It's always farmers market time and some seasonal pick-your-own opportunities in Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Mountain View!
We love supporting our local farmers and buying locally-grown produce and goods. Plus, it's fun for the whole family to visit a pick-your-own (PYO) farm or a farmers market on the Lower Peninsula.
Here are four things to note before heading out to farmers markets or PYO Farms in Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Mountain View:
- Pick-your-own farms can sometimes change hours on short notice depending on weather, produce availability, and other factors. It's best to call ahead to make sure pick-your-own is available that day. Prices can also change from day to day.
- Bring your own containers or bags to avoid any extra charges!
- Bring cash as some Lower Peninsula farmer market stands and pick-your-own farms don't take credit cards.
- Some farmer markets and pick-your-own farms on the Lower Peninsula might have rules or requests in place due to COVID. Please check their websites or social media sites before heading out!
Here are the details on Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Mountain View farmers markets and pick-your-own farms:
Farmers Markets on the Lower Peninsula |
 |
Farmers markets on the Lower Peninsula are typically open year-round. Here are Farmers Markets in Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Mountain View:
Palo Alto
When: Open year-round, rain or shine, every Sunday
Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
What: Fresh fruits, veggies, eggs, and more! Knife sharpening on the first Sunday of the month.
Where: 400 California Avenue, Palo Alto
More information: https://uvfm.org/palo-alto-sundays
Downtown Palo Alto
When: Open year-round, rain or shine, every Saturday
Time: 8:00 am to noon
What: Fresh fruits, veggies, eggs, and more
Where: Gilman Street between Hamilton and Forest
More information: https://www.pafarmersmarket.org/
Portola Valley
When: Open year-round, rain or shine, every Thursday.
Time: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
What: Fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, honey, hummus, flowers, local farm eggs, meats and chickens, fresh seafood, local wines, fresh artisan bread, pies and pastries, and more, plus, hot food vendors with made-to-order foods!
Where: 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley
More information: https://www.facebook.com/PortolaValleyFarmersMarket
Menlo Park
When: Open year-round, rain or shine, every Sunday
Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
What: Fresh fruits, veggies, eggs, and more! Knife sharpening on the first Sunday of the month.
Where: Santa Cruz Avenue and Menlo Avenue, Menlo Park; in parking lot on Chestnut Street, between Santa Cruz and Menlo Avenues
More information: https://www.facebook.com/MenloParkFarmersMarket/
San Carlos
When: Open year-round, rain or shine, every Sunday
Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
What: Local farm produce, vendors, and music (no dogs, please)
Where: Bayport and Varian in San Carlos
More information: https://www.facebook.com/sancarlosfarmersmarket/
Mountain View
When: Open year-round, rain or shine, every Sunday
What: Produce and products from 80+ farmers and vendors
Where: Mountain View Caltrain Station 600 West Evelyn Avenue, Mountain View
More information: https://www.facebook.com/MVFarmersMkt/
Pick-Your-Own Farms on the Lower Peninsula |
 |
Pick-your-own farms are fun for both kids and adults! PYO is a great family afternoon outing on the Lower Peninsula. Here are the local farms that offer PYO:
Webb Ranch
What: The You-Pick season usually runs June through July or August, depending on rain and weather. All berries are CCOF organic. $4 per person ages 3+ (seniors 65+ free entry on Tuesdays and Thursdays), plus fruit is $6.00 per pound to take home. Appointments required for Saturdays. No appointments required on Tuesdays and Thursdays while open from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
When: Beginning June 5, 2021
Where: 2720 Alpine Road, Portola Valley
More information: https://www.webbranchinc.com/ (650) 854-5417
Skyline Chestnuts
What: Opens to the public when the ripe chestnuts start falling from the trees, typically in early October and lasts about 5 to 6 weeks.
When: Typically in early October
Where: 22322 Skyline Blvd., La Honda
More information: http://skylinechestnuts.com/index.html (402) 202-9557
Do you have a favorite spot to take your family for pick-your-own on the Lower Peninsula that you don't see listed here? Let me know at jenh@macaronikid.com and we'll add it to our list!
