De Anza Flea Market

 

2

15

Amber L.

San Jose, CA

Three stars for delicious Churro goodness and Hawaiian Shaved Ice.

Minus two stars for the nasty Asian lady whose jewelry I had been perusing, making an angry sound at me and then wiping off her crappy, knockoff pearl brooch as if I was diseased (no, I wasn't eating or drinking around her stall, I only touched it to get a glimpse of the price) or filthy.

This flea market USED to be awesome.  Now, it's a lot smaller, and a LOT crappier.

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Elite '08

31

231

Mabelle A.

San Bruno, CA

On the first Saturday of every month there is a Swap Meet held at De Anza College.  There are hundreds of dealers/booths there at the Outdoor Market.  Some are professional dealers selling new stuff at discounted prices and others are random people selling a bunch of crap.  We were one of the latter.  A couple friends have done this before where they do some spring cleaning of sorts and sell their gently used items at bargain prices to the public.  I decided to join them this time around selling things from clothes to shoes, to picture frames, kitchen stuff, small electronics and other random items that have found themselves of no use in house except to collect dust and take up space.  I ended up making a nice chunk of change and got rid a lot stuff that we didn't need anymore.

I was amazed at the things that people would buy and also not surprised by the people who were relentless on trying to bargain down on the already super cheap prices.  Thanks to everyone who bought something.  But no thanks to those lame people who decided to walk off with things - we didn't catch you in the act, but we know that you did and know that karma will find you.  I still came home with a bunch of stuff, but it's already organized and ready for donating.  Collectively we sold a lot as a group and we didn't spend more than we made.  It was a great incentive to really do some thorough spring cleaning.  

Thanks to C & K for hyper organizing us and preparing us for the day!

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49

230

Dixon T.

San Francisco, CA

This is a fairly typical flea market, the prices on most things were average and the selection was pretty good.

They offer on site parking, but charge $5. That isn't too bad, but I still feel bad for those living around the school. People who go to swap meets, garage sales, flea markets, etc are generally cheap, and they don't want to pay for parking if they don't have to. So of course all day long, you can watch these cheap people, take up all the available parking in the surrounding neighborhood and then pour into the free flea market.

Come on people, the flea market is free,,, you can bring the entire family and only pay $5 for parking. Yet, you park 10 blocks deep into the neighborhood across the street, making it impossible for little Timmy, who's birthday sadly happened to fall on the first Saturday of the month, to be able to have any of this friends and family park anywhere near his home....

Though, I can't completely blame you, because it seems that those who do pay the $5 are doing so because they are completely devoid of parking skills. I counted 27 cars parked so terrible, that they took up at least 2, if not 3 parking spots. I don't know if they felt they needed to  really get their $5 worth, or if people just don't know how to park around there, but it was astonishing!

Lastly, there is some racket going on here with toys. There were several stalls selling toys at "collectible" prices. Now, of course I know that this kind of scalping happens, I'm sure they went Wednesday morning to the Target across the street, bought all of the shortpacks, and then turn around and charged you four times that, because they beat you to it. That sucks, but that is how the game is played.

What sucks more, is that this has rubbed off of on the crazy granny who is selling scuffed and broken Happy Meal toys. I actually saw a teenager pick up, what looked like a batman that had been mauled by a dog. Amused, he turned and asked the woman how much she wanted for it. I was expecting 25cents (and that's pushing it), only to hear $2.

WHAT?!?!?! Even in pristine condition, it isn't worth the 25cent I was thinking. UGH

Hmm this got long... so to sum it up, go to the De Anza Flea Market, give the neighbors a break and chip in for parking, take only one parking spot, buy your household goods, socks, used clothing, and churros, but just stay away from the toys.

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6

128

Martin D.

San Jose, CA

I once bought a skeleton pipe from three shrouded Peruvian types when I was fourteen. The concept of this shady bunch applying for a permit is beyond funny. More recently the flea market has experienced a dip in the more, shall we say, 'esoteric' vendor community but it's still a nice way to spend hungover on a Saturday morning.

Though it's mostly full of common haberdasheries, selling white socks in bulk and dated Oil of Olay products, you can occasionally stumble upon gold, like the guy selling multiple crates full of  Slavic flute tunes and Nina Simone rarities, all for a dollar each.

Stay away from the knishes though. My aunt Jonie makes the killer knish, and lemme tell you, a stellar Hasidic knish this certainly ain't.

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Elite '08

36

350

Amy O.

Santa Clara, CA

I've been coming here twice a year for 20 years. Okay, maybe some years not at all, but yah, trying to get my point across that this place rocks. Remember...it's only the first Saturday of every month.

Significantly smaller than the olden days when I came here to find Garbage Pail Kids, Stickers, Charms, and other awesome things for 10 year olds. I am positive that it is half the size that it used to be in, could be because I am taller now and my perspective is more on point, but I know there was a whole other parking lot of goodies back in the day.

But, now, it's like a big garage sale mixed in with Avon sellers. Oh, and if you like Tupperware or brand new razors, this is the place to get it. I think these people are buying stuff out the backdoor of Safeway or something, because brand new razors? Shampoo? Bull Frog Sunblock? All that runs for at least $10+ in stores, but brand new, totally packaged...De Anza flea market has it. Your price $5. That's half off baby!

You know you need some screw drivers, or an asian lady visor (you know the ones that look like they are used for welding), sun glasses, old tin signs that are actually new.

Prepare to pay for parking. Just have cash on you when you show, and if you run out, there's a Wells Fargo ATM on campus. Oops...and it is clean, nice and clean. No one is selling vegetables here either. This isn't a flea market/food market/farmer's market. This is a real deal Flea Market hosted by De Anza college.

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6

176

Anna S.

San Jose, CA

this is my fav. flea market in the south bay. the east bay has funkier stuff, but for practical purchases, the deanza market is useful. there is a pretty decent mix of your full-time retail vendors, antique-selling part-time peeps, some people doing some garage-saley stuff, people selling overstock books and beauty products, home-made soaps, etc.

we got a wok for a dollar last weekend. my fav guy is this grizzled, thin, mountain man type, who just lays out boxes of stuff all haphazardly. he has a lot of dishes, random collectibles. i got a free taxidermied frog from him because the arms (attached to a little wooden guitar) had broken off and were in an entirely separate box.

i never park in the garage. its practically the same distance to park in the old whole foods parking lot (across the street from the new one) and walk. bring a water bottle and a bag or a cart to carry your treasures.

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Elite '08

67

398

Maryanne R.

Cupertino, CA

I'm not really a flea market person, so I don't know if this IS a 5-star flea market, but I liked it a lot, so I'm going to give it 5 stars anyway.

I probably make it out to the De Anza flea market 4 or 5 times a year.  My 8-year-old marks it on the calendar every month and if we are free, we go.  He loves to visit "Uncle Dan" the Lego man and some other booth that sells Star Wars toys.  I like to look for gently used kids books and videos about fire trucks and street cleaners for my 3-year-old.

We went a little wild at this month's flea market and I think I spent more money than I ever have at a flea market.  It's my son's birthday this week, so I splurged and bought him the $30 LEGO Star Wars character he's been wanting for about 8 months.  So to all the rest of you who have been eying it too - now you know who the blue guy lives with.  I found a lot of good used kids books, but didn't have much luck with my video search this month.  But I did find a $10 toy guitar for the 3-year-old, who has been playing Arcade Fire songs on it for the past two days.  

For myself, I bought a hairspray cover.  Now, when I left the house in the morning, I had no idea that I needed a hairspray cover, so it's amusing to me now that I couldn't leave the flea market without a hairspray cover.  It's an orange and yellow ceramic owl with a hollow center that's meant to sit over a can of hairspray.  The guy selling them bought some pallets from a San Francisco warehouse that was going to be torn down and he had no idea what was in them until he opened the boxes.  These hairspray covers date back to 1966 and were made by Aquanet and I had to have one.

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Elite '08

146

611

Jane L.

Santa Clara, CA

What is it about October that brought out everyone to the flea market?  Early Christmas shopping?  Or maybe just really nice weather for this time of year.  Parking was crazy, there was room only on the top level of the structure.  I managed to squeeze into the tiniest spot and thought about exiting out through my sunroof, had I been able to close it from outside.  

So...there was a little bit of everything...
-new household supplies ($)
-people's junk (-$)
-vintage jewelry ($$$$)
-costume jewelry ($)
-homemade jewelry ($$)
-plants ($)
-clothes ($,$$)
-makeup ($$)
-food ($)
-books, dvds, cds ($)

I bought these cool handcrafted like flowers on long stems, which I would've missed if I didn't buy a broom from the same guy.  It just shows that each vendor has random things that may be worth your while.  

It kind of sucks that you have to pay for parking especially since it has more of a farmer's market type of vibe and I'm not used to paying for parking in the South Bay.  And the parking structure doesn't have an elevator, so if you have one of those carts with wheels you're going to have to carry it up those stairs.  (or get your SO to get the car.)

Aside from that, I think this flea market is very clean with a lot of variety.  Oh and their portapotty/washing station was one of the cleanest I've ever used.  Default - 5 stars!

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Elite '08

480

377

Walter P.

San Jose, CA

Its been several years since I visited the De Anza Flea Market.   I'm still very much happy with the venue.   No bad reviews after years of missing out the first Saturday of the month.    I finally made time last Saturday (06/02/2007) to take visit and do some alone time shopping (no rush, took my time, browsed freely).

Highlights:
- $5.00 parking at the De Anza parking garage.  Very spacious. No full lots.
- Vintage and used stuff everywhere!  This is the way I like it.   One man's junk is one man's treasure!    I'm still a vinyl collector at heart and I finally found:  UB40's I Got You Babe with Chrissie Hynde for $3.00.  OMG!!!  http://www.youtube.com...
- Pick up a Falafal for lunch.    Homestyle cooked with mama's secret spicy sauce!
- I'm going to keep this market place in mind for all my vintage friends.   We can spend hours and probably the whole day here.    I saw artwork, ceramics, clothing, books, furniture, houseware, and music!!!

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0

4

Sharon Z.

Sunnyvale, CA

The De Anza Flea market is awesome. Great carnival food - greasy churros and  hot dogs in a variety of styles! This is not your ordinary run of the mill flea market either. Vendors are really knowledgeable in their products and are happy to answer questions. Of course , bargains range from $7.00 cashmere scarfs, to a vintage $10.00 typewriter! Some items of course are way over priced like the 2nd hand clothes tagged as vintage selling for over $50.00! Since parking is $5.00, why not park in the nearby shopping centers? Save that 5 bucks for your shopping and the walk will burn off those extra pounds you gained eating the carnival food!

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Elite '08

15

66

Leilani P.

Sunnyvale, CA

This flea market is INFINITELY better than the Berryessa flea market, at least in my opinion. Hubby prefers Berryessa though, since they sell electronics and weapons and we couldn't find either of those at De Anza this weekend.

Let me first say that the people at De Anza really make the difference - both customers and vendors. It seems more family oriented, or at least a different class of families/people than what you find at Berryessa. On the whole De Anza doesn't have that "poverty-esque" feeling that you get from walking around Berryessa. Come on now, its Cupertino vs. East San Jose...does that put it into perspective?

That said, parking was somewhat of a bitch. Only somewhat though, as when we drove up to the third level there was abundant parking all around.  It was a bitch because we had to pass up at least 7 spaces on the way up because people don't know how to PARK BETWEEN THE LINES. Even if I could get my SUV into the space, I wouldn't have been able to open the door to get out. Parking is reminiscent of pier 39 parking. Ugh.

Had a good time overall, found some good vendors - one guy had new and used books for $1 each (I know they were new because they were still in their shrink wrap).

Parking is $5. Four stars for being WAY better than Berryessa!

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11

60

Christina L.

San Jose, CA

went here for the first time last Saturday.  I have to admit I was amazed.  There were a ton of name brand stuff you could get for cheap, or at least half of what it goes for in the stores.  I stocked up on everything and then some...the only bad thing is I also ended up with stuff I didn't need and a sunburn to boot.  

Definitely will have to mark this on my calendar and make another trip out here next month too see what else I can snag for cheap.

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31

181

Juliette T.

Sunnyvale, CA

The De Anza Flea Market is open the first Saturday of every month, and is a good medium-sized flea market (the one in San Jose is too overwhelming for me).  It's got lots of interesting things to look at, both new and old, but the booths with the weird junky mishmash of old Avon perfume bottles and dish sets from the 1960s are my favorite b/c that's where you can find the occasional gem.  I love board games, and found a vintage pressed tin chinese checkers set with drawers in perfect condition.  It was missing some marbles (well, aren't we all), so I used some of the parts from the not-so-perfect set I bought off eBay to make a full game.  I've found lots of things here that, with a little clean-up, look great, and are great alternatives to the stuff you buy at Pottery Barn or Target.  The DAFM also has lots of books, too, and plants for great low prices.  Just stay away from the socks... I bought some for my husband once, and they shrank to the size of baby booties after one wash.  Go ahead and buy those at Macy's or Target!

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