Stockton's Real Deal Farmers' Market

Sprawled across a Central Valley mall parking lot is a world without $5 peaches and customers driving Porsches. Instead, The San Joaquin Certified Farmers’ Market , which unfolds its market umbrellas at Stockton’s Weberstown Mall every Sunday morning, is like a refreshing trip overseas, jostling with old ladies who arrived early with pink plastic bags, Asian vendors selling produce unrecognizable to many Western shoppers, and chefs who’ve road-tripped for inspiration. Shop for Lotus root, Chinese bitter melon, a zillion types of eggplants, and Southeast Asian herbs you’ll have to sniff for yourself to believe. Spring through fall, the market is also open on Thursdays.