Long Beach Antique Market

A Monthly Ritual for Vintage Hunters

The Long Beach Antique Market opens before sunrise on the third Sunday of every month. By 5:30 AM, early admission shoppers are already prowling the aisles with flashlights, hunting for that perfect mid-century credenza or rare vintage band tee before the crowds arrive. General admission starts at 6:30 AM, when the morning light filters across 800+ vendor stalls arranged in organized rows across the Veterans Stadium grounds.

This is not a small neighborhood swap meet. The market sprawls across more than 20 acres, and first-time visitors often underestimate just how much ground they’ll cover. Comfortable shoes are mandatory. The grid layout makes navigation straightforward, but you’ll still walk several miles if you plan to see everything. Many regular visitors arrive with rolling carts or wagons, ready to haul home furniture, crates of vinyl records, or stacks of vintage magazines.

What You’ll Find

The market’s 20-year age requirement keeps the inventory genuinely vintage. You’ll find dealers specializing in different eras and categories. One stall might overflow with 1950s Pyrex and Fiestaware. The next could showcase Danish modern furniture or industrial lighting fixtures. Vintage clothing makes up roughly a quarter of the market, from 1940s gabardine trousers to 1980s band tees and designer pieces from every decade in between.

Jewelry vendors display cases of estate pieces, costume jewelry, and fine metals. Collectibles span from baseball cards and comic books to retro toys and advertising ephemera. Art dealers offer everything from oil paintings to vintage posters and photography. Garden statuary, architectural salvage, rugs, textiles, and leather goods all have their dedicated corners.

The vendors themselves range from professional antique dealers who work the Southern California flea market circuit to individual collectors clearing their garages. Many are knowledgeable about their inventory and happy to discuss provenance, condition, and pricing. Cash remains king here, though more vendors now accept digital payments. ATMs are available on-site but charge fees.

Planning Your Visit

The market operates rain or shine, so check the forecast and dress accordingly. Summer visits can get hot by mid-morning. Bring water, wear sunscreen, and consider a hat. The market provides real bathroom facilities, not porta-potties, which makes the experience more comfortable for extended browsing sessions.

Food trucks and concession stands sell breakfast and lunch options. Beer vendors offer cold drinks for those who want to relax between shopping runs. Folding chairs appear near food areas where shoppers take breaks and compare finds.

Prices vary widely depending on vendor, item condition, and how badly they want to sell. Early morning shoppers get first pick but pay full price. Late afternoon browsers (closer to the 2 PM box office closing) often find vendors more willing to negotiate rather than pack items back into trucks.

Making the Most of It

Come with a plan but stay flexible. Know what you’re hunting for, but leave room for unexpected discoveries. Measure your space before buying furniture. Check vintage clothing for condition issues like moth holes or stains. Ask vendors about their return policies (most sales are final).

The market has attracted celebrity shoppers and been featured on HGTV’s “Flea Market Flip.” Interior designers source here for client projects. Film and television prop departments hunt for period-appropriate pieces. But most visitors are everyday people furnishing apartments, building collections, or simply enjoying the hunt.