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Bumper Crop Your one-stop shopping guide to North Bay farmer's markets THE ADVENT of the summer season heralds not only 'squito bites, sand, and Sno-Cones, but also that particularly magical time when local produce growers showcase their flourishing yields. It's a great al fresco supermarket as they set up stands in parks and parking lots around the North Bay. Take the kids and an old woven basket and troll the stalls in search of the perfect peach, the freshest rosemary, the ripest tomatoes, the sweetest raspberries, and the tenderest spinach. The character of the farmers' markets can differ as much as the produce offered. Some local markets excel at being community gathering places, where the kids can suck on a honey stick from the local beekeeper, kick off their sandals, and run to live music, and the adults can gape at outdoor art shows, attend cooking demonstrations, or get free gardening tips. And many farmers are becoming savvy about the value of the personal touch and the old-fashioned social exchange (that's sincere interaction as opposed to the perky salutation of an insincere, coat-hanger grinning checker who'll be fired if she ignores you). These days growers are likely to offer customers recipes, information, and the occasional anecdote. Don't take a list; just let your senses guide you. Here's what's going on locally, according to the latest information from the California Federation of Certified Farmers' Markets.--P.H. Sonoma County Cloverdale Downtown Plaza Saturdays, 7 a.m. to noon, June-October 707/894-4470 Healdsburg West Plaza parking lot at North and Vine streets Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, May-December; and the Plaza Tuesdays, 4 to 6 p.m., June-October 707/431-1956 Petaluma Walnut Park, Fourth and D streets Saturdays, 2 to 5 p.m., May-October 707/762-0344 Santa Rosa Oakmont, bank parking lot, White Oak and Oakmont drives Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, year-round 707/538-7023 Original Farmers' Market, Santa Rosa Veterans Bldg., 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa Saturdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon, year-round 707/522-8629 Wednesday Night Market Fourth and B streets, Wednesdays, 5 to 8:30 p.m., May 31-Sept. 6 707/524-2123 Sebastopol New Town Plaza, Petaluma Avenue at McKinley Street Sundays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., May-November 707/522-9305 Sonoma Valley Depot Museum parking lot, First and Spain streets; Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon, year-round and Sonoma Plaza at Napa Street; Tuesdays, 5 to 8:30 p.m., April-October 707/538-7023 Marin County Novato Sherman and Grant streets Tuesdays, 4 to 8 p.m., May-November 800/897-FARM Pt. Reyes Station Toby's Feed Barn, 15479 State Route 1 Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May-October 415/633-9153 San Rafael Civic Center, Hwy. 101 and San Pedro Road Sundays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., year-round 800/897-FARM Napa County Calistoga In front of the Sharpsteen Museum, 1311 Washington St. Saturdays, 8 to 11 a.m., summer months 707/942-4769 Napa First and Main streets Thursdays, 4 to 8 p.m., May-September; and West and Pearl streets Tuesdays, 7:30 to noon, May-October 707/252-7142 St. Helena Hwy. 29 and Grayson-Crane Park Fridays, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., May-October 707/265-8602 Yountville Compadres Bar & Grill parking lot, 6538 Washington St. Wednesdays, 4 to 8 p.m.; year-round 707/257-8481 [ Insider's Guide Index | North Bay | Metroactive Central | Archives ]