Virginia Avenue Park Farmers Market

By far my favorite farmers market in all of Santa Monica!
Things I love About It:
— MUCH less crowded than other markets. I could actually breathe and browse without feeling claustrophobic. As for what another reviewer said below, the clientele was not skewed towards any one race/​ethnicity or another when I went this weekend (how rude of that reviewer to say that!) and I certainly did not see any of that behavior mentioned.
— Despite being less crowded, there’s still a great variety of farms and produce/​meat/​flowers/​baked goods available
— Small little food court but it has TABLES AND CHAIRS
— There was an amazing acoustic bluegrass band playing, great banter and just seemed like such awesome guys. Plus they played like they had been transported from the deep south!
— Other performers along the way– a unique harpist was there last weekend
— Private Parking lot, which is basically UNHEARD OF for Santa Monica farmers markets
— Beautiful location with fields for the kids to run around on to blow off steam, gorgeous architecture on the public library
Really, I’m not going to any other farmers market any more. This one is just too good.

I like the Wednesday one in Downtown Santa Monica the most. But this one sucks big time. The 1^st time was ok but lots of pushy people. 2^nd time we wanted to buy some bread off one of the sellers and we was very very rude by walking away from us a few times while asking him a questions (what types of breads do you have? How much is it? Do you have different sized packages of those breads? What ingrinets are in that bread?) and if we got an answer it was «I don’t know» or «it cost $$$$$$$$$$$$$$». And while trying to get help from him we turns around and walks away to help a young attractive woman try some samples. And bread there was 40% higher then at the store (example: his whole wheat bread (i think it was 1 of those breads he had) is $ 10 and at a store for exactly the same bread it’s $ 4). And both times I went (don’t know if it’s the time of day or what) but there lots of Hispanics and they cut in line and push there way though no matter what happens.

I love going to this Farmers Market on Saturdays with my grandparents. The assortment of fresh produce is wonderful! They have stands with all different kinds of vegetables, fruits, honey, meat, pastries, flowers, eggs, and a little food court area!
Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, come for the free samples and the happy environment! There’s nothing better than a free breakfast!

I’ve been to a fair amount of farmer’s markets before, and I can safely say this is a great one. In terms of quality and quantity, it has plenty of both with perhaps more of the former… Always a huge plus.
There is a very large amount of organic and locally grown vegetables and fruits. Almost all of the fruit vendors offer free samples of their produce, though I didn’t see any for the vegetable ones (no surprise… Who would try that?). I was really impressed with the quality and taste of the fruit. I tried 2 different types of strawberries (get the Avalion… spelling ?), 2 different pears, Mandarin oranges, prisommons… Just to name a few!
The only reason I give this market 4 stars and not 5 is because it’s relatively small compared to some other markets I’ve been to. However, it doesn’t take much away from the variety of things offered. Even the floral vendors here have a lot to offer!