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The Best Places to Dance in Costa Mesa 

Posted on August 6, 2024 | 10:08am

Whether you’re into EDM, country, or hip hop, Costa Mesa has a dance floor for every vibe. From high-energy nightclubs to laid-back lounges here are the best places to dance the night away.

TIME Nightclub 

TIME Nightclub is where the party never stops. Think Vegas, right in Costa Mesa! Its state-of-the-art lighting and sound system will have you feeling the rhythm the minute you walk in. TIME is the ultimate EDM club, playing beats ranging from house to bass and every groove in between. You can catch epic DJ sets and live performances from big names like Steve Aoki, Tiësto, and Zedd.

Sevilla Night Club 

Learn some new moves by taking a dance class at Sevilla Night Club located inside Café Sevilla. Every Wednesday starting at 8:00 pm you can join one of their Salsa or Bachata classes. Whether you’re rolling in solo, with friends, or with a partner, these classes are perfect for all levels. And the fun doesn’t stop there— grab a drink at the bar and keep the party going with an open dance floor until 1:30 am. No reservation is needed, just show up for a good time! 

STRUT Bar & Club 

STRUT is the ultimate destination for LGBTQ+ nightlife in Costa Mesa. This inclusive club offers weekly entertainment from top drag artists and DJs. Whether you want to turn it up like Kesha, break out your party pink for Chappell Roan on one of their iconic theme nights, or just feel like hitting the dance floor for a spontaneous party, Strut promises an unforgettable experience. Get ready to live your best life and dance like nobody’s watching! 

Westwood Coast

If country music and Boot Scootin’ Boogie is more your thing, then head over to Westwood Coast! This casual steakhouse hosts fun line dancing sessions every Thursday at 10:00 pm. With over 100 bottles of bourbon to choose from, you’ll find the perfect drink to complement your evening. For an extra thrill, try your hand at the mechanical bull and see if you can stay on for the full ride! 

Wayfarer 

The Wayfarer is one of Costa Mesa’s best live music venues.  Their eclectic mix of up-and-coming local bands and legendary acts, make it a go-to for anyone who’s into music. You can expect to hear everything from indie and alternative rock to electronic and hip-hop. Don’t miss their popular Y2K nights, where you can experience your favorite 90s and 00s hits performed live. With a full bar and kitchen on-site, you can grab some tasty food and drinks while you rock out. 

Mesa Lounge 

Located at the CAMP, Mesa is perfect if you’re looking for chic lounge vibes. Step into a sleek, stylish ambiance, with an in-house DJ playing Top 40 hits and hip-hop tracks. In addition to their dance floor, enjoy a menu of tasty bites and amazing craft cocktails! Make sure to try their famous lychee martini or go all out with bottle service and take your night to the next level. 

Maximize the Fun

As you plan your night, maximize the fun by booking a hotel room! With so many incredible venues and clubs to explore, you can dance the night away and then head back to your cozy room for some well-deserved relaxation. What are you waiting for? Time to put on your dancing shoes! 

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Posted in Events, Hotels, Misc, Music & Art, Travel

Our Best Tips and Tricks for The OC Fair

Posted on July 19, 2024 | 3:31pm

Once a year, Costa Mesa’s summer sun brings a special attraction where everyone can come together for a good time. The foodies and thrill seekers can find their latest adventure, the shoppers and artists can find new inspiration, and families, couples, or solo-riders can experience sights, sounds, and laughter they’ll remember all season.

Grab your sunscreen and your appetite: it’s time for the OC Fair.

Know Before You Go

From Friday, July 19th to Sunday, August 18th (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays), the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa will be transformed into a fun-packed festival to fill up your summer days. We’ve pulled together our best tips, tricks, and insider information to help you have the best time ever at the fair this year.

Tickets

  • Purchase tickets in advance. Limited daily capacity makes for a better experience for fairgoers.
  • Don’t wait until the end of the season thinking you’ll beat the crowd—the last several days of the fair often sell out.

How to Beat the Crowd

  • Rideshare is the way to go! It’s quicker and less stress than circling for a parking spot. That means more time to enjoy the fair.
  • If you do want to avoid the crowds, come to the fair early! It opens at 11am. Grab a breakfast burrito, fresh-baked cinnamon roll, or acai bowl as you sip your morning coffee and congratulate yourself on making it in before anyone else.
  • Better yet—turn it into an overnight stay. Stay at the Best Western Plus and walk to the fair. OC Hotel Costa Mesa or Hampton by Hilton Costa Mesa Newport Beach are a short Uber ride away from the Fair—or a longer walk for ambitious fairgoers. Hotels often sell out during the Fair, so book early. View all of Costa Mesa’s best hotels here.

    Tips to Save Some $$$

  • Tickets to performances at the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar, and Action Sports Arena all include same-day entry. Visit The Hangar for tribute bands and singalong to Elton John, Prince, or Queen for a bargain, with fair admission included.

  • All exhibits are free with Fair admission, including blue-ribbon winning cake decorations, woodworking and fine arts, and The Art of Music Experience. (More on that below!)

  • New this year: $5 Taste of the Fair. Available daily, until 4pm, try smaller portions of fare favorites with a smaller price tag.

    Did You Know That…?

  • OC Fair is a celebration of Orange County’s agricultural heritage. From cattle to lima beans, agriculture was a driving force in the development of Orange County, and the Fair is a rare moment where we can get closer to our food production. Visit the Fair’s Centennial Farm, a year-round working farm, to meet animal educators, get up close and personal with exotic animals and barnyard favorites at the petting zoo, and cheer the pigs at the All-Alaskan Pig Races!

  • The Fair welcomes Out at the Fair on Sunday, August 11th, for a celebration of diversity and inclusiveness. Out at the Fair describes themselves as a “community-focused event designed to bring people together and promote a message of acceptance and love.” Out at the Fair curates a full day of entertainment at The Hangar with musicians, dancers, and performers.

  • The Art of Music Experience returns for the second year. View iconic art from your favorite albums, large-scale and hand painted. The experience includes pop-ups, like a vinyl shop, coffee lounge, themed bar, and live-painting demonstrations.

Remember: get your tickets in advance, go early, and carpool or rideshare. What are you looking forward to the most? See you at the Fair!

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Posted in Events, Food, Misc, Play

The Ultimate Summer Destination for SoCal Travelers

Posted on July 2, 2024 | 12:13pm

If you’re looking for the ultimate location to plan a Southern California vacation, then Costa Mesa is the place to be! It’s the perfect home base if you want to explore Disneyland, Hollywood, and beyond. Experience our incredible dining options, shopping destinations, and exciting summer events —all in one trip.

The Perfect Location

Costa Mesa is located right in the middle of Southern California, which makes it super easy to hit up all your summer bucket list destinations.

  • Disneyland, 15 miles
  • Knott’s Berry Farm, 17 miles
  • Downtown Los Angeles, 40 miles
  • Hollywood, 45 miles
  • Angel’s Stadium, 15 miles
  • Aquarium of the Pacific, 29 miles
  • San Diego, 87 miles
  • Plus, if you’re all about spending as much time as you can at the beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach are all just a short drive away and we have plenty of beach-close hotels to choose from.

    Foodie Paradise

    Costa Mesa is the most flavorful destination in Southern California! With the only 2 Michelin Starred restaurants in Orange County plus 6 Michelin Recognized spots,  it’s truly the perfect city to take an Eatcation®. Whether you’re craving artisan coffee, gourmet burgers, or exotic eats, our city has it all. Dive into our insane variety of restaurants and discover new flavors!

    Boutique Bliss

    Did you know the largest shopping center on the West Coast is located in Costa Mesa?

    Experience designer shopping at South Coast Plaza where you can explore over 200 boutiques including a massive two-story Gucci store and the largest Balenciaga boutique in the Americas. But, if you are more into local finds, Costa Mesa has plenty of unique boutiques. Some of our favorites can be found at The LAB and The CAMP.

    After Dark Adventures

    The fun never ends in Costa Mesa. The nightlife here is lit with cool bars, craft breweries, and plenty of locations to enjoy live music. Whether you’re into dancing, enjoying craft cocktails, or catching a live band, Costa Mesa has you covered. We recommend visiting Mercado Gonzalez, a massive Mexican food hall offering a full cocktail bar and live mariachi music, or newly opened, Westwood Coast for country vibes and line dancing.

    Events and Concerts

    If you’re in town for the summer then you have to hit up the OC Fair which runs from July 19 – August 18th! It’s one of the top ten largest fairs in the U.S. and has no shortage of rides, carnival games, animals, arts and crafts, beer, food, and live music. Bonus tip: attend a concert at Pacific Amphitheater and get free fair admission. This year’s lineup includes UB40, Stray Cats, Big Time Rush and so many more, check out the full list.  

    Arts and Culture

    Explore the artsy side of Costa Mesa at Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA). Don’t miss the chance to walk through their new Yves Saint Laurent: Line and Expression exhibit. For the first time in the United States, you can explore the designer’s groundbreaking work from the 1960s until 2002, his last show. Admission is FREE!

    Segerstrom Center for the Arts is another great choice if you are looking to catch a Broadway show like Clue and Peter Pan.  This summer, they’re also hosting free events like outdoor movies and dance classes—perfect for making the most of your summer nights!

    Get Ready for an Unforgettable Summer

    So what are you waiting for? Drop this blog in the group chat, book your hotel stay, and get ready to experience the best SoCal vacation you’ve ever had. We can’t wait to see you here!

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    Posted in Events, Food, Hotels, Music & Art, Play, Shopping, Travel

    Costa Mesa’s Pride Guide: LGBTQ Events for 2024

    Posted on June 5, 2024 | 10:33am

    June is here, the sun is out, and our rainbows are in full technicolor. We’re proud devotees of Dolly P. throughout the whole year—we have the mural to prove it, see below—and when June comes around, we can’t help turning the volume up on everything gay in Costa Mesa. 

    Here are some of our favorite places to celebrate and take part in LGBTQ events in 2024:

    Segerstrom Center for the Arts

    Segerstrom Center for the Arts brings Orange County together through celebrating art, performance, and music. Visit Segerstrom for their world-class entertainment, from shows straight out of Broadway, to symphony performances, and movie screenings on the lawn.

    Does the word “prom” give you nervous flashbacks to being too gay to be cool in high school? We get it, and so does Segerstrom. This June, they’re hosting Plaza Prom: Pride edition. This time, Prom means community, drag queens, and way better music.

    • Plaza Prom: Pride: Relive prom night as an adult with drag performances, free arcade games, and DIY corsages and boutonnieres.
    • Pride Live: Pride Anthems: Take a musical journey that spans 50 years of music celebrating LGBTQ culture. From heartache to liberation, experience the musical legacy of queer musicians. 

    Strut Bar + Birdcage Lounge

    Need to dance the night away? Strut Bar, OC’s premiere LGBTQ nightclub, has the beats to get your body moving. Walking into Strut, you’re instantly immersed in a familiar atmosphere with all the music you know and love, but with a community vibe that only exists in Costa Mesa. If you want something quieter for conversation, you don’t have to leave. Step into their all-new Birdcage Lounge, where you can cuddle up with your besties—or with a fantastic cocktail. The more intimate space serves flocktails in kitschy bird cups and flamingo pool floaties. 

    Not one for nightlife? Dolly awaits. Strut is the home of a special tribute to Dolly Parton, featuring a fifty-two foot mural on the exterior of the building, recently restored by Long Beach artist David Gilmore. The owner of Strut, Luke Nero, says, “She represents love and light.” Enough said. 

    Tin Lizzie Saloon

    Coming here is being part of history. Tin Lizzie Saloon is not just the longest-standing gay & lesbian bar in Costa Mesa, but in all of Orange County. The saloon dates back to the 1950s, and as you step inside, the rest of the world falls away. Tin Lizzie sets its own tempo, moving at a pace that has marched and endured proudly for almost a century. 

    The moody red lights and Victorian atmosphere offer a memorable night for locals and visitors alike.

    OC Pride Festival & Parade

    The OC Fair & Event Center has year-round experiences and entertainment, and summer’s OC Fair is the main event. This year brings big news: a new queen is in town, and she’s sashaying her way to the fairground for the OC Pride Festival & Parade. This is the official Pride event for OC, out-loud and in-color at its brand new home in Costa Mesa. Catch it on October 5th, 2024 at the fairgrounds. 

    One-of-a-Kind Dining

    Located in Costa Mesa’s famous South Coast Plaza, the two-story dining collective Collage Culinary Experience is a sensory delight. There’s not a label that fits the experience, and we’re okay with that. Collage offers local and global-inspired fare in a colorful, stylish space that celebrates authenticity and joy. You can pop in for a quick snack or bev at Blossoms and Brass to start the night out right—or make a day of it and eat your way through the best of Costa Mesa flavor. 

    Shop Local, Shop Small

    Change starts at the community level, and two alternative shopping centers in Costa Mesa are making it happen. Eschewing everything quick, corporate, and mass-produced, The LAB and The CAMP instead choose community and creators. The soul of a city is in its small businesses and its local dining, and there’s no better place to experience the DNA of Costa Mesa than The LAB and The CAMP.

    • The LAB Anti-Mall: A stomping ground for local creators and crave-worthy food. It’s the home of shops like House of Intuition, an LGBTQ owned shop with a mission to foster individual spirituality. 
    • The CAMP: Situated right across the street, The CAMP is a green and eco-friendly campus that balances modern needs with environmental consciousness. Visit LGBTQ-owned Blackmarket Bakery for sweets and treats you’ll be thinking about long after you leave, or hit up the local breweries for craft beers and new friends.

    Stay the Night

    Settle in and book a stay at one of Costa Mesa’s top hotels to give yourself time to see all the city has to offer. Every location on this guide is inclusive and welcoming. We want you to feel at home right away so you can focus instead on the comfy rooms, comprehensive amenities, and world-class service. 

    If it’s your first visit to Costa Mesa, welcome! Thanks for being a friend.

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    Posted in Events

    Things to do in Costa Mesa This Spring

    Posted on April 8, 2024 | 8:33am

    Spring is here, and Orange County as always is packed with opportunities to make the most of the warming weather. Time your visit right and you will have a range of spring events to choose from in Costa Mesa, from foodie fairs to galleries, even to a full marathon.

    OC Winefest

    Photo by OC Wine Fest

    When: April 20–April 21

    Where: OC Fair & Event Center (The Hangar)

    Admission: $55

    More than 100 different wines from over 30 wineries will be available for a diverse wine tasting event hosted at the OC Fair & Event Center. For 3 hours, you can try wines from around the world made from some of the finest grapes ever grown.

    South Coast Plaza Garden Show

    Photo by South Coast Plaza

    When: April 25–28

    Where: South Coast Plaza Shopping Center

    Admission: Free

    The 34th Southern California Spring Garden show is set to happen at South Coast Plaza over four days. Featuring dozens of plant and garden vendors selling exotic plants, it is the perfect time to find something to make your living space stand out. There will be 8 display gardens showcasing the talent of SoCal horticulture specialists, along with a crowning centerpiece—a 25-foot floral installation.

    Beetlejuice, the Musical

    When: April 16–28

    Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts

    Admission: $49–179 (varies by seating)

    Experience this classic tale of family and fun in musical form at Segerstrom Hall. This adaptation of Tim Burton’s beloved film has been hailed by Variety as “SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN” and was a Broadway favorite before making its way to Orange County.

    OC Japan Fair

    When: April 19 – April 21

    Where: OC Fair & Event Center (Anaheim Building)

    Admission: $10 (free for children 6 and under and adults 66 and over)

    Gather your friends or family and prepare for a fun, educational experience about Japanese cultures. Featuring comedy, kimono models, music, cosplay, and more, this weekend-long event at the OC Fair & Event Center is the perfect way to start off your spring.

    OCMA New Exhibit

    Photo by OCMA

    When: March 15—August 18

    Where: Orange County Museum of Art

    Admission: Free

    Orange County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, Color is the First Revelation of the World, features more than a dozen artists’ works exploring how color and form intersect. The works all center around hues of blue in a variety of styles, creating unique narratives using color as the central aesthetic element. Admission to the entire museum is free!

    Mercado Gonzalez Miguelito’s Kids Classes

    When: Saturdays in April (6, 13, 20, & 27)

    Where: Mercado Gonzalez Northgate Market

    Admission: Free

    Stop by Mercado Gonzalez for a different kids class every Saturday morning throughout April. Each class will teach kids how to make their own version of food items such as sushi, paleta, sandwiches, and skewers.

    OC Marathon

    Photo by OC Marathon

    When: May 4– May 5

    Admission: $50+ (for participants, registration fees vary with event)

    Whether running it or watching it, the OC Marathon is always a memorable event. This year it returns for its 20th anniversary. More than just running, the event as a whole spreads across the entire weekend and features live music, kids events, and some of the best breweries in OC. The main event (the HOAG OC Marathon) kicks off at 5:30 AM on May 5th, and the Half Marathon starts one hour later.

    Disney’s Aladdin

    When: May 7– May 12

    Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts

    Admission: Starting at $49

    The hit Broadway musical ALADDIN is coming to Segerstrom Hall for a week in May. Seize the chance to see a performance that critics across the board have heaped praise upon and experience a beautiful, spectacular, and moving retelling of Disney’s classic tale.

    626 Night Market

    Photo by 626 Night Market

    When: May 31–June 2

    Where: OC Fair & Event Center

    Admission: $5 for pre-sale tickets

    Enjoy the final weekend of spring at the 626 Night Market, a sprawling event featuring local businesses as they showcase some of the best food, handmade products, art and more. Live music will keep the energy going at this fun event for everyone.  

    Extend Your Stay

    There is no shortage of spring events in Costa Mesa offering opportunities for adventure and exploration. Make the most of your visit by booking an overnight stay at one of our eleven hotel properties in the city. 

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    Posted in Events