The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax has been feeding Los Angeles families since 1934. It’s free to enter, open nearly every day, and packed with over 100 food stalls. For a family visiting LA, it’s one of the most reliable, low-pressure stops you can make — as long as you arrive before the lunch crowd hits.
Free Entry100+ Food StallsFamily-FriendlySince 1934
It’s not a farmers market in the weekend-produce sense. The Original Farmers Market is a permanent open-air complex of food counters, small grocery stalls, bakeries, and specialty shops, all clustered under a landmark clock tower. It started in July 1934 when local farmers parked their trucks at Third and Fairfax and sold produce off the tailgates. By October of that year, the vendors had moved into permanent stalls, and the market has been running ever since.
For families, the appeal is straightforward: no admission fee, no reservation needed, and everyone picks what they want from different counters. Kids can get a doughnut at Bob’s Coffee & Doughnuts while parents grab Brazilian BBQ at Pampas Grill, and nobody has to agree on one restaurant. The shared outdoor seating means you can spread out, keep an eye on strollers, and let children move around between bites.
Who should skip it? Travelers who dislike crowds, anyone hoping for a quiet local-only produce market, and families on a tight schedule during peak lunch hours. The market gets genuinely congested between noon and 2 p.m., and the narrow aisles make stroller navigation frustrating. If that sounds like a dealbreaker, visit on a weekday morning instead.
Best Time to Visit With Kids
Weekday mornings are the clear winner. The market opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday, and the first hour or two is calm. Stalls are fully set up, seating is easy to find, and you can walk a full loop before deciding what to eat. Many local families use the market for breakfast, arriving between 9 and 10:30 a.m. to hit the doughnut and coffee counters before the tour groups and lunch rush.
Weekend mornings are lively but crowded. Saturday opens at 10 a.m., Sunday at 10 a.m., and by 11 a.m. the shared tables fill up. The energy is fun — live music, families strolling, the buzz of a hundred conversations — but the tradeoff is slower lines and harder parking.
Summer Thursday evenings are a different beast entirely. The market runs a free Summer Music Series from 7 to 9 p.m. through August 28, with local bands playing at the Main Plaza. Crowds are medium, the weather is pleasant, and the whole area feels like a block party. It’s a solid option for families who want evening entertainment without a ticket price.
What to Eat: The Shortlist for Families
The sheer number of choices can overwhelm anyone, especially hungry kids. Walk a full loop before ordering anything. That one rule saves you from panic-buying the first thing you see and regretting it when you spot something better.
These are the stalls worth prioritizing:
Bob’s Coffee & Doughnuts — The classic raised glazed doughnut is the move. It’s a simple, reliable treat that works for any age. The line moves fast in the morning.
Pampas Grill — Brazilian BBQ served by weight. You grab a plate, choose from meats and sides at the counter, and pay by the pound. Good for families because everyone builds their own plate. The portions are generous enough that two adults can share.
Singapore Banana Leaf — Authentic Southeast Asian food, recommended by Reddit users and regulars alike. The menu covers noodles, rice dishes, and curries. It’s one of those stalls that looks unassuming but delivers flavor that punches above the market’s casual vibe.
Du-par’s — A diner that’s been here since 1938. Famous for pancakes, and the counter seating gives kids something to watch while they wait for food. It’s a sit-down option when you need a real break from the chaos.
Monsieur Marcel — A French marketplace and bistro that also sells cheese, wine, and pantry staples. Chef Nancy Silverton, a longtime regular, calls it her go-to for cheese and butter. The charcuterie board and a glass of wine works for parents while kids pick at simpler options from nearby counters.
For a sweet finish, Littlejohn’s English Toffee has been making hand-crafted candies for over a century. It’s a small stall, easy to miss, but worth finding for a take-home treat.
- Weekday mornings before 11 a.m. mean shorter lines at Bob’s Coffee & Doughnuts and easier seating near Pampas Grill.
- Bring a reusable bag if you plan to buy fresh produce or specialty foods — the market doesn’t provide them.
- Most vendors accept cards, but cash speeds things up at smaller stalls.
Parking, Hours, and What It Actually Costs
Entry is free. You pay only for what you eat and buy. That makes it one of the best-value outings in Los Angeles.
The market’s hours as of mid-2026: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Individual merchants may keep different hours, so check the official Farmers Market website for specific stall schedules.
Parking is the main cost. The on-site lot serves both the Farmers Market and The Grove. With a purchase from a participating merchant, you get up to two hours free. After that, standard hourly rates apply — roughly $5 per hour up to a daily maximum. The validation window matters: if you stay longer than two hours, the free period expires and you pay the full rate. Check the posted signs when you arrive.
The market is wheelchair accessible, with wide pathways and ramps. Strollers are manageable but the central aisles get tight at peak times. If you’re visiting with a double stroller or a wagon, weekday mornings are your friend.
Metro bus lines 217 on Fairfax Avenue and 16 on Third Street stop at the entrance. The Metro D (Purple) Line Wilshire/Fairfax station, which opened in 2025, is about a 15-minute walk south on Fairfax. Rideshare drop-off points are marked near The Grove entrance and the main market gates.
The Grove Is Right Next Door
The Original Farmers Market sits directly adjacent to The Grove, an open-air shopping and entertainment complex that opened in 2002. The two are connected by a pedestrian walkway and a free double-decker trolley that runs between them.
The Grove offers a different experience: wider walkways, brand-name stores (Apple, Nordstrom, Zara, Nike), a central fountain that performs hourly water shows choreographed by WET Design (the same company behind the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas), and an AMC movie theater. The trolley runs daily from 1 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., with a recharge break from 3:45 to 5 p.m. — check day-of for weather or maintenance changes.
For families, the combination works well. Eat at the Farmers Market first, then use The Grove as a “reset” space — wider aisles, a fountain to watch, room to walk off the meal. The contrast is part of the appeal: the market has the character and history, while the Grove has the polish and space.
Nearby Attractions to Pair With Your Visit
The market sits in the Fairfax district, about a mile north of Museum Row. Three major attractions are within easy walking distance or a short drive:
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum — About a 15-minute walk south on Fairfax Avenue. The tar pits are outdoors and free to view; the museum has admission fees. It’s the most logical pairing for families, especially if you have kids who love dinosaurs and ice age fossils. Budget 90 minutes to two hours for the museum.
LACMA — The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is next to the tar pits, about a 20-minute walk from the market. The outdoor installation of Urban Light (the row of restored street lamps) is free to see and a guaranteed photo stop for older kids and teens.
Petersen Automotive Museum — About a mile southwest on Wilshire Boulevard. If your family has any interest in cars, this is worth the walk or a quick rideshare. The exterior alone — a red steel ribbon wrapped around the building — catches attention.
For a broader LA itinerary, the full Los Angeles travel guide on this site covers all the major neighborhoods and attractions.
The Original Farmers Market began July 1934 when a dozen farmers and a few merchants sold produce from trucks at Third and Fairfax. Ninety years later, it’s still feeding families every day.
What Families Get Wrong
The most common mistake is arriving hungry with no plan. The market has over 100 stalls, and the sensory overload — smells, shouts, sizzling grills, lines forming at every counter — makes it hard to choose. Walk the whole loop first. Let each family member point out what they want. Then split up and meet back at the clock tower.
The second mistake is underestimating weekend parking. The validation system only covers two hours with a purchase. If you plan a long lunch, a movie at The Grove, and shopping, you’ll pay full price. That’s fine if you know going in. The problem is the surprise at the parking pay station.
The third is forgetting that the market is mostly open-air. On hot Los Angeles afternoons, the covered areas provide some shade but no air conditioning. Dress accordingly, bring water, and plan indoor breaks if the heat gets rough.
Sources
The Original Farmers Market official website. Farmers Market LA, 2026.
The Original Farmers Market visitor guide. Airial Travel, 2026.
The Original Farmers Market at The Grove guide. Viva STour, July 2026.
The Grove & Original Farmers Market guide. The Better Vacation, 2026.
The Original Farmers Market visitor overview. The Nightlife Hiker, 2026.
