Flea markets in San Francisco offer something for every taste! They are as diverse and colorful as San Francisco itself, and if you pick the right one, a great day out is guaranteed. Visit TreasureFest for a full-fledged festival experience or the Alameda Flea Market to find authentic vintage and antiques. If you are primarily looking for bargains, then markets and swap meets in Oakland and San Jose are just the right places to go. Northern California’s mild temperatures make flea markets in the Bay Area the perfect hunting ground all year round.
Alameda flea market San Francisco, California (CA) – (Photo: Ganeshaisis)
So, bring an empty tote, put on a convincing bargaining face and off you go exploring the top 10 flea markets in the San Francisco Bay Area!
1. Alameda Flea Market, East Bay, Alameda Island
The monthly Alameda Point Antiques Faire is by far the best place to buy antiques in the San Francisco Bay Area. Schedule a day to explore the huge fairgrounds on Alameda Island in the East Bay! We recommend going there early to dodge the traffic jams and the influx of fellow treasure hunters. Alameda Flea Market is one of few markets in the area with a strict focus on authentic vintage and antiques! You will be spoilt for choice at this huge and high-quality antiques and vintage market. The fair takes place every first Sunday of the month. Alameda Antiques Fair >>
2. Treasure Island Flea Market (TreasureFest), San Francisco Bay
TreasureFest, formerly known as Treasure Island Flea Market, is a colorful monthly festival with live music, food trucks, arts & crafts and a sizeable portion of vintage merchandise. Visitors come for the great entertainment and some of the best panoramic vistas of the Bay. Treasure Fest is held on the last weekend of the month, except for December. What better place to go treasure hunting than on Treasure Island? TreasureFest on Treasure Island >>
3. Alemany flea market, San Francisco, Bernal Heights
Much smaller than the Alameda Antiques Fair, the Alemany flea market is open every Sunday. Its vendor rules are not as strict, but it is still a great place to shop for vintage and antiques. The market is centrally located in the Bernal Heights neighbourhood of San Francisco. It is a great option for those looking for a Sunday flea market in the centre of San Francisco. Note that on Saturdays, a farmer’s market is held in the same spot. Alemany Flea Market >>
4. Berkeley flea market, East Bay / Oakland
The Berkeley flea market is also known as Ashby flea market, due to its location at the Ashby BART station. The weekly market is rather small, with only around 40 sellers. It is one of the most popular markets in the East Bay / Oakland area and known to be a fun place to hang out. Berkeley Flea Market is particularly famous for its drum circle and spontaneous dancing. Expect arts & crafts, multicultural vibes, and African artisanry. All in all, the market is not very vintage or antique, but as Berkeley as it gets! Every Saturday and Sunday. Berkeley Flea Market >>
5. De Anza College Flea Market, Cupertino
De Anza Flea Market in Cupertino is the largest college flea market in the Bay Area with over 800 sellers. This classic flea market takes place every first Saturday of the month and is the perfect place to go bargain hunting in search of hidden treasures. There is a wide variety of second-hand goods and junk being sold, but with a little persistence, you can find nice little vintage knick-knacks and collectibles. De Anza College Flea Market >>
6. Inner Sunset Flea Market, San Francisco, The Inner Sunset
The Inner Sunset Flea is held in the Inner Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco, not far from the Golden Gate Park (800 Irving Street). From May to November, the Inner Sunset Flea Market takes place on the Second Sunday of the month from 10 am – 4 pm. The family-friendly market is a colorful community event and offers not only handcrafted art and vintage finds but also food stalls and kids activities. Residents sell second-hand items at Inner Sunset Flea, but there are also artisans and makers as well as professional flea market vendors to be found. There is always live entertainment and tons of activities. Inner Sunset Flea >>
7. Silicon Valley Electronics Flea Market, Sunnyvale, South Bay
The monthly Electronics Flea Market in Sunnyvale caters to all those hobbyists who can’t resist repairing their broken electronic appliances. It is a niche flea market, where Silicon Valley’s electronics enthusiasts and collectors of vintage electronics meet up at dawn. The market takes place every second Saturday of the month, rain or shine, March until September. Electronics Flea Market >>
8. Solano Way Swap Meet / Concord Flea Market, Oakland
Another market in Oakland, the Solano Swap Meet, is also known as Concord Flea Market due to its location. As the name states, this market is a swap meet but also hosts a first-class farmer’s market at the same venue. The flea market itself is a fairly large, garage-sale-style event with around 500 vendors. Many second-hand and lots of new items are sold at the Solano Way Swap Meet every weekend. Solano Way Swap Meet >>
9. San Jose Flea Market, SF Bay Area
The San Jose flea market is a California classic and one of the largest weekly flea markets in the United States. Around 2,000 vendors on over eight miles of stalls attract more than 75,000 visitors every week. Almost everything may be sold at this market! The focus is clearly on newly imported goods and relatively new second-hand items and fresh produce, rather than vintage and antiques. San Jose Flea Market >>
10. Laney Flea Market, East Bay / Oakland
Laney College Flea Market in Oakland is a weekly Sunday market where bargain hunters find low-priced merchandise. So, expect a large portion of new items sold at Laney Flea Market, often imported from China, as well as second-hand goods. Unfortunately, bicycles and tools of questionable origin make up a large portion of the merchandise sold at this market. Laney Flea Market is not necessarily the right place to buy antiques, but a good place to hunt for bargains. Laney College Flea Market >>
Tips for flea market shopping in the San Francisco Bay Area
Our guide would not be complete without a few insider tips to make your shopping experience really worthwhile:
- If you are looking for vintage and antiques, Alameda Point Antiques Faire is by far your best option. There is no better place in the entire San Francisco Bay to find authentic vintage and antique treasures. It comes therefore as no surprise that Alameda Flea Market is considered to be among the best flea markets in the United States. However, if you are not in the Bay Area on the first Sunday of the month, then you might want to consider other options, such as the weekly Alemany Flea Market.
- If you are primarily looking for an entertaining day out, then give the huge Treasure Island Flea Market (TreasureFest) a shot. With its food trucks, tasty cocktails and music performances, TreasureFest is a great way to spend your weekend in the Bay Area.
- To buy new items or second-hand items at bargain prices, consider visiting Community College Flea Markets in Oakland and the Bay Area, such as the De Anza Flea Market or the Laney College Flea Market. Of course, the famous San Jose Flea Market in the South Bay is also always a good place to spend a day out with the entire family.
- Do you have any advice to give fellow flea market shoppers in the Bay Area? Leave your comment below!
At a glance: Flea markets San Francisco & Bay Area
- Alameda Point Antiques Faire
- Treasure Island Flea Market (TreasureFest)
- Alemany Flea Market
- Berkeley Flea Market
- De Anza College Flea Market
- Inner Sunset Flea
- Silicon Valley Electronics Flea Market
- Solano Swap Meet
- San Jose Flea Market
- Laney College Flea Market
Bonus: Bay Area flea markets on a map
The very best markets in San Francisco and California to buy vintage and antiques can also be explored on Fleamapket. Our map of the world’s best flea markets and antique fairs!
San Francisco Bay Area flea markets on Fleamapket.com
