The Best Farmers Markets in San Francisco and What to Buy Right Now

Summer produce in the Bay Area hits its stride in early July, and this week's farmers markets across San Francisco are stacked with the best the region grows. Blenheim apricots from Brentwood, the first Sungold cherry tomatoes out of Capay Valley, and fat Rainier cherries from the San Joaquin foothills are showing up in force. Vendors at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on the Embarcadero — arguably the most competitive produce market west of the Mississippi — reported sellouts on stone fruit by 10 a.m. last Saturday.

Why does this matter right now? Record heat in California's Central Valley through late June compressed the stone fruit window. Growers say the Blenheim apricot season, which normally runs six to eight weeks, may finish by late July this year. Missing it would mean waiting until 2027. The Ferry Plaza market, run by the nonprofit CUESA (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture), operates Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays year-round, but the Saturday market draws upward of 25,000 visitors weekly in peak summer months. That volume means early arrival — ideally before 9 a.m. — is not optional if you want the best selection.

Where to Shop and What to Grab

The Ferry Plaza market at the foot of Market Street is the obvious anchor, but it's not the only serious option in the city. The Noe Valley Farmers Market, held Saturdays on 24th Street between Sanchez and Vicksburg, runs smaller but often features farms that skip the Ferry Building entirely — including Dirty Girl Produce, a Santa Cruz operation beloved by San Francisco chefs for its dry-farmed Early Girl tomatoes. Those tomatoes won't be ripe until late July, but Dirty Girl's booth is worth visiting now for summer squash and shishito peppers, both running around $4 to $5 per pound this season.

Over in the Richmond District, the Inner Sunset Farmers Market on Irving Street between 7th and 8th Avenues operates Sundays and draws a neighborhood crowd less interested in the celebrity-chef scene than in value. Ginger farms from the South Bay and citrus from Fresno County growers show up here at prices often 20 to 30 percent below Ferry Plaza equivalents. It's a practical pick for families shopping for the week rather than a single impressive dinner.

For residents in the Mission, the Alemany Farmers Market at 100 Alemany Boulevard — the oldest continuously operating farmers market in California, open since 1943 — remains the city's best deal. Stalls there are running Brentwood corn at three ears for $2 right now, a price that reflects Alemany's no-frills structure and lower vendor fees. CUESA data from 2025 found that shoppers at certified farmers markets in San Francisco spend an average of $38 per visit, though Alemany regulars typically come in under $25.

What Nutritionists Say About Eating Seasonally Here

The case for buying local and seasonal is nutritional as well as culinary. UCSF's Osher Center for Integrative Health, based on Parnassus Avenue, has incorporated food-as-medicine principles into patient education programs since the early 2000s. Staff nutritionists there point to research showing that produce eaten within 48 hours of harvest retains significantly more water-soluble vitamins, particularly vitamin C, than supermarket items that have spent days in cold storage and transit.

Dry-farmed tomatoes — a technique where irrigation is cut off after transplanting, forcing roots deep and concentrating flavor — have become something of a Bay Area obsession, and for good reason beyond taste. The lower water content means higher concentrations of lycopene per gram compared to conventionally irrigated varieties.

The practical advice heading into the rest of July is simple: go early, bring cash (many smaller vendors still don't love card readers), and prioritize the short-season items first. Apricots and Rainier cherries before squash and peppers. Once the dry-farmed tomatoes arrive in force — usually the last two weeks of July — they'll keep you busy through September. Consult a registered dietitian or your primary care provider if you're managing specific health conditions and want to build a seasonal eating plan around them.