TIMELINE

— 1967 —

South Coast Plaza opens March 15 with anchor stores Sears and May Co. and 70 others.

— 1968 —

The 405 Freeway is finished, giving long-distance commuters access to the mall.

— 1973 —

Sixty more stores open at South Coast Plaza, including Bullock’s department store. South Coast Plaza Village opens across Sunflower Avenue, in the city of Santa Ana.

— 1974 —

Westin South Coast Plaza opens across the street.

— 1978 —

Nordstrom opens its first California store at South Coast.

— 1979 —

Saks Fifth Avenue opens.

— 1986 —

Crystal Court opens with Robinsons, the Broadway and 60 other stores. Nordstrom expands to become largest location, while the Orange County Performing Artscenter opens nearby to make the South Coast Plaza neighborhood the center of culture and retail in town.

— 2000 —

Designer Kathryn Gustafson finishes Bridge of Gardens, which links former Crystal Court to regular mall. The first Macy’s Home Furniture Store opens.

— 2002 —

South Coast Plaza surpasses $1 billion in annual sales revenue.

— 2004-06 —

Mall opens 72 new stores, with 31 exclusive to Orange County.

— 2007 —

In honor of 40th anniversary, South Coast Plaza renovates and hosts “Italy at South Coast Plaza” event with the Italian Trade Commission. The Bloomingdale’s store opens 300,000-square-foot flagship location.