Costa Mesa

Although it was named after its topography—“coastal tableland”—Costa Mesa has become better known as a center for Orange County sophistication. Centrally located between San Diego and Los Angeles, the town (also home of summer’s OC Fair) combines a vibrant arts scene, renowned shopping, and a burgeoning foodie culture, all a mile from the Pacific Ocean. 

Where Is Costa Mesa?

Costa Mesa sits in the heart of Orange County, about 40 miles southeast of Los Angeles and roughly 90 miles north of San Diego, just inland from the coast. It's bordered by Newport Beach to the south, making it just a few minutes' drive from the Pacific Ocean, and neighbors Irvine and Santa Ana as well, putting it within easy reach of John Wayne Airport, about 15 minutes away. Highway 55 and the 405 and 73 freeways all run through or near the city, making Costa Mesa a convenient home base for exploring the rest of coastal Orange County.

Things to Do in Costa Mesa

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Even if you play at the beach (or shop) by day, make time for a show at night in the acclaimed arts and theater district that gives Costa Mesa its moniker, the “City of the Arts.” At the center of the performing arts scene is the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the home stage for the American Ballet Theatre’s Gillespie School of Dance, the Pacific Symphony, and the Philharmonic Society. It’s also the only place you can see a Broadway show in Orange County. Whether or not you’re able to snag tickets to a performance, you can take a free, behind-the-scenes tour of the center by day, when you’ll both go backstage and step on stage and see the hall from the point of view of a performer. In 2021, the arts campus expanded to include UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art, an architectural showstopper designed by Thom Mayne’s Morphosis Architects and housing
modern, experiential art installations.

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Costa Mesa Artwalk

While you’re near Segerstrom, leave yourself a few hours to check out the Costa Mesa Art Walk. The free, self-guided audio tour, accessible via smartphone, guides you through 20-plus pieces of public art in and around the theater complex, including one-of-a-kind works by Isamu Noguchi and Joan Miró. Highlights include Miró's whimsical bronze bird sculpture Oiseau in the Center Tower lobby and Richard Serra's towering 65-foot steel sculpture on the Segerstrom plaza. Don’t miss Noguchi's 1.6-acre sculpture garden, a quiet retreat woven with pieces symbolizing California's diverse landscape, including Spirit of the Lima Bean, a nod to the Segerstrom family's roots as lima bean farmers before the arts district rose in its place.

Summer Concert Series and Theatre

Adding to the city’s stage offerings is the summer concert series at the Pacific Amphitheater, an open-air venue on the OC Fair & Event Center grounds that's hosted acts from Barry Manilow (its first-ever performer in 1983) to more recent headliners, with concerts running alongside the annual OC Fair each summer. For a different kind of stage experience, South Coast Repertory, one of the country's most acclaimed regional theaters and a Tony Award winner, produces both classic and cutting-edge work, from creative children's theater to the annual Pacific Playwrights Festival, a summer gathering that develops and premieres new American plays alongside readings from emerging and established writers alike.

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Shopping in Costa Mesa

If you’re more inspired by shopping bags than sculptures, head to South Coast Plaza, a destination mall with more than 250 designer retailers (including big names such as Hermès, Baccarat, Gucci, and more), an indoor carousel, and rotating art exhibits. 

Looking for something less mainstream? Try The LAB Anti-Mall, and its sister site, The Camp. The indoor/outdoor retail spaces feature many unique shops and restaurants with local and handmade goods (LAB stands for “Little American Business”). Both are great locations to visit if you’re traveling with furry friends, thanks to several restaurants with dog-friendly patios. 

Restaurants in Costa Mesa 

Costa Mesa’s seriously diverse foodie scene is a not-to-be-missed activity in itself. The aforementioned South Coast Plaza is not a bad place to start: The shopping center and its immediate environs are home to such culinary hot spots as Vaca (from Bravo TV’s Top Chef finalist Amar Santana) and award-winning Ross Pangilinan’s Terrace by Mix Mix. Also high on many visitors’ lists: Habana for Cuban specialties, Memphis Café for Southern fried chicken, and Anjin (hidden in a nondescript strip mall) for worth-the-wait Japanese-style BBQ prepared on your table's grill.

Beer lovers will enjoy the Costa Mesa Beer Trail, offering craft pours brewed right in the city. And serious foodies need look no further than Michelin-starred sushi bar Hana re, located at The LAB.

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Where to Stay in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa offers a solid range of places to stay, most clustered near South Coast Plaza and Segerstrom Center for the Arts. On the luxury end, the Westin South Coast Plaza pairs a 24-hour fitness center with easy access to the shopping and arts district, while Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, offers a more boutique experience with a lake-adjacent setting, live music, and a hot tub. For something with a laid-back Orange County vibe, the OC Hotel Costa Mesa brings a chic, surf-culture-inspired design close to the OC Fair & Event Center. 

For a more affordable stray, travelers can look to the Costa Mesa Marriott, just 3 miles from John Wayne Airport and under a mile from South Coast Plaza, or the Crowne Plaza Costa Mesa Orange County, which offers a pool, hot tub, and onsite dining at a more moderate price point. And for budget-conscious visitors, reliable motel options like the Vagabond Inn Costa Mesa or Sandpiper Motel keep costs down while still landing guests just a few miles from the beach and major shopping.

Costa Mesa Nightlife

As the sun starts to set, the retail complex Triangle Square is just waking up. Leave ample time—and energy—to explore the many dining, dancing, and dessert hot spots. Grab your cowboy
boots and flannel and head to Westwood Coast for line dancing lessons and over a hundred different kinds of American Bourbon and whiskey. Swap country classics for livesalsa beats at Café Sevilla, where daytime Spanish-inspired dining turns into a vibrant,late-night favorite. 

If a DJ set is more your style, Time Nightclub is the place. Be sure to check the event lineup, as hometown hero Steve Aoki makes regular appearances. 

If slow strolls, sipping wine, and nibbling at charcuterie is preferable to live music and dancing, head to Paseo 17. Shoppers and foodies alike can find common ground at the retail-meets-restaurants destination, where boutiques and wellness services are side by side with food and cocktail favorites. Relax in the cozy, community-focused courtyard with a cup of fresh brew from Milligram Cafe or grab a few locally sourced provisions, along with unique souvenirs, from Mercado Mesa. 

Costa Mesa’s Closest Beach Getaway

If the beach is calling—Newport Beach is about 3 miles away—pick up a deli sandwich on fresh baked bread from Rye Goods as the perfect snack for later. End your day with a glass of wine and house made pasta or pizza from Top Chef alum JacksonKalb’s Ospi, both classy and comfortable.