There were many reasons why my husband and I decided to move to Davis a few years ago: it’s a small town with many eateries, various sporting and music events thanks to UCD and oh yeah, the famous Davis Farmers Market. It wasn’t until we settled in that I came to find out that Davis has not one, but two farmers markets – each unique in its food and fun.
First, there’s the Saturday morning market, which everyone seems to know about as it draws a crowd from neighboring towns and cities. This is more of your traditional market, with various fruit and vegetable booths, flowers, natural meats, a few local wineries and fun Davis crafts. One of my favorite Saturday morning activities is to grab a cup of drip coffee and browse the produce for dinner inspiration. It’s a farmer’s farmers market, which I love.
The Wednesday night market is a whole different ballgame; it feels more like a community picnic in the park. There’s always a band set up on the grassy “stage” area and Central Park is covered in blankets, families, strollers and kids. There is a group of tables set up on the side for people who didn’t bring a blanket and it’s common for folks to bring a bottle of wine and a board game. And I don’t mean a few board games – these people are serious Scrabble tournament types! There is often a rock climbing wall, pony rides and bounce houses set up to help entertain the young ones. And the booths are also different: there are a few produce booths, but the majority are local restaurants. The perfect way to “do” the Wednesday night market is to pack a blanket and come hungry. Everyone in your family can try a different restaurant for dinner and dessert and relax on the grass while enjoying music. My go-to is the tri-tip sandwich and apple slaw from the Buckhorn, and a popsicle from the popsicle bike, this time it was the blueberry lemon yogurt – yum!
Davis Farmers Markets
Central Park
4th and C Streets
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (year-round)
Wednesday: 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (summer only)
Archives for August 2011
Farmers Market – X & 9th Streets
I never really appreciated fresh produce before I moved to Sacramento two years ago. Things like fruit stands and farmers markets overflowing with fruits and vegetables, likely picked and delivered straight from nearby farms that morning, just don’t exist in Phoenix as they do in California. These days, Sunday morning visits to the farmers market on X and 9th streets in downtown Sacramento have not only become a regular part of my weekly routine, but they’re one of my favorite parts about living in this city.
There are a lot of reasons why strolling through the downtown farmers market each Sunday has become an almost therapeutic way for me to “check out” before heading back to the daily grind on Monday. It’s the unassuming location and popping up like clockwork under a freeway overpass each week; the friendly faces of the “mushroom lady,” “avocado guy” and “chicken lady” I now look forward to seeing and chatting with weekly; the huge selection of fresh fruit, veggies, meat, seafood, pastries and flowers just begging to be taken home. Needless to say, this particular farmers market is a “must” on my list of things to do in Sacramento. Regardless of what’s on your shopping list, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for – and then some!