My favorite farmers market is the one on Saturday mornings (8:30-1) on the corner of Santa Barbara Street and Cota Street. The Spanish architecture around that area adds to the delight and the market is a little more mellow than the State Street one. The music is great too. Around every corner you hear a new great sound! Bright smiling faces fill the market and people stop to ask the vendors about how to prepare certain veggies. The farmers also offer samples of the latest in-season fruits. You must try the Cherimoya- wow!

The atmosphere overall is just perfect! Kids enjoy buying a balloon bent into the shape of an animal or heart or sword. The balloon man comes to all the farmers markets. Some of the things you will find are fruits, vegetables, local honey, flowers, cheeses, grass-fed beef, and hummus. Enjoy!
While here, you must not miss taking a peek at the Spanish townhouses on East Cota Street.
Other farmers markets:
The State Street Farmers Market is a gorgeous one, though it is in an area with a lot of homeless people. Here you can stroll in the shade of trees, and see the most delicious fruit and vegetables. There are plenty of musicians and lots of happy people. Times are 3-6:30pm in winter and 4-7:30pm in summer on Tuesdays at the 500 and 600 blocks of State Street.
The Goleta Camino Real farmers market has a lot of families, who stop at Anna's Bakery for a pastry with their kids and then pick up some veggies and fruits to take home. It's on Sundays from 10-2pm.
Downtown Carpinteria has a farmers market at the 800 block of Linden Avenue (the 800 block is where it crosses 8th Street) on Thursdays from 4-7pm in the summer and 3-6pm in the winter.
Montecito Town has a farmers market at the 1100 and 1200 block of Coast Village Rd at 8-11:15am on Fridays.
La Cumbre Plaza is a mall in between Goleta and Santa Barbara that has a very small farmers market on Wednesdays from 2-6pm in summer and 1-5pm in winter.
Solvang, the cute little Danish town, has a farmers market on the corner of Copenhagen Drive and First Street, from 2:30-6:30pm in summer and 2:30-6pm in winter on Wednesdays.

Directions

Corner of Santa Barbara Street & Cota Street, Santa Barbara CA 93101.
Exit Highway 101 at Garden Street and turn towards the mountains. I usually turn right on Ortega Street and park there because all the parking spots are taken on the streets nearer to the market.

Other farmers markets:
Goleta- Camino Real Marketplace, 7018 Market Place Dr, Goleta CA 93117.
Exit Highway 101 at Glen Annie/Storke Rd. Turn towards the ocean. After you pass Hollister Avenue, the shopping center is on your right. Pull into the parking lot.

500 and 600 blocks of State Street, Santa Barbara CA 93101.
Exit Highway 101 at Carrillo Street. If coming from the 101 northbound, turn right. If southbound, turn left at the exit. Go about 6 streets and turn right on Anacapa St. There are several parking lots along Anacapa St.

La Cumbre Plaza, 121 South Hope Ave, Santa Barbara CA 93105.
Exit Highway 101 southbound at La Cumbre Rd. Turn left at the exit and then right into the mall parking lot.
Exit Highway 101 northbound at Hope/La Cumbre Rd. Turn left at the exit and then right on La Cumbre Rd. Turn right into the mall parking lot. The market is in this outdoor mall.

5700 Block of Calle Real, Goleta CA 93117.
Exit Highway 101 at Patterson Rd. Turn towards the mountains. Turn left immediately on Calle Real. Go a few blocks and you will see the market in a parking lot.
Hours: 3-6pm Thursdays

800 Block of Linden Avenue in Downtown Carpinteria, Carpinteria 93013.
From Highway 101 southbound, exit at Carpinteria Avenue. Follow Carpinteria Avenue until you come to Linden Avenue and turn right. The market is on the 800 block.
From Highway 101 northbound, exit at Casitas Pass Rd and turn towards the ocean. Turn right on Carpinteria Ave, and left on Linden Avenue.

1100 and 1200 block of Coast Village Rd in Montecito CA 93108.
From Highway 101 northbound, exit at Olive Mill Rd and continue straight along Coast Village Rd. From Highway 101 southbound, exit at Coast Village Rd. Turn left at the exit and then continue straight along Coast Village Rd.

Solvang, corner of Copenhagen Drive and First Street, Solvang CA 93463.
From Highway 101, follow the signs to Solvang. You will take the 246 Highway. Once you reach the town, there are several parking lots all marked with signs.

Click on map for interactive view