The North Bay is a foodie’s heaven. Outstanding restaurants, high-quality grocers, great local growers…and when you are ready to whip up that gourmet, organic, and, of course, yummy meal of your own, where better to go than one of our fabulous farmers markets? Fresh from the oven baked goods, organic fruits and vegetables, delicious cheeses, handmade tamales, fragrant flowers – you name it and you can probably find it at one of our local markets.

The most well-known farmers markets in Marin are the Downtown San Rafael Farmers Market Festival and the Sunday Marin Farmers Market, which is the third largest farmers market in California.

On Thursday night, with five stages, live music, great food, fun vendors and a small town feel in a big town place, the San Rafael Downtown Farmers Market makes for an event you can’t miss. On Sundays, bring the kids down to the Sunday Marin Farmers Market. Grab a cup of coffee while the kids enjoy the clown who makes balloon animals or the bounce house, enjoy a scrumptious crepe and pick up everything you need for dinner – and if you’re still there at lunch time, have a sausage sandwich. All in one convenient spot with the historic and architectural wonder that is Civic Center in the background. You can even check them out on Facebook.

Up north, Sonoma County has a multitude of markets, which should come as no surprise, including a wonderful twice-weekly market in Petaluma and the Santa Rosa Downtown Market.

A round-up of local farmers markets in Marin County:

Tuesdays: Tuesday afternoons are a pleasure with the Novato Farmers Market on tree-lined Grant Avenue adjacent to the renovated City of Novato building. Coming from Southern Marin? Head over to the Tam Valley Farmers Market 

Wednesdays: Visit the Corte Madera Town Center or Fairfax markets.

Thursdays: Head on over to the Ross Valley Farmers market at the blooming Marin Art and Garden Center or one of two San Rafael options: from 8 AM-1 PM, check out the Farmers Market at the Civic Center.Thursday night, looking for some night life? Head to downtown San Rafael for the 21 year old Farmers Market Festival

Fridays: Try out the Mill Valley and Sausalito Farmers Markets

Saturdays: Visit the Marin City Farmers Market at the Gateway Shopping Center or take a scenic drive to Point Reyes and have lunch at the market while listening to the live music – and don’t forget to check out the guest chef of the week.

Sundays: The Civic Center in San Rafael is the place to be.

Farmers markets are quite popular and we are fortunate to have such a bounty of local harvest grown in our area and made so readily available.

Photos taken by Brooke Gray

Follow along as the full list unfolds 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live 

Follow the reasons on Facebook 

Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors