Long before LA was flooded with farmers markets, there was THE farmers market. Once a dusty lot of produce-laden pickup trucks, the 1934 landmark is now packed with over 100 stalls peddling fresh produce, cheeses, roasted nuts, and ready-to-eat bites from around the globe. It's a fun, family-friendly place to browse, people watch, and graze. One of our favorite vendors is 1946 veteran Patsy D’Amore’s Pizza, once frequented by Rat Pack icons Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.

Every month, rain or shine, since the 1960s, the Rose Bowl football field has hosted the "Flea Market of the Stars," with rummaging hordes seeking the next great treasure. Over 2,500 vendors and some 20,000 buyers converge here. It’s always a great time, and you can enjoy street-fair-style refreshments such as burgers, dogs, fries, sausages, sushi, even cocktails.

You haven’t really experienced Santa Monica until you’ve explored one of its outdoor farmers markets. The Wednesday market, around the intersection of 3rd and Arizona, is the biggest and arguably the best for fresh produce, and is often patrolled by leading local chefs. The Sunday morning market on Main Street has more of a community scene, with live music and stalls serving up tamales. Just hand your bicycle to the valet (um, yes, we know, but it is free) and relax with the locals on the lawn.

Here you’ll find threads, jewelry, housewares, crafts, and other offbeat items proffered by more than 100 purveyors. It’s held in the Fairfax High parking lot and proceeds help fund school programs.

Bargains abound at this sprawling market with more than 800 stalls hawking everything from vintage postcards to pottery, fur to furniture near the Long Beach Airport. Serious shoppers can arrive as early as 5:30am with a fee for early admission.

Mar Vista's weekly Sunday farmers market is one of LA's finest. Fill your bags with quality, well-priced local fruit and vegetables, artisan breads and cheeses, raw honey, condiments, and more. If you're feeling peckish, you won't go hungry, with some great ready-to-eat options spanning anything from arepas and banh mi to French crepes.

A Pasadena rummage blooms on the first Sunday of every month, on this decidedly stylish and spare art deco campus. There are about 450 vendors here, with some particularly good vinyl music to be discovered. Proceeds help fund scholarships and student activities.