PCC Flea Market — Attraction in Pasadena

Right up there with Long Beach and Rose Bowl in terms of the best flea or antique markets in greater Los Angeles. My favorite thing that sets PCC apart from those, is that it’s free to get into!! All you have to do is pay $2 to park. But to get into the actual vendors area, there is no extra cost. Given the early entrance fee to Rose Bowl is $20/person, PCC seems like a steal. This one is heavy on records, and mixed antique and flea items. You’ll also find LA’s best plant person: Arnold. Go to him for rare succulents! He’s the master. The prices at PCC are also generally lower and so this feels like the perfect flea for the budget conscious. Some vendors will haggle, not all. It’s spread out so you need to be prepared to walk. But unlike Rose Bowl which all happens out in the open, many of the vendors at PCC are in parking garages which is nice for those who don’t do well exposed to the hot sun. It’s an unusual flea, that feels set apart from others and awesome in ways that defy description. Just try it! All you have to lose is the $2...

This Flea Market covers 3 different parking lots and 2 floors of a parking structure. Park in lot 3 for $2 and head east to the first outdoor lot full of stuff. Once done here, there is suppose to be a shuttle to take you to the parking structure on the other side of the campus. I never found it so walked. The 2 floors in the parking structure are full of vendors. The lighting is poor as you would expect in a parking structure. Once finished here, go south to the last two outdoor parking lots full of vendors. Quite a few food vendors to pick from if you get hungry or thirsty. The bathrooms are in short supply and at the far ends of the vendor lots in nearby buildings. Expect lines, so do not wait until the last minute.

It took me 2 1/2 hours walking quickly to go through it all. Found quite a few things to buy and many others were leaving with bags and carts full. Do not go here if you are afraid of dogs as many buyers had them and pit bulls were the...

This is like the Rose Bowl Swap Meet's cooler little sister. While the Rose Bowl is pricey to get in and has gotten overrun with cheap Chinese goods and stuff you could find on ebay at 1/10 the price, PCC still delivers on the promise of great deals and weird vintage stuff you won't find anywhere else. Only 2 bucks to get in (for parking in the lot - it's free if you can find street parking), and tons of treasures to be had. Get there early to find the great deals on vintage clothing, ephemera, furniture and collectibles, browse the used record section, and chow down on the delicious chicken skewers and that pineapple upside-down cake the same group of ladies has been making for at least 20 years. Been coming here for ages and still always find something awesome - best swap meet for miles around. Just don't forget the sunscreen and the solid...