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You know that feeling when some places just click? That’s Costa Mesa. Whether you’re desperate for a weekend getaway, want to catch up with friends over drinks and a perfect meal, or if you’re eager for an afternoon of retail therapy, the city does all the work for you. From coffee at sunrise to cocktails at sunset, Costa Mesa delivers such a good time, it’s almost surreal. All you have to do is show up. For real. 

New to the City of the Arts®? Costa Mesa is at the heart of Orange County, just a few miles from the Pacific Coast and John Wayne Airport (SNA)—which we always rec flying into, since it’s so well located, scrupulously maintained, and chill to navigate. We’re a short drive from Los Angeles or San Diego, too, which makes us a great home base for exploration. 

Retail Therapy On Easy Mode

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention South Coast Plaza first. It’s a mecca for shoppers, with over 250 stores all under one enormous, air-conditioned roof. Nothing illustrates how effortless Costa Mesa is than being able to hit up Michelin-rated food and designer flagship stores in the same location. If there’s something you want, it’s going to be at South Coast Plaza.

Some of South Coast Plaza’s recent additions include the first Manolo Blahnik on the West Coast (here’s to you, Carrie Bradshaw!), the first ever Dior Beauty flagship in North America, and Zara’s first stand-alone menswear boutique in the United States. 

If you need to refuel amidst all the shopping, a quick and easy solution is Collage Culinary Experience. It’s the plaza’s dining hall that’s really more of a culinary collective. Whatever you crave, if it’s sushi, ramen, tacos, or something sweet, hit up Collage. (We usually hit up a few places in Collage and make ourselves a little tasting menu of our faves. Great place for groups, families, and choosy eaters!)

Just beyond the plaza, there’s tons of tasty options if you’re looking to explore some more. Mercado Gonzalez, called the Disneyland of Mexican food by locals, offers seventy-thousand square feet of a Mexican market experience: shopping, eating, drinking, and generally excellent vibes—local meets luxe and everything in between, and you can do it with a margarita in hand! Mitsuwa Marketplace is a ticket to Japan: hit up Matcha Ren for the perfect sweet treat, but don’t miss out on the affordable necessities at Daiso or Maido for one-of-a-kind gifts and stationery. 

Culinary Joy at Any Time of Day

Our favorite day-to-night spots take care of your appetite, whenever it happens to appear. In the daytime, hit up Hola Adios for beachy cafe excellence, but at night, the same spot turns into moody Diner Noche, with nostalgic, Americana diner vibes. Work In Progress has a similar switchup: cafe during the day, but an intimate, fun tapas bar (Bar Tinto) at night.

Art, Culture, and Chill

Had your fill of shopping and eating? We can’t leave out one of the major draws of the city: its arts scene. Try the Orange County Museum of Art—it’s not some stuffy museum with all the old classical paintings. It’s modern art featuring everything from kids programming to Bar Verdant, which we know from experience is a great place to grab wine on a date.

We’re called the City of the Arts® for a reason. Whether it’s OCMA, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, or the three stages at South Coast Repertory Theater, our Theater District has something to offer everyone.

Stay in the Center (or Drift Toward the Coast)

If you plan to stay in the Arts District (near South Coast Plaza and OCMA) and want something walkable, you’re looking at some incredible hotel options: Westin South Coast Plaza, Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Costa Mesa Marriott, Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa, and Crowne Plaza.

If you want to be closer to the beach (and we don’t blame you!), there’s wonderful options too: OC Hotel and Ramada are great picks. Make sure to look at all the options to pick the best place for your stay.

Whatever your choice, just know that when you arrive in Costa Mesa, everything falls into place. You’ve got endless options for shopping, dining, exploring, and enjoying art—whatever your taste, a surreal good time is always on the menu.

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Life moves so fast, and we’re always scrolling, scheduling, or sprinting to the next activity. In all the chaos, it’s easy to forget that inspiration and rejuvenation are essential aspects of life. To stay happy and healthy, it’s important to occasionally prioritize slowing down, taking some deep breaths, and letting ourselves wander until we find something that speaks to us or helps us reset. There’s no better place to wander than the city of Costa Mesa—known as the City of the Arts®, this thriving, vivid community proves that creativity isn’t just confined to stuffy galleries. You’ll find it in Costa Mesa’s walkable streets, the architecture, the performances, and the energy

If you’re new to this artistic gem of Orange County, the good news is we’re easy to find, tucked between Los Angeles to the north and San Diego to the south, and we’re right by some of the best beaches in all of California. If you’re flying in for your inspiration wander, try John Wayne Airport (SNA).

This is your invitation to come, wander and explore, get lost and found, and blur the lines of where creativity, performance, and community converge. 

Wander Well in Costa Mesa

You don’t need an itinerary or to stress out about parking upon arrival; the city’s very walkable, and you’ll stroll past colorful murals, chic coffee shops, or well-curated boutiques within minutes. But if you want some pointers for the best of what the city has to offer, we’ve collected some of the best spots.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts (SCFTA) has all sorts of events to choose from: ballet, Pacific Symphony performances at Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, and Tony-award-winning musicals at Segerstrom Hall are just some of the ever-changing roster. We’ve had some of our favorite experiences on the Segerstrom campus, those rare moments where the curtains close and we get chills—and then the world falls away, and it’s just us and the performers on stage. 

Right next door is South Coast Repertory, which hosts world-class performances with powerful storytelling and offers acclaimed classes. (Pedro Pascal, before he was the Mandalorian or Joel Miller, honed his craft here.) If you’re craving even more theatrics (or just the chance to live vicariously through characters for a little while), Costa Mesa Playhouse puts on transformative, community-driven productions.

Take a little stroll from South Coast Repertory to the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA), an enormous, light-filled structure filled with personal, daring, and beautiful contemporary art. This is one of our favorites not only for the time we’ve spent wandering, getting glimpses into other perspectives and experiences, but also because admission is always free. Take it from us: If you’re having a rough time, just show up to OCMA and let the art take you on a journey. 

Next up on the wander agenda is Noguchi Garden, officially known as California Scenario. This sculpture landscape is like being transported to another world, but it stays grounded in the indigenous plants and materials of California. It’s a vital, peaceful outdoor space, and it feels like getting lost and finding something vital at the same time. Our favorites are the Forest Walk and Desert Land. 

Leave Feeling Better—Just Not in the Way You Expected

Every place we’ve described is within steps, not miles stuck in a car. Costa Mesa proves you don’t have to go far to go deep. After your wander, you might not even leave with a souvenir—but how you feel after spending time exploring art and human experience is priceless.

You can always make your wander a day trip, but we recommend giving yourself the cushion of spending a night or more to really let the environment sink in. We have hotels to fit every budget and preference. Step outside of your hectic life, come to Costa Mesa, and leave feeling refreshed and inspired in ways you never anticipated.

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