To shop where chefs do, head to this Wednesday market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Santa Monica. Started in 1981, it now hosts more than 75 farmers and claims to be SoCal’s largest certified grower-only market. In-the-know foodies arrive early to beat the other 9,000 or so shoppers to get first dibs on everything from flowers to meats and seafood to herbs. The market’s top draw is its produce, and stall after stall is piled high with in-season fruits and veggies. To scope out the best, look for stands swamped with people and ask for a sample.

A Sunday walk down the strip of stalls between San Vicente Boulevard and Montana Avenue reveals a cornucopia of California farm goods, staples like eggs, carrots, lettuce, root veggies, and whatever fruit is having its seasonal moment. In true LA fashion, it’s possible to have both a celebrity spotting and bite into an avocado toast (beware: the line for the latter can be long). Baked goods, crepes, tacos, chicken and waffles — the list goes on. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

DJs, live music, a kids’ art station, fresh empanadas, food trucks: A strong neighborhood vibe comes through at this popular weekly Sunday market, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shoppers stock their larders with local olive oil and honey, fill up their totes with cheese and microgreens, and select from a rainbow of just-picked produce, with plenty of organic and pesticide-free options. It’s not just locals making the rounds; shoppers drive from Venice, Culver City, Santa Monica, and beyond to load up their cars.

Angling for kid favorite, this Sunday market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. tempts little ones with a play area, train ride, climbing wall, petting zoo, pony rides, and a bounce house. Adults will gravitate to the fresh-picked fruits and veggies, free-range meats, local seafood, and plethora of drink options, from juice to kombucha to coffee. A mix of food vendors offer hand-held favorites from around the world, including pizza, moussaka, tacos, stuffed rice balls, tamales, and hot dogs.

You won’t find any pop-up tents sheltering weather-beaten farmers at this LA institution. What started in 1934 as a place for farmers to sell produce from their trucks morphed into something more permanent. The indoor-outdoor space lets you shop for pies and baked goods alongside fresh vegetables, seafood, and meat. The eating and drinking spots range from doughnuts to sushi to tacos. It’s open weekdays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This long-running market gives Hollywood a reason to wake up early on Sunday. What started small in 1991 has grown to about 160 farmers that come from as close as Ventura County and as far as the Central San Joaquin region. Upwards of 10,000 market-goers, including more than a few celebrities, stop by from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to shop the overflowing produce stands, fish and meat purveyors, tables filled with jams and jellies, and more. A roster of events, from cooking demos to family festivals, plus clothing and jewelry stalls, keeps the market interesting.

Considering the microgreen stand, the oyster-shucking station, and the stall with ice cream made from market ingredients, there’s a lot to take in at this Wednesday farmers market, which runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in spring and summer and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in fall and winter. There is produce to stock up on, but don’t miss the prepared food vendors, which include stalls for Mexican, Salvadoran, Mediterannean, French pastries, and much more. The market’s location next to a grassy park invites browsers to stay a while.

This weekday Pasadena market has been going strong since 1999. Health nuts and the market curious won’t go hungry as they shop — or once they drive home to restock their fridge with market finds. Alongside vendors slinging California produce staples such as avocados, raspberries, and citrus, there are stands selling vegan cheese, artisanal nut butters, pupusas, kettle corn, and other treats.