A Guide to Los Angeles Flea Markets

Artists & Fleas got its start in New York, with locations in Chelsea, SoHo and Williamsburg. Now, Artists & Fleas has expanded to Los Angeles. The LA location is perfectly at home in the vibrant, artistic community of Venice (specifically at the corner of Abbot Kinney Boulevard and Westminster Avenue). The flea market is open every second and fourth Saturday and attracts a wide array of art, design and vintage merchants.

Located at Fairfax High School, Melrose Trading Post is a unique and adventurous outdoor marketplace. The money raised each week is donated to the school – meaning that the more patrons spend, the more they help the community. Melrose Trading Post sells antiques, collectables, art, handmade wares and items made from recycled materials. Through admission and vendor fees, the market provides jobs for students and helps fund field trips, sports equipment, beautification projects, teacher programs, theater productions and more. The Melrose Trading Post has made more than $7 million to date.

The Rose Bowl Stadium hosts the Rose Bowl Flea Market on the second Sunday of every month. The market boasts a variety of vendors selling both new and used items, but the real find for fashion fans is the section dedicated to all things vintage and antique. The market attracts large crowds and serious shoppers, so getting there early, ideally before 9am, is key.

The Long Beach Antique Market, located at Veterans Memorial Stadium, has been operating since 1982. The flea market boasts over 20 acres of collectables, home decor, vintage clothing, jewelry and other antiques at prices low enough to justify the trek down to Long Beach. The market runs the third Sunday of every month and is on rain or shine. It might not be as flashy or Instagrammable as other sun-soaked flea markets in LA, but the Long Beach Antique Market is a treasure trove waiting to be explored.

The Santa Monica Airport Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market runs on the first and fourth Sunday of every month, from 8am until 3pm. Its website claims to be “one of the top 10 flea markets in America.” This flea market is especially noteworthy for its large selection of antique furniture, but there’s a lot for fashion lovers to spend their money on, too. It regularly carries jewelry and everything from vintage to couture fashion. It’s also dog-friendly.

The Silverlake Flea is free to the general public, making it one of the most accessible markets in Los Angeles. Silverlake Flea bills itself as the “cutest indie flea market” and operates on the playground of Micheltorena Street Elementary School. Local indie vendors flock to the adorable outdoor event every week to sell vintage clothes, art, rare vinyl, collectable turntables and more. The market also hosts free performances to keep guests entertained as they shop.

The Pasadena City College Flea Market takes place on the first Sunday of every month from 8am to 3pm and promises that admission is always free. While the outdoor market is known primarily for selling antiques and collectables, it also offers fashion finds and a huge collection of vinyl. The PCC Flea Market attracts more than 400 vendors and offers something for everyone.