If you haven’t been to the Peter’s Landing Farmers Market on Pacific Coast Highway just south of the Seal Beach city limits, it’s worth a visit. Every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. –2 p.m. (unless the weather gets so bad they have to close up early), you’ll see the canopies set up in the parking lot, as well as a petting zoo and pony rides for the kids.
I had no idea this market was only a couple years old when I first stumbled upon it, as it already seems very well established and the quality and variety of vendors is outstanding. Lee Ostendorf is the Director of Local Harvest Certified Farmers Markets which operates the Peter’s Landing market in addition to six others in the area. Lee is born and raised in Long Beach and was working as a real estate broker for a large project in Carson when she came across a market that wasn’t even a year old and about to shut down. “I didn’t even know what a Farmers Market was but thought ‘this is cool’ and went to the city Parks and Rec department to find out what was going on.” Lee says. She had a meeting with the city, went through the permitting process and was hired to do the market, sparking a career directing Farmers Markets that, 20 years later, she still finds fulfilling.
Part of the allure of a true Farmers Market is the ability to know not just where the food came from, but by whom and how it was grown. On her website localharvestfarmersmarkets.com, Lee writes:
Local Harvest Certified Farmers’ Markets are an effort to reestablish the traditional link between farmers and consumers in California. Local Harvest Certified Farmers’ Markets are “the real thing;” places where genuine farmers offer only agricultural products they grow themselves for direct sale to the public. By eliminating the middleman’s additional costs and multiple product handling, both the farmers and the consumers benefit.
Indeed, there is a reason the fresh strawberries you buy at a Farmers Market taste so sweet and just aren’t available at Costco. Aside from being picked hours before arrival, more than likely they are a variety that simply doesn’t travel well. Their perishability and tenderness can’t withstand the timeframes or rigors of packaging and long-distance transport. But fear not fellow Costco enthusiasts, the Peter’s Landing Farmers Market vendors are really big on giving out samples! You can’t take more than a few steps without someone offering you a taste of scrumptious mini cakes, homemade cookies, fresh fruits, “the best almonds in the world,” flavorful salsas, and so much more.
All the goodies aren’t just for eating at home–there are also several hot meal options readily available for breakfast or lunch. I highly recommend the egg and lobster sandwich for breakfast, and for lunch try an authentic wood fired pizza made on site in a custom trailer mounted oven. Tables with shade umbrellas are thoughtfully provided, as well as live music.
The Peter’s Landing Farmers Market has so much more than food. Offerings also include art and handmade goods like adorable sun dresses for little girls, pet products, sculptures and ocean themed paintings by talented local artists. Another reason to check out Farmers Markets is finding things you can’t get anywhere else. Last week my girls spotted hair bows with the characters from the movie “Frozen” from ten yards away and spent considerable time deliberating which ones to get.
Parking is easy no matter which way you choose to arrive. As Harbour residents, we prefer to make it an adventure by water and tie up alongside stand up paddleboards and kayaks in the guest slips behind the building just off the main channel.
The Peter’s Landing Farmers Market will be celebrating their third anniversary in April with festivities scheduled in May. (“Better chance for good weather”, explains Lee.) Watch for dates of the celebration to be announced.
Lara Anderson is a resident of Huntington Harbour, former mayor of Dana Point, and a Broker/Agent with Coldwell Banker Beachside Realtors. She can be reached at (949) 677-4099 or email: LA@LaraAnderson.com.
