Guest blogger Marla Felcher
Treasure Island is an artificial island in the San Francisco Bay, built with landfill for the 1939 World’s Fair. Since then, it has been used as an airport for Pan Am Airlines for its flying boats, a departure point in WWII for Navy sailors in the Pacific, and as film sets for dozens of films, including Indiana Jones and The Caine Mutiny. Treasure Island has perhaps the most spectacular views in the Bay Area (an area with lots of competition!): From the island, you see the majestic Bay Bridge to the left, the San Francisco skyline straight ahead, and the Golden Gate Bridge to the right. Hundreds of sailboats glide across the water as far as the eye can see. It’s hard to imagine a more stunning setting for a flea market! This year, the Treasure Island flea market celebrates its first anniversary.
A jig of bliss at the Treasure Island Flea Market
Sculptor Marco Cochrane made this magnificent lady for Burning Man. She greets and stands watch over all Flea Market activities.
The Treasure Island flea market is described by its creators as offering handmade goods of local entrepreneurs. While an occasional craftsperson can be spotted — one selling wooden neckties, another selling handmade jewelry — most of the flea market real estate is occupied by vendors selling what most would refer to as kitsch.
The market proudly advertises itself as “dog friendly,” a welcome policy for most San Franciscans. (Dogs are not allowed at farmers’ markets.) Well-outfitted dogs travel through the market like royalty in dog-sized strollers. No worries at this kind of flea market.
No scratching, all smiles
A dozen or so food trucks keep flea market shoppers (and their dogs) happy, serving up a wide range of the local, creative food that San Francisco is known for – everything from from fish tacos, blue cheese steaks, ajou pear salad, to masala noodles. No warmed over old hot dogs here!
No wonder Cochrane’s Bliss Dance sculpture presides over a market that many consider the coolest in all of San Francisco.
Related links:
Fresh and Local in Berkeley, California
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market (San Fran)
Alameda Antiques Faire (Alameda, CA)
3 comments. Leave new
Went here the other day, so much more relaxed than the alameda flea market.
Great post! I didn’t know that Treasure Island had a flea market – yet another good reason to live in the Bay Area. And the photos tell the whole story (stunning weather and all).
I enjoyed your story and can rtlaee so much! Luckily my hub loves flea markets, but I always hear it from our 4 kids. They have had it with all my thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, and swap meets. They groan as I take an unexpected turn after seeing a bright orange sign. They actually chant No more garage sales at me. I actually don’t ever want to bring them to the Rose Bowl again, as I lose my mind when I see all the rows of goodness,and lose the ability to be a good mom and keep track of all my babies!! Loved your writing!!Kristin