California Certified Farmers Markets

The address is a slight bit confusing, I think. I always have remembered this farmer’s market for being directly off the Valley Circle exit on the 101 going south. It’s on the corner, directly across the street from the Motion Picture Home, taking over the small «Old Calabasas» shopping center on the corner.
I teeter between a 3.5 and a 4 in respect to this particular farmers’ market. FIrst, the parking is a terrible collision of many people attempting to park in few spaces behind Sagebrush across the street. Sure, the restaurant is kind enough to allow for market parking in the back, but show up too late in the day, or on a beautiful one, and it’s going to be a mess to try to even get back there. I always check it out quickly, and if it looks like sardines, I go for street parking. It can be a small walk, but in Southern California weather, there’s typically not much to complain about on that end.
The market itself can be a hit and miss. There are a few aspects that I LOVE about this market. I always get my fresh herbs and mixed greens from here. The vendor at the opening of the market sells both, and I can mix and match my greens however I please. I go for an Arugula, Spicy Mix, Japanese Spinach, and Mescaline blend. During the later Spring and through Summer, the fruit is rather wonderful from the market. Ruby red strawberries bursting with sweet juice in your mouth line many stands. Melons are abundant. Avocados, large and buttery.
The nectarines and peaches depend on the year, but they usually have at least a couple of weeks of deliciousness. There are a few specialty vendors who carry prepared foods like gourmet chocolate (I wasn’t much of a fan), Greek accessory foods (feta, oils, olives, pita, hummus), baked goods (croissants, danishes, etc), breads, and some vendors who sell hot foods for breakfast. I go for the rotisserie chicken with potatoes because it’s the most incredible smelling food around. The chicken is tender and full of delicious flavor from assorted herbs. The potatoes have been cooking under the rotisserie, meaning they get dripped on with all that juicy herby goodness.
Seasonally speaking, it’s often difficult to shop there in the Winter because there just usually isn’t very good looking Winter veg and fruit. I still get up every Saturday morning, regardless, to hunt for my fresh fruit and veg for the week to come. If you’re local, check it out, if not, stick to Santa Monica, or one close to you.