The official name of this amazing flea market is the Alameda Point Antiques Faire, but most people around here just call it “that awesome flea market over the bridge from San Francisco”. Touted as one of the best flea markets in the country by lots of sources in the know (like Travel and Leisure and CNN- although I am not sure how often the folks at CNN head out en masse to flea markets), it’s a gigantic market with over 800 vendors who gather once a month to sell, well, everything you might want.
Creepy hedgehog doll? Check! Fancy planter box? Check!
(I’m torn between thinking this shy, yet terrifying mouse is fantastic or possessed.)
The market is open from 6AM to 3PM on the first Sunday of every month (sometimes postponed for rain, but they always let you know on the website). Admission fees vary from $15 to $5 and are based on the time of your entrance. Based on my experience, here’s a handy little key for when you might need to arrive.
Looking for the best pick of in-demand large items (like furniture, large art name brands)? You will probably want to arrive in the $15 window from 6am to 7:30am. You could save $5 and arrive in the 7:30am to 9am $10 slot, but you’ll be rushing to hit the larger stalls which often set up in the middle of the (huge) layout. If you’re looking for more than one item, geography might be against you as the day progresses past the 7-8am mark.
If you want to take your time browsing, checking aisles for vintage Pyrex and fantastic hats and a new bar cart for the living room (and don’t mind potentially missing the first of your top five choices), show up as close as possible to 9am and pay $5, good for six hours of shopping nirvana.
Note: Children under 15 are free with adults!
(I really want this paint by numbers painting.)
You’ll find a little something for everyone, be inspired by items you may not even have known existed and have some amazing street food from the various food trucks lined up around the perimeter for shopping sustenance.
Show me your treasures when you visit!
1st Sunday of Every Month, 6am to 3pm
