San Diego farmers markets, day by day

One of the quiet advantages of a mid-term stay is a real kitchen. San Diego has a market almost every day of the week, and produce here is local year-round rather than seasonal in the way it is elsewhere.

A week of markets

• Tuesday: Pacific Beach Tuesday market on Bayard Street, afternoon into evening.
• Wednesday: Ocean Beach on Newport Avenue, part market and part street festival.
• Thursday: North Park on Herman Avenue, strong on prepared food.
• Friday: La Mesa Village, an easy stop from El Cajon.
• Saturday: Little Italy Mercato, the biggest in the county — arrive before 10am.
• Sunday: Hillcrest, the classic all-rounder for produce and flowers.

What to actually buy

Avocados, citrus, strawberries, dates, and tortillas are all noticeably better than supermarket versions and usually cheaper. Fish vendors at Little Italy sell off local boats. Bring cash and a tote — most stalls take cards, but small vendors sometimes do not.

Getting there from our homes

From Clairemont, Pacific Beach and Hillcrest are both about ten to fifteen minutes. From El Cajon, La Mesa Village is under ten minutes and Little Italy is about twenty-five on a Saturday morning.