A regional report helps frame the search. It does not price an individual suite or confirm that a space is available. This snapshot keeps the reporting quarter and original rent units visible so you can read the figures on the same basis.
Five California retail markets
| Market | Vacancy | Published asking rent | Monthly $/SF equivalent | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 6.6% | $36.56 / SF / year | $3.05 | San Francisco report |
| Los Angeles | 5.7% | $2.75 / SF / month | $2.75 | Los Angeles report |
| Orange County | 3.3% | $2.77 / SF / month | $2.77 | Orange County report |
| San Diego | 4.4% | $2.37 / SF / month | $2.37 | San Diego report |
| Inland Empire | 6.0% | $1.77 / SF / month | $1.77 | Inland Empire report |
Monthly equivalent is our arithmetic: an annual rate divided by 12, rounded to cents. The reports’ headline tables do not all specify an expense basis; these figures are not normalized to an NNN or gross lease. Asking rent is different from a signed deal’s effective rent.
Read the report before reading the ranking
Confirm the geographic boundary, property coverage, vacancy definition, and reporting period in each source. These are separate regional samples. Differences in inventory and method can affect comparisons. Use the original reports for their full definitions and submarket detail.
San Francisco publishes its headline asking rent annually; the four Southern California reports above use monthly units. Dividing by twelve resolves the time unit only. It does not resolve differences in property quality, lease structure, expenses, or concessions.
Bring the numbers back to your search
- San Francisco: Confirm the report geography before comparing a neighborhood or a specific shopping district.
- Los Angeles: Separate countywide context from the trade area and the type of space you need.
- Orange County: A low countywide vacancy rate does not show whether a particular suite fits your use.
- San Diego: Compare the relevant submarket and include the costs of the actual delivery condition.
- Inland Empire: Access, trade area, and construction requirements can matter more than the regional rent average.
For an actual candidate, ask for the current base rent, expense estimate, lease term, increases, delivery condition, and improvement obligations. Compare total occupancy cost using the rent calculator.
A separate view: how space is presented online
Endcap Design’s Orange County shopping center website index reviewed the web presence of 298 centers in September 2026. It examines published leasing information, rather than measuring vacancy or rent. Endcap publishes this site; the index is our publisher’s own research.
This is a dated snapshot, not a live data feed. Recheck the original reports when a newer quarter is published. Earlier articles on this domain are no longer available; this page contains new material.