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Bargain Buying according to Dominick's owner, Warner Ebbink:

*Top 3 best LA Flea Markets

#1 Pasadena City College.
Why:
Free admission
Dog friendly
Good for smaller furniture items
Overall reasonably priced items
Bonus: Very close to Pie 'n' Burger for a great breakfast after shopping

#2 Pasadena Rose Bowl
Why: Good for its large amount of vendors
Good for all furniture especially large items
Good for lighting, art, pottery, ceramics, vintage clothing and vinyl records
Things tend to be overpriced
Bonus: Close to Dona Rosa for great Mexican breakfast

#3 Long Beach Veterans Stadium
Why:
Basically all the same reasons as Rose Bowl but not as big.
Things are more reasonably priced than Rose Bowl.
Bonus: If you're going to drive that far you have to go to Joe Jost in Long Beach for a beer and a hot dog wrapped in rye bread.

*Shopping / scouting tips:
-Always bring a tape measure
-Bring a list of the items you're looking for
-If you like it, buy it. It probably won't be there when you finally decide you really want it.

*Top 3 LA Salvage Yards

#1 Olde Good Things
Great but you'll have to pay top dollar (and it's worth it.)

#2 Santa Fe Wrecking
Good for bathroom fixtures, doors and hardware. Reasonably priced.

#3 Freeway Wrecking
A true salvage yard. Be prepared to get dirty. I always feel like I'm on some sort of archeological dig. Very reasonably priced.

#4 Palm Springs Vintage stores.
Those that have survived , have seemed to somewhat lower their prices.
I just picked up a whale carving there.

Read about more great shops, markets and bargain spots in our July issue on stands now!