Redding is a weird place for retail. You’ve got the heat—the kind of triple-digit July heat that makes your car seats feel like lava—and you’ve got a massive geographic gap between Sacramento and Medford. This puts the Mount Shasta Mall in Redding, California in a pretty unique spot. It’s not just a place to buy jeans. For a lot of folks in Shasta County, it’s the only place to walk in air conditioning without buying a literal ton of groceries at Costco.
I remember when malls were the absolute center of the universe. That’s changed, obviously. We all buy stuff on our phones while sitting in bed now. But the Mount Shasta Mall has managed to hang on in a way that many suburban malls haven't. It’s located right at the intersection of Dana Drive and Hilltop Drive, which is basically the heartbeat of Redding’s commercial district. If you're coming off I-5, you can't miss it.
What’s actually inside these days?
Honestly, the lineup is a mix of the old guard and some newer faces. You still have the big anchors. JCPenney and Macy’s are holding down the ends of the building. It’s kind of wild to see these stores still operating when so many others across the country have boarded up their windows. They’ve survived the "retail apocalypse" so far.
But the real draw lately isn't just the department stores.
Dick’s Sporting Goods is a massive footprint here. Since Redding is basically the gateway to the outdoors—you’ve got the Sacramento River, Whiskeytown, and the mountain itself—people actually need gear. It's not just "athleisure" for show; people are buying actual kayaks and hiking boots. Then you have Best Buy, which isn't technically attached to the main indoor corridor in the same way, but it’s part of that immediate ecosystem.
- Old Favorites: Spencer's (somehow still alive), Bath & Body Works, and Victoria's Secret.
- The Essentials: LensCrafters for when you inevitably break your glasses on a trail.
- The New Kids: Ulta Beauty has become a huge anchor for the younger demographic in Redding.
The food situation is... evolving
Malls used to be about the food court. You know the smell—Bourbon Chicken mixed with Cinnabon and floor wax. The Mount Shasta Mall still has that vibe, but it's shifted.
Check out the Food Court if you're in a rush, but the perimeter is where the real action is. You have Black Bear Diner right there, which is a staple of Northern California. If you’ve never had a chicken fried steak the size of a hubcap, you haven't lived. There’s also Logan’s Roadhouse. It’s loud, there are peanut shells (sometimes), and it’s exactly what you expect.
But let's talk about the loss of Sears. That was a big blow. When Sears folded, it left a massive hole. However, the mall owners—Brookfield Properties—didn't just let it rot. They’ve been working on "re-tenanting." That’s a fancy industry term for breaking up a big dead store into smaller, more vibrant ones. It’s why you see things like HomeGoods moving into the area. It keeps the foot traffic moving.
Why Redding actually cares about this mall
Redding isn't a "luxury" town. It’s a working-class, outdoor-loving, slightly rugged city. The Mount Shasta Mall in Redding, California reflects that. You aren't going to find a Gucci store here. You’re going to find a store that sells work boots and another that sells affordable school clothes for kids.
It’s also a community hub. In the winter, when the rain is dumping down, or in the summer when the smoke from wildfires makes it hard to breathe outside, people walk the mall. It’s a safe, level place for seniors to get their steps in. It’s a place for teenagers to go when there is literally nothing else to do on a Tuesday night.
The layout and the experience
Navigation is pretty simple. It's a single-level mall. No escalators to hunt for, which is a plus if you’re pushing a stroller or a wheelchair.
One thing that’s legitimately cool is the seasonal stuff. The mall goes hard on Christmas and Easter. They still do the photos with Santa. In a world that’s increasingly digital and "meta," there’s something genuinely comforting about a kid crying on a guy’s lap in a red suit in the middle of a shopping center. It feels human.
✨ Don't miss: American Ice Cream Brands: Why Your Grocery Store Favorites Are Changing
Addressing the "Mall is Dead" rumor
Is the Mount Shasta Mall dying? No. Is it changing? Absolutely.
The vacancy rate isn't zero. You'll see some shuttered storefronts, especially in the smaller corridors. That's just the reality of 2026. Retailers like Forever 21 and various clothing chains have struggled. But the mall has stayed relevant by leaning into "services" and "experiences." You’ll see more places focused on beauty, fitness, or food than you would have twenty years ago.
The ownership has stayed aggressive. Brookfield Properties is one of the biggest mall operators in the world. They know what they’re doing. They’ve kept the property clean, the security visible, and the parking lot paved. That sounds like a low bar, but go visit a dying mall in the Rust Belt and you'll see the difference.
Parking and Logistics
Getting in and out can be a nightmare during the holidays. Hilltop Drive is notorious for traffic jams. If you're smart, you'll enter from the Dana Drive side or use the back entrance near the movie theater (Cinemark 14 is right nearby, though not physically part of the mall structure).
- Best time to go: Weekday mornings right after they open at 10:00 AM. It’s quiet, peaceful, and you can actually hear yourself think.
- The Heat Factor: If it’s 110 degrees outside, the mall becomes the de facto city park. Be prepared for crowds on those days.
- Safety: Generally, it’s very safe. Redding has its issues with homelessness and petty crime, like any city, but the mall maintains a pretty tight ship with private security.
Real Value: Beyond the Shopping
If you're visiting from out of town, maybe you're headed to Lassen Volcanic National Park or Lake Shasta, the mall is your "refupply" station. Don't rely on the tiny stores in the mountains. Prices there are triple what you'll pay at the Mount Shasta Mall in Redding, California.
Stop at Dick’s for your bear spray or extra wool socks. Hit the food court for a quick meal before the long drive up the canyon. Use the clean restrooms. It’s a utility.
What the future looks like
Looking ahead, expect more "mixed-use" vibes. We might see more medical offices or even residential components nearby. The days of a mall being 100% retail are over. To survive, this place will have to continue becoming a "town square" rather than just a place to buy a toaster.
There's talk about more outdoor-facing storefronts. Modern shoppers don't like being "trapped" inside a windowless box as much as they used to. They like "lifestyle centers" where you can walk from the sidewalk into a store. The Mount Shasta Mall has started to adapt to this by making the exterior more inviting.
Getting the most out of your visit
If you haven't been in a while, it’s worth a walk-through. Even if you aren't a "mall person," there's a certain nostalgia and practicality to it that’s hard to beat.
Actionable Steps for your trip:
- Check the hours: Usually 10 AM to 8 PM, but Sundays end early at 6 PM. Don't get caught out.
- Download the store map: The physical directories are okay, but having the digital map on your phone helps when you're looking for something specific like the Tilt Studio (the arcade/entertainment area).
- Park by Macy's: It’s usually the easiest exit back onto the main roads.
- Combine your trip: Since you're right there, hit the Redding Target or the Kohl's across the street. It’s the most efficient way to knock out a "city run" if you live in the outlying areas like Shingletown or Weaverville.
The Mount Shasta Mall isn't just a building; it's a survivor. It represents the resilience of a mid-sized city trying to keep its culture alive in the age of Amazon. It’s not perfect, but for Redding, it’s exactly what’s needed.