Since it was our first time, we really didn't know what to expect. We got there at 8:00 and there wasn't much of a crowd yet. We got a good parking place in the "free parking" area. There is also a "Preferred parking" area where you have to pay. There are different admission charges depending on what time you want to enter: express admission is $10 for entering at 8:00am or you can wait until 9 and pay only $8. My advice is to pay the $10 and start at 8. You can beat the crowd and find the best bargains that way.
The market has an area for new items and an area for antique and used items. We were only interested in buying antiques and we were quickly overwhelmed with an unbelievable selection of items from row after row of vendors that seemed to go on forever. The first item I bought was a 1950's Grundig tube radio for $30. It was in very good shape and the vendor told me it worked but there was no electrical outlet to test it so I gambled and bought it anyway. (It does work and sounds great.) Valerie bought some salt and pepper shakers and then quickly snatched up some Blakely iced tea tumblers and vintage ceramic chickens for a decent price.
Over the next 4 hours we wandered up and down the aisles looking at things such as mid-century furniture, vintage clothing (there are tons of that and it sells like hotcakes), art pottery, dishes, old typewriters, antique advertising items, military stuff... you name it, it was there. One vendor was selling old movie posters and he had hundreds of them. There was a large Easy Rider poster on display with a price of $300. Another booth was selling 1950's girlie calendars from local Southern California businesses. The funniest thing I saw was a life size wax figure of Indiana Jones which was done so poorly that the only way I recognized him was his hat and the whip in his hand.
We found some great stuff but not everything was a bargain and not all the vendors were willing to negotiate. Valerie had her eye on a 1950's kitchen canister set but the price was $160 and the dealer was only willing to go down to $140. I spotted a beautiful red Zenith tube radio which I would've gladly shelled out $50 for but the firm price was $150. A great price for a collector but not for a dealer like me. Besides the Grundig, I also bought a couple of old telephones and 2 cameras. My best bargain of the day was a McCoy cookie jar in the shape of a cast iron stove for $8. Valerie made some good deals on glass items.
After 4 hours, we were ready to go. Although it was October, it was over 90 degrees and we were tired from all the walking. I don't believe there is any way you can see everything in one day. The amount of stuff was mind boggling.We will definitely be back in the future.
If you should ever go, here's some free advice: bring sunscreen and some kind of container on wheels to carry your stuff. Also, bring your own bottled water or be prepared to pay $4 for a bottle. Get there early and wear comfortable shoes.
