Trash and treasure
Since 1977, Pasadena City College Flea Market has brought typically quirky goods, both new and used, to the adventurous buyer. Less well known than its much larger Pasadena competitor, the Rose Bowl Flea Market, the City College fair charges no admission – saving you extra dollars to spend on that special find of the day.
The first Sunday of the month, with a few exceptions each year when the market is closed for holidays, more than 450 vendors assemble in the eastern parking lot, spreading out over three levels of the Bonnie Avenue covered garage known as Lot 5, as well as the open parking lot on the west side of campus. Artfully curated kaleidoscopic wares, mixed with an occasional haphazard jumble of odds and ends, sparkle and tantalize the eye. There’s antique furniture, Japanese kakemono with calligraphy and sumi-e ink drawings, antique wooden soda boxes, classic vinyl, vintage to contemporary clothing, jewelry, hats, toys, kantha quilts, succulent plants, collectibles of all kinds, and much more. A great treasure is bound to be discovered, and the people-watching is always a treat.
Info
Address Pasadena City College, 1570 E Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91106, +1 626.585.7906, www.pasadena.edu/fleamarket, fleamarket@pasadena.edu | Public Transport Gold Line to Allen Station, then a .6-mile walk | Getting there Paid on-site lots and unmetered street parking | Hours First Sunday of the month, 8am–3pm; closed for certain holidays; check website for calendar.| Tip Can’t wait for the first Sunday of the month to get your secondhand fix? Check out Acts Thrift Store (1382 Locust Avenue, Pasadena CA 91106) for great furniture and clothing finds with daily inventory updates Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday).
As with all flea markets, arrive early for best finds. But don’t sweat it if you’ve slept in and are still seeking a Sunday adventure. Latecomers can enjoy the beautiful displays and drive a hard bargain for the items vendors don’t want to pack up and take home.
As if finding the perfect couch for your home or a pair of thigh-high white go-go boots wasn’t enough, a portion of the market’s proceeds provides scholarships to Pasadena City College students and helps fund student-led events, a tradition that was started when the fair was founded, and continues to this day.
Food is available for purchase: sweet and savory cobblers, soda, doughnuts. Parking is only $2 (the first bargain of the day).
Back
To the online map