Writing about Orange County Farmers Markets with playground and library pairings has been a goal of mine for so long! I thought it would be easy, because my original list was around 12 farmers markets. It has grown so much over the years.
This family guide or what I like to call the "play guide" is not as much a guide to the farmers markets themselves, because everyone has their favorites and they are all worth exploring at least once to see what you like or don't like! Instead, it is a pairing of parent-recommended playgrounds and libraries near the markets.
I also have a map of Farmer's Markets and you can put it together with parks and libraries for yourself, if you want. This post is an effort to do that for you!
The map has yellow markers for Farmers Markets. (At the bottom of the map you can click or unclick the categories you want to see: Parks, Splash Parks, Public Libraries, Theme Parks, Beaches, Farmers Markets, and Nature Centers.) Works best on desktop or laptop.
As always, this becomes so much better when you help! So, please, join in and send me your favorite pairings if I missed them! I can add to the list!
Always check official sources before you go! All events are subject to change!
Don't miss the FREE 4-page printable at the end of the post! I don't even ask you give me your email. It's completely free to download and use!
Tuesdays
Central OC
Irvine Certified Farmers Market - Irvine Regional Park
- Hours: Tuesdays, 9am-1pm
- Address: Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road in Orange
- Library nearest to Irvine Regional Park: Katie Wheeler Library (Irvine Libraries). Open 10am-8pm on Tuesdays.
- Nearby play (so much to do inside the park!):
- Irvine Regional Park has 4 playgrounds + 1 lone swingset
- OC Zoo, nature center, Habitat Nature Trail
- Irvine Park Railroad, pony rides, Wheel Fun Rentals
Huntington Beach Surf City Nights Certified Farmers Market & Street Fair
- Hours: Tuesdays, 4:30pm-8pm
- Address: Main & PCH
- Nearby Library: Huntington Beach Public Library - Main Street Branch. Open 9am-6pm on Tuesdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds:
Seal Beach Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Tuesdays, 9am-1pm
- Address: Westminster & Seal Beach Blvd
- Nearby Library: Seal Beach Library (OCPL). Open 10am-7pm on Tuesdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds and Park Areas:
- Seal Beach Pier & Eisenhower Playground
- Gum Grove Nature Park
- River's End Park
North OC
Placentia Certified Farmers Market - Placentia Town Center
- Hours: Tuesdays, 3pm-7pm
- Address: Placentia Town Center (Yorba Linda Blvd and N. Kraemer) in Yorba Linda
- Nearby Library: Placentia Library. Open 9am-8pm on Tuesdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds and Walking Trails:
Wednesdays
South OC
Dana Point Harbor Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Wednesdays, 9am-1pm
- Address: Dana Point Harbor, 34473 Golden Lantern in Dana Point
- Nearby Library: Dana Point Library (OCPL) or San Juan Capistrano Library (OCPL). Both open 10am-7pm Wednesdays.
- Nearby Playground, Beaches, and Nature Center:
Lake Forest Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Wednesdays, 4pm-8pm
- Address: Lake Forest Sports Park, 28000 Rancho Pkwy (Portola and Rancho), Lake Forest
- Nearby Library: El Toro Library (OCPL). Open 10am-7pm on Wednesdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds:
- Lake Forest Sports Park (2 playgrounds)
- Baker Ranch Park in Lake Forest
- Crucero Park in Mission Viejo
Central OC
Irvine Kaiser Permanente Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Wednesdays, 9:30am-1:30pm
- Address: 6670 Alton Parkway in Irvine
- Nearby Library: University Park Library (Irvine Libraries). Open 10am-8pm on Wednesdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds:
Tustin Certified Farmers Market - Old Town Tustin
- Hours: Wednesdays, 9am-1pm
- Address: Old Town Tustin, 3rd & El Camino in Tustin
- Nearby Library: Tustin Library (OCPL). Open 10am-7pm on Wednesdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds & Zoo:
North OC
Fullerton Certified Farmers Market - Independence Park
- Hours: Wednesdays, 8:30am-12:30pm
- Address: Independence Park, 801 W. Valencia Drive in Fullerton
- Nearby Library: Fullerton Library. Open 11am-7pm on Wednesdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds and Walking Trails:
Thursdays
Central OC
Costa Mesa Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Thursdays, 9am-1pm
- Address: OC Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa
- Nearby Library: Costa Mesa - Donald Dungan Library (OCPL). Open 10am-7pm on Thursdays.
- Nearby Farm, Playgrounds, and Nature Center:
- Centennial Farm is right at the fairgrounds
- Lions Park is right outside the library
- Angels Playground at TeWinkle Park
- Muth Interpretive Center in Newport Beach
Fullerton Night Market
- Hours: Thursdays (April 2nd - Sept 3rd), 4:30pm-8:30pm
- Address: 125 E. Wilshire Ave (btwn Pomona and N. Harbor Blvd) in Fullerton
- Nearby Library: Fullerton Library. Open 11am-7pm on Thursdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds and Walking Trails:
Tustin Sunset Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Monthly 3rd Thursday (May - September), 5pm-8:30pm
- Address: 474 El Camino Real (El Camino Real and Third) in Tustin
- Nearby Library: Tustin Library (OCPL). Open 10am-7pm on Thursdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds (it will be evening hours for playing):
North OC
Anaheim - Downtown Anaheim Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Thursdays, 11am-3pm (Sept-May) OR 3pm-7pm (Jun-Aug)
- Address: 435 W. Center Street Promenade in Anaheim
- Nearby Library: Anaheim Public Library - Central Branch. Open 11am-7pm on Thursdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds and Restaurants:
- Pearson Park
- Pioneer Park
- Anaheim Packing District has restaurants and a small grassy area popular with kids
Brea Certified Farmers Market - Brea Place
- Hours: Thursdays, 3pm-7pm
- Address: Brea Place, 135 S. State College Blvd in Brea (Map)
- Nearby Library: Brea Library (OCPL). Open 11am-7pm on Thursdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds, Trails, and Nature Center:
You made it to Fridays! Don't forget about the FREE 4-page printable. Keep scrolling to the end!
Fridays
South OC
Farmakis Farms Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Fridays, 9am-1pm
- Address: 29932 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
- Nearby Library: San Juan Capistrano Library (OCPL). Open 9am-5pm Wednesdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds:
Laguna Hills Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Fridays, 9am-1pm
- Address: Old Laguna Hills Mall parking lot, 24200 Laguna Hills Mall, Laguna Hills
- Nearby Library: El Toro Library (OCPL). Open 9am-5pm on Fridays. (LH Tech Library closed Fridays).
- Nearby Playgrounds:
Central OC
Mile Square Park Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Fridays, 9am-1pm
- Address: Freedom Hall, 16801 Euclid St in Fountain Valley
- Nearby Library: Fountain Valley Library (OCPL). Open 9am-5pm on Fridays.
- Nearby Playgrounds and Nature Area:
- Multiple playgrounds at Mile Square Regional Park
- Nature area
- Fountain Valley Universally Accessible Playground
Local Harvest Certified Farmers Market - Seal Beach Pier
- Hours: 9am-2pm
- Address: Seal Beach Pier, 900 Ocean Avenue in Seal Beach
- Nearby Library: Nearby libraries are closed on Fridays.
- Nearby Playground and Park Areas:
- Seal Beach Pier & Eisenhower Playground
- Gum Grove Nature Park
- River's End Park
North OC
Anaheim Kaiser Permanente Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Fridays, 9am-2pm
- Address: 3440 E. La Palma Ave in Anaheim
- Nearby Library: Anaheim Public Library - Sunkist Branch. Open 11am-7pm on Fridays.
- Nearby Playgrounds:
Saturdays
South OC
Aliso Viejo Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Saturdays, 10am-2pm
- Address: Aliso Town Center, 26701 Aliso Creek Rd (near movie theater) in Aliso Viejo
- Nearby Library: Aliso Viejo Library (OCPL). Open 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds:
New Dana Point Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Saturdays, 9am-1pm
- Address: La Plaza Park, 3400 La Plaza in Dana Point
- Nearby Library: Dana Point Library (OCPL) or San Juan Capistrano Library (OCPL). Both open 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds and Nature Center:
Laguna Beach Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Saturdays, 8am-12pm
- Address: 521 Forest Ave in Laguna Beach (parking lot adjacent to City Hall))
- Nearby Library: Laguna Beach Library (OCPL) with fairy garden outside! Open 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds and Park:
- Laguna Main Beach Park
- Riddle Field Park
- Heisler Park (view & walk)
- Bluebird Park
Mission Viejo Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Saturdays, 10am-2pm
- Address: North Paseo at Los Osos (near Saddleback Lanes) 25282 Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo
- Nearby Library: Mission Viejo Library. Open 10am-5pm on Saturdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds:
Central OC
Corona del Mar Farmers Market
- Hours: Saturdays, 9am-1pm
- Address: 3201 E Pacific Coast Hwy in Corona Del Mar
- Nearby Library: Corona del Mar Branch Library (Newport Beach Library District). Open 9am-6pm on Saturdays.
- Nearby Parks, Beaches, & Playgrounds:
Costa Mesa SoCo Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Saturdays, 9am-2pm
- Address: SOCO and The OC Mix, 3315 Hyland Ave in Costa Mesa
- Nearby Library: Costa Mesa - Mesa Verde Library. Open 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds:
Irvine Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: 8am-12pm
- Address: Mariner's Church Parking Lot, 5001 Newport Coast Dr in Irvine
- Nearby Library: University Park Library (Irvine Libraries). Open 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds and Nature Center:
Newport Harbor Farmers Market
- Hours: Saturdays, 9am-1pm
- Address: 798 Dover Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92663
- Nearby Library: Crean Mariners Branch (Newport Beach Public Library). Open 9am-6pm on Saturdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds, Walk, and Nature Center:
Orange Homegrown Farmers & Artisans Market
- Hours: Saturdays, 9am-1pm
- Address: 798 Dover Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92663
- Nearby Library: Main Branch Orange Public Library. Open 10am-6pm on Saturdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds and Science Center:
Downtown Tustin Saturday Market - Old Town Tustin
- Hours: Saturdays, 8am-12pm
- Address: Old Town Tustin, 3rd & El Camino in Tustin
- Nearby Library: Tustin Library (OCPL). Open 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds and Zoo:
North OC
Buena Park Certified Farmers Marketplace
- Hours: Saturdays, 9am-2pm
- Address: Buena Park Downtown Mall Parking Lot, 8000-8092 La Palma Ave in Buena Park
- Nearby Library: Buena Park Library (OCPL). Open 10am-5pm on Saturdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds:
- William Peak Park in Buena Park
- Don Knabe Community Park in Cerritos (LA)
- Arnold Cypress Park in Cypress
- Mackay Park in Cypress
Cypress Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Saturdays, 9am-2pm
- Address: 4505 Katella Avenue in Los Alamitos
- Nearby Library: Cypress Library (OCPL). Open 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds and Nature Center:
Fullerton Free Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Saturdays, 9am-2pm
- Address: Fullerton Free Church Parking Lot, 2801 Brea Blvd in Fullerton (Brea Blvd,& Rolling Hills Dr.)
- Nearby Library: Fullerton Library (Fullerton). Open 11am-5pm.
- Nearby Playgrounds:
Yorba Linda Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Saturdays, 9am-1pm
- Address: 5091 Mountain View Avenue in Yorba Linda
- Nearby Library: Yorba Linda Public Library. Open 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
- Nearby Playgrounds:
- Jessamyn West Park
- Hurless Barton Park
- Yorba Linda Adventure Playground (reservation required on weekends)
Almost there! The 4-page printable is so close!
Sundays
South OC
Ladera Ranch Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Sundays, 9am-1pm
- Address: Founders Park, 28275 Avendale Boulevard in Ladera Ranch
- Nearby Library: Mission Viejo Library. Open 12pm-5pm on Sundays. (Ladera Ranch Library (OCPL) closed on Sundays).
- Nearby Playgrounds:
- Founders Park
- Cox Sports Park Playground
- Residents can visit private Ladera Ranch parks
Laguna Niguel Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Sundays, 8am-12pm
- Address: 27241 La Paz Road in Laguna Niguel
- Nearby Library: Mission Viejo Library. Open 12pm-5pm on Sundays. (Aliso Viejo Library (OCPL) closed on Sundays).
- Nearby Playgrounds:
- Niguel Heights Park
- Yosemite Park
- Laguna Niguel Regional Park - 2 playgrounds
Central OC
San Clemente Village Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Sundays, 9am-1pm
- Address: 200 Avenida del Mar in San Clemente
- Nearby Library: No nearby libraries open on Sundays. Beachtown Books is a local independent used bookstore open 10am-6pm on Sundays.
- Nearby Play:
- San Clemente State Beach (Califia Beach)
- Linda Lane Park & Beach
- San Clemente Pier
- Casa Romantica open 10am-2pm on Sundays. Also offers Free Family Sundays (1st Sunday of the Month).
Local Harvest Garden Grove Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Sundays, 9am-2pm
- Address: 12976 Main Street in Garden Grove (Main St & Garden Grove Blvd)
- Nearby Library: No nearby libraries open on Sundays.
- Nearby Play:
Irvine - Stonegate Elementary Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Sundays, 10am-2pm
- Address: 100 Honors in Irvine
- Nearby Library: Katie Wheeler Library or Heritage Park Library (Irvine Libraries). Both open 9am-5pm on Sundays.
- Nearby Play:
Newport Beach Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Sundays, 9am-1pm
- Address: Base of the Newport Pier, 1 Newport Pier in Newport Beach
- Nearby Library: Balboa Branch library closed for replacement. Crean Mariners Branch open 12pm-5pm on Sundays.
- Nearby Play:
Tustin District Certified Farmers Market
- Hours: Sundays, 9am-1pm
- Address: 2243 Park Avenue in Tustin (Barranca Pkwy & Tustin Ranch Rd)
- Nearby Library: Heritage Park Library (Irvine Libraries). Open 9am-5pm on Sundays.
- Nearby Play:
Local Farm Stands for Fresh Grown Produce
- South OC: The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano
- Central & North OC: Manassero Farms in Irvine, Tustin, and Anaheim Hills/Yorba Linda
- Central OC: Tanaka Farms in Irvine
You made it! Here it is! Enjoy!
Always check official sources before you go! All events are subject to change!
FREE Printable: OC Farmers Markets Family Guide
I made a printable that has all this info and a QR Code that will take you back to this blog post when you need links to the parks!
Sources:
- ocfarmbureau.org
- myoccfm.com
- hbdowntown.com
- cityoffullerton.com
- sfma.com
- downtownanaheim.com
- farmakisfarms.com
- buenapark.com
- danapointchamber.com/farmers-market
- orangehomegrown.org
- farmhabit.com
- farmandcraftmarket.com
- lagunaniguelfarmersmarket.com
- ocerac.ocpublicworks.com
