Home to the West Coast’s largest collection of high fashion retailers under one roof, Costa Mesa is synonymous with luxury shopping. But for every couture ensemble, there’s a stylish look for less at one of the city’s indie boutiques. The same can be said for dining options, which range from Michelin-starred restaurants to food truck fare paired with a craft-brewed pint. Whether you want to stretch your budget or explore this Orange County city like a VIP, here’s how to make the most of your time and money.
Best tasting experiences
Splurge: Costa Mesa’s restaurants and bars offer a wide range of exciting tasting experiences. For an indulgent group outing, reserve a table at Knife Pleat, the Michelin-starred gem perched atop South Coast Plaza. Its luxurious caviar service is an experience unto itself—1-ounce servings of Tsar Nicoulai Golden Osetra ($150), Golden Reserve ($180), and the seasonal Chef Esnault Crown Jewel ($380) arrive with toasted brioche, thinly sliced potatoes, and oeufs brouillés. Optional wine pairings can be added to your prix fixe meals starting at $115.
Save: For a more affordable tasting experience, the Wine Lab at The Camp delivers 2-ounce pours to your table in test tubes ($16 and up). Opt for the blind taster’s flight for even bigger savings—if you can guess all three, you’ll drink for free.
Where to eat sushi
Splurge: Costa Mesa holds the distinction of being home to two of Orange County’s three Michelin-starred restaurants. Tucked away in the back of The LAB Anti-Mall, diners will find an intimate, omakase-only experience at Hana re. If you’re able to snag a coveted spot around its sushi counter, you can watch chef Atsushi Yokoyama’s expert knife skills as he prepares your meal. From fresh cuts of fish to hot dishes like A5 Wagyu, each dish from the chef’s selection is artistically plated and elevated with a sip of premium daiginjo sake ($1,300 per bottle).
Save: If you’re fishing for a more wallet-friendly spread, Koyi Sushi offers a feast for less than $35. Stop by for lunch Monday through Thursday to indulge in a generous all-you-can-eat experience for up to two hours. Appetizers ranging from tempura to takoyaki will fill you up, but save room for a selection of hand rolls, sashimi, and specialty baked rolls. Even better, the midday happy hour from noon to 4 p.m. drops the price to just $24.95 and kids 5 and under eat free every day.
Top spots for cocktails and craft beer
Splurge: The Costa Mesa bar scene is exceedingly diverse. At The Guild Club located inside Arc restaurant at SOCO, you’ll find moody, speakeasy vibes where boozy drinks are served with hand-cut ice. Find an extensive list of slow-drinking libations like aged bourbon ($75) and special-occasion reds ($235), along with elevated cocktails. Table service is available at spots like Mesa, where you can enjoy a show while sipping from bottles of Ace of Spades bubbly and Don Julio 1942 ($10,000).
Save: If the crunch of peanut shells underfoot is your idea of a good time, hit Goat Hill Tavern for a classic dive bar experience. There are more than 140 beers on tap and daily drink specials like $3 domestic mugs and pitchers that start at just $9.
More beers of the craft variety can be found in Costa Mesa’s SoBECA district. Check out Green Cheek Beer Co., the two-time Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival People’s Choice winners for best brewery. Award-winning lagers, IPAs, stouts, and more start at $4 for a 10-ounce pour.
Where to shop
Splurge: No visit to Costa Mesa is complete without a stop at South Coast Plaza. It’s the largest shopping center in California with more than 250 boutiques, including luxury retailers where splurging is almost a given. A 17,000-square-foot, two-story Gucci boutique entices with ready-to-wear statement pieces, while design houses like Hermès draw shoppers from around the world for leather goods. Jewelry and timepieces also abound at South Coast Plaza, where brands including Cartier, Bvlgari, and Chopard all have flagships.
Save: To stretch your dollar, you can create looks for less at independent boutiques along buzzy 17th Street in Eastside Costa Mesa. Find designer clothes and accessories at Twice the Style, a consignment shop that sells like-new brands such as Givenchy, Lafayette 148, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and more. For everyday pieces, try shops like Common Thread, where you can build a breezy SoCal-inspired wardrobe with outerwear, tops, and bottoms priced under $100.
Best golf courses
Splurge: Make the most of SoCal’s sunny weather with a day on the greens. Over the border on the Newport Coast, Pelican Hill Golf Club has two Tom Fazio–designed courses featuring three holes right on the coastline. Non-resort guests can book tee times starting from $425, with TaylorMade rental clubs and balls available for $95 per set.
Save: Prefer championship golf without the price tag? Reserve a tee time at Costa Mesa Country Club. Its 36 holes feature lakeside greens and rolling fairways, with accessible pricing beginning at $21 for the Los Lagos course and $24 for Mesa Linda.