Oakland has various flea markets based on the day of the week, but there are a few major ones worth checking out.
As a lifelong Oaklander who has frequented all of these markets and even hung out on the regular, I will give you everything you need to know.
Oakland Coliseum Flea Market
Also known as West Wind Coliseum Swap Meet.
This one is open year-round, 7 days a week with a varying admission fee depending on the day.
You’ve probably seen this massive flea market while driving down 880 because of the large drive-in movie screens still standing. One of the busiest and biggest flea markets in Oakland and the entire East Bay.
Address, Hours, and Admission
Address | Day | Hours | Admission |
---|---|---|---|
5401 Joe Morgan Way formally Coliseum Way Oakland, CA 94601 (510) 534-0325 website | Monday | am – 2pm | $0.75 |
Tuesday | 6am – 4pm | $1.00 | |
Wendesday | 6am – 4pm | $0.75 | |
Thursday | 6am – 4pm | $0.75 | |
Friday | 6am – 4pm | $1.25 | |
Saturday | 6am – 5pm | $1.50 | |
Sunday | 6am – 5pm | $2.00 |
Ages 11 and under: Free
7 days a week but of course much more populated on Saturday and Sunday.
The entry fee varies between .75 cents and $2.00.
I grew up going to this flea market/swap meet on Coliseum Way. My friend’s older sister would sell luggage and things here.
To me, this flea market has always pretty much had cheap knockoffs from China. Even my homie’s sister, who was fresh from China would sell products imported from China.
But my friend and I would go with her, help out, run around the flea market being kids, buying stink bombs, janky pocket knives, poppers, and smoke bombs. Sometimes we would also sell our old Nintendo games at her stand.
But what I’m saying is don’t go here expecting to find goods, antiques, treasures, and promises to resell on eBay or Craigslist. This is no treasure market. It’s mostly sold as brand new generic or knock-off designer stuff from purses to makeup and other household goods. Fake aspirin, unknown soaps, deodorants, and cleaning materials. Sometimes you see real brand packaging but based on everything else here you can only wonder, is it REALLY Bayer? If so did it “fall off a truck”?
You can find a large amount of stolen goods here in the back shady areas, such as car stereos, work tools, CD’s, and even stolen bikes. But don’t really expect a good deal. If you are ever on the hunt for your stuff, I suggest you go here. But be careful, there have been many reports of cars getting broken into in the parking lot here and the swap meet security shot a person suspected of carrying a gun while breaking into cars in the parking lot.
If for some insane reason, you want to sell your stuff at this Flea Market you can find more info here.
Laney College Flea Market
7t St & Fallon St
$2 Fee | Sunday Only 7:00am – 4pm
The Laney Flea Market is located in the parking lot of Laney College and is only open on Sundays. There is a $2 fee for half of the flea market and the other half is free. You’re actually more likely to find your stolen bike or tools here on a Sunday so check here first. This is stolen item heaven actually because the managers do nothing at all to combat it. You can find many stories of stolen items recovered here.
As for what to buy here? Pretty much the same junk, knockoffs, bootlegs, generic brands, and stolen goods as the Coliseum Swap Meet. This is not a place to find the goods for resale or collection. I myself lived on 6th Ave a few blocks away and would walk here frequently in my eBay days and pretty much never ever found anything worthwhile. The sellers here overprice the junk, so if it is worth buying, it’s not going to make you a profit.
However, with this place, you may find genuine stolen goods straight out of the store for less than retail prices and the City of Oakland is very aware of the massive stolen goods ring and does nothing about it.
The powers make themselves impossible to contact and there is an extreme lack of communication and organization. Possibly on purpose to aid theft rings.
Berkeley Flea Market Ashby BART
1937 Ashby Ave. Berkeley, CA 94703 | (510) 644-0744
Free | Saturday & Sunday only 9 am to 5 pm
Sorry, gotta include Berkeley on this one. This is actually the smaller of the 3 and sort of the best, but honestly, it does suck these days too. It is now a haven for cheap junk, crappy sunglasses, incense, pocket knives, China knock-off imports and even yes, you guessed it stolen bikes. There is a big African influence here so you may find some cultural goods but in my opinion, it looks like a lot of flood-salvaged items from hurricane Katrina. You’ll know what I mean when you find these junk slangers. But there are some random overpriced treasures in the mix.
This one is located in the Ashby BART parking lot which makes it a little bit better because it’s so easy to get to. And there is always a massive drum circle going on, the groove is nice and soothing most of the time. This flea market, believe it or not, may be the ghettoist of them all because there is no controlled access or fee and there are occasional thugs and drug dealers trying to get rid of stolen bikes in the back half. You’ll know what I mean when you find yourself walking down that alley.
Alameda Point Antique Fair & Auctions
2900 Navy Way Alameda, CA 94501 | (510) 522-7500
FIRST Sunday every month ONLY 6am – 3pm
Time scale admission:
$20 6am-7:30am
$15 7:30am-9am
$10 9am-12pm
$5 12pm-3pm
This is the honestly only thing worth going to out of all of them. It is only hosted once a month on the Alameda Naval Air Station and it does have an entry fee. But instead of a janky stolen goods and imported knockoffs, you find real-deal entrenched antique dealers full of treasures from the past. But these guys are no noobs, many of them own brick and mortar storefronts in other cities and travel far and wide for this monthly extravagant bazaar, so they will charge you an arm and a leg because this is how they make a living.
I highly recommend going here to browse even if you do not plan on buying anything. It’s fun to walk around and just look and it’s very big.
I myself used to go every month and did indeed find things to resell for profit on eBay and Craigslist. You just gotta know your market and how to advertise to it to make a profit.
Do check out their website for more info.
The same group that throws this massive exposition also hosts frequent real-time estate auctions. This is where you find the real deals and it’s fun because you get to hold up a paddle and take place in real-time bidding against other people.
View our list of Oakland Farmers Markets.
mercedes macco says
How can I get the number to talk to that Laney flea market manager?
Reggie says
Highly offended by racist comments about the Berkeley Flea Market. I am a vendor and I sell at all of the local markets. I also buy at all of the markets. All of the markets are slow for buying and selling. This is not caused by an African influence, but by an influx of a younger European influence throughout the Bay Area. However, if you know what you are doing, you can find amazing treasures at any of the markets. Thanks, Reggie.
OaklandMofo says
Hi Reggie!
Thanks for your comment. Just kidding. Kick rocks.
Pointing out that a lot of the stuff is salvaged overpriced junk(it is what it is) is simply a statement of truth and fact. Nothing more.
But I know your type very well and your backward thoughts bringing up “younger European influence” is pure gold. What does that have anything to do do with flood-damaged goods? Pot kettle, something or other.
I’m simply stating what is there and still recommend this as being maybe the best to score a good find.
Samantha Edwards says
Hi Reggie,
I’ve re-read the article a couple of times now.
I see no mention of African influence “causing” anything. But rather, only a statement regarding African influence at the Berkeley flea which may make for finding “some cultural goods”.
Your reading comprehension is not up to par, buddy.
Additionally, you sound angry, for no reason. Ease up man!
OaklandMofo says
Thanks Samantha.
Oh you would not believe how many racist comments I get that I can not approve.
Very racist angry locals.
People are just racist in Oakland. Sad.
Not the “European” ones either.
Alisha says
I think you are both missing the point. Gentrification is real in Oakland and many of it’s LONG-TIME residence are being PRICED out and having to leave a city they love. Now that “European’s” are moving into Oakland African American’s and other minorities have to move out. Don’t make light of what you don’t understand. There might be some sensitivity to what you say so just understand and educate yourself to WHY someone might be sensitive. What are you doing to help African American’s stay in their city?
OaklandMofo says
“their city”?
No one owns Oakland or is entitled to staying anywhere. You work for your home.
I myself was born and raised in Oakland and so was my mother.
I was pushed out by “gentrification“, which is BS.
It was just a greedy landlord who bought the building for profit and wanted me out so he could charge double.
That is all gentrification is, capitalist greed. It is not a race thing. You only have your local leaders to blame for letting the Bay Area fall so far behind in the new housing market.
You only have your local leaders to blame for allowing hundreds of thousands of illegals to flood the city taking over all of the housing and making the rent prices sky-rocket.
Get real.
You know what I did? Instead of crying about it? I moved to a better and cheaper city. Portland. Then the same thing happened there and I now live in Las Vegas. Adapt.
Looking back on it, I am happy I was forced out of Oakland because I am exploring and realizing I loved Oakland because it was all that I knew. Now that I know more, Oakland is kind of a super shitty city. It’s the honest reality.
Emanuel L Ward says
Whether what you say is true or not, they are unprofessional and not worth supporting. The Bay is all about petty crime. But be patient, the Bay will be great again once they turn these cities into prisons.