Sonora Farmer's Market
Saturday mornings in Sonora (California Gold Country) are where you'll meet
new friends, old friends, and buy your fresh fruits, pastries, veges and breads.
A visit to California Gold Country's Sonora offers many unique shopping
experiences. But the standout event for summer fun is the weekly Certified
Farmer's Market held each Saturday morning in downtown Sonora. Tucked behind the
main row of shops, just follow the crowds to Theall and Stewart Streets where
you'll find a big parking lot with colorful tents and a buzz of people swarming
through the outdoor mall to enjoy fresh produce (some is organic). One of the
perennial favorites on our visit was strawberries. Monster, red delicious
berries drew quite a crowd as people lined up and down the block to purchase
their container of the fresh-picked choice berries.
When visiting, if you don't see the crowds, then follow the sound of live
entertainment with local bands strumming, singing and performing favorites that
please the early to mid-morning crowd. Ranging from a group of fiddling school
children to local mountain bands, the music really brightens up the festive
atmosphere at this event that locals say is a must-see. Once a week, the
residents of Sonora and nearby towns like to attend the market and outdoor fair
to socialize. Neighbors and acquaintances all greet each other and chat casually
in the sunshine, soaking up the rays before the day warms up and hits the 90's.
While the weather in Sonora does get hot in the summer, fortunately it is mostly
a dry heat that keeps things quite tolerable and even pleasant for those
accustomed to it.
What you'll find at the fair are crafts such as pottery, paintings, garden
tools, jewelry and other items offer visitors an opportunity to purchase locally
made gifts to take home as souvenirs.
This historic Gold Country city features many events that attract guests for
overnight and week-long vacations. You can stay at hotels such as the Inns of
California and walk several blocks to the Farmer's Market for a leisurely,
enjoyable morning stroll. The hotel includes an outdoor pool, large rooms,
decent beds, great air conditioning and is located across the street from a
popular coffee drive through serving lattés, espressos and smoothies.
The foods sold include nuts, berries, lettuce, onions, apples, honey, jams,
olive oil, cheese, pastries and breads, plus fresh cut flowers. The produce and
foods are the drawing card at this market, where quality and freshness are
apparent as guests sample the products sold. While the Certified Farmer's Market
in Sonora is but one of hundreds throughout California, it is one of our
favorites for its neighborly approach. A visit to the Saturday morning event
puts on the best face of this Sierra foothills city in Central California, and
makes you want to pack up and move to a city filled with charms.
Sonora's Certified Farmer's Market. Fresh produce, crafts and live
entertainment. Address: Theall and Stewart St., Sonora, CA. Time: 7:30 - 11:30
a.m. Tel: (209) 532-7735. sonoraca.com