Guide to 2016 Sonoma County farmers markets

From Petaluma to Cloverdale and from Bodega Bay to Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County farmers markets thrive as spring's harvest peaks. More than two dozen markets take place from May through August, with vendor tables overflowing and aisles crowded with shoppers filling bags and baskets with a diverse harvest. By the end of August, seasonal markets will begin winding down for the year; come December, there will be seven markets to keep us in local foods until the new season kicks off in early spring 2017.

Each market has its own character and the more geographically isolated it is, the more that character blossoms. Here's a synopsis.

Year round farmers markets

The Oakmont Certified Farmers Market, founded in the mid 1990s by Hilda Swartz, takes place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at 6585 Oakmont Drive in east Santa Rosa. This market reflects the Oakmont community, with residents providing live music, and vendors and shoppers greeting each other like long-time friends.

The Petaluma Eastside Certified Farmers Market, founded in 2012 and managed by Kelly Smith, takes place on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Deer Creek Village, 501 N. McDowell Avenue; communityfarmersmarkets.com. With last year's move from Lucchesi Park, this market now has a somewhat urban flair and provides a great shopping option to an under-served area of Petaluma and nearby Penngrove.

The Rohnert Park Certified Farmers Market, founded in 2015 and managed by Kelly Smith and James Fenton, takes place Fridays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 500 City Center Drive; communityfarmersmarkets.com. Sonoma County's newest year-round market, with its open-air spaciousness and 40 vendors, was an instant hit with the community. This market also has a seasonal addition, running June 3 through Aug. 26, Fridays 2 p.m to 8 p.m.

The Santa Rosa Community Certified Farmers Market, founded in 2013 and managed by Kelly Smith and James Fenton, takes place on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the east parking lot of the Veterans Building, 1351 Maple Avenue, Santa Rosa; communityfarmersmarkets.com. Under the guidance of Smith and Fenton, this market has blossomed in the long-time location of the original Santa Rosa farmers market, now located a few miles north. Highlights include a convenient location off Highway 12, a diverse array of vendors and colorfully adorned booths.

The Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market, founded in 1978 and managed by Pegi Ball, takes place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday and from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday in the west-side parking lot of the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Spring Road; thesantarosafarmersmarket.com. The oldest market in Sonoma County, this weekly gathering is large and spacious, with tables for lingering, eating and listening to music, yet organized in such a way that music does not interfere with conversations with farmers. Its central location makes it a convenient destination for Healdsburg, Windsor, Forestville and Guerneville residents when seasonal markets close.

The Sebastopol Certified Farmers Market, founded in 1994 and managed by Paula Downing, takes place in the town plaza at McKinley and Petaluma avenues, on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; sebastopolfarmersmarket.org. This market also has a seasonal addition, Thursdays 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Aug 4 through October. Generations, tourists, cultures - from freewheeling hippies to buttoned-up conservative- and customers of all ages intersect at this colorful market, with its big stage, grand fountain and diverse vendors.

The Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market, founded in 1985 and managed by Hilda Swartz, takes place on Friday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Depot Park on First Street West, just north of the Sonoma Plaza; svcfm.org. Rustic, unhurried and located adjacent to a spacious park, this market encourages lingering after you've tucked your purchases in your car.

Seasonal farmers markets

Bodega Bay Certified Farmers Market, founded in 2011 and managed by Diana Bundy, takes place on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from May 29 through the end of October at 2255 Highway One in Bodega Bay. Breezy, casual and friendly, this market, located in a large field, feels as if you are actually on a farm or ranch.

Cloverdale Community Market and Exchange, founded in 2014 and managed by Mike Morisette and Marne Depere, takes place on Fridays from 6 p.m. to dusk at 225 North Cloverdale Boulevard, next door to Plank Coffee. It will open June 3 and closes on Sept. 2. This market has a relaxed, intimate ambiance, grounded in ongoing interaction between vendors and regular customers.

Cotati Certified Farmers Market, founded in 2001 and managed by Kelly Smith, takes place on Thursday afternoons from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. from June 2 through the end of August at La Plaza Park at West Sierra Avenue and Old Redwood Highway; communityfarmersmarkets.com. Quirky and fun, this market offers a great place to take kids, who can enjoy the park and playground while parents shop, sip and nibble.

Forestville Certified Farmers Market, founded in 2013 and managed by Mary Rand, takes place on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Russian River Vineyards (5700 Gravenstein Highway North) from June 7 through October; forestvillefarmersmarket.com. This West County treasure has a wonderful view and an on-site garden and restaurant.

Kenwood Community Certified Farmers Market, founded in 2014 and managed by Kelly Smith, takes place on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. from June 1 through September 14 at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, 9000 Sonoma Hwy.; communityfarmersmarkets.com. A beautifully shaded setting makes this small rustic market a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Healdsburg Certified Farmers Market, founded in 1978 and managed by Kenny Lowe, takes place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, one block west of the town plaza at North and Vine streets. It is held from May 7 through the end of November, and on Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on North Street in the Purity/Cerri parking lot, from the beginning of June to the end of October; healdsburgfarmersmarket.org. One of the largest and oldest of our seasonal markets, the Healdsburg market limits artisans and crafters to a brief time around the holidays, and thus has the greatest percentage of food vendors of all markets. Plus there's the sound of the legendary cowbell, which signals the market's opening each Saturday.

Occidental Bohemian Farmers Market, founded in 2002 and managed by Kim Dow, takes place on Fridays from 4 p.m. until dusk from June 3 through the end of October on Bohemian Highway between First and Third Streets in downtown Occidental; occidentalfarmersmarket.com. Towering trees, dappled sunlight and wisps of fog anoint this beloved market, which kicks off the weekend for hundreds of West County residents who come, not just to stock their larders and pantries, but to enjoy dinner from market vendors.

Petaluma Farmers Market, founded in 1987 and managed by Kelly Smith, takes place on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Walnut Park, at Petaluma Boulevard South and D Street, from May 14 to November 19, and on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Second Street between B and D streets from June 1 to August 31; petalumafarmersmarket.com. Walnut Park provides a great atmosphere for this market, where there is plenty of room for kids and pets to play.

Russian River Farmers Market, founded in 2012 and managed by Connie Schlabach, takes place on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Sonoma Nesting Company, 16151 Main Street, Guerneville, from May 5 through the end of September. Sweet and tiny, this market offers a convenient way to re-stock produce mid-week.

Valley of the Moon Certified Farmers Market, founded in 2011 and managed by Christopher Welch, takes place from 5:30 p.m. to dusk from May 3 through the end of October in the Sonoma Plaza; vomcfm.com. It's a Tuesday evening party at this market, with locals and tourists gathering to eat, drink, listen to music, dance and do a little shopping in the town's historic plaza.

West End Farmers Market, founded in 2013 and managed by Allen Thomas, is located in Railroad Square near the Santa Rosa SMART transit station. The market is held 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. from April 3 to mid-December; wefm.co. The market is conveniently nearby shops and restaurants, and surrounded by the historic Hotel La Rose, the Western Hotel, and the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Depot.

Windsor Farmers Market, founded in 2001 and managed by Tina Castelli, takes place on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from April 7 through mid-December and on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. from June through August on Market Street in Old Downtown Windsor; windsorfarmersmarket.com. Windsor's lively market, on the east edge of the spacious Town Green, feels as much like a town fair as it does a market. There is plenty to eat on the spot and lots of arts and crafts to peruse after you've shopped.