Great Mall of the Bay Area (California)

# Great Mall of the Bay Area

The Great Mall of the Bay Area is a large indoor outlet shopping mall located in Milpitas, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. Situated at 447 Great Mall Dr, the mall is strategically positioned where Interstate 880 and U.S. Route 101 intersect, making it easily accessible by car from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. The surrounding region is primarily suburban and commercial, characteristic of Silicon Valley's development pattern. Milpitas itself has transformed dramatically from its origins as a rural agricultural community known as "little cornfields" into a thriving suburban city that serves as a major commercial hub for the greater Bay Area.

The mall is notable for being the second-largest indoor shopping mall in Northern California, featuring approximately 1.4 million square feet of retail space across a single sprawling floor. It houses several hundred stores and serves as a major outlet shopping destination for the region. The retail mix includes a diverse selection of stores spanning fashion and apparel, footwear, sporting goods, and electronics. The mall also features entertainment options including a Dave & Busters, mini golf facilities, and a Century 20 movie theater complex. Food options are available throughout the mall, including a dedicated food court area.

Parking is abundant and free, with ample spaces available for visitors. The mall is also accessible via public transportation, with the Great Mall/Main station and Milpitas station providing transit connections. The facility is currently owned and managed by the Simon Property Group.

A unique aspect of the Great Mall is its architectural heritage. The building was originally constructed in 1955 as the Ford Motor Company's San José Assembly Plant, where Ford Mustangs and other vehicles were manufactured. The plant employed approximately 6,000 workers at its peak and produced over one vehicle per minute. After the plant closed in 1983 due to competition from Japanese automakers, the massive industrial structure sat largely unused for a decade. In 1993-1994, developers undertook a major conversion project, transforming the former factory into a shopping mall that opened on September 22, 1994. Inside the mall, near Entrance 4 and the food court, a substantial historical display created by the Milpitas Historical Society showcases the building's industrial past, featuring old farm equipment, photographs, automobile subassemblies, and a restored Ford Fairlane Skyliner. An oak tree with a commemorative plaque stands in the southwest section of the parking lot, marking the site's transformation from industrial manufacturing to modern retail.

One of the best places to shop in our region, Great Mall of the Bay Area combines traditional mall stores with a healthy selection of outlet shops. Great Mall of the Bay Area is located on 447 Great Mall Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035-8041. Great Mall of the Bay Area has 202 outlet stores from the top designers and name brands.
Here are a list of factory stores, information about mall hours and location. Please choose outlet store from list below to view details (contact, store hours, location, map and more).