Getting Produce at the Peak of Freshness

Whether preparing haute cuisine or down-home cooking, the freshest possible ingredients can make all the difference in any dish. San Diego County is blessed with an abundance of farms—most of them small family farms—which have earned a reputation for quality, high-value specialty crops. And with San Diego's near perfect year-round sunshine, there's always something in season.

Roadside Stands

Visitors to San Diego can drop by any of the region's many farms, located mostly in inland north county, to purchase produce directly from the grower at roadside farm stands. Following are a few of the favorites among local chefs - both amateur and professional:

• Alice Waters and Wolfgang Puck put the now world-famous Chino Farms on the culinary map and this farm, in the exclusive enclave of Rancho Santa Fe, continues to draw chefs from California's most celebrated restaurants. Every morning dozens of top toques from San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles line up for the fresh produce. Aspiring amateur chefs are equally welcome to sample the day's selections first-hand at the Chino Farms Vegetable Shop, while mingling with the region's top culinary talents. Chino Farms' bountiful harvest includes heirloom tomatoes, squash, squash blossoms, beans, melons, cucumbers, greens and lettuces, radishes, Brussels sprouts, okra, onions, Jerusalem artichokes, peppers, herbs, strawberries, strawberry figs, and Concord grapes.
• In Escondido, North inland San Diego, you’ll find Farm Stand West and Fran’s Original Farm Stand. Both are owned and operated by the Hillebrecht family since the 60’s and offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown on the family farm. Open year-round, they feature seasonal selections such as avocados, apricots, citrus, sweet peas, and local raw honey and nuts.
• Suzie’s Farm, located just 13 miles south of downtown San Diego, is another local favorite. The 140-acre USDA-certified organic farm grows over 100 varieties of seasonal vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits, year-round. You'll be greeted by a handful of happy farm dogs (although sadly, not the Norwegian Elkhound who is the farm's namesake and has passed on) and a fleet of 300 egg-laying hens. The farm offers a host of special events throughout the year, farm tours and an excellent farm stand. 
• Located in a nondescript warehouse just off the 5 freeway on Morena Blvd. across from Mission Bay, you’ll find the Fruit Stand. Similar to a farmers market, the Fruit Stand works with local farms to sell organic, locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables. They also sell dried fruit, wood (for bonfires), potted plants and occasionally other household items.

Farmers Markets

Each day in San Diego at least three California Certified Farmers Markets take place; on weekends the number is even greater. Shoppers browse stalls filled with ripe seasonal produce, flaky pies, crusty breads, homemade tortillas, and delectable treats of all kinds. 

Join in the fun and sample the sublime Gouda from the Winchester Cheese Company, a family dairy farm and cheese maker located north of San Diego. Or get tips on picking the best specialty citrus and avocados from the experts at Polito Family Farms, where navel and blood oranges; Satsuma and Clementine tangerines; Eureka, Myer and sweet Persian lemons; Oro Blanco and Star Ruby grapefruit; and Hass, Reed and Bacon avocados flourish.

Located in the heart of many of San Diego's colorful neighborhoods, farmers markets also offer a unique window on life in this sun-kissed Southern California paradise.

Follow this link for a complete schedule of all San Diego Farmers Markets.