Coronado Farmer’s Market

Saddest excuse of a farmers market ever (and I’m from chula). Man I feel bad for the locals on the island (really a peninsula but fuck it). Me and my friend immediately drove away off to otay farmer market on Tuesdays to somehow salvage the day. PITIFUL

Tuesdays 2:30 –6. Validate parking for one hour. Usually this is my absolute favorite farmers market. Plenty of produce stalls and great flower sellers. There are a few cheese and jam sellers too. The prices are really high but the quality is really good. The strawberries are red all the way through and very sweet. I have never had a seller be rude. Most try to start up a conversation with you and most acknowledge my kids. When the weather is kind of bad there are fewer options.

Okay, yes it is small and possibly a bit pricy, but it is Coronado. I appreciate that there are local farmers and producers that come to the island and sell quality goods directly to the consumers. I am a huge supporter of farmers markets being in the sustainable ag industry, so the prices at farmers markets has ever bothered me. You pay for what you get, it is incredibly important to keep supporting our local farmers.
Like other reviews said, my first impression was «sooo tiny», but I have grown fond of this market and am impressed with the variety. I recently moved from northern California where the market was fairly large, but this market offers just as much variety, eggs, nuts, homemade olives, my beloved cheese curds and the usual fruits and veggies. The vendors were all very friendly, lots of samples so you know what you are getting and can try something new. It is not crowded at all, even in the summer, parking is abundant and free for an hour and its a nice spot near the water. Its just a short walk to Boneys and Albertsons is right across the street, so I like to come see what they have at the market and then walk over the grocery store to supplement what I bought to turn it into a meal. Don’t go out of your way to come here, but if you are on the island, its a great option.
Where ever you are, support your local farmers, shop at the farmers market!

Small market by the water. If you are a local, take your bike.
I love having a local Farmer’s Market in the island. I normally buy berries and flowers and they quality and the price is better than at the local grocery stores! I wish it was bigger though!

My «first impression» was ‘small’ and then ‘never driving here again’ and then things looked pretty expensive at first glance.
Despite all that though, I ended up walking away really happy though, and was shocked I spent only half our grocery budget of the week (spent $ 50) with all the veggies and produce we would need for the week! Buying a giant bag of oranges for $ 8 was a cringe, but I walked away feeling good. All the people I talked to don’t use any pesticides whatsoever. I was disappointed with how small it was, but in all actuality it was cozy, with the kids painting a free pumpkin each in the center of all the stalls (the stalls were in a big Square formation sort of. I’d say around 15 – 20 stalls).
Things I liked:
*The friendliness of some of the farmers and workers of the farmers, who ran the booths.
*They had a good selection of vegetables, and the prices weren’t outrageous mostly.
*No one used any pesticides!
*I was able to get all that I needed for a week, on a decent budget by watching myself
*The people at the stands knew the regulars by name.
*Good quality items.
*Very kid friendly, kids running around playing and having fun chasing each other in the open.
*Located in a beautiful area, with PLENTY of easy parking! Right in the same parking lot too! This place has a good number of people, but not crowded by any means.
Things I disliked:
*No meat or dairy
*I couldn’t bring myself to buy a dozen eggs for $ 5!
*One of the farmers apparently didn’t know that «Certified Organic» doesn’t necessarily mean no pesticides. Didn’t he read the regulations? That’s why I like to ask the farmers personally if they use them or not, what kinds and how much. This guy got offended, and rightly so, for not knowing what the evil «certified organic» entails. Sorry, rant.
*Some of the people weren’t the owners, but hired workers.
*Not as big of a selection as I would like, but enough, just barley enough.

I’m giving this cozy little market a well deserved four stars. Its every Tuesday from 12:00 to 6 ish and they have just about everything you need and the prices are great. I enjoy the meat vendor and picked up some killer fajitas.
If your looking for a super big selection of produce go elsewhere, but on the other hand if your looking for a small, cozy experience then Coronado market is just for you. Also there are no issues with parking.

I was very happy to hear there was a farmer’s market right in Coronado. Prior to going, I was warned here on Unilocal that it would be small so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
It was very well marked to get there.
Not sure how many vendors there were but they offered most of anything I could want. Everything was clearly fresh and recently picked. Everything I purchased had a wonderful taste to it. I was very pleased with the experience and the produce.

My favorite farmer’s market is the one in City Heights. I love the «vibe» there. However, Coronado’s farmer’s market is really nice – I’d describe it as «pleasant.»
But, comparing these two markets is like comparing apples to oranges (sorry, folks, couldn’t help myself!!)
Tip: Follow the many signs hung around the Ferry Landing… you’ll find the farmer’s market tucked into a little corner in the parking lot.
Expectation: high-​priced and fancy-​pants.
Reality: Regular farmer’s market priced (kinda comparable to Vons or Albertson’s produce prices – AKA on the upper price end) & the atmosphere is really laid-​back.
Here are my personal highlights:
1)The Ha Apple Farm. I got to talking to the guy at the booth & he said that 90% of his farm is apples. They sell apple butter (canned on-​site, so i am told – at his farm), apple leather, dried apples, apple cider, and apple cider vinegar. Their apples are organic, so look kinda funky, but @ $ 2.50 LB they’re soooooooo worth it! they are juicy, sweet, and taste like real apples!
2)The plant guy on the corner. He is from Valley Center. He’s a young fella who knows a lot about plants & is willing to chat or answer any questions you have. His prices are good & his plants look very healthy. I bought some oregano and a succulent. I am going back for this hanging strawberry with hot pink flowers.
3) Parking!!! wow! lots of parking right up in the market. Also, a lot less crowded than Little Italy. Of course, not as many vendors, either.
This market is small. The prices aren’t great. The atmosphere is nice. If you’re in the area, check it out! But, I wouldn’t go outta my way.

A small market, right off the water. Lovely.
Excellent options, though if I were a local I would probably opt for the Hillcrest market.
It’s a bit overpriced– but if you live on (or you’re staying on) the island– it’s a great place to do all of your produce shopping. Everyone is more than friendly and it’s an easy bike ride from the main drag.

It is convenient!!! Yay!!! People are very friendly!!! Yay!!! It is too small and pretty expensive. It does not cost much more for the growers to drive to Coronado that to the Hillcrest Farmers Market so why is the produce so marked up. $ 3.00 lb. for tomatoes that are in season. Yikes! Good cheese and flowers. But Boney’s Market around the corner seems to have better vegi’s for much better prices. I would love to be able to add at least one more star, but I just can’t,… (sigh) out of principle.

Basically, this farmer’s market sucks. I hadn’t been there in awhile because its small, overpriced, and most of the vendors wares are mediocre at best. So, I went today hoping more was happening… NOPE. In fact I think its even smaller, if that’s possible. That being said, if you happen to be in Coronado (and who the hell wants to be in Coronado in the summer, fuh-​king turistas!) on a Tuesday from 2:30 — 6:30 in the parking lot of the Ferry Landing off of 1^st Street check out the guy next to the woman who sells the fresh eggs because he always has some cool and exotic fruit and veg that are truly organic. Also, if you are looking for some fresh potted herbs or plants, there is a really cool guy who generally has a wide variety to choose from. Other than that, this farmers market really blows, and there are much better ones around town on any given day.

This is maybe the smallest farmers market I’ve ever been to. I know, I know… size shouldn’t matter, but when it comes to farmers markets, it does. I like having options and looking, touching, smelling and tasting everything. There were probably only 7 or 8 vendors total with 2 or 3 of them selling very similar goods (i.e. 3 different booths selling corn, and 3 selling flowers). Having said that, the vendors were nice and the quality of produce was good. The location is a plus. It’s on the east side of the Old Ferry Shopping Center parking lot so it’s a nice area to take a walk along the water or through the boutique shops before or after your quick jaunt through the farmers market.

This farmer’s market is definitely on the small side, and like the North Park FM, that’s why I like it so much. Parking is a breeze, it’s not crowded, the vendors recognize me and I can always find the basics and then some. It’s not like the Hillcrest market, where one goes to see and be seen (I love it too!) and that’s just fine with me. I can be done shopping and back in my car on the road within 10 minutes.
Just avoid the rush hour times or else traffic getting back accross the bridge can suck. The sailors get off of work around 5:30 and they converge on the road like gang busters.
It’s got to be the most beautiful setting for a farmer’s market in all of San Diego as it overlooks the San Diego skyline. It could use more vendors, but I think it serves it’s purpose for those of us who truly cherish the availability and accessibility of local and sustainable produce.