Visitors looking for a farm-to-table experience in San Diego County can find it in many places. With more than 6,000 farmers (according to the San Diego County Farm Bureau), the county offers more small family farms than any other county in the nation and an abundance of places to find their wares. The best place to buy fresh produce directly from the growers is at a farm stand. Here are a few of the most popular:

Chino Farms. Located in Rancho Santa Fe, Chino Farms is a favorite among California’s top chefs. Luckily anybody can buy from their farm stand, which provides some of the prettiest produce you’ve ever seen. For more information, call (858) 756-3184.

Carlsbad Strawberry Company. The family owned company offers strawberries from January through July. Visitors can purchase strawberries -- or get out in the field to pick the berries themselves beginning each April. www.carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com

Lavender Fields. In the foothills of Palomar Mountain in northern inland San Diego County, the region’s only organic-certified lavender farm grows dozens of varieties of English and French lavender and sells dried culinary lavender at their on-site store. Open Saturdays and Sundays. www.lavenderfields.com

California Certified Farmers Markets. Every day in San Diego there is a farmers market taking place, with the number growing. For a complete schedule of San Diego’s farmers markets and a regional harvest calendar, visit www.sdfarmbureau.org/Pages/farmersmarket.html.

In addition to the farm stands and farmers markets, a number of restaurants in San Diego County have embraced the farm-to-table concept. (Click "Read More" for list of restaurants.)

Here, from the San Diego CVB’s "resident foodie” Kate Buska, are some of those restaurants (in alphabetical order):

Alchemy (chef does an awesome Wednesday Farmer’s Market Vegetarian Tasting Menu) - http://www.alchemysandiego.com/

Arterra – http://www.arterrarestaurant.com/

AR Valentien at the Lodge at Torrey Pines (an Epicurious.com best farm to table restaurant, 2008) – http://www.arvalentien.com/  

Blind Lady Ale House - http://www.blindladyalehouse.com/

George’s California Modern - http://www.georgesatthecove.com/

JSix (chef offers Farmer’s Market Tour/Meal) – http://www.jsixrestaurant.com/  

Linkery (100 Best Farm To Table Restaurants of 2007, Gourmet) –  http://www.thelinkery.com/

Market - http://www.marketdelmar.com/

Mille Fleurs (chef was one of the earliest advocates for local San Diego produce/farms) – http://www.millefleurs.com/

Mistral at Loews Coronado Bay Resort (4,000 sq ft herb garden on site, chef also does farmer’s market excursions) – http://www.loewshotels.com

Nine-Ten – http://www.nine-ten.com/

Ritual Tavern – http://www.ritualtavern.com/

SeaRocket (local, sustainable seafood) – http://searocketbistro.com/

Starlite – http://www.starlitesandiego.com/

Stone World Bistro & Garden – http://www.stoneworldbistro.com/

Whisknladle – http://www.whisknladle.com/

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