Tom’s Farms in Temescal Valley
Just south-east of the OC, in nearby Temescal Valley, is one of our favorite specialty stores, Tom’s Farms. This unique year-round farmer's market came about when Tom Barnes was sent packing from his original produce stand in Lake Elsinore when the property's owner decided that he would take over the stand for himself. It had become quite lucrative for Tom. Determined, the farmer forged on and found this piece of land around 1971 right off of the 15 Freeway and there was the start of what would become the larger version of Tom’s Farms.
Even in a pandemic, this distinct location has several options for eating outside, including our favorite deli the Wine and Cheese Shop. This little deli offers delicious pizzas and sub sandwiches. Enjoy your meal on the lovely and spacious outdoor patio. One delightful form of entertainment we miss is the live music played by local musicians. Unfortunately, the live performances have ceased during the pandemic. It is still enjoyable to go to the Farm and enjoy the sights and other shops, such as the Furniture / Gift Shop and the Candy Store / Farmer’s Market.
The Furniture and Gift Shop has a vast array of fine furniture and home décor to add a touch of coziness to any home. This shop also has a great selection of gifts for your friends and family. The other gem at Tom’s Farm is the Farmer’s Market. They have a variety of local produce, baked goods and other specialty items. We highly recommend a trip to Tom’s Farms. It is a bit off the beaten path and that is a good thing.
Because things are fluid these days, we do encourage you to visit their website before going - just to make sure you know what will be available and their hours for any given day.
That said, the shops have been consistently open during the pandemic.
As you can see, we are able to resolve different palates with a single visit - they have a variety of fresh breads, meats, cheeses, sauces, wines. Shout out for their always welcome mortadella sandwich - it's excellent.
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