OB Farmer's Market
Categories: Fruits & Veggies, Chocolatiers and Shops, Flowers & Gifts, Health Markets [Edit]
Neighborhood: Ocean BeachNewport Ave
between Cable St and Bacon St
San Diego, CA 92106
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
9 reviews
Neighborhood: La Jolla
"The only offense is that it is not right next door...Adelaides has been my single favorite flower shop since I was 14. You get to choose…" read more »
25 Reviews for OB Farmer's Market
This place is great. Lots of produce, foods and crafts. Plus many beautiful, natural looking women. There are some bums, some dude bro's and neo-nazis to stay away from down there, but overall its worth chillin down there because its the height of the week for O.B. When you are done shopping you can hit up any of the packed bars or food joints and get your fade on and make some friends
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Me and my lady try to come here every other weds. They completely block off traffic thru a few blocks off Newport for a few hours just west of Sunset Cliffs Blvd. One of the main reasons me and my lady go is Seb's Panini's! They are the best, period, Then we grab a couple of sodas and kick it and grub down on those perfectly grilled sandwiches and watch the vendors and potential buyers mill around. Then we cruise by the kettle corn kettlers and look at the odd jewelry that accompanys the tour. See some of the hippie bands perform. Look at numerous produce stands to find a good deal on real sweet strawberry's. There's also African food, British food, Mexican food, seafood, organic foods, variety of tasty nuts, tortilla chips and salsa, etc...
Lotsa people and people walking dogs all over this place. There's even a stand that sells dwarf bunnies! No, they don't come w/a recipe. Parking is a pain in the arse but hey, nothing like a nice walk anyways. It's a kick-back scene and there's no admission, totally free. Well, until you buy something of course. Just come down and feel the kick-back energy. Its a fun time to walk, eat, and browse at the beach.
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Minus one star just for calling itself a farmer's market...wouldn't really call it a farmer's market....the farmers are few and far between. However, it is a great street market. Lots of tasty things to sample...olives, feta cheese, croutons, hummus, jam, honey, salsas, olive oil, nuts (heh heh. you wrote nuts), desserts, bread.... you could definitely have dinner on the samples alone, but if you're still hungry after sampling, there's roasted corn on the cob and a variety of sandwiches and meats on a stick you can purchase. I love the apricot jam from the "jam lady," as I call her, and the baked goods and breads from the Austrian baker. The cookie people are hard to pass by, and I always end up buying a dozen cookies.
I have to say, though, my favorite appearance at the OB farmer's market are the folks from the Morning Star Ranch who arrive in their rainbow decorated school bus to sell their organic delights. They will also invite you into their bus to share their outlook on life at the "ranch." Now, I know the phrases "ranch" and "commune" and "cult" can sometimes overlap, but what the hell.
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REALLY GOOD FOOD!!! the flower selection was pretty good the day I went but could have been better. really crowded but good if you like people watching.
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four stars because i'd like to see some more veggies.
but this is definitely the best farmer's market i've ever been to...i really love how there is so much freshly cooked vegetarian and ethnic food ..you can get fresh ginger lemonade..feta and spinach tamales...spinach empanadas...samosas...snickerdoodle cookies filled with peanut butter...
yeah, this farmer's market is so awesome. it's always nice to take a walk in the sun and look at all of the cool stuff.
this market is OB on a good day.
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Living by the beach I have to finally say, I have had an ASSLOAD OF HOBOS! Since OB is home of the vagrant, I have to take off a star becaue I'm just so tired of being harassed. Otherwise, a wonderful place to cruise around and find some yumminess on a Wednesday night. Most aggravating hobo? The kind who are cruel enough to ask me for money for dog food for their poor mongrels. BTW, why are 18 year olds panhandling? You're younger than me, you're not getting my fundage, go work at Starbucks like everyone else your age if you need weed money.
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Hey i wanted everyone to go and see the olive and french pastrie booth at the ob market. It has such great food from europe. The girl helped me with some of the best olives i have ever tasted. I ended up buying a special with a pound of olives and some imported greek feat for only $12 !!!!! The feta is to die for. I then got to try some of the pastries and ended up with the best creme brule for only $4. The even burnt it in front of me while i waited. If you get a chance try the almond filled croisants they are the bomb.
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I finally got out here, and I loved it! I got there an hour before everything shut down, but I'll definitely be coming back next week. I got a little succulent plant for $1 and a falafel burrito for lunch the next day, before wandering into a dive bar for a while. Goodtimes.
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Every Wednesday the OB Farmer's Market is held on Newport Avenue. The inexpensive selection of fresh veggies exceeds any farmers market I have been to before or consumed after purchasing. The flower selection is slimmer but the prices are much lower than other places; so if you are low on cash, 3 bucks is a small price to pay to get your mother or someone special some flowers for cheap.
There's just something I love about the OB Farmer's Market. Perhaps it's the relaxing joy I get out of wandering up and down OB's main drag in the fading sunlight. Maybe it's all of the happy dog owners with their pups in tow. Perhaps it's the memories I have of taking my own puppy to the market ... :-( Whatever it is, the OB Farmer's Market is sure to put you in the right state of mind. I always make a beeline for two things, the first being any one of the jewelry girls, who make gorgeous wire-wrapped rings and other pieces that feature beautiful, one-of-a-kind stones for around $30. I bought my favorite, most prized piece of jewelry at the OB Farmer's Market - a gold wire-wrapped ring with little rose-colored coral rosettes sitting in a cluster atop the wire. It's beautiful, unique and I get compliments constantly.
My second stop is the dessert tent. The tent features a very long row of all sorts of pastries and desserts. I get a macaroon or two, which are delicious and perfect for eating during your walk around the remainder of the market, but all of their desserts look good.
In addition to my two favorite places, I've been happy with the fruits and veggies I've purchased here. There are so many other stops along the OB Farmer's Market that you could find at least a dozen cool things to take home with you. See you next week, OB.
Things like the OB Farmer's Market makes me miss SD so much. There's so many great vendors here, food, unique items, and more food. Big thumbs up for Mr. Bubble's food stand that sells the most delish sausage rolls and mince meat pies. There's another great stand where they make leather goods like bracelets and belts. I got some great spinach dip to take home. Other booths to stop by is the kettle corn, Salmon Creek Botanical, and fresh organic fruits.
Wednesday night = OB Farmer's Market! I feel like this is absolutely the BEST Farmer's Market in San Diego. What's better than walking near the beach after work, shopping for flowers, listening to live music, nibbling on organic treats and hopefully finding the perfect piece of jewelery... and a cute skirt... and an adorable purse.... and....o.k. you get the idea. It's always fun to stop at PAC Shores or "The Shine" for a drink half way through your path. I always make sure not to miss the OB Farmer's Market right before Christmas. It's the best place to get unique gifts for your family and friends. See you there next Wednesday!
What a magical time you can have on a Wednesday night. The OB Farmer's Market is so much fun and especially if you bring your dog with you. the people there are great and the food is so much fun.
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The OB Farmer's Market is about 25% actual "farmers market", 40% stuff I want to eat and 35% stuff I want to buy. Don't try to park close. Plan to stroll there on flip flops or a beach cruiser. Second, bring a re-useable shopping bag to save all those plastic bags. Third, bring cash. More than you think initially, cause I SWEAR you'll find something you just can't possibly live without.
Something about going to farmers market on a Wed night makes me feel fantastic. I roll down, hit up happy hour at the Shine, pick up a tamale, check out the music, buy some coconut jewelry, stash a bunch of flowers in my bag, grab some ginger juice (god, fantastic), pet a llama, step over some hippies, get tangled in some dogs, swear that next time I'll have enough cash to buy that necklace - seriously, and grab some veggies for the week. Riding my bike home passing folks with armfuls of flowers, bags of fruit, bellies full of crepes, I can't help but feel like an integral part of OB life.
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Mangos with chili powder on a stick, south of the border style. Made to order crepes brought to you by a hot singing Frenchman. Veggie tamales and fresh limeade. Local and organic produce galore. The Yerba Mate crew with an amazing set up. Fresh and smoked fish. Jewelery. Llama rides. Yes, llama rides. Fresh flowers. Astrojumps. Live bands. African food, Mexican food, Italian food, Greek food and more food, food, food. Hippies, hipsters and elderly on the verge of a hip replacement. Dogs, dogs, and their doggie friends. Local artists, local farmers and local locals. What more could you ask for?
This isn't just a farmers market. It's a stinkin' street fair. I heart supporting our local economy and the families that run these small businesses. It's been getting so big lately that I'm getting a tad bit claustrophobic, but I always come back for more.
Did I mention the food?
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It is a small, neighborhood farmers market in a fun little town! I can usually find good produce, great hummus and pita and beautiful flowers without walking more than 50 feet and that is nice, plus if you get thirsty you can always jump in an OB bar for a beer!
Okay, don't get me wrong: i love the OB farmers' market. BUT! It's a misnomer--fewer than half of the stalls are staffed by farmers (this was not a scientific sampling--i neither counted nor asked if they were, in fact, farmers). So the three stars are tied to the name, not the event itself.
Five stars: It's a great crafts fair, from gew-gaws to tchotchkes to dew-dads to knick-knacks. The prepared-food stalls are kickin'--i'm totally for the crepes. Sometimes the ginger-juice lady comes around, and that's always cause for celebration.
Warning: The parking can pop a hernia if you're not sedated (or live nearby and get home by 4pm, as i used to). But it's still eminently worth it to stroll about, listen to some rather talented musickers, pick up and item or two, and jump into a bar afterwards.
Some good produce? Check.
Awesome leather goods? Check.
Bouncy castle and llamas for kids to ride? Check.
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I loooove the OB Farmer's Market, the deals are good the selection is completely original. Where else can you going to find a vendor that specializes in Yerba Mate?
The OB Farmer's has a great selection of unique gifts, but the food is mighty tasty as well. There are some great organic and ethnic foods that you can purchase at the Farmer's market. I had the best veggie tamale at the here, but I saw plenty of other appetizing eats as well.
But my favorite part of the OB Farmer's Market is the people watching. OB always has a cast a characters on the streets, but they come out in droves for the Farmer's Market and attending the event gives you a good chance to encounter, some unique, mysterious, and non PB folk.
Plus, you can always go to Sunshine or South Beach after your shopping trip.
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The OB Farmer's Market is like a little beacon of culture (or maybe lack of culture...in a good way) among the unending strip malls of San Diego. On Wednesday nights OB is transformed from a relaxed, alternative surfer neighborhood into a full on carnival fair-- complete with organic farmers, street performers, amazing food and llama rides. It reminds me of the farmer's market my family would go to every Sunday in Berkeley, except in OB you have the pleasure of being a block away from the Pacific Ocean and it's a lot warmer at night here .
Around sunset the main drag in OB is closed down and the street starts filling up with vendors that line both sides of the sidewalk. Amazing arrays of people walk in from the beach or ride their bikes to the market and by seven or eight you have to squeeze by people in the crowded street to make your way through. Along with fresh produce, the market has tons of gourmet vendors that cook, bake, or heat delicious dishes right in front of you--making the farmer's market a great place to grab dinner or a least get a bite before you head out for the night.
The authentic french crepes are amazing (and the crepe guy is adorable too...and definitely sings to all the women in French) as are the homemade Tamales. Everyone who works at the stalls is exceptionally friendly and just seems happy to be outside, meeting new people, and talking about their products--whether its nuts, fish or produce of any kind. If you're not sure how to pick out the best asparagus, they'll help you in a second and teach you everything you need to know to make sure you're buying what you want. There are also tons of artists that offer interesting, mostly handmade jewelry and other little treasures that are such a treat to look at.
The OB Farmer's Market is the only one I've ever been to, but I feel no reason to stray since it has everything I need and it's practically in my backyard. Every Wednesday I head down and get my week's worth of flowers, recently it's been $3 Sunflowers and $4 dark pink Dahlias. Also, while on the subject, the best Dahlias are sold by the folks that usually make camp near the Rags store. My boyfriend always buys two bags of pistachios from the nut tent, everything in a bag is 2 for $5 Vegetables are always delicious, yet sometimes picked prematurely I've noticed. I have only made one purchase from the market I regret... I bought three plants from the guy who sells succulents, cactus and herb plants. I bought Rosemary, Oregano and Catnip plants, all of which died in the next week. I must admit my thumbs are nowhere close to green, they're more of a celery shade, however, all my other "less hardy" plants are alive and well.
If you're going, use alternative transportation. Walk. Ride a bike. Otherwise, plan on parking on Santa Monica or even Sunset Cliffs. I can assure you, there is no parking on or around Newport. That beach parking lot and the lot with the colorful statues are always full of circling cars that remind me of vultures scavenging for the spot that never opens up.
Bring cash. Preferably small bills for haggling come closing time,
Oh yeah, and check out the guy off the strip that makes wire portrait sculptures... it's pretty rad.
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The OB Farmer's Market (every Wednesday evening) is a great place to find eclectic, locally-grown produce, flowers, puzzles, gifts, art, people....
The produce is wonderful and cheap. The entertainment is unbeatable by any other Farmer's Market. And the location is perfect.
They have live bands, and camel rides and other things for the kids, Enjoy an evening by the beach, shop around the farmer's market, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the San Diego sunset.
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I haven't been to any other farmers' market around SD yet, so I can't compare the OB Farmer's Market to anything else. That being said, I've gone about a handful of times and it's safe to say that parking can def. be a bitch (like everywhere in SD, surprise surprise...) My bf and I usually find a spot in one of the parking lots near the beach instead. There's so much going on at this outside event that my A.D.D. kicks into full gear and I usually never hear what my bf is saying to me because I'm staring at something like the hippie lady sitting on the ground with a black puppy cradled into her skirt as she's taking a picture of it (for art? who knows...), or a half dozen SD police officers talking to an obviously wasted and overly-tanned guy that's hand-handcuffed on the grown pissed off and asking one of the cops to hand him his beer that's just "over there." It seems like almost everyone has a dog in OB, including the people that appear to be homeless beach bums---who would've thought I'd be jealous of homeless beach bums? Oh, but I am for that reason and that reason only.
Back to the farmer's market....I absolutely love love love the crepe stand here! Sooo yummy! and usually very busy. Another thing we recently discovered is the "Flavors of East Africa" stand---lotsa yummy treats here including what look like little empanadas with fillings like cream cheese, beef, chicken, lentil, or potato. Today, my bf and I went there around 8pm-ish and it seemed like they were trying to get rid of the rest of what they had because we ordered 6 of those thingies and he gave us 12 instead for the same price! Our fave one is the cream cheese filling---they taste exactly like crab-cream cheese wontons without the crab---but don't tell the guy that because I did and he jokingly said "Hey, watch your mouth!" haha
My bf frequents the peanut lady and always makes sure to pick up a couple bags of toffee cashews and toffee pecans---he's pretty much addicted to them!
I have yet to try out all the other fares because I usually run out of money after 20 minutes....dammit! I did however manage to finally buy some fudge from the dessert lady but I have yet to try it...but it definitely looks good! and she gave me one for free...yay :)
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seemed like a pretty groovy little place. they had litchees, but i didn't buy any.
i'm sure they also do all kinds of fab things for the community, but seeing as i don't live in ocean beach i wouldn't really know.
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awesome OB 'tude...everything under the sun here! the leather goods are cool - scrap leather pieces made into cool cuff bracelets. sometimes there is the guy that has wall-hangings made from wire with very witty sayings on them. Produce is always fresh and you can sample fruits before buying. all of the businesses on newport cater to the farmers marketing crowd as well with beer specials at sunshine company, etc. lots of people walk their dogs down newport as well...just an all around fun/relaxing environment. another special treat - roasted corn that you can have either on the cob or shaved off and served in a bowl - with your choice of seasonings.
BEST OF ALL, i go for my newest obsession...PANINIS! The french guy (or the "crepe guy" as he is often fondly referred to) that made crepes has recently started his own business called "Seb's Panini" and they're even more delectable than his crepes - believe it or not. every time i've gone, his stand is closer to starbucks, across from the parking lot that is usually home to the clothing/jewelry vendors.
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i went to the OB farmer's market for the first time yesterday and it was fabulous!!! great jewelry stands, fresh fruits & veggies, hot foods, live entertainment, and all kinds of other neat stuff. i hear that OB also throws a street fair that's twice as big and twice as much fun (sometime in late june)
if you have nothing to do on a wednesday afternoon then check out the OB farmer's market!! every wednesday from 4-8pm!!
plus your pup can tag along too!
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