People gather around tables with art supplies under umbrellas outside a modern, angular building on a sunny day. Children and adults participate in activities, creating a lively and friendly atmosphere that reflects the vibrant community spirit shaped by the history of Costa Mesa.

How Costa Mesa Tourism Drives Economic Growth

About Travel Costa Mesa

Established in 1995, Travel Costa Mesa is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization with a mission to enhance and promote the destination brand experience, further increasing visitor spending for industry and community economic viability, sustainability, and quality of life. Travel Costa Mesa is fully funded by the Business Improvement Assessment (BIA), which is collected through 10 Costa Mesa partner hotels. Each hotel collects a 3% levy from overnight guests (2,151 rooms). The Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) collected by the City of Costa Mesa goes to its general fund and provides services to Costa Mesa residents.

Why Travel Matters

Tourism helps power Costa Mesa’s economy. Visitor spending supports local businesses, creates jobs, strengthens our economy, and helps put Costa Mesa on the map as a must visit Orange County destination. Here’s how tourism impacted Costa Mesa in 2025:

A large crowd fills an outdoor amphitheater, watching a concert as the sun sets—an event that boosts tourism economic impact as visitors enjoy the music near the stage, some standing and others in blue seats.

7.9M Visitors to Costa Mesa

That’s an average of more than 21,000 visitors each day.

Two people stand at a table in a clothing store, examining shirts. Shelves behind them display hats, books, and model cars—some featuring nods to the unique history of Costa Mesa—while clothes hang neatly on a rack. The room has a modern, casual vibe with a blue rug.

$928M in Visitor Spending

Visitors spent over $2.5 million per day, on average, in Costa Mesa.

A group of people dances on a large outdoor checkered floor under trees, enjoying a sunny day in Costa Mesa. Some wear hats and sunglasses, as bright yellow tents highlight the lively history of Costa Mesa in the background.

$359M in Personal Income

This is the equivalent of $8,440 per resident household, regardless of any connection to the visitor economy.

A smiling baker in an apron holds a tray of colorful donuts in a bright bakery kitchen, standing beside a metal cooling rack, celebrating the sweet traditions rooted in the history of Costa Mesa.

8,711 Jobs Supported

The visitor economy sustained 13.9% of all jobs in Costa Mesa. These employees could fill Segerstrom Hall nearly three times over.

Aerial view of a suburban neighborhood in the history of Costa Mesa with grid-like streets, houses, trees, and cars at an intersection under a clear blue sky.

$52M in State & Local Taxes

Each household in Costa Mesa would need to be taxed an additional $1,230 to replace the visitor-generated taxes received by state and local governments in 2025.

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