Sign for the Flea Market at Berryessa, San José

Go bargain hunting, Flea Market at Berryessa, San José

A stand at the Flea Market at Berryessa displaying Hello Kitty itemsThe Flea Market at Berryessa in San José is an institution established in 1960. On our last visit to San José I finally got to check it out. We were there late, close to closing time on a Friday. While some stores were already shutting down it was great to enjoy some stalls without hordes of people. 

Piñadas in a van at the Flea Market in San JoséI got the impression that many of these goods are made in China. If you have someone in your life that collects Miss Kitty, for example, this is the place to go for gifts. I marveled at the cookware restaurantsize pots and sieves! You can also find fruits and vegetables, and I heard, great Mexican food. I also loved the different types of piñatas!

A fruit stand at the flea marketThe Flea Market at Berryessa is located at 1590 Berryessa Rd. San José. Opening hours are Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from dawn to dusk. Admission is bundled with parking (Wednesdays free, Fridays $5, Saturdays $10, Sundays $20). If you decide to walk in you must enter through the Garden at the Flea entrance next to the Berryessa BART Station. Walk-in entry fee is free on Wednesdays and Fridays, and $3 on Saturdays and $5 on Sundays.

While someone once said to me that flea markets were their version of hell, I do enjoy finding treasures and bargains. 

What is your take on flea markets?

People entering the California Honey Festival in Woodland (2023)

Taste some Honey at the California Honey Festival

A sign post advertising cooking demonstrations, honey lab, and garden areaIn February there is the Almond Festival in Capay Valley. Honey Bees are a business related to almonds and other orchards. These flying workers ensure that the almond blossoms get pollinated. A valuable byproduct is the honey that the bees produce. 

A stand at the honey festival to sample honeyThe annual California Honey Festival on May 3rd, 2024 along Woodland’s Main Street celebrates everything honey related.  From 10 am to 7 pm you can learn about honey bees, games for the kids, and honey tastings at every stand that sells the golden nectar. They have a stage for speakers and you can also meet the current Honey Queen. 

A couple enjoying a photo opportunityThe California Honey Festival is happening on May 3rd, 2024 along Woodland’s Main Street. The admission is free.

Follow the Bagels at Boichik Bagels Factory

Follow the Bagels at Boichik Bagels Factory

A bagel bot and conveyer belt where bagels are madeI love seeing things being made. At Boichik Bagels in Berkeley you can watch the conveyor belts of doughy bagels being made into their glutenous treat. The factory is located at 1225 Sixth St. in Berkeley. Opening hours are from 7:30 am till 1 pm. If they run out of bagels they might close early!

When we got there to order lunch we were almost too late for the taste test. 

And we were too late to watch the bagels being made, though we were able to try the bagels and their famous white fish spread. I definitely plan to go back and see the factory during operation hours. 

A platform of legos. The sign says: Caution Standing on this Lego could result in injury and it is at your own riskNonetheless I liked the big window where a whole school class could put their noses on to get a closer look at the machinery. But the most sensible thing was the block for shorter people – I saw a little girl standing on it  – to get a better view. 

The outside seating was great, except for the next door neighbor who has an automated triggering system that tells you you are trespassing even if you just crossed the street. 

Boichik has four more locations in the Bay Area and is expanding. There is a factory tour on Saturdays at 8:30, but I’m not sure I can make it that early. I will report if I do. Mahjong Mondays 10am – noon might be an option for further exploration. 

One half of a bagel with white fish spreadHave you ever seen bagels being made?

The Boichik Bagels factory is located at 1225 Sixth St. in Berkeley. Their opening hours are every day 7:30 am – 1:00 pm (or until sold out).  

Buy Chocolate in Bulk, Ghirardelli

Buy Chocolate in Bulk, Ghirardelli

A shelf full of Ghirardelli's chocolatesGhirardelli is the longest continually operating chocolatier in America. In 1849, Domenico Ghirardelli opened a supplies and confections store to miners in Stockton, CA. Within the same year he established himself in San Francisco. The San Francisco store at  900 North Point, near Fisherman’s Wharf, is now labeled the original store. In 1965 San Francisco declared Ghirardelli Square an official city landmark.

Little Ghirardelli chocolates by the poundAs a bargain hunter I was intrigued by the outlet store. In fact they have four outlet stores in the Bay Area! We went to the San Leandro’s outlet store. It’s fun to see all the different products they offer, from small packaged chocolates to hot chocolate mixes, and all chocolate related baking ingredients. As an added bonus you can also sip a mocha or enjoy an ice cream fudge. Which is a nice idea so you won’t shop hungry. We found that the super bulk items are the best deals. So, if you eat a lot of little chocolates, you might consider visiting. 

A bag of chocolates by the pound from the Ghirardelli outlet store in San Leandro including a chocolate bunnyGhirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Factory Outlet Stores: 

1111 139th Avenue, San Leandro

1015 Promontory Pkwy, Tracy

11980 S Harlan Road, Lathrop

447 Great Mall Drive #189, Milpitas

 

Are you a chocoholic?

Shroom out in Santa Cruz

Shroom out in Santa Cruz

A selection of mushrooms you can buy at Far West Fungi in Santa CruzIf you missed the 50th anniversary of the mushroom festival by the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz (FFSC) this January you can still join fungi lovers on May 4th/5th for the Santa Cruz Mountain Mushroom Festival. At this event the mycological community is getting together for wild mushroom exploration, cooking and cultivation demos, functional mushroom talks, and DIY workshops. It comes with a steep price tag of $75 per day. In comparison tickets for the Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival, May 25th/26th, 2024 are $20 at the door. 

Far West Fungi product lineIf you just started out to be a fungi lover the easiest way to introduce you to all things fungi is visiting Far West Fungi – the Santa Cruz Mushroom store. This all mushroom place offers a one-of-a-kind mushroom cafe, a selection of fresh mushrooms, a line of at-home mushroom cultivation supplies, a collection of dried and powdered mushrooms, and a selection of myco-nutraceuticals (natural pharmaceutical).

Warning sign: Picking and eating wild mushrooms can kill youAn inexpensive way to admire mushrooms is to ‘hunt’ for them. I would not advise you to plug and eat, unless you know what you are doing. But to photograph these when they come up after the rain might just be a worthwhile hunt. 

Are you a fungiphile?

Far West Fungi – 224 Laurel St Suite A101, Santa Cruz, CA

Gills of a wild mushroom

A sign announcing West Cliff Drive Outdoor Market

Shop with a View, West Cliff Outdoor Market, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz lighthouse with the outdoor marketI love to walk on West Cliff Drive. You can stop and watch the dogs having a great time, or the surfers catching a wave at Steamers Lane.

Market stands at the Outdoor MarketIf you like artisan gifts you can shop this Saturday, October, 28th, 2023 or December 9th, 2023 at the West Cliff Outdoor Market in the lighthouse parking lot on West Cliff Drive. You will also find food trucks. 

If you are looking for some unique gifts this is a great place to shop. I enjoyed browsing and talking to the artists. Admission is free and they will give out tokens to some lucky shoppers that can be used with the vendors!

Sign for the West Cliff Drive Outdoor MarketThe West Cliff Outdoor Market is open from 10 am to 5 pm (in December from 10 am to 4 pm), located in the lighthouse parking lot. 

If you are into scenic shopping you should also check out the farmers market at the College of San Mateo.

Tasting cups of olive oil from Séka Hills

Taste Test Some Olive Oil

Séka Hills in the Capay Valley is home to the olive oil mill and tasting room of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. Séka in Patwin, the language of the Wintun Nation, means blue and describes the blue hills that overlook the Capay Valley.

Olive Oil ice cream at the Séka Hills tasting roomWe started our olive oil tasting journey by enjoying the olive oil ice cream. The richness of this creamy goodness was enhanced by adding a pomegranate balsamic reduction. The olive oil cookie added an extra crunch. Overall an excellent tasting experience!

Tasting cups filled with olive oil, vinegar, etc.Next on our agenda was the free olive oil tasting. Standing in front of the bar, our very knowledgeable sommelier informed us of the certified olive oils and other products. 

You first get a cup of water to clear your palate. Next, warm up a tiny plastic cup filled with oil by rubbing it in your hands. Sniff the oil and explore the aroma of peppery, floral, or fruity.  Then, slurp the oil to emulsify it and release the flavors. We tasted four extra virgin olive oils, two infused vinegars (pomegranate & elderberry), honey, and almond butter. 

Sandwich board about the available beef cuts at Séka HillsYou can also enjoy a lunch or buy some gift items together with your olive oil purchase.

The Séka Hills olive mill and tasting room is located at 19326 Rd 78, Brooks, CA 95606. Tasting room hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

Have you taste tested olive oils before?

Obon festival in Mountain View, CA 2023

Dance in Joy, Honor the Dead, Obon Festival

Geta, Japanese sandals for sale at the bazaarObon is a Japanese festival honoring the dead. The Obon Festivals take place at a buddhist temple, in the summer months between June and August. This festival is usually the biggest event for the temple. Over a period of two or sometimes three days Japanese culture is celebrated with food, music, carnival games, bazaars, and often Ikebana exhibits. Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangements.

Lanterns with names of deceasedThe center point of the festivities are the Bon Odori dances. These dances differ by region in Japan and are passed down by generations. Nonetheless, there are also new dances being developed. The Buddhist temples offer classes and videos to learn these dances. Everyone is welcome to join in.

As the sun sets and the festival lights begin to shine, we think of those who have passed on and celebrate the paths that brought us together in gratitude.” 

Buddhist church of America 

Ikebana The origins of Bon Odori are over 500 years old. It is believed that Mokuren, a disciple of Buddha saw his deceased mother and discovered she had fallen to the Realm of Hungry Ghosts and was suffering. Buddha advised him to make offerings to Buddhist monks at the end of the rainy season retreat. When Mokuren saw his mother’s spirit released he danced with joy and gratitude.

Bay Area Obons are from June to August and people travel to these festivals to honor friends and family.

Some upcoming events are:

Sat, Jul 29, 6:00 – 6:45 pm Diablo Japanese American Summer Festival, Concord

Sat, Aug 5, 4 pm Annual BCO Buddhist Church of Oakland Obon Festival

August 5th/6th Palo Alto Buddhist Temple Bazaar & Obon Odori Event

August 12, 2023 Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church 

 

I’m looking forward to attending the BCO Obon in Oakland on Saturday, August 5th, 2023.

Please dance with joy and gratitude!

Obon in Mountain View, CA 2023

Resources

Buddhist Churches of America

https://www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org/obon-gathering-of-joy

Obon Festival Guide: Meaning, traditions and dates

Obon Festival Guide: Meaning, traditions and dates

Bon (festival) Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon_(festival)

People at the Woodland Farmers Market

A Farmers Market with the Gift of Community, Woodland, CA

Strormtroopers greeting people at Woodland's farmers marketFarmers markets are my preferred food shopping sources and I visited many of them in Northern California. It is always a pleasure to browse the fresh produce that grows a short distance away, buy bread with a crust, and get lunch while listening to some music. 

Storytime outside Woodland's libraryNext to the library on First St, the Woodland farmers market presents a small offering of fresh produce. If you are looking for a larger variety of produce you should consider driving to nearby Davis for its more expansive farmers market. Nevertheless all fruits and vegetables offered at the Woodland location are brought to you within an hour away. And, Woodland’s farmers market stands out for bringing together the community while shopping.

The library offers outdoor children’s reading circles, from 10 am to 10:30 am, and the Friends of the library open up their book store in the basement of the Carnegie Library, from 10 am to 1 pm. Furthermore you might be able to have an interesting photo opp; I saw stormtroopers peacefully engaging with the public on my last visit! 

Kids at the kids farmers market stand in Woodland, CAIf you have gardening questions, two master gardeners from the UC Davis are on hand to answer them. Last but not least every other week the farmers market offers the kids farmers market a free event where kids get to shop for their own fruits and vegetables. This teaches future market shopping skills and gives them an appetite for fresh produce.

The Woodland farmers market is open from May to October, 9 am – 12 pm, located on 1st St. in front of the Woodland public library. There is a second market every Tuesday from June to August 10 am to 1 pm at the Woodland Memorial Hospital on 1325 Cottonwood Street.

Where is your favorite farmers market?

Blooming almond grove in Capay Valley

Experience Yolo Snow

Art show at Rumsey Hall during the Almond FestivalLast weekend was the Almond Festival in Capay Valley. A 108 year old tradition celebrating the beautiful sight of almond trees in bloom. I heard that the bloom is usually best experienced a week before the festival, around mid February. But maybe because of the unusual weather patterns we had, blossoms held off for a while. They are in full bloom now and it is a spectacular sight!

A plate of BBQ oystersGoing up Rd 16 you will go by small towns that offer various activities, local delicacies, arts and music. We went all the way to Rumsey and enjoyed getting to know the local farmers, were impressed with the art show, and will be back next year for their famous oven fired pizza. We had already decided to stop on our way back in Guinda for BBQ oysters offered by the volunteer fire department. At the Grange Hall, crafts were available and we savored our almGrove of almond trees in bloomond vanilla ice cream.

After we enjoyed the festivities I wanted to stop at an almond orchard and take a few pictures of the Yolo snow and the trees. This turned out to be more involved than we bargained for. Our car got stuck in the mud and it took us a long time to push it out on the road.

The Almond Festival of Capay Valley is always the last weekend in February. 

Have you ever experienced Yolo snow?