Shopping guide: The best Los Angeles flea markets

– March 3, 2011Posted in: Arts and Culture, Best of, Destinations, Shopping, Style, Vintage

Angelenos head to flea markets year-round in search of rare, vintage finds.

The Rose Bowl Flea Market in Los Angeles California. (photo: Martha Rivera)

I must admit, my love of thrift stores waned around the time I was 25. As thrift stores grew in popularity, that ‘great find’ seemed to happen less and less frequently.

When I moved to New York, I had high expectations for well known flea markets like the Brooklyn Flea and Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market . I quickly discovered, however, that there are a lot of New Yorkers with an eye for the unique. Merchandise was either picked over or much more expensive than my small budget could handle.

Thanks to the Los Angeles flea markets, though, my love of vintage and the thrill of the find has been rekindled.

Read on for my favorite LA flea markets and advice on how to get the most value at the local flea.

>> UPDATE 12/15/13 – The author has expanded this list to include 3 more LA markets! Click here to read the follow-up post.

Vintage sunglasses from LA's Rose Bowl Flea Market. (photo: Martha Rivera)

Shopping tips

Flea market culture reigns in LA. Sunday may be the day of the rest, but it’s also the day of the flea. From vintage clothes to sunglasses, artwork and mid-century modern furniture, there is something for everyone at area flea markets.

The most important shopping advice: prioritize. If you don’t have an agenda, deciding on clothes vs furniture vs housewares will be overwhelming.

Also, you’ll get the best deals at the end of the day. Most vendors don’t want to pack up all their wares, especially furniture, so they will be willing to make a great deal.

So bring patience, a bottle of water, a tote bag and cash, and get ready to shop!

Melrose Trading Post - Buying Vintage Frames

Buying vintage frames at the Melrose Trading Post. (photo: Martha Rivera)

Top Flea Markets

Los Angeles has a flea market to suit every energy level, from the small market at the local high school to the world renowned Rose Bowl. These are my favorites:

“Lite”

The Melrose Trading Post
7850 Melrose Avenue
Every Sunday
9am – 5pm
$2.00

The Melrose flea market takes place every Sunday in the Fairfax High School parking lot. This is the type of flea market you go to after brunch in Hollywood, and you feel like shopping but can’t bear to go inside a mall. It’s also a great place to find unique birthday presents. Smaller than most flea markets, it only has about 200 vendors. The stalls sell an eclectic blend of local art, jewelry, some furniture but mainly vintage clothes and shoes. One vendor sells prints of famed street artist Banksy’s famous work. It has a small food court so don’t go hungry. But if you get a snack, catch the jazz band playing in the food court area. Set in the heart of LA, this flea market makes for some fun people watching too. So be sure to wear your Sunday (hipster) best.

The PCC Flea Market. (photo: abimaxim/Flickr)

“Medium”

PCC Flea Market
1570 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91106-2003
(626)-585-7906
1st Sunday of every month
8am – 3pm
Free

Partially set inside a parking garage on the Pasadena Community College campus, this is one of my favorite flea markets. It’s big but not too big. There is a wide variety of merchandise, from French linens to clothes, furniture, records and lots of tchockes. One vintage linen vendor revealed that Anthropologie buyers frequent her booth. Compared to other markets, prices are more reasonable and vendors are more willing to negotiate. There is a large selection of furniture, especially mid-century modern pieces. What I appreciate most about this flea market is that I don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed. I can browse and mull over a purchase without fear that it is going to be gone when I go back to get it. You can spend at least 2 hours in this flea market shopping and roaming around. Once you’re done, grab lunch at one of the restaurants along Colorado Blvd or head down the road to Old Town Pasadena for some more local eats.

Vintage furniture from the PCC Flea Market. (photo: Martha Rivera)

“Super Size”

Rose Bowl Flea Market
1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103
2nd Sunday of every month
5am – 4:30pm
$8.00

This is a world famous shopping destination. The flea market to end all flea markets, it boasts over 2,500 vendors. The market is divided into 3 major sections: furniture, clothes and comics, with everything else in between. Plan to spend several hours perusing the plethora of vendors. You could spend the whole day in one section alone! There are some great rare finds, including an awesome sunglasses and frames booth where I spent about 30 minutes trying on at least 15 pairs of glasses. Definitely get there early for the good stuff; otherwise, you’ll find out that your favorite item has a “sold” sticker on it. The Rose Bowl is slightly more expensive than other markets. Be prepared to pay a bit more, especially for the furniture. There are several food vendors around the Rose Bowl and there is a formal food court. You can get coffee, smoothies, hot dogs, burgers and even tacos. I recommend taking a lunch break to assess your morning purchases. Once you refuel you’ll be ready to go back for more!

The Rose Bowl Flea Market in Los Angeles

The Rose Bowl Flea Market in LA. (photo: Martha Rivera)

Suggestions

What are some of your favorite flea markets around the world? Share your tips with other readers by leaving a comment below!

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Tags: cheap, free, los angeles, outdoors, photos, shopping, trends

About Martha Rivera

Secret technophile in love with food, coffee, music, film, culture, biking, random acts of spontaneity and not getting lost in LA.

25 Comments

Reply

Jeremy B

Posted March 3, 2011 at 5:47 PM

Wow, I never knew there were flea markets like this in LA. A Rose Bowl flea market? Who knew!
- Reply
  
  Leslie Koch
  
  Posted March 3, 2011 at 7:42 PM
  
  It sounds like a cool location for a flea market- maybe you can shop and tailgate at the same time 😉
Reply

ciki

Posted March 3, 2011 at 6:04 PM

Oh man, I’ve lost count.. but yeah LOVE flea markets.. i remember going to a few really cool ones in Eastern Europe but don’t remember their names unfortunately!
- Reply
  
  Leslie Koch
  
  Posted March 5, 2011 at 9:21 PM
  
  I’m sure there were some great deals there!
Reply

Sheryll

Posted March 3, 2011 at 6:45 PM

I’ve lived in LA over 2 years and I somehow have never been to any of the flea markets. Thanks for piquing my interest, I really need a new pair of vintage sunglasses!
- Reply
  
  Leslie Koch
  
  Posted March 5, 2011 at 9:21 PM
  
  Glad to help! Good luck with the bargain hunting 🙂
Reply

Annie

Posted March 4, 2011 at 4:26 AM

I really enjoy going to famous flea markets when I travel, although I never usualyl buy anything.

I’ll have to work on my “finding” skills before heading to LA so I can check these ones out!
Reply

santafetraveler

Posted March 5, 2011 at 5:58 PM

I’m holding on to this list in case I ever go to LA. Love flea markets.
Reply

Zuzu

Posted July 12, 2011 at 3:04 AM

Ooo i never miss Rose Bowl.. It is really amazing. Little tip dont go there without hat or little umbrella in the summer— also water!. Its so big and sometime difficult to sit somewhere or get water!!

I will try Melrose this week. Hope it will be a good hunting!

PS> First time I read something about PCC, next month I ll be there. Thanks!
- Reply
  
  Leslie Koch
  
  Posted July 12, 2011 at 9:59 AM
  
  Glad you found this post helpful! Let us know what you think of PCC.
Reply

Andy Roda

Posted July 18, 2011 at 6:47 PM

The PCC is new to me. Will try it soon. One of the best markets is called “the Stables” in London. It’s in an 18th century brick stable that goes on for ever. Sells everything. GREAT prices.
Reply

Laura

Posted August 13, 2011 at 11:58 PM

Thanks for the advice! I wanted to go to Rose bowl during my holiday here but think I will go to Melrose instead as I don’t have too much time in LA =)
Reply

charlotte

Posted August 27, 2011 at 1:26 PM

The Long Beach Antique Flea Market is the place to be every third Sunday of the month. I was a rose bowl regular— not any more. Long Beach vets it is— better deals and nicer people. I have always come away with the best vintage finds.
Reply

ju Qian

Posted September 8, 2011 at 10:21 PM

I am looking for some Chinese Antique .
Any kind products must is Antuque.
Give me email back.
Thanks
Reply

AMS

Posted September 18, 2011 at 6:38 PM

hi-do you have any suggestions for vintage shopping in or @ LA on a Friday or Saturday? The best flea market i went to in france was in Paris, in a suburb, not the famous, huge one that everyone goes to. the suburban flea had regular people, great finds, & low prices. I found it in a book from my local library. thanks
Reply

Nadia @ Johor Bahru

Posted December 17, 2011 at 6:09 AM

i always believe that we can see the culture of one place through their flea markets. they are cheap yet provide even some limited stuff.
Reply

jack

Posted January 21, 2012 at 1:38 AM

How can you leave out the Long Beach Flea Market at Vets Stadium with at least 800 dealers- my Fav. It’s on the 3rd Sunday of every month, no new stuff here- just vintage, antiques and colletibles
Reply

Valerie

Posted February 6, 2012 at 4:56 PM

How about my favorite! The Santa Monica Airport Antique and Flea Market! It’s small and cool…
- Reply
  
  Leslie Koch
  
  Posted February 8, 2012 at 9:47 PM
  
  Thanks for the suggestion!
Reply

J. Trueman

Posted June 12, 2012 at 12:58 PM

Hi there! Does anyone know which of the Rose Bowl Flea Markets are the featured or bigger events. I think they do 3 bigger ones during the year. Of course, they have them monthly. I couldn’t find any details on the site. Thanks
Reply

Patrice

Posted November 5, 2012 at 6:30 PM

The hot, new flea market in LA is Topanga Vintage Market. Over 160 vendors, and lots of free parking! It’s on the 4th Sunday of the month (except December) at the Westfield Promenade, in Woodland Hills. Right off the 101!

We’ve picked the best of LA’s vendors, and a whole lot of new faces. Come see! http://www.topangavintagemarket.com or check it on FB
- Reply
  
  Martha Rivera
  
  Posted December 16, 2013 at 6:03 PM
  
  Hi Patrice, I just wrote a new post on more LA flea markets. Topanga Vintage Market made the list. It’s one of my favorites. Check it out!
  
  http://downtowntraveler.com/2013/12/15/shopping-guide-the-best-los-angeles-flea-markets-updated/
Reply

Atlanta

Posted July 18, 2013 at 4:32 PM

There’s also a new Flea Market Starting July 28th in Downtown Los Angeles. Called Downtown Flea. Apparently the 4th Sunday of every month.
- Reply
  
  Martha Rivera
  
  Posted December 16, 2013 at 6:02 PM
  
  Just wrote an updated post on new flea markets in the LA area. Downtown Flea made the list. Check it out!