Saturday mornings in Sonora (California
Gold Country) are where you'll meet new friends, old friends, and
buy your fresh fruits, pastries, vegetables 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.
Location: Theall and Stewart St., Sonora, CA. Time: 7:30 - 11:30
a.m. Call: (209) 532-7735. sonoraca.com
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