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Postcards: Sunrise Mall (Citrus Heights, 1970s)

A vintage postcard from Sunrise Mall captures the center during its early years as a regional shopping destination. This image reflects its original design, early tenants, and the architectural style that defined its opening era.

Sunrise Mall opened on April 19, 1972 in Citrus Heights, just outside of Sacramento, California. Developed by Ernest W. Hahn and Cordano Associates, the mall quickly became a cornerstone of suburban life—a place to shop, socialize, and make memories.

Postcard —view of mall interior

Vintage 1970s postcard showing the interior of Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights, California, with geometric ceiling patterns, bright lighting, and shoppers walking along the wide mall corridor.
Postcard of Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights, California, showcasing the sleek interior design and modern architecture of the era.

The back of the card reads “Ultra modern, enclosed air conditioned complex affords shopping in comfort. Citrus Heights, California.”

The card is postmarked 1987.

Postcard preserved from mid-century private collection.

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Livemalls said…
The only thing that could make that postcard more '70s would be some cute, long haired girl in plaid bell bottoms and clogs staring at the candle flower sculpture. Very nice.
7:59 PM
Marty Kobata said…
THere was an article about this mall in Sunday's Sacramento Bee: http://www.sacbee.com/132/story/2431330.html
11:49 AM
Anonymous said…
Does anyone know if Birdcage Walk accross the street from Sunrise was a mall or just an early strip mall or power center ?
4:41 PM
Scott Parsons said…
I have a Birdcage Walk mall directory from when it was considered an open-air mall. I'll post it later for you to decide
8:42 PM
Anonymous said…
Birdcage Walk was an open air mall with Macy's at the south end and Montgomery Ward at the north end.
6:56 AM
Anonymous said…
Wow. I lived in EDH from 1980 to 1988. Even tho I think this shot was taken a few years b4 my time there, it really brought back a lot of good memories from Citrus Heights in the 80s. Those geo-white lights were seriously the coolest thing, along with that majestic fountain.

After convincing my mom to leave me there while she shopped(unattended I know crazy huh ppl actually let their kids off the leash once in a while back in the 80s), I would stand there &stare at both(&if memory serves some type of modern, 80s, massive &shimmery metallic-shard hanging mobile in that same area, contemplating how I was going to sneak down there &slip and slide my way to acquiring the tossed-in coin fortune, that I imagined went into 6-figures(basically a million by 80s standards lol).

If I'm not mistaken, I think there was a Parklane Hoisery, across from that Jarman Shoe store during my time there. Plenty of sexy 80s HS girls, dance class attendees & probably nite club dancers going in there to buy their 'wares'. Oh man. Such great times.

Thanks so much for finding/posting this pic!!
1:41 PM
Darcy said…
Yes, there was a large mobile made of silver strips and then in the middle some shorter golden strips. It was shiny and beautiful and mesmerizing. That was in front of Weinstocks. Then there was the large silvery sculpture in front of JC Penny, and the mirrored wishing well fountain that the water flowed over and then it fell down blue tiled walls. It was beautiful. That was in front of Liberty House. Liberty House had an escalator with glass walls. There was a Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor at the far end, by Sears. Sears always smelled funny. Like popcorn. Oh, and there was a place that sold organs, and some middle-aged man (he seemed so old, but he was years younger than I am now, how weird) and he would play the same songs over and over on the organ, usually "Spanish Eyes." Oh, and they would give out samples of summer sausage and cheese cubes at Swiss Colony.
9:22 PM
Anonymous said…
Um i think that sunrise mall was built in 1971 and the fountain there is still there but it is not working.i think the look of the mall is DIFFERENT.i see a jarman what is jarmans
10:34 PM
Anonymous said…
Does anyone know if there is that mirror mountain anymore in the middle? I used to LOVE that fountain, and would save my pennies in order to look like a big shot as a kid and throw a bunch of them in there.
9:39 PM
Dianecarroll said…
Ah yes, Such memories. From Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor, and its signature “Zoo” party bowl of ice cream, that included plastic zoo animals embedded in it (choking hazard in todays world). Then “The Cruise” where on Friday and Saturday night the parking lot would be absolutely car to car, driving around the outside of the mall, hanging out with friends, making new friends andeverything EXCEPT shopping. Finally Christmas and School Shopping with my own kids and grandkids....you have served us well Sunrise...thanks for the memories.
8:37 PM
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