The holiday season may be coming to a close, but it’s never too late to give yourself the gift of a relaxing weekend getaway in the new year! Especially with National Plan for Vacation Day just around the corner on January 29. Did you know that each year, American workers end the year with a total of nearly 600 million unused vacation days? Vacations are proven to improve mental and physical health as well as productivity and positivity in the workplace, so a three-day weekend getaway in Orange County may be just what the doctor ordered (especially after a hectic holiday season)!
With a central Orange County location — and just a short drive or train ride from Los Angeles and San Diego — Costa Mesa is the perfect place to find some post-holiday relaxation in OC’s endless summer sun.
What to Do
While you’re here, catch Broadway’s “Dear Evan Hansen,” January 1st-13th, or “Hello, Dolly!” January 22nd-27th. The new year also brings Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ annual Off Center Festival, a month of creative, cutting edge and contemporary theater. This year’s programming includes performances of HEAR WORD!, Flaco Navaja’s “Evolution of a Sonera” and Ethan Lipton and His Orchestra’s “No Place to Go.”
If you’re itching to escape any winter doldrums, head just down the road from your Costa Mesa hotel to one of Orange County’s stunning beaches like Newport, Laguna or Huntington Beach.
Where to Eat
Foodies can easily turn a trip to Costa Mesa into an Eatcation, thanks to its reputation as the culinary epicenter of Orange County. Try The LA Times’ Best Restaurant of the Year, Taco Maria, for simple but gourmet “Alta California” cuisine dreamed up by Chef Carlos Salgado, or check out one of Foodbeast’s favorite spots like Vaca, The Crack Shack or Wild Goose Tavern.
Take on happy hour at SOCO and The OC Mix’s We Olive & Wine Bar where you can add a sampling of local olive oils and balsamic vinegars to your order. Or, head to The CAMP, Orange County’s eco-friendly and healthy minded shopping center in the heart of Costa Mesa’s SoBeCa District for a creative tasting flight and bite to eat at the Wine Lab.
Retail Therapy
You spent plenty of time shopping for others over the holiday, now it’s time to treat yourself. Spend an afternoon at international shopping destination South Coast Plaza, where you’ll find everything from H&M to Hermes, along with plenty of opportunities for pampering along the way. Drop in at the Nordstrom Spa for a mani-pedi, facial or massage, find your perfect scent at Jo Malone London, or get a mini facial at skincare shops like Fresh and Origins.
Plan your stay at one of Costa Mesa’s top hotels with convenient proximity to some of the best dining and shopping in Orange County. Stay & dine at Avenue of the Arts, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, or get your shop on at South Coast Plaza with a special stay & shop deal from the Hilton Costa Mesa. The Westin South Coast Plaza offers its signature WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio for those keeping up New Year’s workout resolutions. Find the best Costa Mesa hotel deals for every budget and itinerary here.
And no matter which Costa Mesa hotel you stay at, make sure to take advantage of its convenient Disneyland shuttle if a plan to visit the Mouse is high on your itinerary! For just $5.50 per person ($2 per child), you’ll be able to skip the hassle and get dropped off directly at the park gates.
Plan your trip using our Costa Mesa itineraries!
Download our Visitor Guide for more ideas on what to see and do in Orange County.
