LA Flea Markets

LA Flea Markets: Sustainable Vintage
Final Article 

            Los Angeles is well known for its beaches, movie stars, and basketball dynasties, but less famously as the scene of a thriving desire for old and vintage culture. From records to old furniture people love nostalgic pieces of the past. Flea Markets are one of the best sources for forgotten treasure and priceless memorabilia. I have been to flea markets in New York and London, but Los Angeles rivals the even the most celebrated bazaars of the past with the most extensive and continuous collections of cool stuff.

           

            Flea markets are supportive of a sustainable and healthy community as members focus on recycling, trading, and bartering for used objects. Organized flea markets are also a unifying community event bringing people together outside to window shop, meet people, and try the new food trucks. Supporting local businesses, musicians, and artists flea markets provide a platform for growing culture as well as sharing cultural artifacts of the past. There are several flea markets in Los Angeles worth a visit on your next day off or even if you’re just visiting LA for a few days.  

1. Rose Bowl Flea Market

            The biggest and oldest flea market in Los Angeles, this market hosted on the second Sunday of every month is located at the Rose Bowl. Celebrating 45 years the Rose Bowl Flea Market now has over 2,500 vendors and 20,000 guests every month. Walk for hours through an endless selection vintage collectibles, art, and even fine glassware. Maybe a larger crowd than the average flea market, but you are guaranteed to find something you can not go home with out. Get there early before all the best items are gone!

            Next Date: July 12^th

            1001 Rose Bowl Drive

            Pasadena, CA 91103

2. Melrose Trading Post

            The Melrose Trading Post is organized and presented by the Greenway Arts Alliance every Sunday on the grounds of Fairfax High School. A community based non-profit, the flea market raises money for the school and offers job opportunities to the students by charging admission and vendor fees. Greenway Arts Alliance works to support local small businesses and young artists by providing curated weekly changing vendors. Host to over 4,000 people a weekend the Melrose Trading Post is quickly growing in popularity, you even may catch some live music.

            Next Dates: July 5^th, 12^th, 19^th

            7850 Melrose Avenue

            Los Angeles, CA 90046

            $3 Admission

3. A Current Affair

           

            A Current Affair is more of a vintage event than a flea market. Just three times a year, event planners bring the best vintage culture from across the country to the thriving Los Angeles community. Located in downtown Los Angeles in The Cooper Design Space, this market is much more selective with just over 50 vendors per day. This pop-up flea market has a more curated and industry relevant collection than any of the others, but is hard to catch!

            Next Date: Sept 26^th, 27^th

            860 South Los Angeles St.

            Los Angeles, CA 90014

4. Silverlake Flea: Art Craft & Vintage

            Hosted on the second Saturday of each month, the silver lake flea market has a distinct handmade and eclectic market. Located on the playground of the Micheltorena Elementary School Playground the market works in part to benefit the school. Silverlake Flea has a selection of DIY products, jewelry, and vintage clothes. Food trucks revolve throughout the day offering options for any palette. Uniquely this flea market has ping-pong tables and other activities open to the public if you need a break from shopping. Free parking

           

            Next Date: July 11^th

            1511 Micheltorena St.

            Los Angeles, CA 90026

           

5. Artist & Fleas DTLA

            The downtown flea market is the newest member of the list after opening its doors for the first time in the summer of 2014. Organized by Arts & Fleas, who previously founded similar designer and vintage markets in Williamsburg and Chelsea Market. Located in the Arts District, the surrounding area is full of great places to eat, coffee shops, and local exhibits. On the third weekend of every month join the downtown LA community for a unique curated flea market with local crafts and high-end startups alike.

            Next Date: July 18^th, 19^th

            647 San Mateo Street

            Los Angeles, CA

6. Long Beach Antique Market

            The Long Beach Antique Market has been hoisted as the “Top Flea Market in the U.S.” and been organized since 1982.  The market, located in Veterans Stadium, is organized on the third Sunday of every Month. Although one of the biggest markets in Los Angeles with over 800 sellers each month, this flea market offers a different collection, geared more towards home decor. The Long Beach Antique Market is the essential place to hunt for large decorating items, vintage furniture, and possible celebrity sightings. Admission is $6, but children are free and if you to their website you should be able to find some discounts!

            Next Date: July 19^th

            4901 East Conant Street

            Long Beach, CA 90808

           

7. San Fernando Swap Meet

            If you’re determined for a day in the Valley then the San Fernando Swap Meet is the best market in town. Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday this flea market offers more chances to visit, however items come and go fast. Some of the most diverse merchandise of the flea markets on the list; you can find anything from video games to socks. One of the larger and most consistently running flea markets in the greater Los Angeles area, it however may not have the rare collectibles and vintage home décor that you can’t find anywhere. Located right between the 118 and the 5, this market is hard to miss and even harder to leave.

            Next Date: July 11^th, 12^th,

            585 Glenoaks Blvd.

            San Fernando CA, 91340

8. Pasadena City College Flea Market

            On the first Sunday of every month the PCC flea market is considerably smaller than the previous two. Host to fewer than 500 vendors what this flea market lacks in quantity in makes up for in quality. You can find high-end antiques and authentic products that only Old Town Pasadena could provide. Admission is free, but parking will cost you $2 for the day. The first nonprofit community college flea market in the nation since the 1970s, the PCC supports student life programs.

            Next Date: July 5^th

            1750 East Colorado Blvd

            Pasadena, CA 91106

9. Santa Monica Airport

            The Santa Monica Airport Antique & Collectible Market is organized on the 1^st and 4^th Sunday of every month. This flea market has a large array of jewelry, fashion, and finer furnishings. Anything from vintage couture to linen and china, but look out these vendors are notorious for being tough to bargain with. Either the Santa Monica Market needs to catch up with the times or these sellers have products they’re nervous to part with. Another long lasting market in Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Airport knows how to organize a flea market and have for over 30 years.

            Next Date: July 26^th

            3050 Airport Ave

            Santa Monica, CA 90405

            Each of the flea markets on this list is exceptional in its own way and you’re guaranteed to go home with something new or at least try some good food. Los Angeles is abundant with flea markets and vintage swap meets as I discover new events all the time. The GCC Swap Meet, Venice High Flea Market, the Topanga Vintage Market, and many other flea markets are not mentioned in this article but also highly recommended. Go out and visit a flea market when you have a free weekend and support sustainable living and small local business.

Sources:

Artists & Fleas 

http://www.artistsandfleas.com/

Melrose Trading Post 

http://melrosetradingpost.org/

Fried, Benjamin. "Shedding Light on Markets - Project for Public Spaces." Project for Public                        Spaces. Web. <http://www.pps.org/reference/nov2003feature/>

Project for Public Spaces, Partners for Viable Communities. "Public Markets as A Vehicle for                        Social Integration and Upward Mobility." Phase I Report: An Overview of Existing                              Programs (2003). http://www.pps.org/pdf/Ford_Report.pdf

Martin, Monique. "Best Flea Markets In Los Angeles." CBS Los Angeles. 2 Feb. 2015. Web. 11                      July 2015. <http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-flea-markets-in-los-angeles/>.