Coastside Farmers' Markets Open This Week

It's time for whirled peas.

Crazy for cucumbers? Ballistic about basil? Silly over strawberries? Calm your emotions. Fresh, locally-grown produce is as close as a trip to your local Farmers' Market in Redwood City.

Can't make it to the Farmers' Markets on Saturdays? Another farmers' market from Kaiser Permanente opens this Wednesday at 1150 Veterans Boulevard. The Peninsula is stocked with other cities' local markets so you can enjoy fresh produce all week long.

This week, markets in , Pacifica, San Bruno, South San Francisco and San Mateo will open, joining other markets throughout the Peninsula that remain open all year around. Patch wanted to give you a handy guide to discover the market nearest to you.

It's early in the season, so you may not find many local tomatoes yet. But early season California vegetables are plentiful, and waiting to dive into your favorite recipe.

This week, peas are a feature of the markets. The Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association details what we can look for: "Peas come in three major varieties: garden, snow, and snap. Garden peas are usually shelled before eaten; snow peas are consumed young with the pod; and snap peas can be consumed either way, depending upon their maturity. Their sweet taste and tender texture provides a nice contrast to savory curries, soups, and stews; they are well-complimented by aromatics like onion, garlic, and mint. As with most delicacies, peas begin to lose their sweetness and flavor quickly after harvest, so look for the freshest at your local farmers' market." 

Peas are usually available from April through November.

Here's a rundown for you of local Farmers' Markets; where to find them, when they're open, and links to local sites when available. Enjoy!

Peninsula Farmers’ Markets 

Saturdays: 

Half Moon Bay (opens May 7) – Shoreline Station/Hwy 1 at Kelly Ave. – 9a.m.–1p.m.

Millbrae – Broadway between Victoria and La Cruz – 8a.m.-1:00p.m.

Redwood City – Winslow and Middlefield, near Broadway – 8a.m.-12p.m.

San Mateo - College of San Mateo - 9a.m.-1p.m.

South San Francisco (opens May 7) - Orange Memorial Park - 9a.m.–1p.m.

Sundays:

Belmont – El Camino Real at O’Neill - 9a.m.-1p.m.

Burlingame – Park Road at Burlingame Ave. – 9a.m.-1:30p.m.

Menlo Park – Chestnut at Crane – 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

San Bruno (opens May 1) – San Mateo Dr./bet Jenevein and Sylvan 10a.m.–2p.m

San Mateo – 100 E. 4^th Ave. – 10a.m.-2p.m.

Tuesdays:

San Mateo (opens May 10) – 194 W 25^th Ave. – 4p.m.-8p.m.

South San Francisco - Kaiser Hospital/1200 El Camino Real – 10a.m.-2p.m.

Wednesdays:

Pacifica (opens May 4) – Rockaway Beach/400 Old Country Road – 2:30p.m.-6:30p.m.

Redwood City (opens May 4) -Kaiser Hospital/Maple St. at Marshall – 10a.m.-2p.m.

San Mateo - College of San Mateo - 9a.m.-1p.m.

San Mateo - Event Center/West parking lot - 10a.m.-2p.m.

Thursdays:

San Carlos – Laurel St. between Olive and Cherry – 4p.m.-8p.m.