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Costa Mesa
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Costa Mesa, California blends beaches, world-class arts, South Coast Plaza shopping, creative districts and Southern California culture near Newport Beach.

Culture beside the Pacific

Costa Mesa occupies a compact stretch of Orange County between the inland suburbs and the Pacific coast, close to Newport Beach and the broad estuary of Upper Newport Bay. Although it is often associated with shopping, the city has developed a cultural identity of its own. The performing arts complex around Segerstrom Center for the Arts brings touring productions, concerts and dance to a district also shaped by the Orange County Museum of Art and the outdoor California Scenario, a sculptural garden designed by Isamu Noguchi. Together, these institutions give Costa Mesa an unusually concentrated arts presence for a suburban Southern Californian city.
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Shopping, design and everyday city life

South Coast Plaza is the city's most recognisable commercial landmark, with an extensive collection of international brands, department stores, restaurants and public art. Beyond its polished interiors, Costa Mesa becomes more informal and creative around The LAB Anti-Mall, The CAMP and the shops, cafés and restaurants along 17th Street. These districts reflect the city's blend of design-conscious retail, independent businesses and relaxed coastal culture. The Orange County Fairgrounds adds a large civic and entertainment space, hosting seasonal events and community activities.

Green spaces and coastal access

Costa Mesa is not a beachfront city, yet the coast is close enough to shape its rhythm. Newport Beach, Back Bay trails and the Pacific shoreline are easily reached by road or bicycle, while local parks such as Fairview Park and TeWinkle Park provide open lawns, sports facilities and places to pause among mature trees. The result is a city best understood through contrasts: major arts venues and low-rise neighbourhoods, luxury retail and independent design, planned streets and the open landscapes of coastal Orange County.

When is the best time to visit Costa Mesa?

Best: May–June, October · 24–26°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January1970
February2160
March2250
April2220
May (best)2410
June (best)265
July280
August280
September2710
October (best)2420
November2140
December1860

Getting to and around Costa Mesa

How to get there

Costa Mesa is served primarily by nearby John Wayne Airport, officially John Wayne Airport–Orange County, in Santa Ana, with domestic flights and selected international services. The airport is only a short drive from central Costa Mesa, although journey times vary with traffic. Long-distance rail travellers generally use the Amtrak and Metrolink station in Santa Ana or other Orange County stations, continuing by local bus, taxi or rideshare. Interstate 405 runs along the city's northern edge, while State Route 55 provides an important north–south connection. Interstate 5 and Pacific Coast Highway are also useful for reaching the wider region, but traffic congestion can be substantial.

Transportation

Costa Mesa is spread across a low-rise urban grid and is easiest to navigate by car, taxi or rideshare, particularly when combining South Coast Plaza, the arts district, the fairgrounds and coastal destinations. The Orange County Transportation Authority operates local bus services, including routes serving major commercial corridors, though visitors should check current maps and timetables before travelling. Some districts are comfortable on foot once reached, especially around South Coast Plaza, Segerstrom Center for the Arts and 17th Street. Cycling is practical on selected streets and trails, but the city's wide roads, traffic and separated destinations make route planning important.

Best attractions in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa's principal attractions are concentrated in a series of distinct districts rather than an old town. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents theatre, dance, music and touring productions in a major civic complex, while the Orange County Museum of Art exhibits modern and contemporary work nearby. California Scenario, Isamu Noguchi's open-air sculpture garden, creates a quietly surprising landscape of stone, water and sculptural forms among office buildings. South Coast Plaza provides a different kind of spectacle, combining large-scale architecture, public art, restaurants and extensive retail. The Orange County Fairgrounds hosts the annual county fair as well as other seasonal events, and TeWinkle Park offers sports facilities, lawns and a community recreation setting. Visitors seeking nature can follow routes towards Upper Newport Bay and Fairview Park, although these lie within the broader coastal landscape rather than forming a single central attraction.

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Best landmarks in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa's most significant landmarks largely express its modern civic and cultural development. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts is the defining architectural presence of the arts district, joined by the Orange County Museum of Art and California Scenario, Isamu Noguchi's carefully composed public sculpture garden. South Coast Plaza is a landmark of post-war Orange County commerce, its expansive complex representing the region's transformation from agricultural territory into a major metropolitan suburb. The Orange County Fairgrounds also has strong civic importance as a long-established venue for large public gatherings and seasonal traditions. Within the wider city, the Costa Mesa Historical Society's Hankey Historical Room preserves local documents and memories, while Fairview Park and the open spaces around the Santa Ana River corridor recall the mesa's relationship with the coastal landscape.

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Explore Costa Mesa on the map

Plan your Costa Mesa trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa's dining scene reflects its position in Southern California, with Mexican, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Mediterranean and contemporary American influences alongside familiar Californian emphasis on fresh produce. South Coast Plaza and the surrounding arts district contain polished restaurants suited to pre-theatre meals, while 17th Street is known for a more neighbourhood-oriented mix of cafés, bakeries, casual restaurants and independent food businesses. The city's proximity to the coast contributes to a strong interest in seafood, lighter dishes and seasonal ingredients, although Costa Mesa's food culture is broader than a beach-town menu. Asian restaurants and specialist grocers are particularly important to the local identity, while The LAB and The CAMP offer informal dining in design-conscious settings. Regional Mexican cooking, tacos, coffee and craft-oriented casual food are easy to encounter, with menus varying considerably from one district to another.

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Best bars in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa's evening life is more varied than a conventional nightclub district but less concentrated than that of central Los Angeles. Restaurants and bars around 17th Street provide relaxed places for drinks, conversation and late meals, while the Triangle area and nearby commercial corridors have a broader selection of bars and entertainment venues. The city is particularly strong in live performance: Segerstrom Center for the Arts and South Coast Repertory bring theatre, music, dance and comedy to the evening calendar, offering a cultural alternative to drinking-focused nightlife. Smaller venues and casual bars reflect Orange County's longstanding surf, skate and music culture, though the atmosphere changes with the event schedule. Visitors should distinguish Costa Mesa's evening districts from Newport Beach's waterfront nightlife, which is nearby but in another city.

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Best nightclubs in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa's evening life is more varied than a conventional nightclub district but less concentrated than that of central Los Angeles. Restaurants and bars around 17th Street provide relaxed places for drinks, conversation and late meals, while the Triangle area and nearby commercial corridors have a broader selection of bars and entertainment venues. The city is particularly strong in live performance: Segerstrom Center for the Arts and South Coast Repertory bring theatre, music, dance and comedy to the evening calendar, offering a cultural alternative to drinking-focused nightlife. Smaller venues and casual bars reflect Orange County's longstanding surf, skate and music culture, though the atmosphere changes with the event schedule. Visitors should distinguish Costa Mesa's evening districts from Newport Beach's waterfront nightlife, which is nearby but in another city.

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Best shops in Costa Mesa

Shopping is central to Costa Mesa's identity, with South Coast Plaza serving as the city's largest and most internationally recognised retail destination. Its broad collection of department stores, fashion, jewellery, home design and restaurants is complemented by public art and a scale that rewards planning rather than a quick stop. For a more independent atmosphere, 17th Street contains boutiques, lifestyle stores, cafés and specialist businesses serving local residents. The LAB Anti-Mall and The CAMP focus on design, small-scale retail, food and creative enterprises in repurposed commercial settings, giving shopping a more informal character. Visitors can also find Californian clothing, surf-influenced goods, beauty products, homeware and food items reflecting the region's coastal lifestyle. The city's retail landscape is primarily contemporary, with local character expressed through independent businesses rather than a traditional historic market.

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Costa Mesa essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Credit and debit cards, chip-and-pin payments and contactless wallets are widely accepted at hotels, larger shops, museums and many restaurants, while smaller independent businesses may have their own payment preferences. ATMs are readily available in commercial areas, banks and shopping centres, though foreign-card providers may apply fees or exchange-rate charges. Carrying a small amount of cash remains useful for incidental purchases, markets, parking and businesses that do not accept cards. In restaurants and bars, prices generally exclude sales tax and gratuity, and tipping is customary for table service.
Safety
Costa Mesa is a generally well-developed urban area, but ordinary precautions remain appropriate. Keep valuables out of sight in parked vehicles, take extra care in busy shopping centres and event crowds, and use well-lit routes after dark. Traffic is a more immediate practical concern than walking distances: take care when crossing broad arterial roads and remain alert around car parks and driveways. When cycling or walking towards Newport Beach and Back Bay, follow marked routes and shared-path etiquette. Conditions at nearby beaches and waterways can change, so observe posted warnings and local guidance rather than assuming that every area is suitable for swimming or water activities.
Emergency Situations
For police, fire or medical emergencies in Costa Mesa, call 911 and provide the exact address or location, including the name of a shopping centre, venue or road junction where relevant. For non-emergency police matters, visitors should use the Costa Mesa Police Department's current non-emergency contact information rather than calling 911. Emergency departments are available at hospitals in the surrounding Orange County area, including nearby facilities in Santa Ana and Newport Beach; hotel staff, event personnel or emergency dispatchers can direct visitors to the most appropriate service. International travellers should keep travel-insurance details and essential medication information accessible.
Do's and Don'ts
Do allow extra time for traffic, especially around South Coast Plaza, the fairgrounds and major event periods, and do follow posted rules in parks, museums and performing-arts venues. In restaurants, acknowledge that table-service staff commonly rely on gratuities, while the amount should reflect the service and local practice. Do not block cycle paths or shared trails, leave rubbish in parks or assume that coastal access areas are part of Costa Mesa itself. At outdoor events, respect queueing arrangements, security instructions and restrictions on photography or outside food. Casual clothing is widely accepted, although arts venues and upscale restaurants may have their own dress expectations.
Local Tips
Costa Mesa is easiest to understand as a collection of practical districts rather than a single walkable historic centre. The arts corridor around Town Centre Drive works well for combining performances, public sculpture and museum visits, while 17th Street offers a more neighbourhood-oriented selection of cafés, restaurants and independent shops. The LAB and The CAMP suit visitors interested in alternative retail and design-led spaces. For open air and bird-rich scenery, continue towards Upper Newport Bay, whose trails and nature areas belong to the neighbouring Newport Beach area. Event calendars matter: the fairgrounds can alter traffic, parking and the atmosphere of the surrounding streets.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHola[oh-lah]
GoodbyeAdiós[ah-dee-ohs]
YesSí[see]
NoNo[noh]
Please/You're welcomePor favor/De nada[por fah-vor/deh nah-dah]
Thank youGracias[grah-see-ahs]
Excuse me/SorryPerdón/Lo siento[pair-dohn/loh see-ehn-toh]
How are you?¿Cómo estás?[koh-moh ehs-tahs]
Fine. And you?Bien. ¿Y tú?[bee-ehn. ee too]
Do you speak English?¿Hablas inglés?[ah-blahs een-glays]
I don't understandNo entiendo[noh ehn-tee-ehn-doh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMe gustaría ver el menú, por favor[meh goos-tah-ree-ah behr ehl meh-noo, por fah-vor]
I don't eat meatNo como carne[noh koh-moh kahr-neh]
Cheers!¡Salud![sah-lood]
I would like to pay, pleaseMe gustaría pagar, por favor[meh goos-tah-ree-ah pah-gar, por fah-vor]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!¡Ayuda![ah-yoo-dah]
Go away!¡Vete![veh-teh]
Call the Police!¡Llama a la policía![yah-mah ah lah poh-lee-see-ah]
Call a doctor!¡Llama a un médico![yah-mah ah oon meh-dee-koh]
I'm lostEstoy perdido[ehs-toy pair-dee-doh]
I'm illEstoy enfermo[ehs-toy ehn-fehr-moh]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Me gustaría comprar...[meh goos-tah-ree-ah kohm-prahr...]
I'm just lookingSolo estoy mirando[soh-loh ehs-toy mee-rahn-doh]
How much is it?¿Cuánto cuesta?[kwahn-toh kwehs-tah]
That's too expensiveEso es demasiado caro[eh-soh ehs deh-mah-see-ah-doh kah-roh]
Can you lower the price?¿Puedes bajar el precio?[pweh-dehs bah-hahr ehl pree-syoh]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?¿Qué hora es?[keh oh-rah ehs]
It's one o'clockEs la una en punto[ehs lah oo-nah ehn poon-toh]
Half past (10)Son las diez y media[sohn lahs dyehs ee meh-dee-ah]
MorningMañana[mah-nyah-nah]
AfternoonTarde[tahr-deh]
EveningNoche[noh-cheh]
YesterdayAyer[ah-yehr]
TodayHoy[oy]
TomorrowMañana[mah-nyah-nah]
1Uno[oo-noh]
2Dos[dohs]
3Tres[trehs]
4Cuatro[kwah-troh]
5Cinco[seen-koh]
6Seis[says]
7Siete[syeh-teh]
8Ocho[oh-choh]
9Nueve[nweh-veh]
10Diez[dyehs]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?¿Dónde está...?[dohn-deh ehs-tah]
What's the address?¿Cuál es la dirección?[kwahl ehs lah dee-rehk-syon]
Can you show me (on the map)?¿Puedes mostrarme (en el mapa)?[pweh-dehs mohs-trar-meh (ehn ehl mah-pah)]
When's the next (bus)?¿Cuándo es el próximo (autobús)?[kwan-doh ehs ehl proh-ksee-moh (ow-toh-boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Un boleto (a ...)[oon boh-leh-toh (ah ...)]

History of Costa Mesa

Acjachemen Homelands

Long before Costa Mesa became an incorporated city, the region formed part of the homeland of the Acjachemen people, also known as Juaneño, whose communities occupied much of present-day Orange County and northern San Diego County. Their lives were connected to coastal wetlands, oak woodland, grassland and the resources of the Santa Ana River basin. Spanish mission expansion in the eighteenth century disrupted established communities through forced labour, religious conversion and the spread of disease. Although the wider landscape was later transformed by ranching and urban development, Acjachemen descendants continue to maintain cultural and historical connections with the area.

Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana

Under Mexican rule, much of the surrounding territory was reorganised into large land grants, including Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, awarded in 1818 to the Yorba family. The rancho system replaced many Indigenous land-use patterns with cattle ranching and agricultural production. After California became part of the United States in 1848, the land passed through changing ownership and legal claims, while the region gradually shifted towards farms, orchards and settlement. The territory that would become Costa Mesa remained rural for much of the nineteenth century, linked economically and geographically to Santa Ana and the developing communities of central Orange County.

Harper and the Early Community

A significant step in Costa Mesa's modern development came when the Harper family acquired land in the late nineteenth century and established a settlement associated with farming and transportation routes. The community was first known as Harper and later as Costa Mesa, a Spanish phrase referring to a coastal mesa. Agriculture, particularly citrus growing and other forms of commercial farming, shaped local employment and the surrounding landscape. Roads and rail connections strengthened links with Santa Ana, Newport Beach and other Orange County communities, turning the mesa from an isolated rural area into a more connected agricultural district.

Incorporation and Suburban Growth

Costa Mesa incorporated as a city in 1953, during the rapid post-war expansion that reshaped Orange County. New housing, schools, roads and commercial centres replaced much of the former agricultural landscape, while the city's location between Santa Ana and the coast encouraged both residential and business growth. The Orange County Fairgrounds became an important regional venue, and the development of major roads made the community increasingly accessible to the wider metropolitan area. Costa Mesa's low-rise suburban form, planned neighbourhoods and broad arterial streets largely date from this period of mid-twentieth-century transformation.

Arts and Commerce in the Modern City

The late twentieth century gave Costa Mesa a cultural and commercial profile extending beyond suburban development. South Coast Plaza grew into a major retail destination, while the creation of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts established a substantial performing-arts presence. The Orange County Museum of Art and California Scenario added visual-art institutions and public sculpture to the same corridor. Later, independent retail and dining spaces around 17th Street, The LAB and The CAMP contributed a more informal creative character. Contemporary Costa Mesa therefore reflects several overlapping histories: Indigenous continuity, agricultural settlement, post-war urbanisation and the deliberate growth of arts-led civic identity.

Costa Mesa in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Costa Mesa, California

Discover Costa Mesa with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Plan your trip effortlessly with just a few taps.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details for each location
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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Explore Costa Mesa like never before with Evendo. This 100% free app is your ultimate travel companion, offering detailed insights into attractions, restaurants, and activities. Download now and start your adventure!

  • History of Costa Mesa and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips for experiencing the city like a local
  • 'Near Me' feature to see nearby attractions and amenities
  • User-friendly navigation

Planning a trip to Costa Mesa, California? Look no further than Evendo, your one-stop app-based travel guide. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Evendo offers a wealth of information to make your trip unforgettable.

Discover iconic landmarks like the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the South Coast Plaza, one of the largest shopping centers in the United States. Explore local attractions such as the OC Fair & Event Center and the beautiful Fairview Park. Hungry? Evendo has got you covered with recommendations for top-notch restaurants like Mastro's Steakhouse and Habana.

Evendo is packed with detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Costa Mesa. Each location features rich descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it easier than ever to plan and organize your trip.

The app also allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly, eliminating the need for multiple searches and bookings. With features like the history of Costa Mesa, travel essentials, and curated local tips, Evendo ensures you experience the city like a local. The 'Near Me' feature helps you discover what's around you, no matter where you are in the city.

And the best part? Evendo is 100% free. No in-app purchases, no additional costs—it's free to use forever. Plus, the app covers over 7,000 other destinations worldwide, so your adventure doesn’t have to stop at Costa Mesa.

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