The Alameda Point Antiques Faire is the largest antique show in Northern California. Held on the first Sunday of every month, the Faire boasts over 800 merchants booths.

Because of its stringent vendor rules (all items for sale must be at least twenty years old), and the scarcity of quality antiques shows in the Bay Area, the Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire draws a regular crowd of high-end antique dealers and serious collectors. The show’s co-founder and organizer, Alan Michaan, even stresses that it shouldn’t be called a mere flea market.

But that shouldn’t scare off the casual shopper; there are still plenty of bargains to be made. The Alameda Point Antiques Faire is arguably the largest antique fair in Northern California. Visitors can browse 800 booths of vintage stereos, clothing, furniture, jewelry, art, pottery, vintage and antique home decorations, books & collectibles, 60s-mod dining room furniture, classic Barbie dolls, and of course, much more.

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“You can find something for one dollar or one thousand dollars,” says Michaan, who also runs a nearby estate sale and auction in conjunction with the monthly show. The location in itself is also worth a visit: The Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire is situated on a former naval base’s landing strip, on a picture-perfect stretch of the San Francisco Bay.

The fair and estate sales take place the first Sunday of every month, rain or shine, and even on holidays such as Easter. The auction previews happen the following Tuesday and Wednesday.

(Photo: burtongirls.com/apartmenttherapy.com)