MY FAVORITE RESOURCE OF ALL RESOURCES: The Alameda Flea Market For those of you who love a good flea market, this is the mother of all of them. It’s HUGE. But probably not the secret spot you were hoping for. But it’s still quite grand. And it happens the First Sunday of every doggone month. So, for this Sunday, bless your little hearts, put down the prayer books and get your sleepy heads up early for some good old fashioned bargain seeking. This place has got everything, and some pretty good churros and kettle corn to snack on while you’re at it. First tip: dress in layers – it’s either really, really damp and cold, or super hot and sunny and sometimes both and sometimes somewhere in-between. Prepare like the good scout you know you are. Second tip: comfy shoes. As I said…it’s HUGE. Tip three: don’t feel guilty if you can’t hack the whole nine yards the first time out. Pace yourself. Start slow and build up to every aisle. Some prefer (as in moi) to start at the back and work forwards. Remember to either bring a small rolling shopping cart for the small items on your quest; and when purchasing a larger item, leave it with the vendor until you’re done – just remember to take down their stall #, otherwise you could forget where you left the mannequin with one green and one blue eye. It has happened. To me. They have large carts on loan for you to go back and fetch all your findings, and, you can pull your car up to their loading area while you get your stuff. NOTE: Be sure and get your hand stamped before fetching the car so you can get back in.

I also have a pretty good theory that will help out all you late sleepers…I think you can also get a good bargain at the tail end of the day, when the vendors are just too pooped and don’t feel like packing up that big ‘ol thing you desperately MUST HAVE. Also, the later you arrive the cheaper the entrance fee:

9a – 3p $5.00
7:30a – 9a $10.00
6a – 7:30a $15.00
HOURS: 6AM – 3PM

Shop on, friends…shop on (and remember…it’s all recycled!).