Farmer's Markets in San Francisco, CA

The Alemany Farmer's Market has been around since World War II and is San Francisco's largest farmer's market, with the best variety, and the best deals for the quality level. Of course, everyone in the city already knows this, so it's also very crowded and traffic/parking are a pain if you come in by vehicle. Buses that stop within walking distance are the MUNI 67 and the 23. It's the only one of the farmer's markets that is run by the city itself. In-season fruits and veggies are found at great prices, but there's also a ream of vendors serving prepared foods - tamales, pupusas, Afghani food, pastries, artisan bread, Vietnamese sandwiches, Egyptian food, cider, fresh honey, pizza, chutney and crepes are just among some of the things seen regulalry here. The Alemany Farmer's Market's central address is 100 Alemany Blvd., and it happens every Saturday year-round from about 6 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m.

The Crocker Galleria Farmers' Market takes place in the Crocker Galleria mall downtown, just off of Market near the Montgomery BART/MUNI station. It runs from 11:00 to 3:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. While it's one of the smaller farmer's markets (with only about 20 vendors usually), and focuses on more pricey "artisan" foods than actual produce, it's also one of the easiest to access by public transportation, and it's the best overall to cruise for free food samples. Among the regular vendors worth checking out are a German bakery, an apple farm that does everything from cider to wine, quiche and pasta.

The Divisadero Farmers' Market is another one of the smaller markets, but less expensive and "artisan", as evidenced by how heavily they advertise the fact that they give bonuses for users of EBT (food stamp) cards. The focus is mostly on fruits and veggies here, but there's some very good regular food vendors - Bakers of Paris with an overwhelming array of breads, excellent ravioli, and Sonoma turkey sausage. This market has really expanded greatly in the past year or so and is probably the best up-and-comer in the city. Hours are Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., just a block from Alamo Square at Divisadero and Grove.

The Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market, which takes place in front of and around back of the Ferry Building, has kind of become the "expensive artisan food market for South Beach yuppies" rather than a place to actually get local produce at low prices, but there is some undeniably delicious stuff here. During summer, some of the best sweet fruits are found here, albeit at prices higher than other markets. If you've got the coin, check out the taco vendors here, the Japanese food from Namu's, Cowgirl Creamery cheese and some Blue Bottle coffee. Also do remember that most of the action is around back by the waterfront, the vendors out front of the building are just the tip of the iceberg. The market is on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., though some vendors open earlier than that on Saturdays.

The Heart of the City Farmer's Market is located in the heart of Homelessness Central for Northern California, and thus it can be a little depressing, especially during the winter months when there isn't much on offer. Suck up the smell of bum pee, bring a tennis racket to swat away crack-fed pigeons that buzz your head, and proceed with courage to find great prices on in-season fruits and veggies, and a much-needed source of solid nutrition at low prices for one of San Francisco's most troubled areas. Regular features to stop for are the Kettle Corn, the guy who sells organic brown eggs for ridiculously low prices, and the mushroom vendors with the huge variety and great prices. This market takes place at United Nations Plaza (off of Market Street near the Civic Center MUNI/BART station), on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 5:30, and Sundays from 7:00 to 5:00.

The Kaiser Hospital Farmers' Market takes place in the Kaiser Hospital Garage on O'Farrell Street, on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is another small market, but focuses on fruits and veggies, and is nice if you're in the neighborhood and don't want to take one of the jam-packed bus lines down to the Civic Center.

The Noe Valley Farmers' Market often has more of the vibe of a festival, with live folk music, a lot of families present, and a lot of food vendors. Find it on Saturdays between 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., on 24th Street between Sanchez and Vicksburg across the street from Martha and Bros. Coffee Company. Regular vendors include Bennett Valley Bread & Pastry, Capay Fruits & Vegetables, Field of Greens, Happy Boy Farms, Hidden Star Orchards, Juicey Lucy's, Malik Ranch, Neufeld Farms, Quick-N-Ezee Indian Foods, Snyders Honey, Sunny Farm and Twin Girls Farm.

The Parkmerced Farmer's Market is seasonal from mid-May through October, taking place on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is another small market that tends to lean toward prepared food vendors rather than produce. But there's quite a bit of vendor carry-over from Alemany here - look for good apple cider, butter, bread and Afghani food here.

Finally, the Stonestown Farmers Market from 9 to 1 on Sundays takes place behind Macy's in the Stonestown Galleria mall. Another small market, expect to find much more in the way of prepared foods than produce. There's some great cupcakes, dumplings, waffles and hummus here, and the Kettle Corn people have a setup here as well.