BIGMallrat | lost malls, department stores & Bay Area retail history

Coddingtown Mall isn’t just the oldest shopping center in Santa Rosa — it’s a living timeline of how retail has evolved in Northern California. From its mid-century roots to its modern-day community focus, the mall has remained a constant in a changing landscape. And yes, that giant rotating sign out front is still spinning, still iconic, and still guiding drivers off Highway 101. The landmark rotating sign outside Coddingtown Mall is still there — still spinning, still bright, and still one of Santa Rosa’s most iconic sights. 1960s – the beginning Coddingtown celebrated its grand opening on November 29, 1962, It was a bold new shopping destination developed by local legend Hugh Codding, whose name the mall still bears. It began as an open-air shopping center with just thirteen businesses — among them, Lucky supermarket, Thrifty Drugstore (where you could get aspirin or ice cream for a nickel), and a few local staples like a bank, travel agency, and barber. At the time, it was a ra...

Looking for the largest shopping malls in the Bay Area? Whether you're researching retail space, planning a shopping spree, or simply curious about the biggest retail destinations, here’s a ranked list of the Top 10 largest malls in the Bay Area—based on Gross Leasable Area (GLA). These major malls span the San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to San Francisco to the East Bay. GLA figures are based on data from mall operators and industry sources (2025), with slight variations due to rounding or methodology. Whether you're a retail enthusiast, investor, or mall nostalgia buff, these are the Bay Area's true retail giants. Top 10 largest malls in the Bay Area 1.  Westfield Valley Fair  - San Jose 1,960,000~ sq. ft. Interior view of Valley Fair Mall, featuring modern architecture, natural lighting, and high-end storefronts including Louis Vuitton and Apple. Located near I-280 and I-880, Westfield Valley Fair is the largest mall in Northern California. This upscale dest...

Florin Mall opened with celebration and pride on February 21, 1968, bringing Sacramento its first fully enclosed shopping center. Located at Florin Road and Stockton Boulevard, it was developed by James J. Cordano, Earl Cohen, and Aetna Insurance. With its lofty ceilings and wide concourses, Florin Mall wasn’t just a mall—it was a cathedral of commerce. This was retail with ambition. The beginning: from Florin Center to full-scale mall Originally called Florin Center, the project was anchored by Weinstock’s, which opened first on October 9, 1967—a few months ahead of the mall itself. Weinstock’s was 157,000 square feet of homegrown department store tradition. It was soon joined by JC Penney (125,000 sq. ft.) and Sears (a massive 259,000 sq. ft.). By 1968, Florin Center had transformed into Sacramento’s first enclosed shopping mall, and it quickly became the retail center of the southern part of the city. Its arrival shook things up at nearby Southgate Shopping Center, a declining ...

Before becoming a modern power center, El Paseo de Saratoga was one of San Jose’s quirkiest and most distinctive shopping malls. Opened in mid-1975, it stood apart from typical malls of its era—not just in design, but in philosophy. A different kind of mall Built at a cost of $18.5 million by developer Chan Chrisman of Palo Alto, El Paseo was no ordinary enclosed mall. Spread across 31 acres at the intersection of Saratoga Avenue, Campbell Avenue, Hamilton Avenue, and Lawrence Expressway, it was strategically positioned across from Westgate Mall, but made a conscious decision not to compete directly. Instead of relying on department stores as regional anchors, El Paseo de Saratoga opted for an open-air, lifestyle-inspired format that emphasized small retailers, boutiques, and open courtyards. It offered 325,000 square feet of retail space and aimed to house up to 150 stores—ambitious for a mall with no anchors. November 1976 holiday ad for El Paseo de Saratoga — For that hard-to-ple...

Since opening its doors on March 2, 1977, Vintage Faire Mall has been a defining feature of Modesto’s northwestern landscape. Positioned at Highway 99 and Dale Road, this 90-acre site introduced the region’s largest enclosed shopping destination—serving as a retail and cultural hub between Sacramento and Fresno for nearly five decades. A mid-valley shopping icon is born Vintage Faire Mall debuted as a two-level, climate-controlled shopping center developed by Ernest W. Hahn Inc. At its opening, it featured five department stores and 133 specialty shops and restaurants—bringing a new level of retail variety to the Central Valley. While Weinstock’s opened slightly ahead of the mall on February 12, 1977, both JC Penney and Sears opened on the official launch day of March 2. Gottschalks followed soon after. Macy’s would join the mall’s lineup in 1980, solidifying Vintage Faire’s status as a top regional center. A winery-inspired design The mall’s architecture was inspired by Californ...

Once a quiet symbol of suburban prosperity, Westlake Shopping Center in Daly City has entered a new chapter—one defined by open-air promenades, national chains, and a distinct shift away from its traditional mall roots. While this redevelopment brings a fresh look and renewed energy, it also marks the end of a uniquely mid-century retail experience. A mid-century dream Westlake Shopping Center opened in 1951, part of the visionary Westlake master-planned community developed by Henry Doelger. Built adjacent to the neighborhoods of ranch-style homes and curving streets, the center was one of the earliest large-scale suburban shopping complexes in California. With its original tenants including JC Penney, Safeway, and local boutiques, Westlake was designed for convenience, modernity, and community. Architecturally, it embraced the era’s optimism—clean lines, modern signage, and a pedestrian-focused layout. For decades, it served not only as a retail hub, but also as a social anchor fo...

Long before every new shopping center promised to be a “lifestyle destination,” Santana Row in San Jose, California was already showing how it could be done right. Opened in 2002 and still relatively new in 2011, Santana Row stood out as one of the most successful examples of the lifestyle center concept—a blend of open-air shopping, dining, residential living, and walkable streets. Origins of Santana Row Developed by Federal Realty Investment Trust, Santana Row replaced a former Town and Country shopping center and reimagined the suburban mall for the 21st century. Designed with European-inspired architecture, tree-lined sidewalks, and cobblestone streets, it wasn’t just a mall—it was an urban village. In fact, with a street running through it, cars cruising slowly, and sidewalk cafés filled with shoppers and residents, Santana Row felt more like Disneyland’s Main Street than a typical shopping plaza. View of Santana Row in 2011, showing open-air pedestrian street with boutique sto...