What’s the best way to support local vendors, shop unique items in Pasadena, and get the most bang for your buck? By shopping one of Pasadena’s flea markets, of course. Luckily, Pasadena has two amazing ones, each unique, and each on a different day (so no stress in choosing). Check ‘em out below!
Pasadena City College Flea Market
1570 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106
Housing over 450 vendors, the Pasadena City College (PCC) Flea Market is a non-profit and uses its earnings to raise money for student life programs. And? It’s got amazing stuff for sale. The flea market occurs every first Sunday from 8am to 3pm in parking lots around the east side of the PCC campus. Items sold here range from high-end antiques to collectibles to handmade items. You definitely won’t find mass-produced, wholesale, or new items. Nope. (Which is actually due to a policy established in the 90s, aimed to regulate what’s sold at flea markets.)
One of the highlights at PCC’s flea market is its record vendors, which is touted as “one of the best collections of record vendors in Southern California.” And there’s no doubt why. Over 50 record and mused music vendors take over the parking structure on Bonnie St. on the third level and offer everything from memorabilia to new and used CDs and DVDs.
Best of all? Entrance is free. All you’ll need to pay for is parking ($2 in a lot) and any fabulous finds discovered at the flea market.
Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market
1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103
If you’re looking for an unusual and huge flea market in the area, look no further than the Rose Bowl. That’s right; on the second Sunday of every month (rain or shine, all year long), the Rose Bowl hosts an amazing flea market of over 2,500 vendors. It’s got everything (including celebrity buyers): from shoes, clothes, sunglasses, and furniture, to crafts, keepsakes, art, and bikes. Tips to navigating this beast of a place? Arrive early. Yes, the Rose Bowl charges an entrance fee and depending on when you’d like to enter, the prices vary. General admission starts at $8 per person and gets you in from 9am to 4:30pm. However, $10 per person will get you in at 8 am; and $15 per person will allow for a 7 am viewing.
One thing that is free is parking. Also, if you’re spending all day at the market, don’t sweat the hunger pains. There’s plenty of food and drinks to purchase, such as hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, tacos, pizza, smoothies, wine, frozen lemonade, etc.