California is considered the world’s Mecca when it comes to variety for fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

And when the weather turns warm, the number of opportunities to buy fresh produce, local food products such as honey, specialty almonds, and olive oils as well as to enjoy a bit of free entertainment soars along with the temperature. In a few weeks, there will be 11 farmers markets - many with entertainment components - within an easy drive of Manteca. And that is in addition to the five fresh produce stands that line the 10-mile stretch of East Highway 120 between Manteca and Escalon.

Ripon’s farmers market was the latest to join the crowd opening Thursday. It is open from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 11.

Manteca’s Tuesday farmers market opens June 7 and runs through Aug. 20 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. and includes entertainment.

The Manteca’s farmers market is departing Library Park for the plaza of the theater at The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley while the $894,000 expansion of Library Park is underway. Work won’t be done until September.

Poag & McEwen, owners of Orchard Valley, are preparing to launch a farmers market of their own that would take place Saturday mornings. That, however, isn’t expected to materialize until 2012.

For more information on the Manteca market, contact the Convention & Visitors Bureau at 823-7229.

And if you want a half day excursion, the market Saturday in Pleasanton may be the perfect destination. It literally livens up Pleasanton’s downtown thanks to it being one of the largest around and the fact it is within a block of restaurants with large expansive outdoor seating under stately trees as well as nearby specialty shops.

A quick rundown of the 11 farmers markets are as follows:



TUESDAY

MANTECA: The Manteca farmers market is from 4:30 to 8 p.m. starting June 7 and runs through Aug. 30 on the plaza near the water fountain in front of the Showplace Theater across from Bass Pro Shops in The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley, Union Road and the 120 Bypass.



WEDNESDAY

TRACY: The Tracy farmers market is from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Civic Center Plaza through Oct. 26. The quickest way from Manteca is to take the 11th Street exit off Interstate 5 (the next exit northbound after Interstate 205) and take 11th Street to East Street where you will turn left and then take the second left to 10th Street. It should take 23 minutes to cover the 13.9 miles



THURSDAY

RIPON:  The Ripon farmers market is from 4 to 7 p.m. through Aug. 11. From Manteca, take Highway 99 south to the Jack Tone Road exit and turn right. Travel to Main Street and turn left. The market is in the center on the left.

MODESTO: The Modesto farmers market is from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. alongside the Stanislaus County Library in 16th Street between H and I streets in downtown Modesto. From Manteca take Highway 99 south using Exit 226A for Central Modesto and merge (go straight) onto 5th Street. The turn left on I Street and it will take you to the market.  It should take 26 minutes to go 18 miles. It should take 13 minutes to cover the 12 miles.

LIVERMORE: The Livermore farmers market is from 4 to 8 p.m. through Oct. 20 at Carnegie Park at Third & J Streets in downtown Livermore. From Manteca take Interstate 205 which turns into Interstate 580 to Exit 52B for N. Livermore Ave. and then turn left on Livermore Avenue. Turn right on Second Street to reach the market. It should take 40 minutes to cover the 35 miles.



FRIDAY

STOCKTON: The Stockton farmers market is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on East Main Street in front of the Bob Hope Theatre and runs through Oct. 28. The quickest way from Manteca is to take Highway 99 north to the Cross-town Freeway (Highway 4 West). Take Exit 66B from Stanislaus Street and turn right. Turn left at the second cross street to reach East Main. It should take 21 minutes to go 15 miles.



SATURDAY

TRACY: The Saturday Tract farmers market is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 10th Street between Central and B Street through Nov. 19. The quickest way from Manteca is to take Interstate 205 to the Tracy Boulevard exit and turn left. Take Tracy Boulevard to 11th Street and then turn left. Next turn right on B Street and then take first left to 10th Street.

MODESTO: The Modesto farmers market is from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. alongside the Stanislaus County Library in 16th Street between H and I streets in downtown Modesto. From Manteca take Highway 99 south using Exit 226A for Central Modesto and merge (go straight) onto 5th Street. The turn left on I Street and it will take you to the market.  It should take 26 minutes to go 18 miles

STOCKTON: The Stockton farmers market is from 5:30 to 11 a.m. under the Cross-town Freeway between El Dorado and San Joaquin streets across from St, Mary’s Catholic Church and is open year round. The quickest way from Manteca is to take Highway 99 north to the Cross-town Freeway (Highway 4 West). Take Exit 66B from Stanislaus Street but go straight and merge into Washington Street. The destination is on your left. It should take 20 minutes to go 14 miles.

PLEASANTON: The Pleasanton farmers market is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Main and W. Angela Street in downtown Pleasanton year round. From Manteca take Interstate 205 which turns into Interstate 580 to Exit 47 for Tassajara Road toward Santa Rita Road. Turn left onto Tassajara Road and continue onto Santa Rita Road which turns into Main Street. Then turn left onto W. Angela Road. It should take 48 minutes to go 42 miles.



SUNDAY

LIVERMORE: The Livermore farmers market is form 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at J and K streets in downtown Livermore is open year round. From Manteca take Interstate 205 which turns into Interstate 580 to Exit 52B for N. Livermore Ave. and then turn left on Livermore Avenue. Turn right on Second Street to reach the market. It should take 40 minutes to cover the 35 miles.