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farmers’ markets in the United States. While foraging among the dozens of stalls crammed with Northern California fruit, vegetables, bread, shellfish, and dairy items, you’re bound to bump elbows with the dozens of Bay Area chefs who do their shopping here. The enthusiastic vendors are always willing to educate visitors about the pleasures of organic produce and often provide free samples. It’s a unique opportunity for city dwellers to buy freshly picked organic produce directly from small family-operated farms.

On Saturday mornings the market is in its full glory. Nearly the entire building is enrobed with local meat ranchers, artisan cheese makers, bread bakers, specialty food purveyors, and farmers. On Saturdays make sure you arrive by 10:30am to watch Meet the Farmer, a half-hour interview with one of the farmers, food artisans, or other purveyors who give the audience in-depth information about how and where their food is produced. Then, at 11am, Bay Area chefs give cooking demonstrations using ingredients purchased that morning from the market. (You get to taste their creations then leave with the recipe in hand.) Several local restaurants also have food stalls selling their cuisine—including breakfast items—so don’t eat before you arrive. You can also pick up locally made vinegars, preserves, herbs, and oils, which make wonderful gifts.

If you decide you want a local foodie to lead you on a culinary excursion of the Marketplace and Farmers’ Market, my friend Lisa Rogovin, an “Epicurean Concierge” and founder of In the Kitchen with Lisa, offers guided culinary excursions. Some of Lisa’s top noshing tips include:

• Mortgage Lifter heirloom tomatoes dipped in special Rosemary Salt from Eatwell Farm

• Creamy and sweet Barhi dates from Flying Disk Ranch, spread on an épi baguette from Acme Bread Company with a touch of fresh Panir cheese from Cowgirl Creamery

• Whatever’s in season at Hamada Farms, such as their Tahitian pomelos and Oro Blanco grapefruits

• Fleur de Sel chocolates at Recchiuti Confections

• Scharffen Berger’s Bittersweet Mocha chocolate bars made with ground Sumatra coffee beans from Peet’s Coffee & Tea

• Warm liquid Valrhona chocolate at Boulette’s Larder (nirvana, she says)

For more information about Lisa’s guided culinary tours, log on to her website at www.inthekitchenwithlisa.com, or call her at 415/806-5970.

The Ferry Building Marketplace is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. The Farmers’ Market takes place year-round, rain or shine, every Tuesday 10am to 2pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm. The Ferry Building is located on the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street (about a 15-min. walk from Fisherman’s Wharf). Call 415/693-0996 for more information or log onto www.ferryplazafarmersmarket.com or www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com.

Dandelion Tucked in an out-of-the-way location in SoMa is the most wonderful collection of gifts, collectibles, and furnishings. There’s something for every taste and budget here, from an excellent collection of teapots, decorative dishes, and gourmet foods to silver, books, cards, and picture frames. Don’t miss the Zen-like second floor, with its peaceful furnishings in Indian, Japanese, and Western styles. The store is closed Sunday and Monday except during November and December, when it’s open daily. Hours are 10am to 6pm. 55 Potrero Ave. (at Alameda St.). 415/436-9200.www.tampopo.com.

Flax If you’re the kind of person who goes into an art store for a special pencil and comes out $300 later, don’t go near this shop. Flax has everything you can think of in art and design supplies, an amazing collection of blank bound books, children’s art supplies, frames, calendars—you name it. There’s a gift for every type of person here, especially you. 1699 Market St. (at Valencia and Gough sts.). 415/552-2355.www.flaxart.com.

Good Vibrations A laypersons’ sex-toy, book, and video emporium, Good Vibrations is a women-owned, worker-owned cooperative. Unlike most sex shops, it’s not a back-alley business, but a