Best Shopping Centers and Malls in the Sacramento Area
Arden Fair Mall
1689 Arden Way Suite 1167
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 920-1167
www.ardenfair.com
The largest shopping mall in Sacramento, this two-level mall houses 165 stores including Apple, Coach, and the Disney Store. Anchored by Macy's, Nordstrom, JC Penney, and Sears, Arden Fair Mall runs the spectrum from mid to high-end shopping. The food court on the upper level provides complimentary Wi-Fi and a pervasive hot aroma of cinnamon that is relentless. Good luck trying not to buy a cinnamon roll while you're there. The kids will love the indoor Carousel and the Build-a-Bear Workshop. The mall also offers valet parking. Complimentary wheelchairs, stroller rental and other services are available at the Concierge Center. You can also join the Inside Track Mall Walkers Club.
Pavillions
563 Pavilions Lane (on Fair Oaks Blvd. near Howe Ave.)
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 925-4463
www.shoppavilions.com
Pavilions, an upscale outdoor shopping center with a village atmosphere, is home to such stores as Ralph Lauren, Williams Sonoma, Chico's, Hamilton Jewelers, and Talbots. Several boutiques, like Franco Ferrini Shoes, Calla Lily Fine Linens and Lingerie, and It's a Small World (children's clothing) can be found at Pavillions. Ruth's Chris Steak House and Piatti Ristorante & Bar provide a fine dining experience. There is also The Market at Pavillions (formerly David Berkeley's) that sells wine, specialty foods, and to-die-for deli sandwiches.
Old Sacramento
www.oldsacramento.com/shopping.php
Old Sacramento, bordered by the Sacramento River and Interstate-5 in downtown features more than 100 shops and boutiques. By the way, it's Old Sacramento, or Old Sac, not Old Town. We are not Pasadena. Gold Rush-era buildings surrounded by boardwalks line the streets. Old Sacramento is also a huge tourist attraction and a National and California Historic Landmark. Here you will find the Delta King, a paddle wheel boat hotel on the river, over 40 restaurants, and 5 museums, including the California State Railroad Museum and the Old Schoolhouse Museum.
Westfield Downtown Plaza
547 L Street
Sacramento CA 95814
916.442.4000
westfield.com/downtownplaza
K Street is pedestrian-only between 4th and 7th, and is what makes up Downtown Plaza. This open-air mall has over 75 stores and is anchored by Macy's. It also has the only Macy's Men's store in the city of Sacramento. Validated parking is underground. The Food Court is on the second level, next to the Century movie theatres. This mall is also convenient to the tunnel walkway underneath I-5 that leads to Old Sacramento. You'll find a farmers market on Thursdays during the summer and an outdoor ice rink during the winter. The lower level of the Rotunda area features a bright colorful Play Space with animal characters and puzzles for kids.
Westfield Roseville Galleria
1151 Galleria Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95678
916.787.2000
westfield.com/galleriaatroseville
The Roseville Galleria has over 240 shops, enough to please the most discerning of shoppers. This is the kind of mall you would normally see in Los Angeles with their Tiffany & Company, Louis Vuitton, and Abercrombie & Fitch. It's like Rodeo Drive, only bigger. If you have a snobby friend from out of town looking down her beak at what you've shown her so far, take a trip to the Roseville Galleria and see if that impresses her at all. Valet park your car while you're at it. The Galleria also has concierge services, transportation assistance and mobility services. If exercise is your thing, the Westfield Walkers tromp through the place every day beginning at 8am.
Sunrise Mall
6196 Sunrise Mall
Citrus Heights, CA 95610
(916) 728-1916
www.sunrisemallonline.com
Sunrise Mall is an indoor sky-lit mall with more than 110 stores. It is anchored by JC Penney, Macy's Women's & Children, Macy's Men's & Home and Sears. It also features the weekly Kids Adventure Club on Thursday mornings and the Friends-in-Fitness Mall Walkers Club.
Town & Country Village
2605 El Paseo Lane
Sacramento, CA 95821
(916) 973-0249
www.shoptownandcountry.com
Town and Country Village is not one of those massive super malls. It is a charming, outdoor village-type shopping center with covered walkways and smaller crowds. The parking lot is easier to get in and out of than your standard huge mall. The specialty boutiques, salons, and restaurants here are enough to keep you busy all day. Pick up a truffle or twelve at Capital Confections and swing through Trader Joe's on your way out.
Country Club Plaza
2310 Watt Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 481-6716
www.countryclubplazamall.com
This indoor mall with the large atrium inside hosts the Certified Farmers Market on Saturdays in the rear parking lot outside. It's main stores are Macy's, Ross, Sport Chalet, Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse and Bed Bath and Beyond.Peggy Brown, of Rancho Murieta Brunch fame, can be found playing there on Fridays from 11am to 1pm. The Mall Walk Program goes from 8am to 10am daily. And in case you were wondering, one lap of the mall equals one-third of a mile.
- Margaret Andrews is a blogger living in Sacramento. You can see more of her work on her blog, NannyGoatsInPanties.com.
