The L.A. Farmers Market is a local institution, considered to be one of the best places in town to eat, shop, browse, and explore. If you’re thinking of moving to Los Angeles, or just visiting… You’ll want to visit The Grove.
The L.A. Farmers Market on the corner of 3rd and Fairfax
The Farmers Market is an outdoor shopping and eating located at the intersection of Third and Fairfax. It’s right next to The Grove, an open-air shopping mall. If you have not been to the L.A. Farmers Market is a Must-See
History of The Farmers Market
The Farmers Market did start out back in 1934 as a place where farmers brought their goods and sold them out of the backs of their trucks. You won’t see any actual farmer’s there today, but you can buy vegetables, fruit, flowers, as well as high quality meats.
One of the best things about the Farmer’s Market is the feast of aromas you encounter when you arrive. Waffles, kettle corn, gumbo, Brazilian BBQ, Crepes, Fresh Baked Pastries and so much more!
From the parking lot, you can see that local institution Du-Pars is here, along with Johnny Rockets. You’ll also see the historic gas station, a salute to the oil field that used to occupy this spot, still owned by the same family today.
Moving farther inside, you find an amazing variety of places to eat and things to buy.
There is something of the atmosphere of a bazaar to the Farmers Market. On a weekend afternoon, you feel as though you might bump into anybody or everybody. In fact, it is a favorite meeting spot for groups of friends because everybody can find something they like.
Special events are held here throughout the year. There are seasonal celebrations for the spring and winter holidays, a Cinco de Mayo festival, and free music performances in the summertime.
The Farmers Market underwent an extensive remodel in the early 2000s, so if you haven’t been there for years, you might want to visit again to see what it’s like now.
This happened in conjunction with the development of The Grove, which is an attraction in its own right with stores, dining places, a movie house, a trolley line, and an attractively designed pedestrian mall for strolling.
The Clock Tower, which has long been a symbol of the Farmers Market, was placed in its current location in 2002 along with a turn of the millennium time capsule.
Bring your out of town guests here for an authentic L.A. experience. Even if they are not the usual souvenir shopping type, they will find the Farmers Market is still worth a look. Browse the hat store, the retro toyshop, the hot sauce collection, or any of the various knick-knack shops. Of course, even some of the most sophisticated travelers can get caught up in the atmosphere and find themselves wanting a Hollywood sign T-shirt or an Oscar statuette snow globe.
The Farmers Market is an exciting and appetizing place to bring the family, meet up with friends, shop for supper, or just have a good time strolling around.
Founder of AboutWeHo Recommends
-Best Cajun food in the area is at The Gumbo Pot. You’ll love the Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice and as far as sides, I highly recommend the Sweet Potato Salad with Raisins.
-Best Produce from Farm Boy.
-Best Local Butcher. I even ask the butcher to shred for me short rib as thin as possible so I can make homemade Philly Cheesesteaks. With advance notice, they’ll freeze the meat to get a better extra thin cut on the shredder.
