Originally published in 2006; expanded and updated in 2026.
The East Bay's resort-style shopping center
Blackhawk Plaza was one of the Bay Area's most ambitious upscale retail developments. Opened in 1989 as part of the master-planned Blackhawk community, the center combined luxury shopping, resort-style landscaping, and cultural attractions in a setting unlike any other East Bay shopping center.
While retailers came and went over the decades, Blackhawk Plaza ultimately found its identity not as a traditional shopping mall, but as a destination centered on dining, entertainment, and cultural attractions.
Luxury retail on a hill
The center opened with ambitious plans. Early tenants included FJ's Blackhawk Market, known for its gold-plated shopping carts equipped with mobile phones, while developers pursued luxury retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Bonwit Teller.
Yet many of the center's early retail ambitions proved difficult to sustain. Saks closed within a year, FJ's struggled against nearby competitors, and a succession of department stores and specialty retailers—including Gottschalks—came and went over the following decades.
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| A sweeping view of Blackhawk Plaza's signature waterfall from the upper level. |
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| Blackhawk Plaza with its koi-filled stream and polished stone walkways. |
Reinvention and changing tenants
Throughout its history, Blackhawk Plaza repeatedly adapted its tenant mix in search of a sustainable identity.
In 2006, the center attracted attention when Draeger's Market signed a lease for a new gourmet grocery store. The move echoed the center's original emphasis on upscale shopping while introducing cooking classes, specialty foods, and other amenities intended to draw visitors from beyond the immediate community.
Rather than competing as a traditional regional mall, Blackhawk Plaza increasingly shifted toward restaurants, specialty retail, and destination-oriented businesses.
The attractions that endured
While retail tenants frequently changed, several attractions became lasting fixtures of Blackhawk Plaza.
- The Blackhawk Museum, founded by developer Ken Behring, is a standout. Yes, it’s known for its incredible classic car collection that even non-car people find interesting. The museum’s five galleries cover everything from African art to American history.
- The Blackhawk Grille remains a consistently excellent restaurant with a beautiful setting and reliably good food.
- The Blackhawk Gallery, a quiet gem featuring works from local artists. Many pieces celebrate the nearby Mount Diablo, capturing the mountain’s moody light and sweeping grandeur in paint and photography.
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| Exterior view of the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, California, known for its world-class collection of classic cars, art, and cultural exhibits. |
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| Guests dining al fresco at Blackhawk Grille in Danville, enjoying the restaurant’s tranquil setting along the water in the heart of Blackhawk Plaza. |
Legacy of Blackhawk Plaza
Unlike many shopping centers built during the same era, Blackhawk Plaza never became a dominant regional mall. Instead, it evolved into something different: a hybrid destination combining retail, dining, cultural attractions, and public spaces.
More than three decades after opening, the center remains one of the East Bay's most distinctive retail environments. Its waterfalls, streams, stone walkways, and museum continue to draw visitors, even as its role has shifted far beyond traditional shopping.
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