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Here’s a detailed, link‑heavy guide to shopping in and around Hayward, CA—what to visit, where it is, what you’ll actually find, and why it’s worth a stop.

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1) Main regional mall in Hayward

Southland Mall — big enclosed mall with national anchors

Website: http://www.southlandmall.com/ (official)
Address: 1 Southland Drive, Hayward, CA

Why it’s the core Hayward shopping destination

• Long‑running, full‑service mall right in town; opened in the 1960s and still operating with a large roster of stores. Wikipedia notes it’s a major Hayward mall, with roughly 100 stores and several anchor tenants. (Wikipedia)

• Mixed anchors and past/current big‑box history. Historically you’d find department‑store anchors; the mall has shifted over time, reflecting changes in retail ownership and tenant mix. That gives it a broad mix of fashion, electronics, services, and dining under one roof.

• City and chamber backing. The Hayward Chamber of Commerce lists Southland Mall as a member business with direct contact info and the official site, underscoring its active local presence. (Hayward Chamber of Commerce - CA)

What to expect when you visit

• One‑stop shopping for clothes, accessories, beauty, casual dining, and services.

• Close proximity to major roadways and the rest of Hayward—easy to combine with errands, dining, or entertainment in the area.

• Best for shoppers who want a traditional mall experience in Hayward without leaving the city.

Practical tips

• Check the mall’s own site for store directories, hours, and any special events or promotions before you go.

• If you’re coming from elsewhere in the East Bay, it makes sense as a central, familiar option when outlet or premium centers are too far.

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2) Strong neighborhood shopping hub in Hayward

Sky West Commons — busy community center anchored by Target + specialty grocer

Key links:

• Island Pacific Market, Sky West Commons page: https://shop.islandpacificmarket.com/stores/hayward

• Property/overview listing: LoopNet page on Skywest Commons

What it is

• A community shopping center that combines a national big‑box, a specialty Asian‑focused supermarket, fast casual food, and other everyday services—useful for routine grocery runs, quick errands, and casual dining without a long drive.

Why it’s useful for Hayward shoppers

• Anchor mix: Target is a major draw for household goods, electronics, clothing, groceries, etc., and Island Pacific Market provides a wide grocery selection, including Filipino and other Asian foods. The official Island Pacific page confirms the location, hours, and services offered at Sky West Commons. (Island Pacific Market) (Island Pacific Market)

• Surrounding tenant ecosystem: Property listing information highlights that the center is directly off major local streets, gets heavy daily traffic, and includes other food and retail tenants—Five Guys, Carter’s, T‑Mobile, Wingstop, Starbucks, etc.—which boosts convenience for a full quick‑trip visit. (LoopNet)

• Designed for quick errands: Community‑scale, easier parking, less time‑intensive than a full mall visit if you only need a few things.

What to expect when you visit

• Grocery shopping, quick food, cell phone or services stop, and small specialty retail in one place.

• Daytime and early evening visits are straightforward; weekends may be busier given the anchors and food options.

Practical tips

• Ideal as a first stop before or after visiting Southland Mall—covers basics, then go mall‑style for apparel or bigger purchases.

• Good pick when you don’t want to navigate a large enclosed mall but still need a broad set of retailers.

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3) Walkable, locally focused shopping & small business cluster

Downtown Hayward — shops, services, and periodic events

Website: https://downtownhayward.com/

What makes it special

• Community‑driven commercial district with an emphasis on local businesses, public art, and events—not just big chains. The Downtown Hayward Improvement Association describes the area as a historic, 24‑block district with culture and community focus, backed by recent or ongoing promotion and events. (Downtown Hayward)

• Shoppable streetscape: downtown is designed for walking with shops, services, and eateries lining Main, Foothill, and nearby streets. It’s good for browsing, gift shopping, or discovering independent retailers that aren’t in a mall.

What to expect when you visit

• Smaller boutiques, specialty stores, and local services, plus seasonal events like farmers markets or downtown gatherings. The site keeps event info and links to calendars, useful for planning a shopping trip around something special. (Downtown Hayward)

• A more leisurely, district‑style shopping day—better for browsing, consulting with shop staff, finding unique items, or pairing shopping with dining or art walks.

Practical tips

• Check the events calendar before going; a farmers market or festival can make the visit more festive, with extra stalls, food, and crowd energy.

• Parking and transit access are emphasized on the portal, so it’s friendly to both drivers and public transit users. (Downtown Hayward)

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4) Nearby high‑end outlet destination for big brand deals

San Francisco Premium Outlets — Livermore, short drive from Hayward

Website: https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/san-francisco

Why it’s worth the drive

• Extensive outlet selection: It’s Northern California’s large luxury outlet with 180+ stores and substantial savings mentioned on the official site—up to around 65% off typical retail pricing. That’s a major step up from local malls when you’re hunting for designer or big‑brand markdowns. (Premium Outlets)

• Brand variety: Includes a wide range from athletic to designer labels (Coach Outlet, Guess Factory, Clarks, Michael Kors, Burberry, Nike, New Balance, adidas, Hugo Boss, Ferragamo, Tommy Hilfiger, and others shown in the store list). It’s particularly strong for clothing, shoes, and accessories. (Premium Outlets)

What to expect on a visit

• A full day or at least a half‑day trip; lots of walking, many stores, more crowds on weekends or holidays.

• Significant opportunity to stack sales, outlet pricing, and sometimes member or event‑based coupons—worth checking current promotions online before leaving.

Practical tips

• Leave early on weekends or holidays to beat traffic into Livermore from Hayward and avoid the busiest mid‑afternoon period.

• Combine with a meal or wine‑country stop nearby if you want a full Bay Area outing—Livermore Valley is close enough for that.

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5) Larger regional shopping center nearby for an alternative mix

Stoneridge Shopping Center — Tri‑Valley regional destination, Pleasanton

Website: https://www.simon.com/mall/stoneridge-shopping-center

Why mention it

• It’s close enough to Hayward for a quick drive and offers a major shopping and dining destination for the wider Tri‑Valley area. The official center page positions it as a go‑to spot for local shoppers in Pleasanton and nearby, suggesting a robust store and dining mix beyond what Hayward alone provides. (Simon)

What to expect

• A larger mall experience similar to Southland but with a different tenant mix, possibly more upscale or specialized stores depending on current leases.

• More dining variety and possibly different seasonal or special retail programming than Hayward’s options.

Practical tips

• Useful alternative if you’re already near Pleasanton, or if Southland Mall or Sky West Commons don’t have what you’re searching for.

• Good backup when one center is too crowded; shift to another active regional spot within a short drive.

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How to choose among these spots

1. If you want everything in one place, indoors:

   • Start with Southland Mall.

2. If you need groceries or quick errands with a few shops/dining:

   • Go to Sky West Commons.

3. If you want unique finds, local boutiques, and a casual stroll:

   • Spend time in Downtown Hayward.

4. If you’re hunting designer brands or deep discounts:

   • Plan a trip to San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore.

5. If you’re nearby Pleasanton or want another big mall option:

   • Check Stoneridge Shopping Center.

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Tips for a better shopping day in Hayward

• Check each site before you go for hours, event announcements, or sudden closures—especially helpful for smaller downtown shops and community events.

• Combine shopping with food or attractions: Downtown Hayward has art, events, and walkable streets; premium outlets and Stoneridge both have dining; Sky West Commons has quick eats for families or anyone on a time budget.

• Weekday vs weekend: weekday afternoons can be calmer at malls; weekends are busier but may have more events or weekend‑only promotions.

With these five hubs, you can cover almost any shopping need—daily necessities, fashion, specialty groceries, or big‑brand deal hunting—without having to stray too far from Hayward.