Melrose Trading Post
The basics
Though music and shopping are typically why visitors stop by the Melrose Trading Post, you can also feel good about spending your money at this community space, since admission fees help support the local school. To browse the 250-odd vendors, just pay a small admission fee when you arrive. Beyond shopping, you can enjoy live music—on two different stages—and spot fashion trends, since the market draws a younger crowd sporting the hippest LA streetwear.
Things to know before you go
- Melrose Trading Post is a go-to destination for travelers that love all things vintage, handmade, and quirky.
- You can shop till you drop with a shopping spree tour—some tours stop at Melrose Trading Post.
- If you work up an appetite, grab a snack at the Melrose Trading Post food court, or stroll to the eateries just south on Fairfax Avenue.
- Music fans shouldn't miss the weekly live performances.
How to get there
Despite the notorious LA traffic, it's still most convenient to drive to Melrose Trading Post. If you make it to the market early, you can find first-come, first-served free parking. Otherwise, valet parking is offered for a small fee—at Melrose and Genesee Avenues. Public transit is also an option—with the 217, 218, and 10 bus lines stopping nearby—but you should check the LA Metro website for an up-to-date schedule.
Trip ideas
When to get there
The Melrose Trading Post happens every Sunday at the Fairfax High School campus, rain or shine. Plan to arrive early to have your pick of the best wares, and expect the market to slow down in the afternoon. Since street parking in the area can be tricky, plan to arrive early (or late) to find a spot.
Where to See Art in Los Angeles
Just about a 10-minute drive from Melrose Trading Post, you can explore galleries in one of the most celebrated arts institutions on the West Coast: the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). This museum is tremendous, with more than 140,000 art objects, and works spanning thousands of years: everything from multimedia installations to sculpture, and everything in between. LACMA is closed on Tuesdays, and opens later on weekends.
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