Alameda Point Antiques Faire
When: Every first Sunday of the month.
The Alameda Faire is the holy grail of local—and perhaps national—flea markets, boasting more than 800 vendors and thousands of treasure-hunting shoppers that line up as early as 6 a.m. just to get inside. Vendors can only sell merchandise that is at least 20 years or older, which means shoppers won't find the same piles of new-ish wares that are common at Alemany. Just remember to pack your walking shoes (the journey from the parking lot to the market can take 30 minutes!) and your endurance; The market is so big (and sometimes overwhelming), that visitors can easily make an entire day out of poking around without ever discovering half of the vendors. Also, be prepared to find a mix of bargains and antique-store prices. And if you’re looking to buy something big (i.e., furniture), make sure you have a roomy vehicle to bring it home with that very same day.
Recent Alameda Scores: ‘20s velvet blouse ($20), ‘40s floral parasol ($15), ‘50s valentines ($1 for 3).

Photos: Ashley Ording