The long-standing Sky Village Swap Meet located in sunny Yucca Valley garnered a bit of the limelight when featured on the No Reservations High Desert episode last year. Having driven by this desert bonanza every time I visited The Integratron, I figured it was time to see what this dirt mall had to offer. My friend and I pulled up one brisk Sunday afternoon with no idea what we were getting ourselves into. An old sign read “Welcome to Sky Village” thus marking the beginning of our adventure.
To say this swap meet offers all sorts of vibes would be an understatement. When browsing the various tables, booths, and stands, I couldn’t help but think this was the place where dreams went to die. I snapped some photos of some treasures, but most items for sale couldn’t even be classified as junk. For this reason, do not have your hopes high if you’re looking for some rad tchotkes but rather, come for the experience. There are some good folk, definitely a lot of characters, and even a caged iguana! And if you even think you’re going to leave with that turquoise necklace, think again, the owner priced it at $2,000. Pssssssh, I think he was a jewelry hoarder.
Lastly, if you swing by this Yucca Valley destination, arrive early so that you get to take in the full picture. This spot is also listed as a High Desert Test Site, so make sure you check out Bob Carr’s magical work: Arachnia and The Crystal Cave. (image below)
Sky Village Swap Meet Yucca Valley
7028 Theater Road – Just off Hwy 247
(760) 365-2104
Dreams would die there with that giant web / dream catcher. Looks fun, but I’d definitely be window shopping too. I enjoy walking through flea markets even if I don’t buy anything. Thanks for virtually taking me to one tonight
The swap meet serves as a weekly affirmation for the denizens of that isolated territory. The people who stay there the longest have the least connection to our purview. The daily grind has a different connotation in those parts. So the weekly flea market is a way of marking time and making contact. The wares are secondary with barely any monetary value as the residents have forsaken the pursuit of the dollar as their primary motivation. The sun, sand and solitude are the objects that occupy them, not sales for profit.
thanks for sharing….
i’m always down for a flea market! you should see some of the ones in houston – they’re so bad they’re good!
I would love to check out these Tejas spots!
Insanely cool love it xx
http://www.rawfashionmagazine.com
That second comment is intense! I find it hilarious that it would even be that high, who carries that much money ever?! You’re also making me very envious I didn’t explore more when I lived in Riverside during my college years!
That’s exactly what I thought? I mean, 2 grand – c’mon. I don’t really think this guy wants to sell any of his jewelry, I think they’re his pets.
what beautiful treasures! i love the dessert colors – earthen brown and turquoise. cant wait to get out there one day
That lady clearly didn’t want to sell it.
Don’t you just hate it when something’s so ridiculously overpriced?! I went to Value Village a couple of days ago and most of the prices were just so stupid and so unreasonable. I ended up with a nice no name quilted jacket but if it wasn’t so nice and reversible I wouldn’t have bought it. I bet you if it had a stupid tag of the brand they would’ve priced it like $50 CAD. Sorry I had to vent.
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