2nd Sundays @ the Rose Bowl Flea Market: COME PREPARED!
#1 MOST IMPORTANT PREPAREDNESS TIP:
Bring lots of cash. More than you feel comfortable spending in one day ideally. There is nothing worse than “wish i had bought that” remorse. If you run out of cash, or didn’t bring any to begin with (no. the guy selling shoes out of a van does not take debit!) be prepared to wait on a very long line, and dish out at least $5 in an ATM fee:
Other items to bring to avoid paying inflated unprepared person prices:
Potable water. Rose Bowl price: $3 for 12 ounces
A sandwich: Rose Bowl price varies about $5-10. Taking a lunch break will give you a much needed second wind after your first few hours of shopping.
Other suggested items:
Comfortable shoes. Some like to suffer for fashion I know. But if you're in it to win it, your feet gotta be happy first!
Shopping cart or bag. I'm too manly to push around a folding shopping cart, so I bring a large sack with a sealable opening. You may be able to make do with cheap plastic shopping bags provided by vendors, but this is not a secure way to transport your goods.
FOR THE HARDCORE ONLY:
A reliable alarm clock, set so you arrive no later than 6:00 AM. Parking will be a breeze, you'll avoid the crowds, and get first dibs. Unfortunately you'll have to pay the premium "VIP" pre-7am rate of $20 entry.
A flashlight. Preferably a modern compact LED one. Take care in inspecting merchandise before purchase as imperfections might not be as obvious in the glow of your flashlight as they will be in full light.
Caffeine. By the time you're done you'll be wiped. But you still gotta drive back safely to wherever. Even though it's sunday afternoon, it's still LA and traffic is no picnic!
Geesh the Rose Bowl Flea is like the Vintage Hunting Paradise, with all the places I go, I have never been able to utilize a Flea Market, great post and throw some pics of the inside!
The place is overwhelming! I doubt anyone can see it all in one day.
Good suggestion about the inside pics, I will save that for part two!
Great, I can’t wait to see the pt. 2 !
Hey Hermosa! Stiv Taters from over at the Defunkd blog. Anyway, is this held just the 2nd week in certain months? I am going to be in the area April 17th through the 23rd and was wondering if i’d be able to catch the market.
I enjoy your blog and hope sales are good!
It’s held the 2nd Sunday EVERY month. So the next one will be held April 11th, so doesn’t look like you’ll be in town to catch it. You will however be in town for the Long Beach Flea Market, which is every 3rd sunday of the month. This flea market is smaller than the Rose Bowl FM, and there’s not a whole lot in the way of vintage clothes (compared to the Rose Bowl anyway). Still I think it’s worth going to since prices are considerably lower than the RB, and its a manageable size. You won’t be overwhelmed by the amount of sellers and buyers. If you’re around Hollywood you might want to stop by the Melrose Trading Post flea market which, I believe is every Sunday.
Thanks for the comments Stiv!
Just so happens i’m getting on a ship out of Long Beach on the 19th which will give me that Sunday to hit the Flea Market. Really appreciate the info Hermosa! I’ll let ya know if i find any gems. Have a good one, buddy!
Hey check out the photos I posted today of the LBC flea market!