HOLIDAY FOCUS : LET THE SHOPPING BEGIN : With Quake Repairs Complete, All Area Malls Are Ready for the Crowds

1. ANTELOPE VALLEY MALL

1233 Ave . P, Palmdale .

HOLIDAY HOURS: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4-8, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 10, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 11-19, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 20-21, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 22-23, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26. Individual stores may keep different hours.

MAJOR STORES: Gottschalks, Harris’, Mervyn’s, JC Penney and Sears.

NEW STORES: Vans Shoes, The C Store (a convenience market), Big Shots (a photography store) and Treasure Island (a jewelry kiosk).

TRAFFIC AND PARKING TIPS: Entering from 10th Street West or from Avenue P gives shoppers access to the mall’s 5,002 parking spaces.

TELEPHONE: (805) 266-9151.

2. FALLBROOK MALL

6633 Fallbrook Ave., West Hills

HOLIDAY HOURS: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. today and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 18-23, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26. Individual stores may keep different hours.

MAJOR STORES: JC Penney Outlet, Mervyn’s, Target, Burlington Coat Factory, Old Navy and Kmart -- the last three are new to the mall.

OTHER NEW STORES: Susie’s Factory Direct and a Kenny Rogers Roasters chicken restaurant.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING TIPS: The best-kept parking secret at Fallbrook Mall is the ample space behind the complex, which can be accessed from entrances on Victory Boulevard or Vanowen Street. For increased safety in parking lots, at least two mounted security officers will roam the mall parking lots starting today and continuing through Dec. 26. The security officers are available to walk shoppers to their cars.

TELEPHONE: (818) 340-5981.

3. FASHION SQUARE SHERMAN OAKS

14006 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks .

HOLIDAY HOURS: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4-9, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 11-14, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 15-16, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 18-23, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26. Individual stores may keep different hours.

MAJOR STORES: Bullock’s, The Broadway.

NEW STORES: Miller’s Outpost, Banana Republic, Sesame Street General Store, Koko Women’s Specialty Store, Speedo, Rampage (young women’s apparel) and Friends (children’s clothing).

TRAFFIC AND PARKING TIPS: Free self-parking, no valet parking. There is a new double-decker, steel-frame parking structure.

TELEPHONE: (818) 501-1447.

4. GLENDALE GALLERIA

Central Avenue at Colorado Street, Glendale.

HOLIDAY HOURS: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. today to Dec. 17, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Dec. 18-22, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 23, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 26. Individual stores may keep different hours.

MAJOR STORES: Nordstrom, Robinsons-May, JC Penney, The Broadway, Mervyn’s.

NEW STORES: Body Shop, Limited Too (young women’s apparel), Aveda Lifestyle Store, Kensington Luggage, Monterey Pasta Co., Perfumania, Successories, Surf City Squeeze (juice stand), Bon Bon International (candy), Colorado Pen Co., The Landau Collection (jewelry), Banrie Italy (women’s and men’s apparel), Lisa’s Tea Treasures, Linear Hair, Jimmy Au’s (men’s apparel), New Delhi Palace (restaurant), and Rampage, Cache, Privilege and Charlotte Russe (all women’s apparel).

TRAFFIC AND PARKING TIPS: From the Golden State Freeway, take the Colorado Street exit and head east. From the Ventura Freeway, take the Pacific Avenue or Central Avenue exit and head south. From the Glendale Freeway, take the Broadway exit and head east. Parking structures are located off Broadway, Colorado Street and Central Avenue. Beginning today, valet parking will be available for $3 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday behind JC Penney and in front of California Terrace restaurant.

TELEPHONE: (818) 240-9481.

5. JANSS MARKETPLACE

215 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.

HOLIDAY HOURS: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

MAJOR STORES: Sears, Marshall’s, Toys R Us, a new Mervyn’s and an enlarged Best Products Co.

NEW STORES: Expressly Portraits and a nine-screen Mann movie theater (due to open Dec. 15).

TRAFFIC AND PARKING TIPS: Take the Ventura Freeway to the Moorpark Road exit. The mall is two signals north on Moorpark. There are 2,800 spaces of free parking, including 1,350 in a new four-story parking structure.

TELEPHONE: (805) 495-4662.

6. THE OAKS

222 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.

HOLIDAY HOURS: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4-8, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 10, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 11-15, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 16, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 18-23, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26. Individual stores may keep different hours.

MAJOR STORES: Two Robinsons-May stores: the east building has men’s and furniture; the west has women’s and children’s apparel, Bullock’s, The Broadway and JC Penney.

NEW STORES: Cache and Talbots (both women’s apparel); Speedo Authentic Fitness, Nine West (shoes); Limited Too (children’s wear); Sunglass Hut, Sesame Street general store, General Nutrition Center, Cinnabon; and Native Visions, Ben Bridge Jewelers and Hatfields (all jewelry stores).

TRAFFIC AND PARKING TIPS: Take the Ventura Freeway to Thousand Oaks, exit at Lynn Road. There are 4,600 free parking spaces. There’s easy access at all entrances, each of which has a four-way stop. The east lot often is less full than others.

TELEPHONE: (805) 495-2031.

7. MEDIA CITY CENTER

201 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank

HOLIDAY HOURS: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4-8, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 11-15, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 16-17, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 18-22, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 23, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26. Individual stores may keep different hours.

MAJOR STORES: Bullock’s, Mervyn’s and Sears.

NEW STORES: Wild Pair Shoes, Famous Footwear, Suncoast Motion Picture, J & R Plus, J & R Kids, Pasta Express, Nutty Nuts, Virgin Records Mega Store, Comp USA. Barnes & Noble Bookstore is due to open Dec. 9 and a 10-screen AMC Theater on Dec. 15.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING TIPS: The City Center has three free parking garages with ample parking. Valet parking starting today will be offered on Cypress Street near the Bullock’s entrance for $3.50 a car; it will be available every Saturday and Sunday during the holidays. Parking is not allowed on Magnolia Boulevard. There are traffic signals at First Street and San Fernando Road, and Cypress Street and 3rd Street.

TELEPHONE:(818) 566-8617.

8. NORTHRIDGE FASHION CENTER

9301 Tampa Ave., Northridge.

HOLIDAY HOURS: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. today; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 4-8, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 9, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 10, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 11-16, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 18-23, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 26. Individual stores may keep different hours.

MAJOR STORES: The Broadway, Bullock’s, JC Penney, Robinsons-May and Sears.

NEW STORES: Every department store--and the mall itself--was substantially remodeled after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. There are two Robinsons-May stores, the south one has apparel, the north is a home store. Other new stores include Treasure Kids (children’s apparel); Pro Image (men’s apparel); and Ann Taylor, Charlotte Russe and Forever 21 (all women’s apparel).

TRAFFIC AND PARKING TIPS: Approximately 7,800 parking spaces are available over 72 acres; the northwestern lot at Plummer Street and Shirley Avenue is probably the least crowded during peak shopping periods. Valet parking is available for $2 at the mall’s eastern entrance between Sears and Bullock’s.

TELEPHONE: (818) 885-9700.

9. PANORAMA MALL

8401 Van Nuys Blvd . , Panorama City

HOLIDAY HOURS: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 2-3, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4-8, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 9-10, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 11-15, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 16-23, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26. Individual stores may keep different hours.

MAJOR STORES: The Broadway, La Curacao, Miller’s Outpost.

NEW STORES: Sports Town Shoes, Mis Amigos (restaurant), ToScana (family apparel), Music Master, Prime Time Watch Co., and four stand-alone carts--African arts, photo mugs, perfumes and pagers.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING TIPS: The mall’s lighted lot, offering free parking in 1,841 spaces, is also scanned by video surveillance. No parking is allowed near the mall on Van Nuys and Roscoe boulevards or Chase Street. There is no valet parking, but there will be a shuttle van that circulates the parking lot during holiday hours. There is one traffic light at parking lot exit at Vesper Avenue and Chase Street.

TELEPHONE: (818) 894-9258.

10. THE PROMENADE AT WOODLAND HILLS

6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

HOLIDAY HOURS: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4-9, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 11-15, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 16, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 18-21, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 22-23, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 26. Individual stores may keep different hours.

MAJOR STORES: Bullock’s and Bullock’s Men’s.

NEW STORES: KCET Store of Knowledge (educational items for adults and children), Karen Kane (women’s apparel), and Wolfgang Puck Cafe.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING TIPS: Take the Ventura Freeway to Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Go north to mall. Valet parking is available for $2.50 outside Wolfgang Puck Cafe, near the Oxnard Boulevard entrance. But traffic and parking are not a problem, management says.

TELEPHONE: (818) 884-7090.

11. SHERMAN OAKS GALLERIA

15301 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

HOLIDAY HOURS: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4-8, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 9-10, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 11-15, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 16, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 18-23, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26. Individual stores may keep different hours.

MAJOR STORES: Two Robinsons-May stores: the south building has menswear and furniture; the north one has women’s and children’s apparel and housewares.

NEW STORES: Micaela’s (women’s apparel), Page Age, Giantone (accessories), Baly’s (women’s apparel), Bayside Watch, Masterpieces of the World, Goya Handbags & Luggage, Borz (a money-card store), Romeo’s Fine Jewelry.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING TIPS: Free self-parking from today to New Year’s Day, but no valet parking. If entering from Sepulveda Boulevard, go west on Camarillo Street, then enter the mall’s six-story parking structure next to the north Robinsons-May. If entering the mall from Ventura Boulevard, go all the way down the alley, and enter the six-story parking structure. The parking lot directly under the mall fills up quickly.

TELEPHONE: (818) 783-7100.

12. TOPANGA PLAZA

6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park.

HOLIDAY HOURS: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4-8, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 10, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 11-16, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 18-23, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 26. Individual stores may keep different hours.

MAJOR STORES: Nordstrom, The Broadway, Robinsons-May, Montgomery Ward, Crate & Barrel.

NEW STORES: Eddie Bauer (men’s and women’s outdoor clothing and equipment); Koo Koo Roo California Kitchen; Pro Image (sportswear for men and women); Banana Republic; and Charles David (men’s and women’s shoes).

TRAFFIC AND PARKING TIPS: Valet parking is available for $4 off Topanga Canyon Boulevard in front of California Pizza Kitchen, between Nordstrom and The Broadway. To avoid congestion, enter from Owensmouth Avenue, Victory Boulevard or Vanowen Street.

TELEPHONE: (818) 594-8732.

VALENCIA TOWN CENTER

24201 W. Valencia Blvd., Valencia.

HOLIDAY HOURS: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 a.m to 9 p.m. Dec. 4-8, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 11-15, 9 a.m to 10 p.m. Dec. 16, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 18-22, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 23, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26. Individual stores may keep different hours.

MAJOR STORES: Robinsons-May, JC Penney, Sears.

NEW STORES: Limited Too, the Disney Store, Eddie Bauer, Dairy Queen and VIP Luggage.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING TIPS: For the most convenient access, take Golden State Freeway north from the San Fernando Valley, exit at Valencia Boulevard, turn right, proceed approximately one mile. Most prominent traffic light is on the southwest corner of the mall, at McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard. No valet parking.

TELEPHONE: (805) 287-9050.