Strolling around a farmers market makes for a lovely day or evening out. You can sip a healthy shake or nibble on fresh-baked bread as you browse organic tomatoes and an array of honeys, herbs and olive oils.
What’s more, you can purchase justpicked fruits and vegetables, resplendent in flavor that mass-grown produce sometimes lacks. And often, they cost less than at the supermarket.
High-quality meats, seafood and artisan cheeses are also available at many farmers markets. Some even provide entertainment for the kids such as face painting and balloon animals.
The lively outdoor markets are ideal for gift shopping — offering handmade soaps, scented lotions and candles, jewelry, flowers, nuts and gourmet chocolate.
Orange County and neighboring Long Beach offer a cornucopia of farmers markets just about any day of the week.
Here are some local favorites to get you started: In Huntington Beach, the Surf City Nights Certified Farmers Market happens every Tuesday on downtown Main Street from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., except December through February when the hours run 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley, 16801 Euclid St., hosts a farmers market every Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tustin offers a couple of popular farmers markets: One in scenic Old Town, at 3rd and El Camino Real, on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; another at The District, 2243 Park Ave., Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visit the Great Park in Irvine, 8000 Great Park Blvd., on Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for juicy oranges (and more) plus a ride in the big orange balloon.
Locally grown produce abounds at the Historic Main Street farmers market in Garden Grove on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Enjoy the ocean breeze while admiring exotic fruits at Newport Beach Pier, Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Head to the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, 88 Fair Dr., Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., for supersized zucchinis and sweet corn.
Seal Beach has a farmers market near Leisure World at 13904 Seal Beach Blvd, Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Just across the LA county line, Long Beach has multiple farmers markets, some with live music, at various locations including: Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way, Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Alamitos Bay Marina, 6602 E Marina Dr., near 2nd & PCH, Sundays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and oceanfront Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave., Tuesdays 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and again Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.