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Bargains in the Bay
United States
The Bay Area boasts some of USA’s best flea markets, from San Francisco to Santa Clara. Dig into a wealth of artisan crafts, antique goods, and secondhand treasures at insane bargain prices! From a marche aux festival on Treasure Island to a small vendor collective on De Anza College, here’s the inside scoop on where to get the most out of your buck at the area’s best bargain bazaars! You know what they say, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!”
On the last weekend of every month, TreasureFest (formerly known as Treasure Island Flea) transforms Pier 1 on Treasure Island into a flea market party! Shop from over 400 curated vendors, which includes vintage shops, antique sellers, and artisans. Custom-made accessories, funky clothing, music records, upcycled furniture, and more await your eager frisking fingers! Grab a snack and some booze at one of the many food trucks to give yourself a jolt of energy to keep haggling. Before you go, reward yourself for a successful shopping day by taking some time to marvel at the beautiful palm-framed cityscape of San Francisco.
- +1 415 898 0245
Pier 1, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://www.treasurefest.com/
A haven for antiquarians, Alemany Flea Market on Sundays is a bargain hodgepodge of old-time goods, classic items, and vintage wares. Its organizers require half of its dealers to specialize in antiques, and new products are only allowed if they are artisan-crafted, so you’re bound to find one-of-a-kind steals here. Go early for the freshest picks and remember to equip yourself with small bills! Visit on Garage Sale day on the first Sunday of the month to peruse through non-regular vendors’ hauls of random kitsch.
- +1 415 647 2043
100 Alemany Boulevard, San Francisco, California, USA
- https://sfgov.org/realestate/alemany-flea-market
Held twice a year at downtown Pleasanton, Alamo Square Flea Market is a fantastic venue to obtain collectibles, retro decor, fine china, vintage toys, and artwork that dates back 20 years or more. Enjoy a free evaluation from “The Antiques Advisor,” renowned columnist and appraiser Steve Yvaska (available from 10:00AM to 1:00PM) to check for the authenticity of your loot.
Fulton Street, San Francisco, California, USA
- http://alamosquare.org/alamo-square-flea-market
Solano Swap Meet is a cross between a flea market, a farmers market, and a festival held every weekend at the West Wind Solano Drive-In. It hosts a diverse collection of merchandise, from the usual heirlooms and handmade crafts to massage services and fresh produce. Trot to the tune of Latin American music played by a local band, while you take a delectable bite into a Nathan’s hot dog—all part of the authentic Solano Swap Meet experience. Sundays are prime days, with more vendors and better goods on display. Plan your trip accordingly to snatch up the best garage sale items.
- +1 925 687 6445
1611 Solano Way, Concord, California, USA
- https://www.westwindpm.com/
Located at the former Alameda Naval Air Station, Alameda Point Antiques Faire is the champion of the Bay Area flea markets. Thousands of unique items, including furniture, posters, and vintage wear, litter the once-in-a-month event (on the first Sunday). Products are required to be 20 years aged or older, so expect less one-dollar bins and more mid-century rarities. Join headlamp-donning savants as soon as shops open for a chance to score the best items, like an Eames chair! Fees are higher the earlier you get here, but it’s totally worth it. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, since diving into the deals usually takes a full day for the antique-obsessed.
- +1 510 522 7500
2900 Navy Way, Alameda, California, USA
- https://alamedapointantiquesfaire.com/
Take a train to Ashby Station to spot original art pieces, body oils, and colorful fabrics at the Berkeley Flea Market—located right on the terminal’s parking lot. The weekend event may be small, but it packs a lot of character thanks to the multicultural community of regular vendors and locals. While you're here, gorge on unique West African specialties, dance along the drum circles, and listen to non-profit organizations preaching their advocacies.
- +1 510 644 0744
1937 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley, California, USA
- http://berkeleyfleamarket.com
On Sundays, indulge your must-have-it tendencies at Laney College Flea Market, a treasure trove of “Come to think of it, yes, I need that in my life,” kind of stuff. Magic must be at work here as broken staplers, slightly used as-seen-on-TV products, and toiletries have shoppers haggling like crazy! Do as the locals do, and slowly rummage through piles of trinkets, bins of clothing, and tables of odd items. Explore Laney College Flea Market’s notorious collection of bikes, but be warned: there are occasional stolen rides in the mix.
- +1 510 769 7266
510 Fallon Street, Oakland, California, USA
Starting in the late 1980s as an effort to raise funds for the student body, De Anza College Flea Market has established its roots as a Cupertino staple. The bazaar (held every first Saturday of the month) invites thousands of shoppers to scan through over 800 vendors selling everything from second-hand goods to locally-made gifts. Practice your bargaining skills here as you take notes from students expertly lowering prices like it’s an art. Come early for great picks or arrive near closing time for rock-bottom prices, but try to get there before 2:00PM because items run out quick!
- +1 408 864 8414
21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino, California, USA
- https://www.deanza.edu/fleamarket
With an ever-changing roster of vendors, the niche Electronics Flea Market guarantees that you’ll find something different every month. From March to September, the fair teems with radio gear, so keep a close eye out for that specific audio accessory you’ve been dying to have! The event is for a good cause as well, as it is organized by the Association of Silicon Valley Amateur Radio Organizations (ASVARO) to benefit non-profit radio stations in Silicon Valley.
1077 East Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, California, USA
- https://www.electronicsfleamarket.com/
San Jose Flea Market has been a favorite of Californian families since opening on Berryessa Road in 1960. From its humble beginnings as a 20-vendor fair, it has grown to be an amusement park-like enterprise on a sprawling 120-acre space. There’s something for everyone here: antiques for the grandparents, second-hand bargains for mom and dad, snacks for the teenagers, and even a playground for the kids!
- +1 408 453 1110
1590 Berryessa Road, San Jose, California, USA
- https://www.sjfm.com/
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