Travel Costa Mesa Blog
Feast Without the Fuss: Here’s Where to Get Thanksgiving Dinner in Costa Mesa
Whether you’re enjoying a vacation in Costa Mesa, or just doing your best to avoid the avalanche of post-dinner dishes, there’s plenty of local options to dine in or take out on Thanksgiving. We compiled our favorite options to hopefully save you a few rounds searching Google the week of the holiday: what’s open on Thanksgiving? Where can I order Thanksgiving dinner?
Keep reading to find out!
Image via Silver Trumpet
Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar
Bottoms up! Silver Trumpet is serving both Thanksgiving brunch and Thanksgiving dinner. Silver Trumpet’s holiday menu is part appetizer, part buffet, and part made-to-order. Roasted turkey, pumpkin ravioli, and pumpkin-spiced panna cotta are just some of the many offerings on the menu this year. Don’t skip on their famous focaccia bread, handmade with seasonal ingredients, and incredible butter pairings.
Here’s a pro-trip: take your turkey-coma to the next level and stay the weekend at Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. You can go straight from the dessert bar to your very comfortable room.
Meal service is from 11am – 7pm on November 27. Pricing starts at $99 for adults, $39 for children, and free for ages 5 and under.
Ready for an exquisite meal? Make a reservation here, and get a complimentary glass of sparkling wine with each meal.
3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Image via Ayres Hotels
Le Chateau Garden Bistro
Spend the holiday weekend at Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa/Newport Beach where the award-winning team at Le Chateau Garden Bistro will serve a Thanksgiving feast to remember.
The chef at Le Chateau is cooking up the classics for their prix-fixe menu, like homemade stuffing, butternut squash soup, roasted winter veggies, and of course, oven roasted turkey with port gravy. Don’t forget to save room for dessert!
325 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
The Westin South Coast Plaza
Gather with loved ones and savor the season at The Westin South Coast Plaza. On November 27 and 28, they will be offering a three course Thanksgiving dinner menu in the heart of Costa Mesa, just steps from world-class shopping and holiday entertainment.
The meal features butternut squash soup or a Thanksgiving Caesar salad to start, followed by a traditional roasted turkey breast dinner served with buttered green beans, potato purée, brioche stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Guests can finish their meal with either pumpkin cheesecake or a warm apple cranberry blossom with vanilla ice cream.
Just show up and enjoy, no reservations required.
Image via Water Grill
Water Grill at South Coast Plaza
Let Water Grill handle Thanksgiving this year. On Thursday, November 27, Water Grill is offering a special, three-course Thanksgiving meal. If you’d prefer to stick to their tried and true seafood favorites, their full menu is also available.
If that sounds tasty, go ahead and make a reservation on OpenTable before they book up.
3300 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Image via Vaca
Vaca
Vaca won’t be open on Thanksgiving day, but they’ve done all the work and planning for you. From now until November 19th at 2pm, order Thanksgiving dinner to-go and pick it up on November 26th. Who else in your family can say that a Top Chef made their holiday meal?
Vaca’s Thanksgiving To-Go serves up to 10 people and features a whole, roasted turkey, Chef Santana’s famous Italian sausage cornbread stuffing, winter pudding, roasted pumpkin soup, and many other elevated classics. All you have to do is pick it up the day before.
View the full menu and place an order here.
695 Town Center Dr Suite 170, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Image via The Capital Grille
The Capital Grille
Pecan-crusted sweet potatoes with hot honey, slow roasted turkey, and pumpkin cheesecake await at The Capital Grille this Thanksgiving. Alongside their full dinner menu, The Capital Grille is serving a special Thanksgiving entree with all the classic sides.
Speaking of classic sides–they’re all available to-go! Pre-order by November 26 and all you’ll have to do is drop by at the scheduled time to pick up your order, refrigerate it, and reheat it according to the instructions.
Located at South Coast Plaza, they are open for dine-in guests on November 27, 2025. Give The Capital Grille a call at 714-432-1140 or visit them online to make your reservation or order your sides.
Image via Morton’s The Steakhouse
Morton’s The Steakhouse
In addition to their full menu, Morton’s is going all out on Thanksgiving Day with a four-course dinner. They are open from 12pm to 8pm on November 28, and their special menu is $69 per person.
If you’re looking to order ahead, Morton’s will take care of everything with their family-style Thanksgiving dinner to-go. The package serves four, and pre-orders close on November 25 at 9pm. Enjoy their roasted turkey roulade, fresh cranberry sauce, among twice-baked au gratin potatoes other holiday favorites. It even comes with an egg and onion loaf and four slices of pumpkin cheesecake.
View their menu or make a reservation online.
Image via Seasons 52
Seasons 52
Located at South Coast Plaza, Seasons 52 is going for the tried-and-true traditional this Thanksgiving, and you’re invited. They’re serving a Thanksgiving plate with roasted turkey, yukon mashed potatoes, green beans, brioche and sage stuffing, and more, along with their a la carte menu.
You can also order their “warm and serve” Thanksgiving dinner box with everything on the dine in menu, plus a Field Greens Salad. For $230, it serves 4 to 6 and comes with 6 mini Pumpkin Pie Indulgences. The last day to preorder is Monday, November 24.
Make a reservation or learn more online here.
Easiest Thanksgiving ever.
Turkey, steak, ham, or seafood? Maybe one of each? Go for the unexpected and pick up fresh ceviche or chips and salsa from Mercado González, open on Thanksgiving Day (though their hours are shorter than usual.) The options are limitless!
Plan ahead and make your reservation at one of our recommended restaurants, then take it to the next level and make it a staycation–have a cozy, comfy room booked and ready for your post-feast turkey coma. Easiest Thanksgiving ever, and best Thanksgiving ever.
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Sip, Savor, and Celebrate the Best of Fall in Costa Mesa
There’s a crispness in the air, and leaves take on a golden hue. Whether you consider pumpkin spice a friend or foe, it’s a can’t-miss sign of autumn.
We invite you to fall for the sights, sounds, (and spooks!) of Costa Mesa. With countless exciting events, comforting and craveable flavors, and one-of-a-kind Halloween happenings, Costa Mesa is a cozy, welcoming haven for the season. Whether you’re a local or planning your next vacation, here’s your ultimate guide to celebrating fall.
Beat the Morning Chill with Seasonal Sips
Kickstart your day with a visit to two local gems, Original Barista and Coffee Nature. These neighborhood-favorite coffee shops are a great place to taste the season and warm your soul.
By popular demand, Original Barista is bringing back their “Pumpkin Brulee Latte” made with Brulee cold foam, house made honeycomb magic, and a sprinkle of Chai dust on top. Coffee Nature has whipped up a seasonal “Witch’s Potion”: matcha, brown sugar, with pumpkin syrup AND pumpkin foam. (We definitely recommend the pumpkin foam.)
Get into the Fall Spirit at Tanaka Farm
For the ultimate fall vibes head over to Tanaka Farms and explore Hana Field Pumpkin Patch. With eight acres of pumpkins, it’s the perfect orange backdrop for all your fall photos and you’ll have no problem finding the perfect one for carving.
New for 2025: the Jurassic Fright Corn Maze! Weave your way past giant raptors, spooky skeletons, and a roaring T-Rex. Tanaka Farms, Hana Field, is open Tuesday – Sunday starting September 27th through November 9th . Book your pumpkin patch experience here.
Hocus Pocus Beetle Juice Drag Show
You’re going to want to drop this one in the group chat! From October 3rd through November 1st , catch Orange County’s most wicked drag performance at STRUT Bar & Club. The Hocus Pocus Spelltacular Drag Show is filled with fun surprises that will leave you spellbound all while you sip on your favorite poison from the bar—because what’s a little witchcraft without a drink in hand? We recommend trying their citrusy “Midnight Cabaret-tini” or their fizzy “My Ex Jack’s Lemonade!”
Boo Ha Ha – A Haunted Oktobeerfest
If your idea of Halloween fun includes a pint in hand, The Boo Ha Ha at the OC Fair & Event Center on Saturday, October 25th is the place to be. Sip your way through unlimited craft beer tastings from some of the region’s best breweries — it’s basically trick-or-treating for adults, only the treats come in a frosty glass. The night doesn’t stop there: rock out to live sets from Ozzmania and The Mismiths, and don’t miss the debut of the Dead Man Drivin’ Demolition Derby, with haunted hearses crashing under the fairground lights.
Snake Yoga & Horror-Themed Axe Throwing
A spooky season calls for spine-tingling fun, and we double dare you to take a snake yoga class at LXR YOGA with real ball pythons. In small-group sessions, you’ll learn how to handle these slithery (but super gentle) companions. Pick a crystal, and the one you choose decides which snake joins you on the mat. Beginner-friendly and paced for comfort, this unique class lets you breathe, stretch, and get up close with your new scaly friends.
If snake yoga is too much of a stretch, try an axe-throwing session at Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales. This horror themed axe-throwing venue is fully decorated with memorabilia from your favorite scary movies including iconic figures like Freddy Krueger, Leatherface, and Jason Voorhees. As you put your axe-throwing skills to the test, enjoy a round of their spooky themed cocktails and beer.
Fall’s Fashion and Fun
No visit to Costa Mesa is complete without a trip to South Coast Plaza, Southern California’s ultimate luxury shopping destination! Shop the latest fall fashion trends at their newest boutiques including Gentle Monster, the first-ever Dior Beauty flagship in North America, and the west-coast exclusive for Khaite. With an array of designer labels and collections to choose from, you’ll find everything you need to give your wardrobe a seasonal glow-up.
Need a show-stopping costume for your holiday festivities? Check out the Halloween Bootique inside Triangle Square. Open all year long, this shop has the best costumes and accessories to bring your wildest vision to life!
Cultivate Your Creativity
Pick up a paintbrush—and a glass of wine—at Inspired Art Wine, a studio, bar, and gallery. All throughout October, Inspired is hosting painting sessions with a spooky twist . Paint your own trick-or-treat scene, or sign up for October 23th‘s mashup of Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic “Starry Night” with Harry Potter’s Hogwarts. No experience is necessary, and all supplies are provided.
This October, Segerstrom Center for the Arts is bringing a different kind of chill to the season with San Francisco Ballet’s Frankenstein. It’s Mary Shelley’s classic story, but told through stunning choreography and dramatic sets that will give you goosebumps-in-a-good-way. It’s dramatic, a little eerie, and the perfect excuse for a fall night out.
Savor the Season in Costa Mesa
Fall is the best time to get out and explore Costa Mesa! Full of craveable fall sips, pumpkin patch adventures, and hands-on fun, why stop at a day? Make it a getaway by booking a cozy overnight stay at a Costa Mesa hotel—you’ll thank yourself when you don’t have to rush home.
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Posted in Events, Food, Misc, Music & Art, Play, Shopping, Travel
Got the Brunchies? Get a Taste of Costa Mesa’s Best Brunch Spots!
Looking for the best brunch in Southern California? Come to Costa Mesa. Brunch here isn’t just a meal—it’s an art form. Costa Mesa’s brunch spots deliver if you need protein after a morning surf, a hangover cure, or just some gossip with your avocado toast. From farm-to-table favorites to authentic Mexican brunch and elevated comfort food, here’s our top picks to satisfy your cravings. Grab your foodie crew and dig in!
Nestled between Los Angeles and San Diego, Costa Mesa is just a quick drive away for most SoCal locals. But if you need to fly in for your foodie fix, here’s a pro tip: skip the stress of LAX and land at John Wayne Airport (SNA) instead.
While thinking about where to stay for your brunch bonanza, take a look at the menu at some of our favorite brunch-friendly hotels.
Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Located in the heart of Costa Mesa’s famous arts district, Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa has a special package that includes a daily breakfast at their three-diamond Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar. Breakfast is generously served until 11am, making it perfect for the brunching crowd. Check out what’s included in the offer (free breakfast for kids, too!) on their website.
Ayres Hotel, Costa Mesa/Newport Beach
Enjoy brunch al fresco at the gorgeous, European-inspired Ayres Hotel. Weekend brunch is served Saturday and Sunday, from 11am to 3pm, at the onsite Le Chateau Garden Bistro. Sip an Aperol Spritz and dig into a classic Eggs Benedict.
With your post-brunch siesta accommodations all set, let’s take a look at our top ten.
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Posted in Food
Our Best Tips and Tricks for The OC Fair
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 18th to Sunday, August 17th (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 REWIND: A VHS Revival. (More on that below!)
- Save on food by trying the $5 Taste of the Fair. Everyday until 4 p.m. you can sample bites from a variety of vendors offering $5 menu items.
NEW: OC Fair After Dark at Plaza Pacifica is where to go for music and dancing—Friday through Sunday nights feature swing dancing, DJ sets, and Latin beats that keep the fun going. Free with Fair admission!
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!
- REWIND: A VHS Revival features hand-painted, large-scale recreations of album covers and movie posters, live painting demos, and more—all capturing the spirit of the VHS era. It’s a nostalgic celebration of bold graphics and pop culture that defined a generation.
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Costa Mesa Unlocked: Revealing Experiences You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
If you think you know everything about Southern California, that it’s all beaches and theme parks, think again! Costa Mesa is where the real magic happens. Known as the City of the Arts®, this crown jewel of Orange County is all about unforgettable experiences. Think Broadway-calibre theater, shopping that puts Rodeo Drive to shame, and a foodie scene that boasts Michelin-recognized dining. If glitz and glamor isn’t your scene, try indie creativity with hidden-gem boutiques, vintage photobooths, and quirky experiences like snake yoga. Read on to find out what you can do in Costa Mesa that you can’t do anywhere else.
You can find Costa Mesa nestled between Los Angeles and San Diego, so it’s an easy drive for locals. If you’re further away, fly into John Wayne Airport (SNA) to beat the LAX crowds.
Exclusive Bites
Celeb chef-turned-actor Matty Matheson (you probably recognize him from The Bear) opened Matty’s Patty’s Burger Club in Toronto, where it received gangbuster reviews. You don’t have to fly to Canada to get a taste of one of these saucy, saucy burgers or gooey poutine: the only other location is in Costa Mesa! (P.S. Get the Pineapple Soft Serve for dessert. It’s the perfect finish.)
Photo by @mattyspattysburgerclub
Mercado Gonzalez is a 70,000-square-feet Mexican market transplanted to Costa Mesa. The food choices are plentiful, and traversing the whole thing can be an all-day adventure. No need for plane tickets or border crossings here; just show up hungry. For that extra dose of exclusivity, we rec the churros from Churrería El Moro, since Mercado Gonzalez is the flagship U.S. location where you can try their famous treats.
Photo by @elmoro_usa
Wild & Wonderful Experiences
Ain’t no fair like the OC Fair! Running from mid-July to mid-August, this summer extravaganza has rides, live music with artists like Melissa Ethridge, Fitz & the Tantrums, and Blues Traveler, and deep-fried everything, along with fresh, healthier options. While the Fair has wrapped up for 2025, the excitement doesn’t end when the Fair does. The Fairgrounds hosts events all year. We’re looking forward to OC Japan Fair in October for the incredible food, and Gem Faire in December for everything that stuns and sparkles. The OC Fair & Events Center brings all the classic, nostalgic fun of a county fair, but bigger, better, and with Southern Californian flavor.
Got a case of FOMO? Try out viral experiences IRL in Costa Mesa, like LXRYoga’s famous (and adorable) snake yoga. Sure, goat yoga has been all the rage on the apps, but snake yoga is another thing entirely; the snakes are friendly and calm, there’s five minutes of photo opps to get your perfect snake selfie, and you get to hang out with a slithery new friend.
Photo by Jeff Gritchen
If snakes give you creepy-crawlies, there’s another viral hit in Booth by Bryant. Miss the old analog photobooths and their cute black-and-white pics? They’re a relic of the past, but in Costa Mesa, you can hop into a vintage booth and bring back memories or make new ones.
Photo by @sinadeinert
Costa Mesa’s known as The City of the Arts® for so many reasons, but a big one is the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA). The museum is a love letter to modern and contemporary art, and especially to California. Best yet, because of an endowment, admission is free. Accessible, cultural, and thought-provoking, with frequent rooftop events and artist talks, OCMA is one the coolest places in the city.
Photo by @ocmamuseum
Retail Therapy
Costa Mesa has all sorts of shopping experiences that think outside of the box. The CAMP is a green, eco-conscious, and healthy-minded outdoor retail campus with tons of dining options, sustainable and artisanal shops, and even a ceramic and pottery studio. Every time we go to the CAMP, we find something new to obsess over; recently, it’s been the 2nd Street USA location, where we’re obsessed with the well-curated, premium secondhand goods.
Photo by @thecampoc
The LAB is not a mall; it’s an anti-mall. The variety of shops and restaurants—like Buffalo Exchange for thrifting, an Airstream trailer selling vinyls at Creme Tangerine, and Chef Atsushi Yokoyama’s Hana re, just to name a few—puts hometown malls to shame. Not that we have anything against an Orange Julius, patron saint of our childhoods, but we’d much rather go to a speakeasy like RUIN and have a Kiki Kiwi cocktail.
Photo by @thelabantimall
We saved some of the best for last with South Coast Plaza. Not only is it the largest shopping center on the West Coast, with over 250 retailers, but it’s also the home to incredible food and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts (where you can find OCMA). South Coast Plaza is the West Coast–exclusive home to brands like Alexander Wang, Missoni, Khaite, and Chopard. Beverly Hills who?
Photo by @southcoastplaza
Costa Mesa’s waiting with one-of-a-kind experiences. Bring your appetite, your sense of adventure, and your cutest comfy shoes to explore everything the city has to offer. But why rush? Book a room in one of our fabulous hotels to enjoy a multi-day experience.
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