Blackhawk is a community just east of Danville, and its famous for Blackhawk Plaza, which is a must-visit place in my opinion. Although Blackhawk Plaza is technically an outdoor luxury mall, I consider it more like an entertainment center that is designed to relax and de-stress. I've been coming here regularly after moving here some 7 years ago and as a new parent, looking forward to coming back. I never come here to shop, since the small boutique shops are not for me. Restaurants are okay for the most part, but you're paying more for the location. The entertainment options are great: 1. Blackhawk Auto Museum is a must for car lovers, but they also have a special China exhibit and regular natural history in their main museum. 2. Ducks everywhere! You can destress while watching them swim and dive in the giant pond, and even feed them from food from Draegers. Lots of outdoor art too dedicated to ducks and geese. 3. Century Blackhawk, at least pre COVID, is an older but great theater where all seats are luxury recliners. 4. Gigantic parking lot. 5. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, with Creamistry for hot days and Starbucks for any days. For casual eats, I like Beep's Burgers. 6. A playground for kids and grassy areas. 7. A Crunch! gym and a new martial arts studio coming soon. For COVID times, they offer outdoor Zumba on Sundays. 8. These used to have outdoor concerts here Pre-Covid. Even though we're still facing the pandemic, Blackhawk Plaza still has its charms. Its sad to see so many businesses close, but the ducks are always there to cheer people up. read more

See all

What a shame that the owners of this beautiful location allowed it to get to the condition it is. Talk about great bones and such a missed opportunity to be a real amazing place to hang out. It's a ghost town and that's a shame. read more

See all

Sad. Very sad. The mall is dead. A once vibrant area, dead to Bishop Ranch. The museum is still very nice, just not a big draw to substantiate the mall. read more

My ex introduced me to this place in our first year together. I was mesmerized by the water fountain while sitting in the restaurant patio several years ago. Looking at the condition today was a painful reminder that I have to move on. Everything is almost empty except the Blackhawk Museum standing tall under the sunset. I never had a chance to visit inside. There's not much to do anymore, yet I'm glad I had a chance to make memories here before the pandemic hit. It will be the last time I ever come back. read more

I came to Blackhawk Plaza to go to the Blackhawk Museum. It was a Saturday afternoon, and although the Plaza was really nice, almost all the stores here were closed. It is very picturesque here, with the ducks swimming in the man made ponds, the waterfalls and the fountains. But with most places being closed, and the place being pretty much empty, other than the Blackhawk Museum which was excellent, it really took a lot away from this place. You could tell this was a very happening place when all was well, especially in this area of Danville!! read more

See all

Turn the fountain on and fill it up! These ducks and geese have been living here for years and suddenly it's shut off and filthy. I won't be surprised if this shopping center is waiting for the leases to be up so they can sell to housing development. read more

What happened to this mall? I went there recently and the theater is closed, and most of the stores. So sad as it is a nice property and I would go there years ago to a movie, dinner and feed the ducks with my kiddos. I guess draggers is there, however it is always empty. The mall looks in need of help, with the dirty carpets and darkness. Let's hope the Blackhawk outdoor mall is revitalized for the community read more

I took family members to Blackhawk Plaza for lunch, or tried to, and the mall was covered with duck poop everywhere. We had to pick up the small kids to keep them from stepping in it. The Grill at Blackhawk is now permanently closed. We tried Nilo's which had very good pasta, but we were the only people in there until right before we left. The owners were really nice. Most of the shops are vacant. The pond is filthy so obviously it hasn't been cleaned in a while. Anyone who rates this place higher than two stars in 2025 is blind as a bat. read more

Great place, I just visited today. However, make sure to keep this place in business! I remember this place on the early 2010s and it is way emptier now! read more

Went for a movie across the way and after checked out Blackhawk plaza for a bite then walked around, beautiful and the waterfall with the ducks caught our attention. Ended up getting duck food to feed them read more

See all

Not sure what to think of this place anymore. I use to come here all the time with my kid. Place looks ran down and not many shops around, Dogtopia with signed on window to keep out and stay 6 feet away is right next to overpriced Draggers and few mediocre restaurants. Blackhawk museum as much of a rip off stuffed with nothing but dead animals (I was corrected by Terry -museum greeter, they called taxidermy) and really scary Asian Art. Barely any good cars left. Very unpleasant recent experience. read more

Great times at their Cars and Coffee years ago! I wish that they still had them. Alot of really nice cars. read more

Blackhawk Plaza - Cars and Coffee! - Shopping Centers Near Me - Danville, California

This review is based strictly on the condition of the plaza and the interactions of some of the owners of the business I visited, not the service. The plaza is run down. Most businesses are closed. The interior of the plaza (lower floor where most restaurants are) is dark and the carpets are dirty and stained with tire tread marks from the bikes and skateboards that kids have been apparently allowed to ride around throughout the area. There is goose, duck and bird droppings everywhere. The exterior paint is faded on most buildings. The Century Theater is closed due to a conflict with the landlord over an increase with rent (which probably affected most businesses and closed other doors too). Security doesn't seem to have a presence as they allow for kids to run around and skate at will all along the plaza and terrorize the patrons as they shop without any repercussion. It's almost as if the landlord wants this plaza to fail and go belly up. Maybe there is an ulterior motive. In any case, this was once a beautiful place to visit, shop and walk around. Not anymore. It's a shame the state of affairs that it has fallen into and if there are other plans in development by the landlord, I hope those blow up in his face after what he's done to all these business and these people's dreams. read more

Lovely area to walk around in with a large waterfall and ducks. Lots of shops and restaurants to chose from.

Certainly a pricey area to buy, but it's nice to walk around. Saw plenty of kids happy to feed ducks. It's a good area when there's a car show at Blackhawk Museum too. read more

Pond is algae ridden, dirty, smells...no theater, no gym... Is this closing down??? Sad...it smells along with dogtopia... read more

A small gem of a plaza at the top of Blackhawk. A few good quality shops and restaurants, and the Draeger's Market has a little bit of everything. Take a stroll around the plaza in a nice summer night, or catch one of the Friday free summer concerts. Grab lunch at Blackhawk grill, and definitely take a tour of the Blackhawk Auto museum. read more

See all

Outdoor mall with a pond that makes the beauty factor of it go up a notch. Very peaceful and pleasant place to take a stroll. Upscale and beautiful - all of the malls around the US that are going out of business should take note of how things could be built to attract more people. Some events might be a good excuse to drop by if you don't live nearby. Great place to bring the whole family and window shop a bit. read more

We love driving to this plaza, even it far from where we lived. The place was very peaceful and clean, water and ponds were cool and like paradise , sceneries around are beautiful .. we usually come here mostly on weekends for the kids. I would recommend anyone. It small but very clean, even the restroom are super super clean... Oh and don't forget there are ducks around ponds as well but still so clean around not like those in San Jose. read more

See all

I love coming here with my little. We go buy the duck food from draegers market and feed the ducks and geese near the beautiful water features. After our duck food is gone we hit the playground. It's a fun inexpensive outing we enjoy on the regular. Usually there are other littles for my son to play with as well. There's a Starbucks in the market and some other nice restaurants to grab a bite at too. read more

Blackhawk Plaza - Ducks - Shopping Centers Near Me - Danville, California

See all

Great plaza to hangout. Dog friendly. Kid friendly. Nice restaurants. Clean and safe plaza. T would love this place. read more

See all

We have been coming to this plaza since the early '90's, and several renovations later, I think they have finally got it right. I did not realize that they had removed the ancient history side of the Museum....so sad....it was small, but had some great pieces from the Kroeber Collection, very interesting. I guess the cars are all they have?? Shops have come and gone, but the ponds, waterfalls, and ducks have been a source of great pleasure all along. Now that we have little people in our lives, even better. Get a bag of duck food at a pet store, you won't regret it, but Draeger's sells it in a pinch...for a couple of bucks. We frequent the G. R. Doodlebug, Draeger's and Anthrpologie (for my *big* girls) I am missing Black and White...I always found something I liked there. Right now I have no clothing shops that work for me....they are all too young. Also MIA is a coffee and pastry shop, ice cream, and home decor shops. Of the restaurants that have come in recently...Little Pear, Laurus are the best. Great place for a promenade with the family and a casual meal!! read more

Some people go to shopping plaza's to shop, while others go to shopping plaza's to enjoy the vibe or atmosphere a plaza has to offer. When I visit Blackhawk Plaza, which isn't as often as I would prefer, I do just that. I enjoy sitting, listening, thinking and writing at the plaza. The past two times I have visited, the plaza hasn't been very crowded, which has been perfect for me. It's more peaceful that way. With my recent visit, I came to enjoy the lake that is in the middle of the plaza and I came to get some much-needed writing, reflecting and purging of my emotions and everything I've had to endure and experience over the last 7 months, out of me. Blackhawk plaza was the perfect place to do just that. In my recent review of the restaurant "The Little Pear", I wrote a small blurb about Blackhawk plaza and how the white lights reflecting over the lake in the middle of the plaza made the place a little more festive and summery. But it also added to the vibe and feel of the evening and helped me do what I needed to get done that night. I am really glad Blackhawk plaza still exists. While the plaza is filled mostly with high-end stores, it also has a really nice movie theater and a few restaurants. I will definitely be returning very soon. I've been wanting to see a movie in their movie theater, I heard the seats recline. Nice. read more

Blackhawk Plaza - The white string of lights in the plaza, hard to see the lights reflecting off the water in this image. But they are & it's peaceful. - Shopping Centers Near Me - Danville, California

See all

Five stars all the way. Beautiful landscaping. Lots of water features, ducks wading in what appears to be filtered rivers/ponds so there's no duck crap everywhere. Shops that carry things that smell and look wonderful. This is a fun place to eat and shop! Bring your larger wallet though! read more

Blackhawk Plaza - Female Mallard looking pretty for the camera. - Shopping Centers Near Me - Danville, California

During the warm summer solstice of last year, K and I embarked on a quest to feed duckies at a goose-less park-- and trust me, it was not easy. After a couple of tries, we found a clean park where the ducks were secluded from the geese.. Somehow, the geese still managed to scurry over, along with every seagull within a half-mile radius. As you know, geese carry a malicious aura and will bite and rip off every bit of your wool sweater apart until every last crumb of pizza-flavored Pringles is consumed from your little fingers. True story. I know this because I've spent a good amount of time belly-aching while running in circles, attempting to scare them away. Alas, only the ducks fled, and the geese found my peculiar self to be more attractive than ever. And then he found the car museum, supplemented by Blackhawk Plaza. He brought me shortly thereafter, and we commenced at Draeger's. The shelves were filled with local ingredients and organic goods, with duck food sold for a nominal fee at the check out counter. We walked out into the back and I was appalled. Lo and behold, "The most spoiled ducks in the world!" he announced, and no lies were told. I looked and looked, and saw duckies playing in waterfalls and in the little ponds. Koi fish swimming in the back. Swans (both black and white) behind them! You could imagine the awe one would experience after a lifetime of being told that, "black swans are mythical." Wow, wow, wow, wow, WOW! I spent a good hour or two frolicking amongst them and feeding the Dried corn, it looks like. No Pringles for these babies, there are signs all over the place warning you not to feed them any foreign foods. Rebellion is an invitation for citations! We ate (super yummy) cuppycakes and sammiches under the sun, and then explored at the shops in the plaza.. Restoration Hardware has quite the collection of antiques! My initial thoughts were that they could add at least a few appealing shops, but then the crazy inflation of customers would probably get people stomping all over my little darlings.. They await my return! read more

The plaza has good restaurants but the interior common area of the plaza is poorly maintained The seating area is disgusting. The leather chairs are filthy and the tile flooring looks like it needs to be restored. It's too bad because it's such a pretty Plaza with the water feature and ducks. I hope the management steps up and does a thorough cleaning, polishing and brings the plaza up to the potential it deserves. I like the lights on the outdoor trees. read more

Blackhawk Plaza - Shopping Centers Near Me - Danville, California

Blackhawk Plaza gives me that uncomfortable feeling like I'm awfully conspicuous just because of my presence. Here's what I mean: There's rarely anyone there. The exception are the special events; my wife and I once saw Pride & Joy play there just after our wedding, and the place was packed. My daughter and I also went to a Halloween party put on by Radio Disney, also well attended. But where are the shoppers? Good question. Where are the shoppers? Not many stores have been there for too long. It's a beautiful place, with the pond in the middle and ducks swimming. Very at home at the gated community of Blackhawk. But it's a place to buy things, and the times I've been there, both before and during the start of the Depression of 2009+, I've rarely seen anyone buying things in the stores. I hope the stores have deep pockets or low fixed costs. So where are the shoppers? Probably across the street at the two more typical shoping centers at the corner of Camino Tassajara and Crow Canyon Road. I hope the place makes it, but it's already been there a long time, and it still struggles. read more

This is a DARLING place to take your tots during the week to feed the ducks! **NOTE: blackhawk ducks are on a special Draeger's diet; there are signs up everywhere that say you're only allowed to feed the ducks this corn mullet/lentil mixture that Draeger's sells for around $1.80/box. Other than the weird duck diet disclaimer, the water is so well maintained (of course, it's Blackhawk) and the grounds are cleaner than any public park. Plus, there's lots to do for kids as well. There's a great play structure, the Blackhawk car museum and Studio Grow (educational open play area). You can also join this Blackhawk kids club (more for older kids though) that lets you in on different activities they have going on in the plaza all year. Aside from the kids stuff, it's a great date night place - with movie theaters & variety of restaurants like Roti 8 (new rotisserie chicken place), Blackhawk Grille (newly renovated), and more. There used to be a Tuti Fruti fro yo place, but they closed recently. Lots of high end shops and boutiques as well - Anthropology, Apricots, etc. The Blackhawk Plastic Surgery location is right next to Starbucks too for anyone looking for a little nip/tuck with their latte (*sigh* again, of course it's Blackhawk). read more

Still a nice plaza overall...but yesterday we spent three hours here playing and I discovered two nasty things. First, the bathroom near The Little Pear and Anthropology is disgusting. There are two family bathrooms here. One was closed/out of order. The other had a door that did not close unless you put all your weight on it and locked it before i popped back open. It also smelled like stale urine. Nasty. Second, the grassy area near the children's play structure where a lot of the ducks rest in the morning needs some maintenance. The plants are watered in the morning, and puddles of water gather where there are chunks of grass missing. These deeper puddles are fine for me, but a 20-month-old knows no different and stomps through it and gets completely wet and muddy. It's also deep enough to be a tripping hazzard for kids. Also, the "rides" that you pay a dollar or so for in the back of the plaza are old, dirty and weird. They all make animal sounds that don't correlate to the animal that they are (not a good lesson for toddlers). The rides are dirty and some don't even work if you try to put money in. Some of the wires are covered by strips that they used to attempt to keep the wires down, but half of them are peeled up. Another hazard for toddlers. Quite unfortunate. Other than this the plaza is nice. Hopefully I won't discover more minuses next time we visit. read more

An absolutely beautiful shopping center! High end shops and great restaurants, all smart enough to offer outdoor seating so you can enjoy the beautiful fountains and architecture. Not to mention visit those pesky ducks! My work has had two lunchtime events here, at Blackhawk Grille and the automotive museum, and both times they made us all feel like stars. Parking is plentiful even during the holiday shopping frenzy. I also grabbed a weekend lunch on the patio of the Prickly Pear - I swear wearing your sunglasses, watching the water and sipping on a margarita just made me feel like I was on vacation, and I was only minutes from home! I look forward to many return to visits to this spectacular center! read more

We make it a point to drop in a couple times a year for random reasons... Take wedding photos, feed the ducks, check out Santa, catch a flick at Century with the luxury lounger chairs, visit Play for a birthday, listen in on Rockin' the Plaza or just take a stroll to blow off some energy. It's not exactly the place I go to shop, but it does have entertainment value. Tips: Swing by Draegers to get your duck food. Plenty of parking. The only time it's busy is when there is an event like Rockin' the Plaza. Other than that traffic is usually light. Busiest shop is always Starbucks even though there is another one right across the street. read more

Blackhawk Plaza - Shopping Centers Near Me - Danville, California

Such a cool quite Mall. Amazing plaza. Great for kids, all ages. Lots of shops surrounding large waterfall and water feature. Kids love to feed the ducks. Great place to enjoy some food and drinks. read more

This is such a beautiful outdoor mall to go to. The place makes me want to move out here just to go to this place. There's a lovely pond and water flowing area, plus a nice play structure for the kids. Seems so posh, and only less than an hour drive away from the city? Would definitely come here again to sit in the sun, hangout, and of course, shop! Mind you, it would be plenty of 'window shopping', but so what? read more

Blackhawk Plaza - Found this sign located next to the play structure, only in Danville I guess. Don't know why pic uploaded sideways, oh well - Shopping Centers Near Me - Danville, California

We sometimes come here when we have nothing to do and have to get the kids out of the house. Works for the little one still. Older one finds it a bit boring. They still enjoy hanging out in the toy store. Little one loves the play structure and the kiddie rides (although I always forget to bring quarters). We like to browse in Draeger's for adult eye candy. Too expensive to buy much there. Fun and expensive imported stuff. The ducks are fun, but a bit dirty. The landscaping is beautiful. My husband has had lunch at the Prickly Pear several times with friends. He says it is ok (not a place he would choose himself). I find it a bit pretentious myself. Other than the occasional items at Draeger's and the toy store, we have never bought anything here. read more

Love this place! Whether it's to stroll around and look at the fish, ducks, or just watch the water fountains, this is such a cute place to spend some time relaxing :) Not a lot of people frequent this place, which is why I believe the stores here have such a high turnover rate (not to mention it must be super expensive to have a shop here!) This location has many restaurants, but I've noticed more and more contemporary clothing stores popping up in the recent years, which is awesome! Personally, I love to sit down by the couches of the lobby and work on things while listening to the sound of the water. Overall, this is a great location to walk around with family! read more

Been here a handful of times. It's outdoors, very similar to Santana Row, Bay St. (in Emeryville), but the stores are more upscale and the fountain/pool in the middle is very nice. There are still shop fronts that are boarded up, and either looking for tenants, or stores preparing to open, but regardless this is still a very upscale place. There are several fancy restaurants (i.e. Blackhawk Grille - awesome place to eat by the way!), and a movie theater that sits across the parking lot from the plaza. The people that shop here, walk around here, hang out here, all reek of money....especially the 40-something white ladies who either dress like they're in their 20's, or have enough cosmetic "upgrades" to make Leona Helmsley jealous! One more thing. Nothing confirmed, but I can sense this place may be a "cougar" den. See for yourself! read more

This place has turned into one step up from a dump. The grocery store, pizzeria, hair place and everything on that end are fine. But once you go into the middle, its totally different. There is duck and goose poo everywhere. They don't clean it enough. The ponds are disgusting with muck growing up the pond walls. The furniture they have is getting gross and looks like its falling apart. When walking through the shops, most of them look empty. They have had a place for santa set up for a year and a half. Last Christmas they Didnt even have a santa but the place he was at just stayed decorated. Its not Christmas year round. Clean that stuff up like a respectable establishment. The burger place there has very good food but the little park right outside of it is hardly taken care of. The ground is all chewed up and a for of the things on the play structure are broken. This place used to be like top tier fancy. But sadly they are letting it fall apart. Im sure they are just going to replace it with more condos or apartments. Don't have nice places, just bring in more people to slowly make the town uglier and more populated. For Blackhawk, this place is disgraceful and an embarrassment in its current condition. read more

I don't think I've ever come here on a non-sunny day (well, actually it rained once when I went there). My point is that Blackhawk Plaza is a really nice shopping area. It's clean and well maintained. It has a very relaxed atmoshphere about it and the patrons seem quite nice. A Draeger's has taken up an anchor position at the complex and there is decent selection of shops and restaurants. The only bad thing I can think of might be that you shouldn't feed the ducks. They're a bit agressive so if you have kids, keep them away. read more

Blackhawk Plaza - Shopping Centers Near Me - Danville, California

See all

Shopping here today: Nice place visiting but, stores and restaurant selection-minimal and over-priced especially the bookstore charges between $7.00 to $15.00 over the normal price of a hard-cover bound book! read more

See all

An absolutely Gem! It's such a beautiful shopping center! It is completely surrounded with Upscale shops and restaurants. I love the outdoor setting......It's so peaceful and relaxing watching the fountains/ponds........what a great architecture work! read more

Blackhawk Plaza - Shopping Centers Near Me - Danville, California

See all