PCC Flea Market

Charming monthly open-air market with 400+ vendors selling antiques, vintage clothing, and Southern California's largest vinyl record swap.

  • Do
  • Shop

PCC Flea Market Details

Hours
  • First Sunday of every* month, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • (*except January, when it's closed due to the Rose Parade)
Cost
FREE
Official Sites

Overview

Held on the first Sunday of each month across Pasadena City College's parking lots, this free-admission marketplace draws collectors and bargain hunters to browse antiques, mid-century furniture, vintage clothing, and rare vinyl. The record swap section in Parking Structure 4 features 50+ vendors specializing in everything from big band to contemporary releases. All proceeds support PCC student scholarships.

Details

Experiencing PCC Flea Market / Curious LA Field Notes

Quick Take

The PCC Flea Market combines serious collecting with casual browsing. Vinyl enthusiasts travel across Southern California for the dedicated record swap in Parking Structure 4, while others come for the mix of genuine antiques and budget-friendly secondhand goods. The free admission and $2 parking keep it accessible. Your purchases directly fund college scholarships. The market runs every first Sunday except January when the Rose Parade takes over the area.

The Layout

PCC Flea Market spreads across three main areas. The outdoor sections in Lots 1 and 3 line up vendors under the open sky. Parking Structure 4 houses both the famous record swap on the upper levels and additional vendor spaces on the ground floor. You can move between sun and shade depending on weather and energy levels.

Early arrivals at 8am get first pick of the best items. Many vendors start packing up between 1-2pm, so plan to finish browsing by early afternoon. The market runs rain or shine. When weather turns, the covered parking structure becomes the main draw.

What You’ll Find

Antiques range from museum-quality pieces to affordable decorative items. Vendors sell mid-century furniture, vintage jewelry, old postcards, retro sunglasses, and clothing from multiple decades. Some specialize in specific eras or styles. Others offer general vintage household goods.

The variety means you might spot a $10 vase next to a $500 authenticated art deco lamp. Prices reflect this range. Quality vendors know their merchandise and price accordingly. Rummage-sale-style booths offer lower-cost options for casual shoppers.

The Record Swap

Parking Structure 4’s upper levels host what vinyl collectors call one of the best regular record sales in the region. Fifty-plus vendors bring thousands of albums across all genres. You’ll find big band, jazz, rock, hip-hop, electronic, and everything between. Some vendors sell memorabilia, CDs, and DVDs alongside vinyl.

Serious diggers should budget several hours just for the record section. Prices vary by vendor and condition. Many sellers negotiate, especially on multiple purchases. Bring cash for the best deals, though some vendors accept cards.

Practical Shopping

Most vendors prefer cash. Some accept digital payments. ATMs aren’t prominently located on campus, so bring bills. Negotiation is acceptable and expected, particularly when buying multiple items from one vendor.

Comfortable shoes matter. You’ll walk concrete parking lots for hours. Bring water on hot days. Limited food options exist on-site, usually a few food trucks or stands, but availability varies.

Restrooms are available in campus buildings near the market area and in Parking Structure 4. Look for clear signage.

The Bigger Picture

Every dollar spent at the market supports PCC Foundation scholarships. The market has contributed tens of thousands annually toward student needs. Your vintage lamp or stack of records funds someone’s education. The volunteer team running the market includes PCC students working as ambassadors.

The market doesn’t try to compete with the massive Rose Bowl Flea Market held nearby. PCC offers a more manageable size. You can see everything in a few hours rather than needing an entire day. Regulars appreciate this scale.

What Others are Saying

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