Photo: Ananthram EL
Photo: S.C
Photo: Koh Uehara
Mountain View Farmers' Market
★4.7(1,857 reviews)FreeFarm
🕑 1-2 hours👶 Best for all ages. Babies enjoy the sights and sounds from strollers, toddlers love free samples and live music, while older kids can practice shopping skills with their own spending money and learn about where food comes from.🧡 Saved by 70+ families
About
The Mountain View Farmers' Market transforms Castro Street into a vibrant Sunday morning destination where kids can sample fresh fruit, enjoy live music, and experience the sights and smells of a bustling community market. With friendly vendors who often offer tastes, street performers to watch, and plenty of space to stroll, it's an educational and entertaining outing that gets kids excited about fresh, local food.
Highlights
- ✓Free fruit samples from generous vendors,kids love tasting exotic fruits and seasonal berries
- ✓Live musicians and street performers who create a festive atmosphere
- ✓Fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies perfect for little hands
- ✓Interactive vendors who explain how their produce grows and answer curious questions
- ✓Wide variety of baked goods, including kid-friendly cookies and pastries
Pro Tips
- 1.Arrive early (9:00-10:00 AM) for the best selection and less crowded aisles, making it easier to navigate with strollers and active toddlers
- 2.Bring a wagon or sturdy reusable bags,kids love pulling their own wagon and it's easier than carrying purchases while wrangling children
- 3.Give older kids $5-10 to choose their own fruits or treats, turning it into a fun math and decision-making lesson
- 4.Park in the nearby public garage on Hope Street (free on Sundays) rather than searching for street parking
- 5.Don't miss the hot food vendors near the end of the market for fresh tamales, crepes, or kettle corn that make great family snacks
Best Time to Visit
Sunday mornings between 9:00-10:30 AM when the market opens. This timing offers cooler weather, the fullest selection of produce, and a lively but manageable crowd before the late-morning rush.
What to Know
The market is free to attend with cash and cards accepted by most vendors (though bring cash for smaller stands). Street parking can be challenging, so use the nearby public garages which offer free Sunday parking.
Seasonal Notes
This year-round market operates every Sunday rain or shine. Summer brings peak berry season and stone fruits kids love, while fall features apple tastings and pumpkins. Spring offers strawberries, and winter has citrus varieties perfect for sampling.
Follow Mountain View Farmers' Market
Nearby Eats
Castro Street (the main downtown strip just blocks away) offers kid-friendly options like Enzo's Pizzeria for casual slices and Amici's East Coast Pizzeria with a family-friendly atmosphere, though most families enjoy eating prepared foods from the market vendors themselves.
More Activities Near Mountain View
Nature
Stevens Creek Trail
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Stevens Creek Trail offers families a safe, scenic escape for outdoor adventures right in the heart of Mountain View. This well-maintained paved trail is ideal for teaching little ones to ride bikes, taking leisurely stroller walks, or letting energetic kids burn off steam while surrounded by nature. The flat, easy terrain and multiple access points make it stress-free for parents with children of varying ages and abilities.
Playground
Cuesta Park
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Cuesta Park is Mountain View's beloved community playground that offers far more than just swings and slides. This expansive park combines a large, well-maintained playground with a community center, swimming pool, sports fields, and organized summer camp programs, making it a one-stop destination for families. It's the kind of neighborhood gem where local parents regularly meet up and kids make lasting friendships.
Museum
Computer History Museum
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The Computer History Museum in Mountain View offers an surprisingly interactive journey through tech history that captivates curious kids and parents alike. With hands-on coding activities, a fascinating self-driving car exhibit, and the Revolution gallery showcasing vintage computers and robots, even non-techie families find themselves engaged for hours exploring how the digital world evolved.
Park
Shoreline Park
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Shoreline Park is a sprawling 425-acre waterfront paradise where families can enjoy everything from flying kites along the bay to exploring miles of scenic trails. With multiple playgrounds, wide open green spaces perfect for picnics, and stunning views of the San Francisco Bay, this Mountain View gem offers endless opportunities for outdoor family fun without the crowds of bigger regional parks.