California Surplus: Buying Government Auctions Near Me

Did you know that some of California’s best deals have been hiding right under your nose?  GovDeals is here to help the bargain hunter in you find otherwise hidden treasures all throughout the state. 

Why Buy Surplus in California  

Have you ever wondered what happens to government owned vehicles, real estate, and other assets that are no longer needed? Over 650 local and state agencies in California sell those assets directly on GovDeals. Online government surplus auctions give new life to used items and keep unnecessary waste out of landfills. Whether it be electronics, furniture, or classic cars, GovDeals is sure to have just what you’re looking for – at a fraction of the cost.  

Who’s Selling in California?  

A Spotlight on California’s most active government agencies selling surplus via GovDeals. 

• State of California 
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife
• California Highway Patrol
• City of Riverside
• County of Monterey
• Cupertino Union School District
  
• Folsom, CA
• Imperial County
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• Los Angeles County DHS-Harbor/UCLA Medical Center
• Los Angeles Unified School District
• Napa, CA 
• Orange County Vehicles
• Sacramento City Unified School District
• San Diego County Fleet Services
• San Joaquin County Fleet Services
• San Jose, CA 
• San Luis Obispo County
• Santa Barbara County Fleet Services
• Shasta County
• Tulare County
• UC Davis – AggieSurplus

There are numerous ways to find specific sellers on GovDeals.

• Find sellers near you by searching your zip code in our location search.
• Type in your zip code
• Adjust your radius
• Select the 'show map' box
• Hit search
• You've got a list of live auctions near you!

Keep track of your favorite sellers by bookmarking or favoriting their URL. To find the URL, click 'View Seller's Other Assets' on an auction page of a seller you are interested in. This will provide a list of all items for sale from that seller. Save it and check regularly.

Hundreds of new surplus auctions are listed on GovDeals every day!

What's Selling in California

 Popular Items for Sale in California

Vehicles

Light and Heavy-Duty Trucks, Automobiles, SUVs, Boats, Buses, Vans, ATVs, Specialized Vehicles, and more. 

Heavy Equipment

Dozers, Backhoes, Tractors, Forklifts, Cranes, Highway/Road Equipment, and more.

Tech & Office Gear

Computers, Cell Phones, Monitors, Tablets, Audio/Visual Equipment, and more.

Consumer Goods

Furniture, Appliances, Collectibles, Clothing, Jewelry, Fitness Equipment, and more. 

Industrial Equipment

Building, Factory Support, Power, Generation, Transmission, and Distribution, Public Utility, and Warehouse and Material Handling Equipment, and more.

 
Real Estate

Permanent and Portable Buildings, Vacant Land, Residential and Commercial Property, and more. 

Recent Sales in California  

2008 MDHI MD369E Helicopter sold by the City of Riverside, California for $970,593

2003 Kvichak Patrol Vessel sold by California Department of Fish and Wildlife - Fleet Auctions for $658,125

CAT 637G Scraper sold by Orange County Vehicles for $273,280

 2014 Autocar ACX Xpeditor sold by Santa Maria, CA for $141,187

Lot of 4,615 Chromebook Laptops sold by Montebello Unified School District for $118,556

EMD F59PH Locomotive sold by Southern California Regional Rail Authority/Metrolink for $85,000

2016 Isuzu NQR Food Truck sold by NAS Lemoore, CA for $50,850

John Deere 225HP 8225R Tractor sold by State of California Auctions for $89,887

2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Plus RWD sold by Central County Fire Department for $20,025

2017 Ford Transit sold by San Diego County Fleet Services for $22,960

How to Resell Surplus and Make Money

One of the biggest advantages of buying on GovDeals is the resale opportunity. Whether you're side hustling on weekends or building a full-blown business, government surplus can feed your inventory at unbeatable costs.

Where to Resell

• Facebook Marketplace: Great for local resales — especially for selling items like furniture, tools, and equipment.
• eBay: Ideal for smaller items, electronics, or collectibles with national interest.
• Craigslist: Still works for certain categories and larger items like vehicles or trailers.
• Flea Markets or Auctions: In-person sales can help you move inventory quickly and profitably.

Flipping Tips

• Clean and Repair: A little polish goes a long way. Items in good visual condition sell faster and at higher prices.
• Do Your Research: Before bidding, check recent selling prices on resell platforms to ensure a strong profit margin.
• Tell the Story: Buyers love knowing the item’s origin. “From a local school district in Ohio” or “Used in a city fleet” can help add credibility and appeal.
• Bundle for Value: If you bought a lot of similar items, bundle them into sets or offer bulk deals to attract buyers.

Ready to Start Flipping California Surplus?

Whether you're outfitting a business on a budget, or just love the thrill of the find, GovDeals makes it easy to explore surplus listings from across the Golden State. From San Fransisco to San Diego and everywhere in between, California government surplus is full of valuable items with real resale potential.

Good for Your Wallet—and the Planet 

Last year, over 17,000 items were sold on GovDeals in California alone. That means fewer things went to waste and more people got affordable tools and gear. 

Ready to Get Started? 

Uncover California's hidden gems - from incredible deals to unique finds, GovDeals.com is your ultimate treasure map. Start your bargain hunt today and discover treasures right under your nose! 

• ✅ Create a free GovDeals account 
• 🔔 Set alerts for your favorite categories 
• 📍 Use location filters to shop items near you