Farmers Markets on the Peninsula

(photo from Redwood City Farmers Market website)

I've been to three farmers markets on the peninsula and thoroughly enjoyed each one. In general, they are not as crowded and overpriced as the Ferry Building, but with slightly better quality produce than the Heart of the City market (although, admittedly, I tend to go to Heart of the City a bit late in the day, since it stays open later than any other farmers market I've been to).

Palo Alto
Saturdays on Gilman St. behind the post office
http://pafarmersmarket.homestead.com/index.html

This was my first farmers market, and I still have fond memories of its intimate setting (a parking lot barely bigger than a tennis court) and reasonably priced seasonal produce. Whoever manages this market does a great job, since each stall seems to offer produce that is not duplicated at other stalls, taking the stress out of decisionmaking. If you want a peach, you go to one farmer. An avocado? The next guy. Sometimes comparing prices and quality of the 6 different farmers offering peaches at the Ferry Building is overwhelming.

It's also a great place to run into your professors and TAs with their adorable kids. Conveniently, Whole Foods is just a few blocks away for your staples (which you won't be able to get at the market).

Mountain View
Sundays at 600 W. Evelyn (in the parking lot there) http://www.cafarmersmkts.com/mtnview.html

This was the second of the peninsula farmers markets I've been to. It's a lot larger than Palo Alto's and significantly more crowded. Acme bakery has a stall there, as do most of the big name farmers who are at the Ferry Building. I would say that this is the Ferry Building market but with less crowding, more asians, and much less attitude. The prices are generally lower too, in my memory (although I have not shopped there in a while, and this is a very expensive year for food).

Great for pre- or post- dim sum farmers marketing.

Redwood City
Saturdays at 850 Winslow St.
http://www.rwckfm.org/

I went here once or twice with my friend L. who used to live in RWC. It was in between Palo Alto and Mountain View in size. I found it to have the most casual of atmospheres, with very good produce. However, I haven't been here in a very long time. Great for stopping by the Indian provisions store for some fried snacks afterwards.