Last weekend I ventured to downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena, which I rarely do as a “Westsider” based in Santa Monica. It was a pretty fun adventure in my own city.

First, we checked out Grand Central Market, which is an indoor public market that extends from Hill Street to Broadway at Third Street and has been on my list for some time. The market consists of a mix of greengrocers, butchers, delis, bakers and prepared food vendors. It’s a pretty trendy spot that contributes to the new Downtown lifestyle. We indulged in some fresh ceviche and fish tacos at La Tostaderia.

Afterwards we strolled over to The Last Bookstore, which is a couple blocks from Grand Central Market on the corner of Fifth and Spring. This little LA treasure has become an international tourist draw, and now I can see why. Inside the re-purposed historic bank building you can sell, buy and trade second-hand books and records. You can also enjoy a combination of quirky art and a plethora of literature in a really unique space. Your eyes will constantly be busy between all the books, art studios, galleries and knitting shop on the second floor.

The following day I finally got to experience the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, which some consider to be the best flea market on the West Coast. If I’m being honest, I’m not typically a huge flea market fan (which is probably why it has taken me five and a half years to get to …), but I’m down to check them out once in a while in hopes of finding a one-off piece of home décor.

The Rose Bowl Flea Market occurs on the second Sunday of every month, rain or shine (please, we haven’t had rain in months #drought), all year long. The market boasts all sorts of clothes, shoes, furniture, jewelry, crafts, keepsakes, art, fabric, bikes, music and vintage anything — the list goes on. Oh, and you do have to pay for a ticket to enter. But once you’re in, you can barter with the vendors, which is always my favorite part of flea market shopping.
— Rafie Iannello, account director, Pacific Rim