Get your SWAP on.

This past weekend some friends & I packed up our kids & headed out to one of Orange County's true cultural experiences... the Orange County Market Place, otherwise know as "the swap meet". It is seriously one-stop shopping. Part farmer's market (the grapes were delicious & on sale for 50 cents a pound), part auto mall, part bakery (we've been enjoying our New York style bagels every morning), part clothing & toy store, part furniture gallery (I am seriously considering a few of the pieces I stumbled upon), and a little bit of everything & anything in-between. Their website boasts that they have over 1,100 merchants & nearly 4 miles of walking aisles, and I believe it! I came home with so many wonderful goodies, everything from food to toys to clothes.

For the most part parking is free, although they do offer "preferred parking" nearer an entrance for a nominal fee. Being the cheapskate that I am, I opted for the free parking & it wasn't a far walk at all! Admission is just $2, but children under 12 are FREE. Definitely something to put on your list of things "to-do", just remember the swap meet will be closed from July 11, 2008 to August 3, 2008 due to the Orange County Fair.

What: The Orange County Swap Meet

When: Saturday & Sunday from 7am - 4pm

Where: The Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa CA 92626,

(949)723-6616

xoxo, K

image via the orange county market place.