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Strolling through the Original Farmers Market Los Angeles

Los Angeles may be known for its beaches, amusement parks and Hollywood stars but the famous intersection of Third Street and Fairfax Avenue and home of the Original Farmer’s Market is also a pleasant stop as one of its top tourist attractions. This historic cultural monument has been a favorite gathering place for generations of residents and visitors. With over 120 shops, produce stands, restaurants and food stalls, it offers something for everyone strolling through here.

Farmers market sign

The Original Farmer’s Market had its humble beginnings when a group of farmers in 1934 started displaying their fruits, vegetables and flowers on truck beds at this once dirt parking lot. This actual market was envisioned by two entrepreneurs, Roger Dahlhjelm and Fred Beck.

They approached one of the Gilmore family members, who owned this land, to use this empty space for “An Idea”. This idea was a village square with a central market for farmers to sell their fruits and vegetables surrounded by artisans and carpenters selling handmade items. The farmers were charged 50 cents to “rent” a space per day.

Loteria grill

The Gilmore family still owns the Farmers Market and the land it sits on. They started out as a dairy farm until discovering oil in their land. As a tribute to the Gilmore Oil Company, one the largest in the West at one time, there’s a small exhibit outside the market of the little pieces of history of the Gilmores who also made many contributions to Los Angeles. This self-serve gas station and old car reflects the good old days. It’s a popular area for visitors to take pictures.

fairfax market Gilmore Gas Station

The farmer’s market has an eclectic mix of shops that caters to every age with varying interests. One of the best things here is, of course, the fresh produce. I love the display of colors and seeing the variety of fruits and vegetables. Sure, I can go to the grocery store across the street but the variety here is better.

Fairfax market fruits

Anyone need unique sauces to take home or just need a good laugh at some of the sauce names? The Light My Fire store is for you with hundreds of hot sauces (from mild to mouth burning) from around the world. I’ve always been a little leery taking my kids in here with the number of breakables but also due to some of the more mature labels.

Fairfax market sauces

Tea anyone? They have over 250 kinds of teas at this stall.

Farmers market tea

There are a few souvenir stands to cater to the tourists too.

Fairfax market souvenirs

My kids love coming here and looking through the shops. Sticker Planet is dedicated to stickers carrying at least 5,000 different stickers and very popular with kids. This store selling tin lunch boxes and cars is a favorite with my kids too.

Fairfax market vintage toys

It’s hard to walk out empty handed when visiting Los Angeles’ oldest toy store. Kip’s Toyland opened here in 1956 and is one of the few remaining independently-owned toy shops in the state. Its owner, Mr. Kip, can often be found in the store helping customers. You won’t find any electronic toys here which is a rarity too these days.

Kips Toyland

I loved the colors and variety in the glace fruit stand.

Fairfax market glace fruit

There are stalls outside too selling some of the most eye-pleasing home accessories.

Farmers market flowers

Need a place to buy newspapers and magazines or buy a lotto ticket? I’ve always admired the mural outside this newsstand – vintage Los Angeles.

fairfax Market LA Times stand

The Farmers Market is one of our favorite places to eat in Los Angeles. The restaurants and eateries offer some of the best food in the city. You can find a variety of food here from Cajun, Brazilian to Italian and Korean among others waiting to satisfy your palate.

Fairfax market gatheringThere are plenty of open and outdoor seating around the area. Some are even decorated with colorful tiles to add to the ambience.

Farmers Market tiles

During our visit last weekend, we wanted to try out a burger place called Short Order. It was touted as one of the best in the country for its organic and juicy burgers. It was delicious and huge but I loved their sweet potato fries more.

Short Order burger

It’s always dangerous walking through the market with all the sweet temptations. We always try to save some room for desserts. How can we resist window displays like these?

Fairfax market dessertsOr this?

Farmers market Caramel apple

One of the best things about the market is how many of the vendors have endured the economy and changing times through the years. Their constant presence here is a great assurance that our favorite stalls are around to visit. Bob’s Coffee and Doughnuts is an L.A. institution with some of the best doughnuts. Nutella doughnut anyone?

Fairfax market doughnuts

One of the newest additions here is a branch of the famous Dylan’s Candy Bar from New York City. It’s also many kids’ new favorite place. This was their colorful ceiling art.

Dylans Candy Bar Los angeles

As an ode to the tourists and travelers that come through here, this sculpture called The Travel Angel guards one of the entrances. The angel’s wings have postcards and stickers of the places he has visited while he’s dressed in a local attire to “blend in”.

Travel Angel

Over the years, Farmers Market became a place to meet, eat and shop for many of the locals and eventually one of the city’s main tourist destinations. Vendors have come and gone but there are stalls that have become institutions and have catered to generations of Los Angeles residents. It’s one of the best places to visit and take a break from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Visiting the Farmer’s Market Basics:

  • The market is open everyday from 9 AM – 9 PM. They close at 8PM on Sat. Sunday hours: 10 AM – 7 PM
  • Parking is available around the area and tickets can be validated for two hours of free parking. Parking is also available at The Grove (adjacent shopping center).
  • Check the Farmer’s Market website for special events like summer concerts and family activities

*Have you visited the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market? Any favorite markets you’ve visited?

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Los ANgeles farmer's market

34 thoughts on “Strolling through the Original Farmers Market Los Angeles”

  1. I love visiting markets, especially when we travel overseas. They are always so interesting (especially from a cultural point of view) and this one you have shown us looks fabulous. Thanks for taking us along!
    Have a wonderful week.

  2. Farmers markets rank up there with my very favorite places on earth. How could I not have known about this until now? Thank you for this post! It definitely goes on the future’s list!

  3. How is it that I’ve never heard of this place? I was going to list what looked good in your post, but there’s not enough room here. I’m dragging my family here the next time we’re in LA (for longer than 3 hours), and I’m sure I’ll have trouble getting them to leave. Looks like a fun outing!

    1. I was drooling from all the food pictures too. I know friends and relatives who live in LA and have never been to this market which is kinda sad. Your kids will love this place.

  4. Farmers markets are great for getting fresh produce. This one seem to have everything. That burger and sweets look delicious. I love the decorations of colorful tiles and candy ceiling art.

  5. This sounds like a unique market. The travel Angel is a stroke of genius and I
    like the covered eating area :) I agree that is much better to buy produce from a market,
    if it is locally produced.

    1. I love that travel angel and makes me wish I had one. We like that there are so many places to eat and the seating arrangements are all over the market. It’s very community oriented.

  6. This place looks amazing!!!Great things to buy. Wonderful things to eat too.

    Thanks for being a part of “Oh, the PLACES I’ve been!”

    – The Tablescaper

  7. Oh my goodness the food looks so good there! I love all the colors of fruits, sweets, flowers and such. And when I finally make it to L.A., I will definitely be visiting the lunch box store. I miss my wonder woman tin lunch box! ;)

  8. A little idea that grew into a lovely Farmers’ Market. Wonder how much they rent space there for now.
    I’d have a hard time getting my shopping done here, I’d be distracted and want to buy everything. Then again, that’s what Farmers’ Markets are supposed to do, right?

    1. Farmer’s markets are some of the best places to shop and eat and this one is no exception. It really was an idea that turned out to be one of the best and most enduring. I can bet the rental space cost an arm and a leg considering its prime location and the amount of foot traffic it gets.

  9. This sounds like a place that would be fun to visit with a local – and I’d be happy to join you and eat my way through the market. I bet the kids love every opportunity to visit the toy store too. Are the prices competitive?

  10. What lovely photos! This looks like such a cool market and I didn’t know LA had a Dylan’s Candy bar. I hope we can go here one of these days….we haven’t been to LA in so long!

  11. I love visiting farmers markets too! Get fresh vegetables and fruits plus its a good experience too. These are beautiful captures Mary, being a vegetarian I would love to visit this place :)

  12. Markets are one of my favorite things to visit when I’m traveling. The Saturday and Sunday walking markets in Chiang Mai are always favorites. This looks like a fabulous market, and I would love to spend a day. You’ll find many neighborhood farmers markets in Prague. Great local food, coffee, wine, and not to be missed.

  13. HI Mary, thanks for taking me for an awesome tour of this farmer’s market, I’ve been to LA several times but I haven’t visited the Farmer’s Market. The great variety of offerings is incredible. I can spend the whole day here. Love the vintage murals and colorful tiles. Keith will love that burger. Had to laugh on the labels of the hot sauce – too mature indeed!

  14. Such a neat locale for a market. So much wonderful eye candy!

    Great to have you at “Oh, the PLACES I’ve been!” Hope to see you this Friday!

    – The Tablescaper

  15. This looks like a great Farmer’s Market. There aren’t enough here in Texas, but I’d guess California would be full of them (although maybe not all as great as this).

  16. I don’t know why, I always think of rural areas when I think of a farmer’s market. I never would have thought of LA as having one as wonderful as this! The Original Farmer’s Market looks like just the place I’d love to visit.

    Thanks for linking up to the Best of the USA blog hop!

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