Did you know that San Luis Obispo County is home to one of the oldest and largest Farmers Markets in the USA ?!
It’s true – every Thursday night since 1983 (!) in the downtown of the City of San Luis Obispo, the main street is blocked off, and dozens of farmers set up their booths*. Booths are also set up by local BBQ’ers, businesses, and organizations. Free street musicians (tips appreciated + many sell CD’s) add to the fun – they even have to audition in order to appear! A giant cuddly “Downtown Brown” bear is there to offer free hugs to kids.
Thousands of people come to taste the free samples, buy fresh food at great prices and enjoy the whole family fun atmosphere. Unlike many so-called “Farmers Markets,” only the actual producers may sell their produce and flowers – not people who buy wholesale and then sell on.
Most cities in SLO County now have their own Farmers Markets – some even have two. It is possible to go to a different Farmers Market every day of the week. Each Farmers Market has its own charm and claim to fame. Most, if not all, offer organic produce. Some also offer locally caught fish, some offer local beef. Many offer free entertainment.
So no matter where you stay in San Luis Obispo County, a fun Farmers Market is close.
Following is when the Farmers Markets are held. Please check our website Calendar to confrm times and locations. They are usually held year-round, unless noted otherwise.
- Monday:
- Baywood Park – Downtown – 2 – 4:30 PM (charming beach town next to Los Osos)
- Tuesday:
- Paso Robles – Downtown City Park – 3 – 6 PM
- Wednesday:
- Arroyo Grande – Spencer’s Parking Lot – Courtland & E. Grand – 8:30 – 11 AM
- Atascadero – Downtown Sunken Gardens – 3 – 6 PM
- Thursday:
- Morro Bay – Spencer’s Parking Lot – 2650 Main Street – 2:30- 5 PM
- San Luis Obispo Downtown – 6 – 9 PM
- Friday:
- Paso Robles – Wal-Mart Parking Lot – S. River & Niblick Rd. – 9 AM – Noon
- Cambria – Vet’s Hall Parking Lot – 1000 Main St. – 2:30 – 5 PM
- Cayucos – Vets Hall Downtown – 10:12:30 PM (Memorial Day – Labor Day Only)
- Avila Beach – Downtown Promenade – 4 – 8 PM (April – Sept. Only) (Note – the middle photo above – the concert by the pier – was taken at the Avila Beach Farmers Market.)
- Saturday:
- San Luis Obispo – Cost Plus Parking Lot – Madonna Rd – 8 AM – 10:30 AM
- Paso Robles – Downtown City Park – 9 – 1 PM
- Templeton – Downtown Park – 9 – 12:30 PM (Most Farmers of all Markets in SLO!)
- Arroyo Grande – Downtown Gazebo – Branch St. – Noon – 2:30 PM
- Morro Bay – Downtown Main Street – 2:30 – 5 PM
- Sunday:
- Nipomo – Monarch Dunes Country Club – 1645 Trilogy Pkwy – 11:30-2:30 PM
- Grover Beach – Ramona Garden Park – 995 Ramona – 3 – 6 PM (June – Sept. Only) (Note: Free “Sizzlin Summer” Concert during each Grovers Beach Market)
More information about each of these can be found in our daily Calendar of Events.
More information about most Farmers Markets in South County (Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay.)
More Information about most Farmers Markets in North County (Atascadero, Baywood Park/Los Osos, Templeton, Paso Robles,
Complete list of when crops ripen in San Luis Obispo County.
* Little known fact – in the early 1980’s, the city of SLO blocked off Higuera Street to prevent kids cruising in cars on Thursday evenings. Legend has it that with streets blocked off, there was an unsuccessful attempt to set up Volleyball games on the empty streets. Finally, a local resident came back from a trip to Italy with the idea of using the empty street for a Farmers Market like they had enjoyed there. The rest is history…
Note – generally we spell it Farmers Markets, not Farmer’s Markets or Farmers’ Markets.
