Planning a Southern California summer escape? Costa Mesa is the perfect home base—beach‑close, full of outdoor activities, and buzzing with major summer events including the OC Fair and Pacific Amphitheatre shows.
Never been to Costa Mesa? We’re centrally located in Orange County, which means Los Angeles is to our north and San Diego is to our south. We give this tip all the time, but trust us and fly into John Wayne Airport (SNA) and beat the rush of other, less laid-back airports. SNA is closer, calmer, and minutes away from a city full of attractions.
Have a Swell Time This Summer
Saying we’re beach-adjacent is underselling things. Costa Mesa is surrounded by some of the best beaches in Orange County, each offering a different coastal vibe:
Newport Beach: Classic SoCal surf, harbor cruises, and miles of sandy shoreline
Huntington Beach: “Surf City USA” with a fun pier and beach paths
Corona del Mar: Coves and tide pools straight out of a postcard
Balboa Peninsula: Bikes, body surfing, and the historic Fun Zone
Laguna Beach: Beautiful coves and some of the best swimming in the state
We honestly can’t think of a better day than spending it in the water and soaking up the sun—-then capping it all off with dinner, drinks, and entertainment.
Summer Fun Outdoors and With the Arts
A SoCal summer can’t be reduced to just the beach, especially not in a place like Costa Mesa. The OC Fair returns to Costa Mesa this summer with all the classic fun like over‑the‑top fair food, carnival rides, live music, agricultural exhibits, and family‑friendly entertainment. From July through August, the fairgrounds are thrumming with excitement, especially on nights when Pacific Amphitheatre concerts spill into the fair experience. It’s one of Costa Mesa’s biggest summer traditions and a must‑do for visitors of all ages.
The city also happens to be a haven for music lovers. Check the summer programming at Pacific Amphitheatre, including Sugar Ray in July and Alison Krauss and Union Station in August.
Every summer, Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ Argyros Plaza turns into a vibrant outdoor gathering place, offering free and low‑cost events to bring the community together. The plaza is always the place to be during summer: there’s live music and cultural festivals, outdoor movies, dance nights, and family‑friendly activities. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy warm evenings, discover local talent, and experience Costa Mesa’s creative spirit in the open air.
Pacific Symphony’s America 250 programming brings patriotic performances to Costa Mesa as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. This summer’s concerts blend American classics, orchestral favorites, and community‑focused events that celebrate the country’s diverse artistic heritage. With outdoor performances and warm evening breezes, it’s a memorable way to experience live music under the Southern California sky.
Whether you’re all about the ocean or an artist at heart, summer in Costa Mesa has something for everyone. Make it a summer to remember and stay in a Costa Mesa hotel.
