among a scene of wildflowers, grapevines, rolling hills, and other beautiful natural features.
This establishment is a bustling meeting spot for locals and tourists, wine drinkers, winemakers, and foodies alike.
Click here to read our exclusive article about Oakville Grocery!
Farmstand locations: Central Valley
The Central Valley is a lowland region that extends through central California from the Cascade Mountains in the north to the Tehachapi Mountains in the south. Its 450-mile-long stretch is bounded by the Pacific Coast Range to the west and the Sierra Nevadas to the east.
Apple Hill Region
HOURS VARY BY LOCATION. CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LIST OF LOCATIONS
Apple Hill is a fantastic California travel destination all year long with more roadside attractions and family farmstands than we can list!
This unique area is home to many award-winning ciders and renowned family farms with something unique to discover around every corner!
Apple Hill is situated in the Greater Placerville area along Highway 50. It encompasses the State Capital of Sacramento and extends to Lake Tahoe. Throughout the year, special events are held throughout the Apple Hill area. These include U-Pick apple farms, berry festivals, and pumpkin patches all of which is listed on the Apple Hill website, click here to plan your visit!
Biglieri Farms Farm Market
OPEN: SEASONALLY CLICK HERE FOR MOST RECENT DATES & TIMES.
17815 E Highway 88 Clements, CA 95237
Biglieri Farms is a family-owned and run farmer’s market that offers locally grown produce as well as fresh focaccia bread, tri-tip sandwiches, jams and jellies, pies, cookies, homemade fudge, and raviolis!
If you’re looking for local produce, Biglieri Farms offers local produce as it comes into season on the 500+ acres of their family farm. Offerings range from sweet corn, onions and figs to winter squash and walnuts.
Bloomingcamp Ranch Bake Shop
OPEN: THUR – SUN 9AM – 4PM
10528 Hwy 120 Oakdale, CA 95386
If you are in the market for all things apple-related, Bloomingcamp Ranch is the place you want to be! This family farm is home to a couple of acres of apple trees, thousands of liters of cider, and a bake shop!
Bravo Farms
Kettleman City: Located at Interstate 5 & Hwy 41
33341 Bernard Dr. Kettleman City, CA 93239-0150
Traver: Located on Hwy 99 (EXIT 106A)
36005 Hwy 99 Traver, CA 93673-0222
Tulare Outlets: 1691 Retherford Street
Tulare, CA 93274
If you happen to be in the Central Valley or just traveling through plan a stop at Bravo Farms. Every location of this permanent farmstand provides gifts, sweets, and road trip treasures.
Pairing locally grown fruits together with Bravo Farms Cheese is what this farmstand is best known for. Crowd favorites include local jams, ripe stone fruit, and the buckets of cheese curds!
Schedule ample time to explore when you visit. Enjoy a meal at the cafe and pick up a sweet treat. You won’t be disappointed!
Check out our exclusive article about Bravo Farms here.
California Fruit Depot
OPEN: MON – SUN 9 AM – 5 PM
10850 Redbank Rd. Bakersfield, CA 93307
This farm store outside of “Bako,” as many locals call it, is known for its sweet navel oranges and dates from the Coachella Valley. The oranges are at their sweetest between December and May, but the stand is open all year. Various nuts, olives, licorice, and Jordan almonds are also available year-round for all of your road trip snacking needs!
Enzo’s Table
OPEN: MON – SAT 8:30 AM – 6 PM / SUN 9 AM – 5 PM
ENZO’S TABLE: 1959 N. Willow Avenue
Clovis, CA 93619
ENZO’S TABLE BAKERY: 3 Railroad Ave
Clovis, CA 93619
The Ricchiuti Family has worked the land in California’s fertile San Joaquin Valley for more than a century! Their goal has always been to grow, produce sustainably, and harvest premium fruit, nuts, estate-grown Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Balsamic Vinegar, as well as produce handcrafted biscotti, granola, pesto, jam, and almond butter.
The family began a retail business intending to offer a farm-to-table experience. Over the years, the company grew from a modest roadside stand to what is now known as ENZO’S TABLE, a local favorite noted for its local specialties and farm fresh fruit.
Fresno State Rue & Gwen Gibson Farm Market
OPEN: MON – FRI 9 AM – 5 PM / SAT 10 AM – 5 PM
2385 E Barstow Ave, M/S AG 85 Fresno, CA 93710
In this unique store, which is stocked with products farmed and made by Fresno State University students and staff, you can sample the wares of tomorrow’s farmers and producers today!
Try their jams, nuts, coffee, and TailGate wine that is made right on campus!
Image courtesy of Fresno State Rue & Gwen Gibson Farm Market.
Hudson Farms
OPEN: MON – FRI 9 AM – 5 PM / SAT 10 AM – 3 PM
4300 South Academy, Sanger, California 93657
This family farm stand, located along the Fresno County Fruit Trail, specializes in peaches, plums, and nectarines, including some varieties you won’t find in your local grocery.
It is open from June to September and provides cut flowers, a large selection of tomatoes, and Armenian cucumbers as well.
Hungry? Try the Lemon Blueberry Tea Bread or Blushing Peach Pie, you won’t be disappointed!
Jack Creek Farms
OPEN: SAT & SUN 10 am – 6 pm
MON, TUE, THUR, FRI: 11 am – 5 pm
This Central California farmstand offers a wide variety of baked treats made with apples, pumpkins, wheat, walnuts, olallieberries, and eggs all grown on their family farm.
There are farm animals to visit, u-pick berries, flowers, and vegetables. You can also try your hand at roping a dummy steer!
Merced Fruit Barn
OPEN: MON – SUN 10 AM – 5 PM
4526 E Highway 140 Merced, CA 95340
Many of the best goods from California’s San Joaquin Valley and Mother Nature are brought together under one roof at the Merced Fruit Barn.
Guests are welcome to sample some of their seasonal offerings, interact with the farm animals and exotic birds, or just unwind from being on the road.
Phillips Farm Café Bakery
OPEN: MON – FRI 9 AM – 5 PM / SAT-SUN 8 AM – 5 PM
4580 West Highway 12 Lodi, CA 95242
This farm shop and cafe located at the Michael David Winery is well-known for its fresh vegetables and tall fruit pies, but it also supports Lodi wines, another outstanding product of the Central Valley.
Simonian Farms
OPEN: SUN – THUR AM – 5:30 PM / FRI 9 AM – 8 PM / SAT 9 AM – 6 PM
2629 S. Clovis Avenue Fresno, California 93725
A trip to this unusual farm will have you feeling like you traveled back in time to the era of balloon tire bicycles and pedal cars!
This unique farmstand is located in the San Joaquin Valley to the southeast of Fresno, California. Visitors can reminisce of bygone eras while perusing the permanent antique collection and the valley’s best and most fantastic selection of dried fruit and nuts.
Soul Food Farm
OPEN: EVERY FRI – SUN 9-4
6046 Pleasants Valley Road Vacaville, CA 95688
Supporting local farmers, investing in agriculture, and introducing new customers to all the abundance is a dream come true to the folks at Soul Food Farm.
This adorable farm stand is stocked with local seasonal items like fruit, vegetables, locally raised beef, handmade pies, ice cream, antiques, handmade items, and locally-grown lavender products.
This farmstand even has an independent coffee company serving up caffeinated beverages Friday and Saturday mornings to help you get your day started.
The Fruit Bowl
OPEN: THUR – SUN 8 AM – 3 PM
8767 East Waterloo Road Stockton, CA 95215
The Lucchetti family has grown peaches since 1947, but it is their pies that are renowned throughout the Central Valley!
Customers can select from a wide array of products at The Fruit Bowl from dried fruits and nuts to baked items like pies, muffins, and breads. The Lucchetti’s also honor their Italian ancestry by making their own gelato, panini, and biscotti on-site!
The Orange Works Cafe
OPEN: Strathmore: TUE – SAT 11 AM – 4 PM Visalia: MON – SAT 11 AM – 4 PM
Strathmore- 22314 Ave 196, Strathmore, CA 93267
Visalia- 209 W. Main St STE C, Visalia, CA 93291
Want to get a true taste of the Central Valley? Plan a visit to the Orange Works Café!
This farmstand is right off Hwy 65 in the small town of Strathmore smack dab in the middle of the world’s largest fruit basket!
Excellent sandwiches made with fresh, local ingredients are always on the menu as-is their signature Orange Ice Cream made with fresh pressed orange juice directly from the oranges that grow on their farm.
Zinc House Farm
OPEN: MON – SUN 8 AM – 6 PM
20679 CA-120 Escalon, CA 95320
This family farm has a goal of providing each guest with a wholesome, educational experience about Zinc House Farm’s history. They also strive to teach each visitor about agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley and the impact that it has locally, regionally, and globally.
The Zinc House farm and the farmstand are located on Hwy 120 near Escalon. Word on the street is they are opening a winery and tasting room soon also!
Farmstand locations: Central Coast
The Central Coast is a region of California that covers the rocky, undeveloped stretch of coast between Point Mugu and Monterey Bay. It lies west of Los Angeles County and south of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, with the coastline known as Big Sur to its northwest.
Casa de Fruta
HOURS VARY BY SEASON: CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT HOURS.
10021 Pacheco Pass Highway Hollister, CA 95023
One of California’s most notable produce stands has grown into a popular destination not only natives but also for those touring California from other states and countries.
Conveniently located on Highway 152, it’s hard to miss this permanent farm stand if you are passing through from the central valley to the coast.
Rich in agricultural history, Casa De Fruta is an essential location to add to your list of California sightseeing attractions.
Read our exclusive article about Casa de Fruita here.
La Palapa Country Store by Morro Bay Avocado Ranch
OPEN: MON-SUN 10 AM – 4 PM
1800 Atascadero Rd, Morro Bay, Ca 93442
This roadside country store is an avocado lover’s dream come true! Visitors can purchase avocados directly from Morro Bay Avocado Ranch as well as an array of other avocado-centric products like avocado oil, avocado cream and lotion, avocado seasonings, and avocado gift items.
Pezzini Farms
OPEN: MON – SUN 8 AM – 5 PM
460 Nashua Road (Just off HWY 1), Castroville, CA 95012
Monterey county greets you with the freshest seafood from the ocean and pairs it with the freshest produce from the land. And right smack in the middle of it all is Pezzini Farms -a food lover’s roadside attraction that is not to be missed!
Pezzini Farms has grown and sold Heirloom Green Globe artichokes for over eighty years! And while the artichokes may be the star attraction, this roadside farm stand houses an impressive array of what they deem are the best products that the Golden State has to offer!
Click here to read our exclusive article about Pezzini Farms!
Farmstand locations: Southern California
Southern California is a popular destination that is full of incredible farmstand locations to visit. The Southern California region consists of the following counties: Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.
Charlie Brown Farms
OPEN: MON – SUN 8 AM – 8 PM
8317 Pearblossom Hwy, Littlerock, CA 93543
For authentic Texas-style barbecue, fresh fruits and vegetables, local honey, retro candy, toys, soda pop, and world-famous date shakes, head to Charlie Brown Farms.
This farmstand is home to the World’s Largest Jerky Slab and 60 more jerky flavors as well as funnel cakes, mini donuts, deep fried twinkies, and oreos. They have over 1,000 different kinds of candy, including one of the greatest collections of sugar-free candies, dried fruits, nuts, and brittles in the state!
LA Original Farmers Market
OPEN: SUN – THUR 10 AM – 8 PM / SAT -SUN 10 AM – 9 PM
6333 W. 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90036
This sprawling historic market has been a favorite destination among locals and tourists since 1934. LA’s world-famous Original Farmers Market features over 100 different trendy shops, restaurants & gourmet grocery purveyors.
Liberty Station
OPEN: MON – SUN 11 AM – 8 PM
2820 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA
Established in 1923, this market in San Diego offers a window into the past, an experience for the present, and hope for the future!
This permanent farmstand is open 7 days a week and offers a rustic environment with prepared foods, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, produce, fish, desserts and pastries, pastas, arts and crafts, a test kitchen, pop-up dinners, and educational-driven events.
Rick’s Produce Market
HOURS VARY BY LOCATION
East Hollywood: 755 N. Virgil Ave Los Angeles, Ca 90029
Original Farmer’s Market: 6333 W. 3rd Street #126 Los Angeles, Ca 90036
Rick’s mission is to provide California-grown produce from the farm to your kitchen. Their produce is all seasonal and harvested at the peak of the season.
They are also farmers who specialize in farming avocados, varieties of citrus, & seasonal subtropical fruits.
Stehly Farms Market
HOURS: DAILY 7:30 AM to 8 PM
12630 Santa Catalina Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082
This farmstand has something for everyone! There are fresh, seasonal products, a farm-to-table kitchen and deli, a grocery, and a juice bar.
Farmstand locations: Deserts
The deserts encompass all of Imperial County, the southern and eastern portions of Inyo County, the Eastern portions of Mono County, some portions of Los Angeles County, Kern County, San Diego County, and Riverside County, and most of northern and eastern San Bernardino County.
Mellano & Company
OPEN: VARIES BY LOCATION CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
LA: The Original Los Angeles Flower Market.
Orange County: Where the 55 Fwy and 5 Fwy meet in Santa Ana.
Carlsbad: International Trade Center.
What started as humble beginnings as an Italian immigrant flower farm has since grown into a nationwide supplier of cut flowers from California.
This farm grows everything from Ranunculus, Proteas, Myrtle, to Succulents, and more!
You can find flowers from Mellano & Company at numerous locations such as
the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch – farmed by Mellano & Company! This 50-acres deemed ‘flower heaven’ blooms from March-May each year so be sure to plan a visit!
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Craving more CA Grown goodness? Follow us on Pinterest for fresh and fabulous recipe inspiration! And check out our friends at Salt & Wind for even more California farmers’ market recommendations!
You’re missing one of the best in Southern California, Mini Barn Market.
minibarnmarket.com