The original market was little more than a field with wood stands set up by farmers during the Depression so they could sell directly to city fold. Eventually, permanent building grew up, including the trademark shingled 10-story clock tower. The place have evolved into a sprawling marketplace with carnival atmosphere, a turf version of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf.

About 100 restaurants, shops, and grocers cater to a mix of workers from the CBS Television City complex, locals,and tourist by the bus load. Retailers sell greeting cards, kitchen implements, candles, and souvenirs, but everyone comes for the food stands plying oysters, hot donuts, Cajun gumbo, fresh-squeezed orange juice, corned beef sandwiches, fresh-press peanut butter, and all kinds of international fast foods. You can still buy produce here – its no longer a farm-fresh bargain, but the selection’s better than at the grocery store. Don’t miss Kokomo (323/993-0773), a ‘gourmet’ outdoor coffee shop that has become a power breakfast spot for showbiz types. Red turkey hash and sweet-potatoes fries are the dishes that keep them coming back. The seafood gumbo and gumbo ya ya at the Gumbo Pot (323/993-0358) are also very popular.

At the eastern end of the Farmers Market is The Grove – a massive Vegas-style retail complex with architectural styles ranging from Art Deco to Italian Renaissance, Miniature streets link The Grove to the Market via double deck electric trolley.