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Best flea markets in the East and South Bay of California
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Heather Lyon, 2008
I don’t know about you, but for me there are a few imperatives that come about when summer rolls around. One being a more regular consumption of ice cold beer and good white wines, another being time spent in a pool or other body of water as much as possible, and my favorite, walking some of the great flea markets around the Bay Area.
Both the East and South Bay Area boast a few winners for trolling for treasures and primo people watching, so if you happen to find yourself thereabouts why not stop by one of the following venues?
Berkeley Flea Market
When I lived in Oakland, this was my go-to flea market. With an international flair and drum beats in the air, the Berkeley Flea Market is run & owned by a non-profit community organization and takes place every Saturday & Sunday from 7am to 7pm. It is situated right next to the Ashby Bart station at 1937 Ashby Avenue. There are many regular vendors who sell anything from old, hard to find vinyl LPs to hand-made soaps, body oils and incense.
While the wares and their collective sellers are wonderful, the food is also a main draw with stands selling ethnic varietals like Ethiopian, Caribbean, Jamaican, Mexican and other fares. While you eat your kebab or Roti, take a seat and take in some of the more “interesting” folks that come out to the flea. It’s the East Bay, there are drum circles, the incense it thick, so naturally, some seriously colorful characters are abundant for observation. Second to this flea market for me is Waterlooplein Markt in the heart of Amsterdam, so that might give you an inkling as to the diverse culture of the Berkeley Flea Market.
Laney College Flea Market
If you’ve been overwhelmed with Nag Champa and beaded dread locks from your Berkeley Flea Market experience and feel the need to come back to earth and get a taste of Oakland, put some closed-toe shoes on and spend a couple of quality hours at Laney College Flea Market, or more appropriately, swap meet, which runs on week-ends from 7am to 4pm.
I’ll make no bones about it, the Laney College affair is a little gritty, but that is part of its charm. After all, Oakland would not be the same if it lost its edge, which I’m afraid includes a few derelict vans full of questionable goods and the occasional surly hot dog seller. However, with the right attitude the good outweighs the bad here and can help renew your faith in mankind, especially when mankind provides freshly cut, perfectly in season fruit sprinkled with lime juice and chili powder, for only a buck or so. Also featured are exceptional tacos and elotes, the infamous Mexican street food which consists of fresh roasted corn, usually on the cob & stuck with a handy stick, doused with chili, salt, butter and other tasty goodness.
If you’re up for it, The Laney College Flea Market is located at Seventh and Fallon Streets in the Lake Merritt district of Oakland. Note that parking is notoriously bad, so taking Bart might be a good plan. Also note that a lot of the goods offered at Laney College FM unfortunately may be the fruits of theft or other illegal channels, so buy at your own discretion. In other words, this is a good place for amazing street food, some intense people watching and to maybe stock up on off brand cleaning products, but I would not advise buying a phone, car stereo or bicicycle there.
Heather Lyon, 2009
Capitol Flea Market
Besides the now defunct and sorely missed Morgan Hill Flea Market, the Capitol Flea Market is my standing number one in the South Bay. This classic California flea takes place at the old Capitol Drive In Theatres so is surrounded by big, old screens and bordered by train tracks and the freeway. From 7am to 5:30pm and running from Thursday through Saturday, this big flea market has an excellent balance between newer items like sneakers and home goods, and individual sellers with more unique offerings.
Since the market is held at the old drive in, there is an active food court going which sells burgers, fries, and other traditional American treats but outside the court you can find the good ethnic stuff like papaya spears and jicama, and yummy marinated pork or chicken barbeque on sticks. If you like beer, keep an eye out for the numerous beer stands which sell ice cold Pacificos, Coronas and other good beers with lime and salt for the taking.
On the stage near the gates there is usually some kind of entertainment, like a mariachi band or a classic rock cover band. It is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a beer & eat a bag of peanuts or fresh chicharrones with hot sauce. Also not to be overlooked is the wide array of produce, much of it unique and seasonal such as impressive fresh green chick peas sold out of truck beds. The Capitol Flea Market is located at 3630 Hillcap Avenue, right off of Capitol Expressway. Parking is abundant.
Flea markets and other open air markets are places where we can enjoy being outside and around people, to take in the sun and the buzz of life around us, and to hopefully find good eats and make a unique purchase or two. When the summer comes around, markets like this really take shape and the sights, smells and sensations of a visit to one can make for great summertime memories. Be it mellow and trippy, gritty and huge, or classic and eclectic, each flea market has a character of its own to be found out; Happy flea market adventures!
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