If you are a seeker of vintage clothing, a collector of valuable antiques or simply a lover of cheap items, here is the top 7 flea markets that should be added to your shopping trip through California.
[rpi]ALAMEDA POINT ANTIQUES FAIRE, CALIFORNIA
Located about a 20-minute drive from San Francisco, the monthly antiques fair, known as the Alameda Flea is the largest antique show in Northern California that intrigues a large number of Bay Area vintage-lovers. This shopping destination is home to over 800 booths selling home decor, clothing, furniture, pottery, art, books, jewelry, and more that have a history of at least 20 years old. If you are a real antique hunter, line up before 6 am to buy valuable and unique antiques. Visiting the fair, you also have the opportunity to admire the Bay Bridge, the San Francisco skyline and Marin from the market grounds.
| Address: Alameda Point Antiques Faire, San Francisco, California 94501, USA Opening hours: First Sunday of every month, 6 am – 3 pm |
TREASUREFEST
Founded in 2011, TreasureFest is known as one of the pet-friendly markets in the US and is the younger, hipper alternative to the Alameda Flea. Here, you can find hundreds of booths packed with vintage clothes, jewelry, antiques, art, and crafts – some old, some new. There is nothing better than enjoying a lawn party atmosphere at TreasureFest and palm-framed views of the San Francisco cityscape whilst treating yourself to a drink or Chairman Bao and Bacon Bacon in food trucks. Besides, this gathering intrigues both locals and travelers with a large snow-blanketed field, making it worth the trip across the Bay.
| Address: Avenue of the Palms, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California 94130, USA Opening hours: Last weekend of every month, 10 am – 4 pm |
ALEMANY FLEA MARKET, CALIFORNIA
If you are a deal hunter who is not afraid to do some digging, the Alemany flea market complete with folding tables and a smattering of tents is definitely for you. A far cry from others around the world, this flea market requires that at least 50 percent of the wares must be vintage or antique while the other half is an eclectic mixed bag. Here, you will find a wealth of makeshift booths filled with a hodgepodge of vintage and secondhand merch, including toys, knickknacks, furniture, kitchen wares, records, books, and more. If you arrive later in the day, you will be spoilt for choice with an amazing variety of cheap items as the vendors are generally open to haggling. Make sure to bring cash when visiting the market.
| Address: 100 Alemany Boulevard, San Francisco, California 94110, USA Opening hours: Every Sunday, 7 am – 3 pm |
DE ANZA COLLEGE FLEA MARKET
Originally founded 30 years ago by a group of local college students aiming to raise funds for the student body, De Anza Flea is home to more than 800 vendors and draws nearly 20,000 shoppers each month. Located across two sprawling lots, the flea market is filled with vintage furniture, household goods, art, books, toys, antiques, clothes, and more. In recent years, De Anza Flea has offered lots of new merch, including jewelry, accessories, stationery, and plants. Arrive early for the best selection or late for the best deals and most vendors accept cash only.
| Address: 21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Parking lots A and B, Cupertino, California 95014, USA Opening hours: First Saturday of the month, 8 am – 4 pm |
ELECTRONICS FLEA MARKET, CALIFORNIA
If you are a gear geek or an avid collector of retro radios, the Electronics Flea is an ideal shopping destination for you to explore. Organized by the non-profit Association of Silicon Valley Amateur Radio Organisations, the flea market aims to benefit non-profit amateur radio stations across Silicon Valley. This market is particularly rife with radio gear and related accessories such as wires, screens, and antennae, from vintage radio equipment to used TVs. It is also a convenient place to dispose of recyclable electronic waste, such as batteries. The number of vendors and the quality of the merch varies week to week, so the flea market draws many bargain hunters and lovers of vintage and outdated technology.
| Address: De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Parking lot B, Cupertino, California 95014, USA Opening hours: Every second Saturday of the month, 5 am – 12 pm |
SAN JOSE FLEA MARKET
Opened in 1960, the San Jose Flea is the largest open-air market in the US, touting more than 1,000 vendors and its visitors from across the Bay looking for deals on new and used items. The flea market is home to antiques, car accessories, books, herbs, electronics devices, clothes, housewares, flowers, and more. What’s more, this market is a fun outing for the whole family where kids can explore a vintage carousel, mini Ferris wheel, and play ground with inflatable slides while adults can enjoy the live music each weekend and diverse food stalls such as popcorn, cotton candy, and nachos.
| Address: 1590 Berryessa Road, San Jose, California 95133, USA Opening hours: Every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, dawn to dusk. |
OAKLAND WHITE ELEPHANT SALE
If you are looking for vintage treasures, great bargains, and unique works of sculpture, the Oakland White Elephant Sale is truly the place that you should explore. Held once a year in a 96,000-square-foot warehouse near the Oakland estuary, this popular flea market is renowned for high-quality merchandise and you will not find anything dirty, damaged, stained, or broken. There are 17 different stalls, from sporting goods to vintage clothing, fine jewelry and priceless Chinese artifacts. All the proceeds then benefit the Oakland Museum of California.
| Address: 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, California 94607, USA Opening hours: Every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, dawn to dusk. |
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