OCC Swap Meet Costa Mesa: Hours, Vendor Fees, Parking & 2026 Visitor Guide

OCC Swap Meet is a weekend outdoor swap meet hosted by Orange Coast College at 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, operating every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the college campus parking lot along Adams Avenue. The market has run continuously for more than 40 years, drawing hundreds of vendors and thousands of shoppers each weekend. Admission is free, and on-site parking carries no charge. As part of the antique store and flea market network across California, OCC Swap Meet serves casual shoppers, antique collectors, bargain hunters, and small-business sellers across Orange County. This guide covers operating hours, vendor fees, what to buy, and directions for planning a 2026 visit.

Quick Facts  – OCC Swap Meet Costa Mesa

What Is the OCC Swap Meet at Orange Coast College?

OCC Swap Meet is an outdoor swap meet and flea market operating on the parking lot of Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California, every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The market has operated continuously for more than 40 years and is one of the longest-running college-campus swap meets in Orange County.

A swap meet is an outdoor vendor market where individuals and small businesses rent assigned booth spaces to sell goods directly to the public. OCC Swap Meet follows this format, with hundreds of vendors set up each weekend across the Adams Avenue campus lot.

OCC Swap Meet is classified as a general swap meet, not a dedicated antique mall. Vendor merchandise covers vintage clothing, electronics, tools, jewelry, fresh produce, collectibles, and household goods. Antique and vintage sections are present throughout the market but occupy a portion of vendor spaces alongside general merchandise stalls.

Orange Coast College administers the swap meet as a campus community program. Vendor spaces are laid out on the Adams Avenue parking lot, with pedestrian walkways between rows maintained throughout the 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM operating window.

OCC Swap Meet Hours and 2026 Weekend Schedule

OCC Swap Meet is open every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, operating year-round rain or shine.

Holiday and Closure Schedule

OCC Swap Meet operates year-round but closes on select holidays and in the event of campus emergencies. A confirmed list of 2026 holiday closure dates is not published in advance on the official OCC page. 

Is the OCC Swap Meet open this weekend? 

OCC Swap Meet is open every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa. Holiday closures apply on select dates   confirm the current week’s status at the official OCC swap meet page before making the trip.

Is OCC Swap Meet the same as the OC Fairgrounds swap meet? 

OCC Swap Meet is located at Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa   not at the OC Fairgrounds. The OC Fairgrounds hosts a separate, independently operated market at a different Costa Mesa address. The two markets have different schedules, admission policies, and vendor structures.

Admission Cost and Free Parking at OCC Swap Meet

Admission to OCC Swap Meet is free for all attendees, and parking at the Orange Coast College campus lot carries no charge.

The main vendor area runs along the Adams Avenue parking lot on the edge of the campus. Shoppers enter from Fairview Road or Adams Avenue and follow directional signage to the open campus lots alongside the market. Parking spaces closest to the entrance fill by mid-morning   arriving before 9:00 AM secures a closer spot. Overflow parking is available within walking distance across the campus.

Does OCC Swap Meet require tickets? 

OCC Swap Meet does not require tickets. Walk-in entry is free every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. OCC Swap Meet continues to operate in 2026 on its regular year-round weekend schedule.

What Vendors Sell at OCC Swap Meet Costa Mesa

OCC Swap Meet hosts hundreds of vendors on peak weekends across the Orange Coast College parking lot, selling the following categories of goods:

• Vintage clothing and apparel   1990s streetwear, worn denim, retro sports jerseys, and classic band tees
• Electronics and technology   used phones, cables, audio equipment, chargers, and accessories
• Tools and hardware   hand tools, power tools, and workshop equipment sourced from estates and surplus lots
• Jewelry and accessories   costume jewelry, vintage estate pieces, and fashion accessories
• Fresh produce and food items   fruits, vegetables, regional honey, and baked goods from produce stalls
• Collectibles and antique items   vinyl records, vintage cameras, coins, estate jewelry, figurines, comic books, and out-of-print media
• General household merchandise   cleaning supplies, kitchenware, smartphone accessories, and everyday household goods
• Prepared food vendors   food trucks and food stalls operating at full capacity from mid-morning

OCC Swap Meet is a general swap meet   antique and vintage items are present across the lot but are mixed with general merchandise vendors. Collectors seeking a higher concentration of vintage and antique dealers will find the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet operating nearby with a different merchandise profile.

OCC Swap Meet Vendor Fees and Booth Space Guide

Vendor space fees at OCC Swap Meet start at $60.00 per regular space for advance purchases and $70.00 at the gate on the day of the market. All spaces measure approximately 10 feet wide by 20 feet deep. Pricing below reflects rates effective July 1, 2025, as published on the official OCC vendor guidelines page.

Vendor Space Sizes and Fee Tiers

All sellers are required to park their vehicle directly inside or immediately behind their assigned space. Vendor walkways must remain clear throughout operating hours.

How to Reserve a Booth at OCC Swap Meet

1. Choose advance or at-the-door booking. Advance spaces cost $60.00 for a regular spot   $10.00 less than the at-the-door rate of $70.00. Purchase in advance at the OCC Bursar’s Office during business hours.
   
2. Obtain a California CDTFA Seller’s Permit before selling. The permit must list 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 as the place of business.
   
3. Arrive for vendor setup between 5:00 AM and 7:30 AM. Vendor gates open at 5:00 AM. Unloading begins at 5:30 AM. All vehicles must be fully inside the assigned space and unloaded before the 7:30 AM cutoff.
   
4. Sunday same-day lottery. Unreserved same-day Sunday spaces are distributed via lottery. Report to the vendor booth at 7:00 AM to receive a number for remaining open slots.
   
5. Pack out by 4:00 PM. The market closes to the public at 3:00 PM. All unsold inventory and personal waste must be removed. Vendor vehicles must vacate the lot by 4:00 PM   failure to fully clean the 10 ft × 20 ft space results in a $25.00 cleanup fine.
   

For vendor questions, contact OCC Swap Meet directly at [email protected]. The full vendor rules, prohibited item list, and monthly cleaning fee schedule are published in the OCC Vendor Handbook .

Collector and Shopper Tips  Best Time to Visit OCC Swap Meet

Arriving before 8:00 AM on Saturday gives access to freshly set inventory before the peak buyer crowd arrives. The following tips apply to collectors and shoppers planning a 2026 visit:

• Arrive before 8:00 AM on Saturday   experienced buyers wait near the pedestrian entrance before opening to access estate items and collectibles while vendors are still unloading; this is the most effective strategy for finding high-value items before competitive shoppers work through the rows
• Saturday vs Sunday   Saturday carries fuller inventory as vendors arrive with fresh stock; Sunday offers end-of-weekend price flexibility from sellers looking to move remaining items before the 3:00 PM close
• Negotiation norms   polite price negotiation is standard practice at OCC Swap Meet; bundle offers such as “would you take $15 for both?” are effective, particularly in the early morning hours and in the final hour before 3:00 PM closing
• Bring cash in small bills   the majority of antique dealers, produce vendors, and general merchandise sellers operate cash-only; $1, $5, and $10 bills allow faster transactions and give buyers a stronger negotiating position
• Pet policy   no pets or animals are permitted on the market grounds at any time; the only exception is certified task-trained service animals in compliance with OCC campus health and safety policy
• Dress for the outdoor lot   the entire market operates on open concrete and asphalt with minimal shade; bring sunscreen and a hat for visits between May and September when temperatures at the open campus lot regularly exceed 80°F
• Mid-morning for casual shoppers   visitors arriving around 10:30 AM will find all vendors fully set up and food vendors operating at full capacity

OCC Swap Meet vs Other Orange County Swap Meets

OCC Swap Meet is one of several regularly operating weekend markets in Orange County, distinguished by its college-campus location, free parking, and no-admission entry.

OCC Swap Meet operates 52 weekends per year, making it more accessible than monthly markets for frequent shoppers. For the largest antique-focused market in Southern California, the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, California runs once per month with more than 2,500 vendors and a dedicated antique and collectible section. Admission and parking fees at both Cypress Swap Meet and Golden West Swap Meet should be confirmed directly before visiting, as pricing has not been independently verified for 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions – OCC Swap Meet

Is the OCC Swap Meet open this weekend? 

OCC Swap Meet is open every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Holiday closures apply on select dates  confirm current-weekend status at orangecoastcollege.edu/community/swap-meet/ before visiting.

How much does a vendor space cost at OCC Swap Meet? 

A regular vendor space costs $60.00 advance and $70.00 at-the-door. Corner spaces are $145.00 advance and $155.00 at-the-door. X and Z row spaces cost $95.00 advance and $125.00 at the gate. All pricing reflects rates effective July 1, 2025, per the official OCC vendor guidelines page. Spaces are purchased in advance at the OCC Bursar’s Office or at the gate on the day of the market.

Is parking free at OCC Swap Meet? 

Parking at OCC Swap Meet is free for all buyers and vendors. The market uses the Orange Coast College campus lot at 2701 Fairview Rd   enter from Fairview Road or Adams Avenue and follow directional signage to the open shopper lots.

Is OCC Swap Meet the same as the OC Fairgrounds swap meet? 

OCC Swap Meet is at Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa   not at the OC Fairgrounds. The OC Fairgrounds hosts a separate, independently operated market at a different location. The two markets have different schedules, vendor structures, and admission policies.

What is the difference between OCC Swap Meet and Cypress Swap Meet? 

OCC Swap Meet is hosted at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa; Cypress Swap Meet operates at a separate venue in Cypress. OCC Swap Meet is a mid-size college-campus market with free admission and free parking. Both operate on Saturdays and Sundays. Vendor count and admission for Cypress Swap Meet should be confirmed directly before visiting, as current figures have not been independently verified.

Planning Your Visit to OCC Swap Meet Costa Mesa

OCC Swap Meet is located at 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, near the intersection of Adams Avenue and Pinecreek Drive. Free parking is available directly at the market site on the Orange Coast College campus lot.

Directions and Getting There

• From the 405 Freeway   take the Fairview Road exit and head south approximately one mile; the Orange Coast College campus appears on the right; turn right onto Adams Avenue for direct access to the free parking lots alongside the market
• Cross-street landmark   the market runs on the Adams Avenue and Pinecreek Drive lot on the campus edge; GPS input of 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 routes directly to the campus entrance
• Public transit   the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) operates weekend bus lines with stops at the Fairview Road and Adams Avenue intersection, connecting from Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Fountain Valley, and Santa Ana

What to Bring

• Cash in small bills   $1, $5, and $10 denominations for cash-only vendors and price negotiation
• Reusable bag or rolling cart   vendors do not provide bags; a folding cart helps manage purchases across the full row layout
• Sun protection   sunscreen and a hat for visits between May and September at this open-asphalt outdoor market
• Tape measure   for shoppers evaluating furniture, rugs, or large décor items
• Early arrival   reaching the campus within 30 minutes of the 8:00 AM opening secures closer parking and first access to fresh vendor inventory

Nearby Stops

South Coast Plaza is located 1.5 miles from the OCC campus. Newport Beach is approximately 4 miles south via Newport Blvd.

For shoppers visiting Orange County on a weekend when OCC Swap Meet is closed for a holiday, the Anaheim Marketplace in Anaheim, California provides an alternative indoor market option in northern Orange County. Visitors interested in a college-campus swap meet format in the Los Angeles area can consider the PCC Flea Market in Pasadena, California , which operates monthly on the Pasadena City College campus with a similar community market character.