Antique Shopping in Los Angeles

I’ve always loved shopping for antiques, but now that we have a car and a house to furnish, it’s become an even bigger part of my life. Every Sunday I can be found at one of the flea markets around LA and whenever we travel, I’m making lots of stops to hunt for treasures. I love digging through places and finding unique pieces. It’s so fun to have a home filled with memorable, collected pieces than to quickly furnish a space.

I have found so many great pieces around LA and am always getting asked where I like to shop, so here is a little guide to my favorite places. It’s by no means an exhaustive list as I am still finding new spots all the time…

LOS ANGELES

When looking for antique and vintage pieces, going to shops often is key. It helps you get more familiar with what they carry, and you can also take notes of when they get new pieces in. I try to stop by my local shops every week.

— Wertz Brothers—This is my favorite local spot because they carry so many different styles and they have great prices. You’re bound to find something each visit! This is where I found our bamboo side table and our large cabinet / hutch.
— The Mart Collective—I stop here frequently as they are always getting new pieces in. A good mix of furniture and little things, like ceramics, books, lamps. Prices are hit or miss.
— Pepe’s Thrifty Shop—A fun little shop on Centinela. Follow on Instagram to see their new pieces which arrive daily. This is where I got our antique sewing table that we use in our entryway.
— Panoplie—I love to come here for inspiration—they have the most beautiful collection of vintage and antique pieces from France and Italy.
— Goodwill and Council Thrift Shops—Never underestimate these local shops! I have found some good things in them as well.

flea markets

The flea markets were what I was most excited for when we moved to LA. There is one every Sunday and I love getting up early (often before sunrise!) and browsing for hours.

— Santa Monica Antique Market—Every 1st and 4th Sunday. I always stop by this flea because it’s not too far from our house. It can be very hit or miss but is not competitive like the others, so it’s a nice “starter” market to practice at.
— Long Beach Antique Market—Every 3rd Sunday. By far my favorite flea! The vendors have such variety of styles and the prices are outstanding. A must visit if you’re in town for it!
— Rose Bowl Flea Market—Every 2nd Sunday. The most famous of the fleas. I have gone a couple of times and while I always find something, it’s not my favorite. It’s really big so make sure to plan your visit ahead of time based on what you might be looking for. They group vendors together based on what they are selling.

pasadena

I so wish I made it over to Pasadena more often—not only are the houses gorgeous and remind me of the east coast, they have a really interesting antique scene that feels different than the rest of LA. There are a ton of places to check out along Fair Oaks Avenue, so you can easily make a whole day out of it.

— Pasadena Antiques Center—Prepare to spend a few hours here! It’s a maze of a place filled with tons of vendors. Lots of great finds. It’s where I found our Murano glass sconce pictured below.
— T.L. Gurley Antiques—Such a unique store filled with the most interesting pieces. Definitely worth a stop in!
— Huntington Collection Thrift Shop—This shop is associated with Huntington Hospital and has a great selection of thrifted home pieces. Great prices too!

santa barbara & montecito

I love doing a day trip (or weekend trip) up to Montecito and Santa Barbara! It’s gorgeous to drive along the coast and stop at places along the way. I always make a stop in Summerland and Montecito on my way to Santa Barbara.

— Summerland Antiques Collective—A collection of a bunch of antiques vendors. Really great finds here, but they can be a bit pricey.
— William Laman—A beautifully curated shop (arguably one of my favorite shops I’ve ever been to!) with a mix of antiques and new pieces. The way they pair things together is always so inspiring.
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TIPS

— Bring a tape measure! Some places have them, but it’s always best to bring your own so you can make sure a piece will fit in your home (and car!).
— Plan ahead. Antiques shops are notorious for having sporadic operating hours so be sure to do your research and make sure they are open when you’re planning on visiting.
— It’s definitely helpful to keep a running list of items you are looking for, but I also try to remain open to anything. You never know what you might fall in love with!
— Estate Sales—I also love to check out estate sales on the weekend when I can. This app is amazing for looking them up ahead of time and seeing photos so you can decide if you want to go or not.