Berkeley Flea Market

Don’t think I’ll be coming back. The market starts at 7am and although I arrived at noon on a Saturday, about half of the booths were not there and there were vendors that had just arrived and were not yet set up. Highlights for me were the beautiful African beads and handcrafted jewelry, friendly vendors, and great Mexican and Caribbean food. There is also a vendor selling ginger juice: delicious. Hot or cold, I highly recommend it.

Opens 7am arrived sun am at 9am no one unpacked yet.
Really dissapointed so we went to treasure island flea!

I find it sort of offensive some people from out of town give this flea 1 star because they seem to be afraid of minorities. I know… Concord and San Ramon don’t have as many, but try to calm yourself and review fairly.
Since I am not afraid of people of other races I will offer a fair review. I give this three stars because it is quite small for starters. There are 3 moderate length rows and the stalls are very specialized. For example, one sells books on African American history, one sells phone cases. the other sells soap. So you see you have to go with a very particular need. I go there to buy Chinese Ant Chalk and food from the trucks and sometimes body soap. It’s not really a meandering type of flea market. The same vendors show up every week so you don’t really need to go there all the time. I will agree the whole first row (including the bicycles) come from questionable origins. Either stolen or it reminds me of the nicer stuff people collect out of my garbage bin/​sidewalk in my neighborhood. The second part of my experience is getting food. They don’t have an amazing food selection, but you can find generic taco truck (Borderline horrible), African food (Fairly good), hot dogs (As expected) and I think some fried asian food I haven’t tried.
I’ll still come by when I need something, but it isn’t my idea of a perfect lazy Sunday afternoon.

This smaller flea market features about several rows of this and that for you to check out and a few good eateries as well. Since my dad pretty much raised me in a flea market and considers them the holyland we were required to journey to every single weekend, I’ve seen the evolution of this over a pretty decent span. A few things that haven’t changed are the drums (which I can definitely appreciate), the taco truck that features a damn fine breakfast burrito (a staple of any good flea market experience, if you ask my father), the availability of incense on pretty much every aisle and the prominence of fake Jordan’s. The number of vendors has definitely dwindled down and of course – like everything in life – prices have gone up, but I still like to stop by once in a while for a quick stroll and the $ 1 book dude in the second to last row. He’s pretty consistent and offers a huge selection of books at ridic low prices. It’s actually spoiled me to the point that when other vendors have a book I want for $ 5 I want to wince. Have they no mercy?
Anyway, there’s also some other pretty consistent vendors, like the nut, candy and dried fruit guy that used to sell this tropical mix my sister and I loved but is no longer hawking it. He said the company he bought it from doesn’t have it anymore but I’m pretty sure he’s just saving it all for himself. There’s plenty of handmade soap ladies, sunglass booths, a few Tibetan spots and of course just regular ol’ randoms who just need to get rid of their stuff. It’s an eclectic mix.
Not to be one-​upped by the taco truck, the food trucks here now come in an eclectic mix of flavors, too; ranging from funnel cakes to African food, you can find a lot of interesting eats here as well.
Stop by if you’d like a little bit of flea market experience without the crowds, as it’s more of a stroll than a speedy walk by comparison.

Wow! Some of the reviews I read were stated as facts but were just nasty opinions. Berkeley flea market like others has it’s share of culture, fair prices and scammers. You can find that at the San Jose Flea Market, Alemany in SF and Treasure Island but you can also find unique companies, honest businesses, and just creative people. The statement that most of the items are probably stolen is such profiling nonsense. Any flea market can and will have stolen goods even if it’s knock-​offs which are stolen names of brands on non brand items. But look for the good and you will find it. Of course people are looking at the parking lot from the upper deck. That’s where I would stand too if I didn’t want to be in the crowd for a moment or just wanted to view the scene. If you are broke some things may be too pricey, if you’re rich you might think they are too cheap. It’s a matter of opinion. But I did see a fake amber necklace for $ 200.00. Be wise wherever you shop and take the good and leave the bad.

Great fun. Music was great. Food at Daniels was a great surprise we will be back and we will tell friends. Must do. Saturday and Sunday. Lots of people. Ride in on Bart and stroll thru

This will always be my favorite fleamarket. The crafts the culture The positive energy is a reason to come on it’s own. There weren’t a lot of vendors out this morning but the ones that were here are the diehards that have been here since the early 90s. Taste of Africa, The Caribbean food cart were the only meals I used to eat on Saturdays. I finally got smart and also bought for Sunday! This is the only place I’ve ever found that sells natures blessing… For those of you who know what it is it’s still only five dollars a bottle!

There is a man in space 551 that sells real nice items for both everyday use like heaters, toys and DVD plays and other stuff to bikes, bird cages, fishing poles, tents and much more. He collects from other people then brings them to the flea market. I think his name is Derek. prices are reasonable and he also delivers local. I bought a table and chairs and he delivered by the end of the day.
I’ve always liked the flea market The people both vendors and buyers seem to have a very soulful community. I LOVE IT!!!

Weird. Lots of knock off African stuff, and an eclectic mix of very Berkeley hippy stuff. There’s the usual flea market junk too, but because of the former it’s a bit hard to call it a flea market at all.
At least there’s easy parking at the BART station. However, for a proper East Bay flea market experience, you want to go to Solano Drive In in Concord, or Laney College in Oakland.

1^st… get me the f*ck out of here. 2^nd… get me the f*ck out of here. 3^rd… get me the f*ck out of here.
No way in hell will I EVER come back to this place and I LOVE flea markets. From the creepy parking lot stalkers watching you park and walk away from your car from the street above, to the vendors smoking their crack/​weed/​heroin, to the group of gang bangers chillin under the shady tree. Yikes… made a wrong turn somewhere.
Peace.

. If you’re interested in going to a flea market please stay away this place is absolutely horrible completely unsafe and all the people that are selling their goods looks like they’ve stolen it do yourself a favor and don’t come here ps I was made to give one star this place deserves minus 5 stars

The drumming and live music was such a treat to experience and always grabs my attention as I come by this area. I finally stopped by with a group of gal pals and we perused the market. Obviously bring cash! I do know that a few of the merchants do accept card, but why even hassle. let’s be smart and efficient people. I’d say you would want to bring at least $ 40 so you have some cash for food and a few trinkets now-​and-​then. It was smaller than I thought but the items offered were pretty amazing. As this was the end of our trip we weren’t carrying much extra $ but I’d stop by again just for the unique snacks! Nothing I would go majorly out of my way for though.

«I love the drums»
«Drummers playing near the BART station while you shop add to the atmosphere.»
«The drumming is fun to listen to.»
If you agree with or state any of these preceding statements, I believe that it is quite possible you need neurological surgery. A few seconds is all you need to feel like you’re going insane. If the drummers actually had any concept of rhythm or musical skill I wouldn’t feel like I’m in a public zoo or insane asylum. A big nasty breeding hole of racism and homophobia sitting right outside the dirty and uncared for Ashby BART station.
Unless you’re homeless or in need of some weed, don’t come here. Feels like I’m walking through a live production of Heart of Darkness. The stares coming from Idi Amin selling the seventh different incense and Rafiki headware stand makes me want to vomit. This place should be shut down, but of course, hipsters will call it vintage and progressive despite not being able to step two feet in this dump.

The drumming is fun to listen to. Bring your own drum and feel free to join in. You can also jump in the middle of the circle of drums and dance!
There are a variety of wares sold at this market, including natural body pampering items, music, jewelry, perfume, food, and clothing. Some of the vendors are willing to bargain and will give you a marked down price… especially close to closing.
This market is conveniently located right outside of the Ashby BART station and there is parking in the BART parking lot and nearby in the neighborhood.

Pretty good deals all around.
Drummers playing near the BART station while you shop add to the atmosphere.
You can even get a massage while you’re here

This flea market is one that exudes better quality of stuff and more cultural items such as Carribean, African, East Indian and Asian art, clothing and jewelry. You can find knock off items here too such as purses, belts, clothing and hats. There even people here trying to sell their music. They sell a good amount of food here too. I saw a nice variety of exotic jewelry (beads, feathers, shells). If you’re in the mood, you can poke around here and find some unique pieces. This might not be the most enjoyable flea market to walk around in with your gf’s though. There are a lot of guys who seem to be on the prowl for their next prey. I could see their eyes on me in my peripheral vision as I held onto my bf through the whole walk through. I noticed a group of thuggish guys in a corner of the market playing games and drinking 40’s out of paper bags. Nothing but class.

Your standard flea market. Lots of people selling their old junk, as well as vendors selling really cheaply made trinkets. Don’t come expecting a hipster heaven, and you’ll have a good time. It’s definitely not tailored for college students, and I was one of the few ones there.
I dug around and found 5 bracelets for $ 1 and a couple thrifted things that were pretty cool for really cheap, but that was it. The people are pretty friendly if you’re nice to them, and everyone was willing to barter, so make sure you ask for a cheaper price.

I check it out every once in a while, it is hit & miss as far as what I can find. I always go here for incense & there are lots of vendors with homemade organic goods. I usually go home with $ 1 earrings & $ 5 dresses (from rack.) If you are willing to DIG you can find some designer items on the cheap. My recent Best Finds-​Brand New BCBGirls wedge sandals for $ 5 and a $ 300+ (pre-​owned) Diane Von Furstenberg dress for 20
I do get constantly pestered by men, particularly ones who have had too much to drink & they think they are doing me a service by «escorting me safely» through the lot. There is security on hand but I’ve never felt the need to bring anyone in. It’s not too out of hand, just annoying.
My friend gets his bootlegs here (& there are more than 1 bootleg vendors lol).even bootleg porn if that’s your thing (haha.) Lots of dollar store like junk and cheap electronics from China @ nearly 10x the price as on ebay. There are quite a few shady vendors (the stolen bikes etc.) but there are also some Good, Local people and small business owners that could use the support.

Great place to come and see all of your friends’ stolen bikes for sale!
I grew up in Berkeley. This is not a flea market or a swap meet.
It’s not even a yard sale…
It’s a racial clichés at it’s worst.
If you want incense or body oils– look for a black person
If you want cheap socks, Dora the Explorer crap for you kid, a laundry detergent you can’t pronounce or fruit with chile on it — look for somebody possibly Spanish speaking
If you want weird comics, cassette tapes, useless junk from their moms basement, and other things that serve no purpose look for the white people.
Apparently people like the drum circle? What a group of unfriendly people.
If you like being «hollered» at and then being called a stuck up b***h for ignoring it go here.
In 20 years of being in the Bay Area I have NEVER found anything here that served any real purpose.

Ashby Flea Market: Also known as the Stolen Goods Market, also known as A Place You Shouldn’t Patronize, because you’re just fueling the demand for break-​ins (which, according to once recent conversation with Berkeley PD, is up to ~9 a night.)
Of course, there are some nice communities gathered there– drum circles, shamans, food truck vendors– but you can bet that the laptops, cameras, phones, monitors & stereos that are being unloaded from the back of a white van are not salvaged from eBay.
An acquaintance of mine was doing some work on a house one weekend, and he went inside for a few minutes to grab some water. When he came back out, all his tools were gone. The upside of the story is that he promptly walked on over to the flea market, located his stolen tools, and threatened some major injury if the tools weren’t returned pronto. The seller just pushed the tools back to him, without comment or protest.