The Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno, California—formerly known as Tanforan Park Shopping Center—has a unique history that spans over a century, transitioning from a legendary horse racing track to a major regional shopping mall, and now facing future redevelopment. Originally built by the Hapsmith Company of Beverly Hills, located adjacent to BART and near San Francisco International Airport, Tanforan was once a vital part of the Bay Area’s retail landscape.
From racetrack to retail center (1899–1970)
Before it was a shopping mall, the site was home to Tanforan Racetrack, which opened in 1899 and gained national fame as a venue for thoroughbred racing. The racetrack is historically significant not only for hosting races with famous horses like Seabiscuit, but also for being used as a temporary Japanese American detention center during World War II.
A fire in 1964 destroyed much of the grandstand, and by the late 1960s, plans were underway to redevelop the site into a commercial hub. The idea was to transform the 40-acre parcel into a modern, enclosed shopping mall that would serve the growing suburban population of San Mateo County.
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| Artist’s rendering of Tanforan Park Mall, released in August 1971, depicting the planned design of the shopping center in San Bruno, California. |
Tanforan Park Shopping Center opens
The first anchor tenant, Sears, opened on October 28, 1970. The mall itself held its first preview opening on March 11, 1971, with about 40 stores. JCPenney opened on May 17, 1972.
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| Vintage advertisement announcing the grand opening of JCPenney at Tanforan Park Mall on May 17, 1972. The event marked the arrival of one of the mall’s major anchor stores. |
The Emporium opened on September 28, 1972.
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| Vintage newspaper advertisement for the grand opening of The Emporium at Tanforan Park Mall on September 28, 1972. As a flagship anchor store, The Emporium brought fashion and department store elegance to the new mall. |
Together, these three department stores formed the backbone of the Tanforan Park Shopping Center. The original mall was a two-story enclosed shopping center that offered:
100+ retail stores
A food court
Ample free parking
Easy access via El Camino Real and Interstate 380
A prominent feature in the mall was a bronze statue of Seabiscuit, commemorating the property’s history as a racetrack. After the 2005 remodel, the statue was moved outside near the mall entrance and became a beloved landmark for decades.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Tanforan thrived, anchored by popular retailers such as Waldenbooks, Foot Locker, and Miller’s Outpost. It became a go-to shopping destination for residents of San Bruno, South San Francisco, Daly City, and Millbrae.
1990s - The Emporium closes
After Federated Stores, Macy's parent company, acquired Emporium-Capwell, the Emporium-Capwell brand was gradually discontinued in 1996. While Macy's opened stores in many former Emporium-Capwell locations, they decided to close the Tanforan store completely.
However, Target bought the site and opened a new store on March 8, 1997.
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| Vintage 1997 advertisement for the grand opening of Target at Tanforan Mall, featuring special guest appearances by Barbie, Bozo the Clown, San Francisco 49ers fullback William Floyd, and “Days of Our Lives” star Bryan Dattilo. |
Redevelopment into The Shops at Tanforan (2003–2005)
By the early 2000s, Tanforan was showing signs of age and was no longer competitive with updated and larger malls like Hillsdale Mall and Serramonte Center. In response, Macerich undertook a $140 million renovation project starting in 2003.
The original mall interior was closed and demolished, though anchor stores like Sears remained open during construction. In October 2005, the center reopened as The Shops at Tanforan.
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| Architectural detail at The Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno, showcasing the mall’s striking design elements—from sweeping curves to open skylights—that blended modern retail with airy, contemporary style. |
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| The Shops at Tanforan in full swing after its early 2000s renovation, with packed walkways, bright interiors, and a renewed energy that briefly returned the mall to its place as a bustling retail hub on the Peninsula. |
Key updates included:
A stunning new mall designed by architects Altoon + Porter and developer Wattson Breevast
A brand-new Century Theatres 20-screen cinema (opened in 2007)
A large new food court near the BART entrance
New national retailers like Old Navy, Barnes & Noble, and Forever 21
Tanforan’s transformation positioned it as a mid-tier lifestyle center with strong commuter access via the San Bruno BART Station and proximity to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
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| The food court at Tanforan Mall, a central gathering spot for shoppers to relax and enjoy a variety of dining options. |
2010s: decline and anchor closures
Though The Shops at Tanforan saw an initial boost post-renovation, the retail downturn of the 2010s began to take its toll. Several major national retailers closed locations, and Tanforan was no exception.
Sears closed in 2018 as part of the brand’s nationwide closures.
JCPenney shuttered its Tanforan location in 2020 amid bankruptcy proceedings.
Despite hosting a popular Century Theatres, an Apple Store, and a variety of dining options, the mall experienced reduced foot traffic and increasing vacancies during the late 2010s and early 2020s.
Future redevelopment and the end of an era
In March 2022, it was announced that the site of The Shops at Tanforan had been sold for $328 million to Alexandria Real Estate Equities and SteelWave. Plans were revealed to redevelop the mall into a tech and biotech campus, marking the end of Tanforan as a traditional retail center.
The redevelopment will include:
New office and laboratory space
Mixed-use development
A public memorial honoring the Japanese Americans detained at the former racetrack during WWII
As of 2025, demolition and redevelopment efforts are expected to be underway, with most retail operations ceasing by the end of the year.
Legacy of Tanforan
From racehorses to retail, Tanforan Mall has played a dynamic role in Bay Area history. As malls across the country continue to evolve—or disappear—the story of Tanforan serves as a case study in how places adapt to meet the changing needs of their communities.
Whether remembered as Tanforan Racetrack, Tanforan Park Shopping Center, or The Shops at Tanforan, this iconic location has left a lasting imprint on San Bruno and the San Francisco Peninsula.
Related posts
- Exploring The Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno – a look back at 2006 with the vintage mall directory
- Postcards from Tanforan — vintage views of Tanforan Mall (1970s)
- Lost malls: Westlake Shopping Center Daly City — from mid-century mall to modern marketplace
- Lost department stores: Emporium-Capwell (1896—1996)
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