stonestown galleria

Ranking the top shopping malls in the Bay Area

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Malls are a staple in American culture. Photo courtesy of David Yu on Flickr.
 
Nothing beats the nostalgia of being at the mall. Malls are the only place serving up fashion, pretzel dogs, and the latest box office hits, all at the same address. Get ready to shop because here are our favorite malls near BART (in no particular order).
 
Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.
 

Find just what you need in this massive mall. Photo courtesy of Shop Simon.

1. The Great Mall | Milpitas Station | 447 Great Mall Dr.

The Great Mall of the Bay Area is Northern California's largest indoor outlet shopping destination. Located in Milpitas, this site has over 200 businesses across 1.3 million square feet. Shoppers can spend an entire day parousing popular brands like H&M and Uniqlo or visit a fun attraction like LEGOLAND Discovery Center or Dave & Buster's. Our advice: plan ahead because this giant mall has an endless number of things to do and places to shop. Take BART to Milpitas Station, and the mall is less than a mile away at 447 Great Mall Drive. 
 

Broadway Plaza is home to top designer brands. Photo courtesy of Downtown Walnut Creek.

2. Broadway Plaza | Walnut Creek Station | 1275 Brodway Plaza

Sitting about one mile from Walnut Creek Station is Broadway Plaza. Described as an open-air shopping destination, this location features premier retailers like Aritzia and Lululemon. This location is perfect for anyone looking to add new contemporary designer brands to their wardrobe. 
 

Items are imported straight from Japan at this mall. Photo courtesy of San Francisco Chronicle. 

3. Japan Center Malls | Civic Center/UN Plaza | 1737 Post St.

The Japan Center Malls have an amazing selection of items imported directly from Japan. Shop for authentic silk kimonos, antique art, skincare, Japanese teas and more. Enjoy an authentic shopping experience 1.2 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.
 

Find luxury outlet stores in Livermore. Photo courtesy of Simon Malls.

4. San Francisco Premium Outlets | Dublin/Pleasanton | 5801 Owens Dr.

While the name is a bit misleading, the deals aren't! San Francisco Premium Outlets are located in Livermore. Think of this place as the top spot for deals on designer. If you want to add a few designer pieces to your closet without breaking the bank, you'll want to shop here for brands like Burberry, Gucci, and 7 For All Mankind. The 1 and 14 buses run from Dublin/Pleasanton BART to the outlet entrance in about 20 minutes. 
 

Photo by SF Chronicle. 

5. Stonestown Galleria | Balboa Park | 3251 20th Ave.

If you want that nostalgic mall feeling, then head to Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco. This place has a classic mall vibe: indoors, two-story, complete with a food court and movie theater. Take BART to Balboa Park, and ride the 29 bus route from BART to the front door (about 1.8 miles away). 
 

Find classic department stores and staple shopping locations at Stoneridge Photo courtesy of Pleasanton Weekly.

6. Stoneridge Mall | West Dublin/Pleasanton | 1 Stoneridge Mall Rd.

Another nostalgic mall-going experience awaits shoppers at Stoneridge Mall. Anchored by two huge Macy's locations, Stoneridge Mall is a quick 0.6 miles from West Dublin/Pleasanton Station.

 
Photo courtesy of Lynn F. on Yelp.

7. Serramonte Center | Colma | 3 Serramonte Center

Serramonte Center is home to trendy apparel brands and classics like Hollister and Hot Topic, making it a top shopping destination for everyone. Colma BART is 1.2 miles away, and the 120 bus from BART Bay 6 goes straight to the mall. 
 

This outdoor shopping center serves as both a shopping mall and a community space. Photo courtesy of Bay Street Emeryville.

8. Bay St Emeryville | MacArthur | 5616 Bay St.

Bay Street in Emeryville is a shopping oasis spanning three city blocks, featuring an event space, fire pit, and Asian grocery chain. With apparel stores, an outdoor food court, and a giant IMAX movie theater this place feels like a modern version of the classic mall. Visiting Bay St is easy, take BART to MacArthur and the free Emery Go-Round shuttle takes you there.
 

Shop from luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Valentino in Union Square. Photo courtesy of Christopher Chan/Getty Images. 

9. Union Square | Montgomery St. | 323 Geary St.

While not technically a mall, Union Square is surrounded by luxurious shopping stores. From high-end fashion to fine jewelry and timepieces, people come here to buy from world-famous designers. If you're in the mood to splurge, take BART to Montgomery St., and the center of the square is 0.3 miles away.

Which mall is your favorite?

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by Jaymee Rayford

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