Hop like a flea

I recently visited two flea markets around the LA area (Pasadena to be precise). Being new at flea markets, I can't really tell you how they are compare to other flea markets around the area, but here's my experience.


Pasadena City College Flea Market
Available first Sunday of every month. Free admission.

(Hometown Pasadena)

The flea market was rather large with vendors on different levels of the parking lot and to the sides of the parking lot. We arrived later because I read on Yelp that you either go early for best merchandises or go late for best prices. So by the time we got there, some vendors have already started packing to leave. The vendors were all "vintage", meaning, you can't expect to find something wrapped in its sealed package. Cute stuff (clothes, books, furniture, records, and jewelry) can definitely be found but there were also things that you don't really understand why they ere there (toys that's very beat up, almost like out of the trash can, screws or hardware pieces that seem to be a missing piece from furniture). The good thing about it all was the price. I left with a couple of good finds all pieces not over $10.

(Scarves: $1/each, Earring: $6, Belt: $5)

Rose Bowl Flea Market
Second Sunday of every month. General Admission, $8.

The Rose Bowl Flea Market is definitely overwhelming. I got there expecting just booths circling around the coliseum, but boy was I wrong. Not only were there tons of booths around the coliseum, but there were booths in the parking lots too (free parking available on the grass area). The place was massive. To make things easier, booths were separated into categories. Around the Rose Bowl were vendors with their own merchandises (their own brands) while around the parking lots were vintage vendors. There were also booths selling food (a hot dog and a drink was only $1.50). We got there toward the afternoon and we couldn't even really finish the whole market. It is no wonder people go there early. I would definitely recommend going there earlier because you can spend the whole day there and take your time looking around.


We bought the tickets near the entrance and got these little paper clip holders for free.

One trend I noticed at the market was feathers. Feather earrings, feather hair extensions, and feather hair clips

The prices there ranges from 50 cents to $30, depending on the merchandise. The merchandises with their own brands were more expensive than vintage merchandises. I left a happy girl with items not exceeding $20.

The most expensive thing we got was this faux fox tail for $15

Rings were 3 for $5