Why go: Shop alongside Hollywood costumers and set designers in this vintage-lover's hot spot.
Where the action is: East Fourth St. between Hermosa and Junipero Avenues.
Number of vintage shops: More than a dozen.
1940s–1960s frocks and furniture: Hit the Vintage Collective (2122 E. Fourth; 562/433-8699) for chic threads, mod Danish furniture, and kitschy accessories like '50s cocktail shakers.
'70s-style street party: Roller-skate fashion shows, street musicians, and literary events spice up Fourth Street the last Saturday of each month (free; next event Mar 28; 4thstreetlongbeach.com).
'80s duds: La Bomba (2222 E. Fourth; 562/433-9112) will take you back (think Pat Benatar-style suede boots).
Bargain tip: Visit on the third weekend of the month for Style in the Pile (next event Mar 21–22), when mountains of vintage garments go for $5 or less.
Shopping break: Refuel at Number Nine ($; 2118 E. Fourth; 562/434-2009) with a bowl of Vietnamese noodles and a soju mojito.
3 more hot spots for vintage:
LONG BEACH About 800 vendors pack 20 acres at Veterans Stadium for the Long Beach Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market ($5–$10; 5:30–3 on third Sun of each month, next event Mar 15; 5000 E. Lew Davis St.; longbeachantiquemarket.com). Make a beeline for Olde Good Things for baker’s racks as well as salvaged ceiling tiles and knobs.
PASADENA Legendary for celebrity sightings, the Rose Bowl Flea Market ($8–$20; 5–4:30 on second Sun of each month, next event Mar 8; 1001 Rose Bowl Dr.; rgcshows.com) boasts 2,500 vendors split into sections for vintage clothing, decor, and new wares. Allyn Scura’s collection of unused retro eyeglass frames (like fabulous old Dior shades) is worth a stop.
SANTA MONICA Bring your dog to the Santa Monica Airport Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market ($4–$7; first and fourth Sun of each month, next events Mar 1 and 22; 3050 Airport Ave.; santamonica airportantiquemarket.com). For a ’60s-era glow, seek out Mickey Goldin’s vintage lighting: Wrought-iron, crystal, and brass chandeliers are refurbished from broken parts and rewired.
