Pacific Grove Farmers Market
Downtown Pacific and Grand / Mondays 3pm – 7pm
Why locals love it: Walkable downtown location (Central & Grand) with a tight, community feel—and it runs rain or shine most Mondays of the year.
Vibe: After-work coastal hangout—grab dinner, shop produce, catch neighbors.
Popular vendors to find:
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Ad Astra Bread Co. (chef-driven breads & pastries)
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Mr. Falafel (Mediterranean plates)
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Ely’s Pupusas (fresh Salvadoran pupusas)
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Hummus Heaven (hummus, pita, salads)
(Everyone’s Harvest, the nonprofit operator, profiles many of its vendors—handy for scouting your favorites.)
Old Monterey Farmers Market
Alvarado Street / Tuesdays 4pm - 7pm
Why it’s great: It’s the big, downtown night market that runs year-round and spans several blocks of Alvarado Street—produce + international foods + crafts + live music + community booths. Hours shift seasonally (4–7pm Oct–Apr; 4–8pm May–Sep).
Vibe: Lively street-festival energy—come hungry and stay for dinner.
Popular finds: Certified produce stands, global street food, fresh breads and pastries, flowers. (The market emphasizes both certified farms and a broad mix of prepared foods and crafts.)
Carmel-by-the-Sea Farmers Market
Devendorf Park / Thursdays 10am – 2pm
Why it’s special: A boutique, downtown market steps from Ocean Ave (6th between Junipero & Mission). Smaller than Monterey’s, but beautifully curated—perfect for pairing produce runs with a coffee and gallery stroll. It’s year-round.
Vibe: Coastal-chic and walkable.
Popular vendors to look for:
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Ad Astra Bread Co. (they list “Thursdays: Downtown Carmel” on their site)
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Serendipity Farms (Carmel Valley organic farm; they announce Carmel market appearances)
Monterey Farmers Market
Del Monte Shopping Center / Fridays 8am – 12pm
Why it’s #1: Huge selection, easy parking, and open year-round. This is the peninsula’s most convenient “big” market for weekly shopping—think mountains of produce, flowers, specialty foods, and plenty of grab-and-go bites. Recent seasons also added a Sunday edition (seasonal) in the same lot.
Vibe: Suburban-easy with lots of regulars stocking up before brunch.
Don’t miss: Peak-season stone fruit (often from longtime Central Valley growers), fresh bakery pop-ups, knife sharpening.
Plan it: Fridays, 8am–12pm; back lot at Del Monte Shopping Center; rain or shine.
Carmel Valley Farmers Market
Mid Valley Safeway Parking Lot / Sundays 10am – 2pm
Why it’s worth the drive: A year-round, family-friendly Sunday market in the Mid Valley Shopping Center with produce, ready-to-eat foods, crafts, and live-music weekends. Great parking, sunny weather, and a relaxed, country-market pace.
Vibe: Easy, sunny, bring-the-dog* country morning (*service animals only inside most market footprints per health code—check signage).
Popular producers nearby: Serendipity Farms grows in Carmel Valley and sells at area markets; keep an eye on their channels for where they set up each week.
How to Choose “Your” Market
- Best Monday fix: Pacific Grove (Mon PM)—community vibe, dinner options, and consistent hours.
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Best food-festival vibe: Old Monterey (Tue PM)—street eats + music + crafts.
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Best boutique stroll: Carmel (Thu midday)—compact, curated, and downtown-walkable.
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Best for a weekly stock-up: Del Monte (Fri)—largest selection + easiest parking.
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Best sunny Sunday: Carmel Valley (Sun)—laid-back family outing with easy logistics.
If living in Carmel (with front-row access to world-class events and year-round coastal beauty) sounds like your dream, I’d be happy to show you what’s on the market. Because while the cars may only be here for a week, the lifestyle? That’s forever.
Thinking about making a move?
I am Ryan Sherman, a local Monterey Realtor® with Compass, specializing in luxury properties on the Monterey Peninsula. I love connecting people with their dream homes. If you are interested in buying or selling on the Monterey Peninsula, connect with me to find out how I can help makes your dreams a reality.
