Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Aug. 07, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-12504
Entity Registrant Name	MACERICH CO
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	95-4448705
Entity Address, Address Line One	401 Wilshire Boulevard,
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 700,
Entity Address, City or Town	Santa Monica,
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	90401
City Area Code	(310)
Local Phone Number	394-6000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value
Trading Symbol	MAC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		149,463,668
Entity Central Index Key	0000912242
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2