I admit to being more than a little star-struck by the Hollywood Farmers’ Market in Los Angeles.
It was impossible to recognise any stars shopping under the layers of raincoats and umbrellas the day I visited (watch the video below), but the local produce had enough star quality on its own. I’ve never seen mushrooms look so pretty as the basket gardens on one stall and the bunches of rainbow carrots were worthy of a table decoration.
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It doesn’t rain in Hollywood, it pours!
Even in the pouring rain, this was a popular market with plenty of folk doing their weekly shopping.
Along with a lot of locally grown California produce, there’s honey, fish, free-range poultry, cheese, and olives. If you are hungry, there’s stalls where you can buy breakfast, lunch or a snack. I walked around snacking on a punnet of fresh berries. Local street musicians add to the atmosphere.
The market is held every Sunday from 8am to 1 pm between Ivar Avenue and Selma Avenue.
Afterwards you can take a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood Boulevard. Just take a walk up Ivar Avenue.
Staying at The Chamberlain
While visiting West Hollywood, I stayed at the very cool The Chamberlain West Hollywood which is just a few steps from Sunset Boulevard. It has 114 David McCauley-designed suites, a stylish for-guests-only bistro and bar and what may well be the city’s most glamorous rooftop terrace, a sunny urban oasis dotted with cabanas reminiscent of Arabian nights.
The Chamberlain is popular with Australian travellers and I accidentally nearly caught up with a relative while staying there.
More farmers markets
I always try to visit a local farmers market and a supermarket when travelling. It is fascinating to see the local produce and discover popular market foods. You will find some interesting new tastes too.
Here are some of the great international markets I have visited –
Disclaimer: I was visiting Los Angeles to explore West Hollywood and stayed at The Chamberlain West Hollywood as a guest of Visit West Hollywood.
I flew to Los Angeles from Sydney on a 787 Dreamliner in United Polaris business class which offers 198 cm of sleeping space, courtesy of United Airlines.
