COSTA MESA — Taxable sales at Orange County’s largest shopping centers rose 4% to $8 billion over the past year, with South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island retaining the top two spots, respectively.

Both malls reported year-over-year gains, with Fashion Island posting the largest increase among the 14 ranked centers, at 14%.

This year, the Business Journal limited its rankings to shopping centers with at least $150 million in taxable sales, dropping 15 centers from the list. The annual rankings are based on self-reported data.

Top Performers

South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa remained the county’s top shopping spot, with about $2.7 billion in taxable sales.

The roughly 2.2 million-square-foot center, one of Southern California’s premier luxury shopping destinations, features brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Tiffany & Co. It added 10 stores this year, bringing its total to about 230, officials said.

Fashion Island in Newport Beach ranked No. 2 and reported the largest percentage increase among the centers, with taxable sales rising 14.2% to $1 billion. The Irvine Company-owned mall opened New York City brand Todd Snyder and Ralph Lauren and Ralph’s Coffee in early 2026.

Together, these two shopping centers accounted for about three-quarters of the total sales growth among the 14 participating and ranked properties.

Irvine Spectrum rounded out the top three, with taxable sales up 6.3% to $690 million.

The District at Tustin Legacy came in at No. 4 with $683.6 million in sales, a 4.7% increase.

Officials from Vestar Property Management, which manages The District, said the growth is due to the shopping center putting more emphasis on dining, entertainment and experiences to attract visitors and increase spending.

“Performance at The District at Tustin Legacy has continued to strengthen this year, with increased foot traffic and positive sales growth in 2026,” Patrick Brady, vice president of leasing at Vestar, told the Business Journal.

Brady said the center’s weekly summer events have attracted families to shop, dine and spend time together.

Five more dining and entertainment venues are expected to open by the end of the year, officials said.

Downtown Disney, which has about 42 tenants, ranked No. 6 with estimated taxable sales of $434 million.

Simon Property Group-owned Brea Mall ranked seventh, with $427.3 million in taxable sales, up 5.6%.

The North Orange County mall continued to advance its $300 million makeover with a brand new landscaped outdoor plaza, new mall entrance and tenants such as Life Time, Rivian, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Pacific Catch and The Melt.

“By refreshing spaces and introducing new concepts, we’re enhancing the shopping experience and giving visitors more reasons to return,” a Brea Mall spokesperson said.

Sales Decline

Not every shopping center realized growth.
The Shops at Mission Viejo, also owned by Simon, ranked ninth on the list, saw taxable sales fall 7% to $244.8 million.

Metro Pointe at South Coast, which is near South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, reported a 4.5% drop to $195.9 million.

Rosanna Dalat, general manager for Metro Pointe, told the Business Journal that consumers are becoming “increasingly deliberate” with their purchases.

“Shoppers remain willing to spend but they are much more discerning about price,” Dalat said.

She said shoppers are focusing on value and comparing prices, which she believes is why outlets and off-price retailers are doing well. Ross Dress for Less is coming to the retail center, across the street from South Coast Plaza, in early 2027. It is taking over the former Saks Fifth Avenue space.

The center also recently added Kids Empire, an indoor children’s playground, and is adding more dining options.

Research Director Desmond Celo contributed to this report.

CORRECTION: South Coast Plaza has approximately 2.239 million square feet of gross leasable space. The original published story had an incorrect figure. The Business Journal regrets the error.