Encinitas is known for its agricultural history and was once the “flower-growing capital of the world.” Now there are several unique farmers markets in the area to explore and a bounty of fresh, local organic produce to enjoy.
In fact, it wouldn’t be Sunday in Encinitas without a trip to the Leucadia Farmers Market, located at Paul Ecke Central Elementary School! Open every Sunday from 10 am-2 pm the market has many booths with local organic produce, handmade crafts to enjoy, and a nice area with cafeteria-style tables for enjoying the live music and great food.
If you can’t make it out on a Sunday, worry not, as the Cardiff Farmers Market is also on the scene! The Cardiff 101 Mainstreet Association hosts the Farmers Market every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. Located at Mira Costa College San Elijo Campus, it is a Certified California Farmers Market featuring locally sourced produce sold by local farmers as well as prepared food vendors, a curated group of craft vendors and local makers.
If you’re looking for fresh produce mid-week, we recommend checking out Encinitas’s true “Hidden Gem” Coastal Roots Farm! Coastal Roots Farm is a nonprofit Jewish community farm and education center located on a larger 67-acre property known as Leichtag Commons at 441 Saxony Drive in Encinitas. The farm stewards 17 acres consisting of vegetable production fields, an education farm and gardens, a “food forest,” chickens and compost operations.
Throughout the year, the farm offers an abundance of fresh vegetables, herbs, fruit, flowers, and eggs at their pay-what-you-can Farm Stand, a social enterprise that ensures that everyone in the community has fair, equal and dignified access to local, fresh, seasonal, organic and sustainably grown food. Donations are encouraged for farm produce, but no one is turned away for inability to pay.
New to the scene is Fox Point Farms, currently open Friday – Sunday at 1150 Quail Gardens Drive. Stop in and grab some freshly picked produce at Harvest Market. Explore the farm and/or enjoy a cup of coffee or cold pint and Prager Bros. sandwich, and let the kids run around in the open community space.
Author: Laura Charlton
Laura is the owner of Laura Charlton PR, a boutique public relations firm based in the San Diego area. With extensive experience working within the music, travel, entertainment, non-profit, education and consumer lifestyle industries, and for companies such as Disney, Make-A-Wish and the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, Laura brings more than 25 years of experience in corporate and consumer public relations, media relations and public affairs to her clients.
