Shopping at the Rose Bowl Flea Market

In any survey and list of things that people enjoy while on vacation, shopping always makes a prominent showing on the list of top vacation activities. Whether it’s scheduling a trip for a specific shopping experience, like Christmas Shopping in New York City, or merely buying some meaningful souvenirs of a fabulous vacation, shopping figures into the plans for most travelers.

Shopping doesn’t have to be an expensive proposition either. One of the great LA shopping experiences occurs in a far more humble location than Rodeo Drive, it occurs at an athletic stadium — the Rose Bowl. And lest you dismiss it as a mere fly by night business, this flea market has been in operation for over 40 years.

The Rose Bowl Flea Market is a monster of a shopping experience, with over 2,500 vendors and in the neighborhood of 15-20,000 buyers. That’s a day, folks, not a season!

The flea market operates the second Sunday of every month, tantalizing shoppers with vintage jewelry, clothing, handmade crafts, antiques, plants, collectibles, and just about everything under the sun. The market features one-time vendors setting up shop as an estate sale and you may just find that Rodeo Drive purchase. Other vendors are brick and mortar businesses, who head to the market hoping to get their wares in front of a different customer base. Still other vendors are small businesses that sell their handicrafts, art, or other handmade items. There’s good stuff to be found here.

The shoppers are as diverse as the sellers. Some come to root our great buys and hidden gems, while others look for vintage designer clothing and jewelry that would otherwise be beyond the budget. Many celebrities frequent the flea market, looking for a great outfit that no one else will have. Some shoppers come not so much for the shopping as for the people-watching experience.

If you go once, you’ll want to go back again (and probably again). It’s too much to absorb on just one visit.

Location: The Rose Bowl Flea Market is located 1001 Rose Bowl Drive in Pasadena, California (Rose).

Hours: 9 am – 4:30 pm. There will be a lineup! There are also sorts of “special” admissions — this is LA, after all. If you want early access consider one the special elite admission options. Express admission is offered 8-9 am, Early admission 7-8 am, and VIP admission 5-7 am.

Admission: $8 per person, children under 12 admitted free with adult. Express admission is $10/person, Early admission is $15/person, and VIP admission is $20/person.

Parking: Free general parking, preferred VIP parking (close to the entrance) is available for $10.

Photo credit: Joe Pyrek @flickr (Rose Bowl signage); Dana_Sue @flickr (beads)