Rainbows can come in all forms ...

San Francisco has come to be associated with rainbows of many kinds. The kind that comes from light in the sky to the kind that involves tolerance for others with different points of view. New on the list for me to learn about is the vast array of unusual fruits and vegetables California has to offer -- in a full rainbow of colors.

View of the financial district across the street

Ferry Building

The Ferry Building near The Embarcadero Center is one of the best places in the city for some of the very best in locally grown organic produce. Several days a week, Tuesdays, Thursdays and mostly on Saturdays, it’s open to the public as a fresh air market. Not only can you learn about what you’re eating, but you can sample your brains out. Word is that about 25,000 shoppers visit each week. Judging by my first visit this past weekend, I think that’s a fair assessment.

Dogs not allowed. Does he qualify?

While you can always find some good things inside the building, on Saturdays you can find dozens and dozens of booths surrounding the building, stretching out onto the dock area where the ferry boats regularly come and go, connecting San Francisco to Marin County.

Fingerling something or rather. 

Who knew there could be so many lettuces?

You can't just get a plain old potato. 

There are wheat grasses and then there are wheat grasses. 

The same applies to sprouts. 

Even the radishes come in multi-colors.

Obviously orange is the color of the season

And you just can't ask for an oranges. You have to specify what type AFTER you sample of course.

The farmers market is operated by the nonprofit Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture and features some of San Francisco’s best known chefs and most famous farmers. Aside from the usual seasonal fruits and vegetables, you can also find herbs, flowers, meats and eggs. And many other specialities such as breads, cheeses and jams. Towards the rear of the market there are many local restaurant booths that include everything from wood-fired pizza to grilled meats, sandwiches and tacos.

Just had to get some avocado honey. Yum. 

Now this is a fig newton

No explanation needed - just that there were more than three types.

Even the trash cans come in colors. Honestly the compost bin is all over San Francisco. 

The thing to remember is bring cash, a comfy pair of shoes, a big cloth shopping tote to haul it all home, and a healthy appetite. Bon appetite!