Alameda Antique Fair

   I was able to make a solo getaway for the afternoon yesterday and made my way to the Alameda Point Antiques Faire.  A friend had told me about it after I was ogling at her beautiful home and all of its vintage decor.  There are lots of swap meets and flea markets in the bay area, but this market was the gem I had been searching for.  Oh my.

 

  Since we were up here last week, I wasn't too worried about the drive by myself because the traffic and roadways are not at all like San Francisco.  I also decided to make good use of my time and listen to an audiobook.  I started The 100 Foot Journey after good reviews from a friend.

 

  I didn't really know anything about Alameda until I drove there.  I figured out it was an island when I had to drive into the Webster tube to get there.  Then, as I got lost and drove around I realized it was/is a navy base.  The faire is on old landing strips and are therefore massively large and long.  I really had no idea the scope of this faire.  There were cars as far as the eye could see.  Since I got there in the afternoon, there was plenty of parking closer to the entrance and I didn't have to walk a mile to get there, you think I am exaggerating.  Once I got in, the rows and rows of stalls went on forever.  I didn't know where to start!  I was overwhelmed to say the least.

  I didn't get any close up views of the stalls, I was on a mission!!  The more rows I walked, the more I became familiar with what I was looking for and I was able to relax and not be so overwhelmed with the enormity of this place.  I found some things that I had been looking for and wish I could have bought more.  There was beautiful furniture, vintage jewelery, window frames, old kitchen housewares, wooden crates, old tools, metal baskets, and salvaged décor repurposed.  I needed a big cart, my strong husband, and a deep wallet to walk out of there with all of the stuff I would have loved to decorate our home with.  Alas, I was by myself and so I could only carry so much and Mike warned me before going that the beamer only holds so much.  If only there was a picture of me carrying my stuff, sweating and struggling to get to the car before I dropped it all.  It was a sight.  Note to fair goers:  Wear comfy shoes, not wedges!!  Also, do not wear shirts that you do not want to get snagged or rust stains on from carrying your goods.  I learned my lesson.  :)

 

  When I first got in, I decided to walk the entire faire to get a closer view of the city and the bridge and then work my way back toward the entrance.  I couldn't go any further than this because this area was for the vendor's parking, at the end of this lot is the bay.  Last week we were looking at the bridge from the north and this time I was south of it.

 

  Alongside the parking lots and faire was the Port of Oakland with huge shipping containers and cranes that reminded me so much of home.

  This was such a fun experience.  Even if you are not into vintage things, the location is incredible and the sheer size of this place is something to take in.  I left very happy with my purchases and excited to be able to come back again sometime soon. 

 

Until next time, Alameda!