General information about the Sunset Market:
The Sunset Market is staged every Thursday evening on four blocks in downtown Oceanside. The market is set up on Pier View Way west of Coast Highway and on N. Tremont Street north of Mission Avenue. The market consists of approximately 132 vendor spaces in various categories including a certified farmers market, hot prepared foods, prepackaged foods, merchandise and crafts, non-profit and civic organizations and commercial vendors. The market is held every week except Thanksgiving week and may be cancelled occasionally due to weather conditions.
Successful vendors must have the capacity to set up at the market regularly every week. Retail/Crafts/Artisan vendors are asked to reserve and pre-pay for their space on a monthly basis. All vendors are selected by the Sunset Market Committee using such criteria as type of merchandise offered, duplication of other vendors' offerings, presentation of merchandise and booth appeal (signage, table coverings, fixtures, condition of canopy, etc.). We suggest that all applicants visit the market prior to submitting an application. Our Sunset Market staff is always available for consultation to assist you with your application.
How to apply as an approved Sunset Market vendor:
1) Determine your appropriate category:
• Retail/Crafts/Artisan: cash and carry merchandise sales.
• Jewelry: cash and carry sales that includes any jewelry.
• Apparel: cash and carry sales that includes any apparel.
• Perishable Unpackaged Foods: food prepared on site for immediate consumption.
• Non-perishable/Prepackaged Foods: premeasured, sealed prepared foods.
• Certified Agriculture/Nursery: certified produce, plants and flowers.
• Commercial: lead generation and literature distribution (not cash and carry).
• Non-profit Organizations: not for profit groups and community organizations.
NOTE: The Sunset Market is currently at capacity some categories. Call the office at (760) 754-4512 for more information. Prospective vendors in these categories may apply to be placed on the waiting list. CLICK HERE for more information on the waiting list process.
2) Download the vendor application in your chosen category:
CLICK HERE to download an application. Applications are also available in our office at 701 Mission Avenue and at the Sunset Market.
3) Complete the application and submit it to MainStreet Oceanside. You can mail it or drop it by our office. Remember, the only thing the Selection Committee has to judge you by is your application. Answer each question completely and provide as much information as possible about your operation. Photos are always helpful and appreciated. We have included a handy checklist on the last page of every application to make sure you have included everything we need to evaluate your application. The Selection Committee meets every Monday afternoon so your application will be reviewed on the Monday following your submittal (and not before). You will be contacted by the Sunset Market staff after your application has been reviewed by the Committee.
4) Read the Rules and Regulations of the Sunset Market. While you are waiting for your application to be reviewed, you should download and read a copy of the Sunset Market Rules and Regulations. CLICK HERE. If your application is approved, you will be responsible for reading, understanding and complying with this document.
5) That's it! Successful applicants will be notified as soon as space is available with a start date, space number and load-in procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to participate in the Sunset Market?
CLICK HERE TO SEE BOOTH RATES.
Are there any items that cannot be sold at the Sunset Market?
The following items are prohibited from the market: weapons, replica weapons, tobacco and drug paraphernalia, items that promote the use of illicit substances, pornographic materials and/or any other item that is deemed distasteful by the Sunset Market Committee. MainStreet Oceanside and the Sunset Market Committee reserve the right to refuse any item and/or vendor for any reason.
Do I need a Seller's Permit from the State of California and how do I get one?
You must obtain a Seller's Permit if you are engaged in business in California and intend to sell items that would ordinarily be subject to sales tax if sold at retail. More information is available at the Board of Equalization website. CLICK HERE. The local field office is located in San Marcos at 334 Via Vera Cruz, Suite 107. Telephone (760) 510-5850.
Do I need a City of Oceanside business license to participate in the Sunset Market?
Businesses that are not located in the City of Oceanside do not need a City of Oceanside business license to participate in the Sunset Market. If you are operating your business from a location within the City of Oceanside and are engaged in other business activities in addition to the Sunset Market, you may need a city business license. More information is available at the City of Oceanside website. CLICK HERE. Direct your questions to the Business License Division of the City of Oceanside at (760) 435-3878.
What type of permit will I need to sell food items?
ALL FOOD SALES in San Diego County are regulated by the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health (also known as County Health). The California Health and Safety Code section 114387 requires a Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit of any person or organization providing food at a public event. All food vendors, including existing restaurants, are required to apply for a Temporary Food Facility Permit when participating in a temporary event.
HOME-PREPARED FOODS ARE NOT ALLOWED. Foods stored, handled or prepared at home are never allowed within a Temporary Food Facility. This includes foods canned, jarred or processed at home. All foods must be purchased from an approved source and prepared in a permitted food facility. If you do not have a permitted kitchen facility, you must obtain permission to use a kitchen facility which has been approved by the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health or obtain prepared foods from an approved source.
ALL FOOD HANDLERS are required by San Diego County Code to possess either a valid food handler card issued by a county-authorized food handler training school or a County of San Diego food handler test administered by the current food safety manager who has passed a state-approved food safety certification exam.
All food vendors at the Sunset Market must be in possession of a Temporary Food Facility (TFF) permit PRIOR to submitting an application to sell food at the Market. We regret that we cannot accept an application to sell food at the Sunset Market without an existing TFF permit. We rely on the certification process at County Health to pre-qualify applicants for the Sunset Market.
San Diego County Department of Environment Health:
Website: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/about/location.html
North County Office Location: 151 E. Carmel Street, San Marcos, CA 92078
Telephone: (800) 253-9933
PREPACKAGED FOODS: Due to the unique and varied characteristics of this category, vendors of non-perishable/prepackaged foods are handled on a case by case basis. Contact the Sunset Market staff for more information on necessary permits.
What type of permit will I need to sell items in the Certified Farmers Market section of the Sunset Market?
Vendors in the Farmers Market section of the Sunset Market must be designated as a Certified Farmer by the Department of Agriculture. More information is available on the Department of Agriculture website. (CLICK HERE). The local office of the Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures is located in San Marcos at 334 Via Vera Cruz, Suite 150. Office hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Telephone (760) 752-4700.
What supplies will I need to bring with me as a vendor at the Sunset Market?
MainStreet Oceanside provides you with your booth space and electrical service within 100 feet of your booth.
You will need to provide the following:
1) a canopy of appropriate size
2) tables and table covers
3) display fixtures
4) portable lighting
5) signage
6) 100 foot electrical extension cord AND a surge protected plug strip
Who serves on the Sunset Market Oversight Committee?
The Sunset Market Committee is composed of the Sunset Market staff, the Executive Director of MainStreet Oceanside, several members of the MainStreet Oceanside Board of Directors and several Sunset Market vendors. This group has many years of special events production experience and works hard to enhance the Sunset Market experience for Oceanside residents and visitors alike.
If my application is approved, how soon will I be able to participate in the Sunset Market?
The Sunset Market is currently at capacity. Approved vendors will be wait listed and placed into the market as space allows.
What is the process for becoming a vendor at the Morning Farmers Market?
MainStreet Oceanside's Morning Farmers Market is operated separately from the Sunset Market with independent policies and procedures. For more information about vending opportunities at this market, contact the market manager Suzanne Bendixen at (619) 440-5027.
Can I reserve a booth space that is larger than the listed sizes?
Consult with the Sunset Market staff for more information.
