Antique shops pale in comparison. Garage sales don’t hold a candle. And thrift stores are downright pitiful when compared to the 96,000-square-foot warehouse that is home to the annual White Elephant Sale.
The two-day rummage fest is the largest in Northern California, and admission is free. More than 1,200 volunteers work the 17 departments that include vintage clothing, furniture, books, jewelry, shoes, tools, electronics, and sporting goods.
Rack up karma points while scavenging for bargains—proceeds support the Oakland Museum of California.
This sale is not for the faint of heart, so expect crowds, and watch out for the cutthroat design-heads waiting to snatch that midcentury chair right out from under you.
March 5–6; 333 Lancaster St., Oakland, 510-536-6800, whiteelephantsale.org
