San Jose Flea Market

San Jose has been hosting this four-day-a-week market for more than 55 years, which encompasses a swap meet, mini-fair and farmers’ market. The SJFM is a particular hit with kids: The grounds contain a vintage carousel, a playground, an arcade, pony rides and a mini Ferris wheel. The wares include comics, toys, tools, jewelry, clothes, housewares, flowers and more—including a sizeable selection of Mexican and Peruvian imports. The busiest day to go is on Saturday, when the most vendors turn out and bands play live in the afternoon. The year-round market is often combined with annual events, like a popular chili cook-off. For serious deals (and the weirdest finds), check out sell-for-free Saturdays, a semi-monthly occurrence when anyone who shows up between 5:30am and 9am can try to unload their stuff.