You’ve probably seen the signs while driving down Sunrise Boulevard. Or maybe you caught a glimpse of white pop-up tents tucked behind the Sunrise Mall on a Saturday morning. If you're looking for a farmers market Citrus Heights CA, you aren’t just looking for a grocery run. You’re looking for a tomato that actually tastes like a tomato. You want that weird, spicy local honey that fixes your seasonal allergies. You want to see the person who actually pulled the carrots out of the dirt three days ago.
It’s easy to get confused. Citrus Heights has a funny way of having its markets shift around, and if you check an old Yelp thread from 2019, you’re basically guaranteed to end up in an empty parking lot wondering where the peaches went.
The main player here is the Sunrise Station Market. It’s a staple. People show up early—like, "still need a heavy jacket" early—to get the first pick of the berries and the sourdough. But there's more to the scene than just one location.
Why the Sunrise Mall Market is Still the King of Citrus Heights
The Sunrise Market, operated by the Certified Farmers' Markets of Sacramento County, is the big one. It’s located in the parking lot of the Sunrise Mall (usually near the corner of Sunrise and Greenback).
Saturday mornings. 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. All year.
Rain? They're there. 105-degree Sacramento Valley heat? They're there, though maybe looking a little wilted by noon. This isn't one of those "boutique" markets where you mostly find $15 candles and expensive soap. This is a "Certified" market. That matters. "Certified" means the people standing behind the crates are the ones who grew the food. It’s a legal distinction in California that prevents wholesalers from buying cheap produce at a terminal and flipping it to you for a premium.
You’ll find the classics. Beets. Kale. Navel oranges that are actually grown in the nearby foothills. But you’ll also find the stuff that makes the Sacramento region the "Farm to Fork" capital. We're talking about Asian pears that are as big as a grapefruit and local walnuts that haven't been sitting in a warehouse for six months.
What to expect on the ground
It's loud. It’s crowded. You’ll hear three different languages being spoken by the farmers. You’ll see kids running around with half-eaten pastries from the bakery stalls. Honestly, the best part isn't the produce; it's the vibe. It feels like a real community in a way that the inside of a Safeway never will.
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Bring cash. Yeah, some of the bigger stalls take Venmo or Square now, but if you want that $2 bunch of cilantro from the grandmother at the end of the row, she’s going to want those two dollar bills. Plus, it makes checkout faster. Nobody wants to wait for a 5G signal to find a QR code when there’s a line of ten people behind them.
The Seasonal Shift: When to Go for the Best Stuff
If you show up in January looking for strawberries, you’re going to be disappointed. That's not how a farmers market Citrus Heights CA works. You have to eat with the seasons.
- Winter: It's all about the citrus (aptly named for the city, right?). Look for Blood Oranges, Meyer Lemons, and Pomelos. Also, lots of root vegetables and greens.
- Spring: Asparagus season is a big deal here. It’s brief, maybe six weeks, and then it’s gone. You’ll also start seeing the first of the strawberries from the Central Valley.
- Summer: The heavy hitters. Peaches, nectarines, plums, and the legendary Brentwood corn. This is when the market doubles in size.
- Fall: Apples from Apple Hill (Applegate/Placerville area) start rolling in. Persimmons and pomegranates become the stars.
The nuance here is that because Citrus Heights is so close to the fertile soil of the Sacramento Valley and the Sierra Foothills, the quality is higher than what you find in coastal markets that have to ship everything in. The transit time is measured in minutes, not days.
Understanding the "Certified" Difference
A lot of people don’t realize that not every outdoor market is a farmers market. You’ve probably seen "flea markets" that sell produce. That’s different.
In a California Certified Farmers' Market, the County Agricultural Commissioner actually visits the farms. They inspect the crops. They make sure the farmer is actually growing what they say they are. This prevents "peddlers"—people who buy produce at a wholesale terminal and lie about where it came from.
When you shop at the Citrus Heights market, you are supporting the local economy in the most direct way possible. Every dollar goes into the farmer's pocket, minus a small stall fee. That money stays in Northern California. It pays for a tractor repair in Loomis or a kid's school supplies in Roseville.
Beyond the Vegetables: The "Market Extras"
While the vegetables are the draw, the "extra" stalls are what keep people hanging around.
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- Fresh Flowers: You can get a massive bouquet of seasonal flowers for about $10-$15. If you bought that same arrangement at a florist, you’d pay $50.
- The Bakery Stalls: Look for the local bakers. There’s usually someone doing artisanal sourdough or Mexican sweet bread (pan dulce).
- Local Honey: This is a big one. Local honey contains pollen from the local area. Many residents swear by it for reducing hay fever. Whether or not the science is 100% there, it tastes infinitely better than the plastic bear honey at the supermarket.
- Knife Sharpening: Occasionally, you'll find a guy with a sharpening wheel. Bring your dull kitchen knives in a towel, walk around for 20 minutes, and pick them up on your way out. It’s a game changer.
Parking and Logistics: The "Pro" Tips
Look, the Sunrise Mall parking lot is huge, but it's also a mess. The area near the market fills up fast.
Don't try to park as close as possible. Just don't. Park a few aisles back and enjoy the walk. If you’re planning on buying a lot—like a flat of peaches or several pumpkins—bring a wagon. You’ll see the "pro" shoppers with those foldable fabric wagons. They look dorky until you’re carrying 30 pounds of melons in plastic bags that are cutting into your fingers.
Pro Tip: Go late if you want deals, but go early if you want selection. By 12:30 PM, some farmers are willing to give you a "bulk deal" because they don't want to pack the produce back into the truck. However, the best stuff (like the heirlooms or the specific berries) is usually gone by 10:00 AM.
How it Compares to Nearby Markets
You might wonder if it's worth staying in Citrus Heights or heading into Downtown Sacramento for the massive Sunday market under the freeway (the 8th and W Street market).
The Downtown market is an experience, sure. It’s one of the biggest in the state. But it’s also a chaotic nightmare of parking and crowds. The Citrus Heights market is manageable. It’s friendly. You can actually talk to the farmers without being shoved aside by a tourist. It feels like a neighborhood gathering.
Roseville also has a Tuesday market at Whole Foods and a Saturday market at Mahany Park. They are great, but the Citrus Heights location at Sunrise Mall tends to have a wider variety of "staple" farmers—the ones who focus on high-volume, high-quality produce rather than just artisanal snacks.
The Real Value of Shopping Local
It's easy to think the farmers market is more expensive. Sometimes it is. If you're comparing a mass-produced, chemically-ripened tomato from a mega-corp to an heirloom Cherokee Purple from a local farm, the price will be higher at the market.
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But consider the shelf life.
Grocery store produce is often weeks old by the time it hits the shelf. It’s bred for "shippability," not flavor. That's why those tomatoes are crunchy and tasteless. Market produce was likely picked within the last 48 hours. It lasts longer in your fridge. You throw less away. In the long run, you often save money because you aren't tossing out slimy spinach three days after buying it.
What to Do Next
If you’re ready to check out the farmers market Citrus Heights CA, don’t overthink it. Just show up.
- Location: Sunrise Mall Parking Lot (Sunrise & Greenback).
- Time: Saturdays, 8 AM - 1 PM.
- Bring: Reusable bags, small bills ($1s and $5s), and a hat if it’s sunny.
- First Move: Walk the entire market once before buying anything. Prices and quality vary between stalls, and you don’t want to buy the first strawberries you see only to find better ones three stalls down.
Grab a coffee from one of the nearby shops, take your time, and actually talk to the people growing your food. Ask them how to cook that weird-looking squash. They usually have the best recipes anyway.
Support your local growers. Eat better food. It’s that simple.
Check the local weather before you head out, and if it's a holiday weekend, double-check the Certified Farmers' Markets of Sacramento County social media or website to ensure there aren't any temporary relocations for mall events. Typically, they are very consistent, but it never hurts to verify if there's a big craft fair or car show scheduled in the same lot.