Archives for Misc

Summer tastes better in Costa Mesa. From juicy burgers to fresh-made paletas and handscooped treats, things just hit different here. Maybe it’s the sunshine, or maybe it’s the bold flavors and new spots always pushing the boundaries. Whatever the reason, Costa Mesa is a necessary foodie stop, and we’ve curated the best summer bites here.

Costa Mesa sits in the heart of Orange County. This means we’re minutes from beaches and a quick ride from John Wayne Airport (SNA). If you’re driving in, we’re nestled between Los Angeles to the north and San Diego to the south. If you like, make it a foodie trip and follow your appetite down the coast.

Take a Bite Out of Summer

Palms n’ Patties is one of the newest additions to Costa Mesa’s dining scene. It’s a haven for burger lovers who prefer quality, organic, grass-fed beef. There’s no seed oil, either; their tasty fries are cooked in beef tallow. Our fave is the Grilled Smash (with house Pn’P Sauce) with a side of Green Mayo. Think In-N-Out but elevated.

Salt and Lime Modern Taqueria is the sort of place to have a perfect meal on the perfect SoCal day. With their house-made blue-corn tortillas (and tortilla chips), fresh local produce, and innovative flavors, we’ve sipped and savored some of our favorites here. Try a Smoky Pear Mezcal Margarita with a Seared Yellowtail taco (we live for the yuzu aioli and pickled ginger). If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with the Churro Sundae served with small-batch horchata ice cream. Yum.

Dine on the patio to watch the sunset or simply to take in a little extra sunshine. 

Stella Jean’s 17th Street location in Costa Mesa actually shares space with Pop Pie Co., so this is a best of both worlds dinner-and-dessert event. After a tasty, savory pie like Green Hog & Cheese, Get yourself the best of small-batch flavor with Stella Jean’s mainstays like the vegan and gluten-free Mango Sticky Rice flavor, or try a seasonal treat while it’s available.

The combo of outdoor dining options and delicious tapas at Cafe Sevilla couldn’t be more summery if it tried. The sangria is an absolute must try, but our favorite is always Happy Hour, Wednesday–Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. Can’t beat a $10 craft cocktail!

Looking for nostalgia? Looking for nostalgia but better? Hit up The Straw for milkshakes out of your dreams with a bright, retro feel. There’s flavors for everyone, ranging from over the top (like The STREET, which is a cookies-and-cream shake with cookie dough topping that’s colored to look like everyone’s favorite muppety consumer of cookies) to beautifully subtle (like Mr. Grey, an earl grey, lavender, and honey shake).

Inside Mercado González, you’ll find paletas made fresh daily—fruity, creamy, and crafted right in front of you. Through the glass walls, you can watch the team mix, pour, and freeze each batch, turning simple ingredients into the most refreshing summer treat. 

Make it an Eatcation®
With so many summer bites, cool treats, and new flavors to explore, Costa Mesa is the perfect place to turn a day of snacking into a full Eatcation®. Stay overnight in a Costa Mesa hotel, enjoy easy access to every dining district, and savor every last bite of your summer getaway.

Comments Off on No Forks Given: The Best Summer Eats in Costa Mesa

Posted in Misc

Looking for your next standout piece, elevated essential, or surprising style upgrade? Costa Mesa is where you’ll find it. As the center of Orange County, Costa Mesa is easy to get to by plane or car, good for exploring, and packed with refined shopping experiences you won’t find anywhere else. (We mean it. Keep reading for the very first standalone Zaraman in the whole world.)

The city of Costa Mesa is centrally located in Orange County, just minutes from the coast and a quick, stress‑free ride from John Wayne Airport (SNA). It’s the ideal home base for shoppers who live for convenience and a curated mix of luxury, emerging brands, and accessibility.

Costa Mesa Is Where You’ll Find Your Next Clutch Find

From niche labels to globally famous designers, Costa Mesa has a shopping scene that’s both elevated and personal. Whether you’re hunting for rare apparel, premium accessories, or lifestyle upgrades, you’ll find it here.

For the automotive‑obsessed and design‑driven, Period Correct blends motorsport culture with minimalist streetwear. This atelier is a master of clean silhouettes, limited drops, and gear that feels engineered as much as styled.

Quiet Golf has a modern, understated approach to sport‑inspired apparel. Think elevated basics, muted tones, and pieces that work almost everywhere, from the course to the cafe.

Luxury at South Coast Plaza

South Coast Plaza is the crown jewel of Costa Mesa shopping. This sprawling shopping destination with over 230 boutiques is home to the world’s top brands, but with an intimate, personal feel. It’s not pretentious, it’s just chill. And yes, it’s indoors and air‑conditioned, which makes it the perfect retreat on warm SoCal days.

Photo by South Coast Plaza

Other South Coast Plaza shops you shouldn’t miss include:

• Dior Beauty Flagship: Exclusive products, personalized consultations, and a boutique experience you won’t find elsewhere
• Zaraman: Sharp, modern menswear with global edge
• Collegium: Premium footwear and apparel, all handmade in Italy, plus the new Café Collegium for a refined mid‑shopping break (Head’s up: Their Coconut Matcha Cloud is perfectly refreshing!)

Refined Dining at South Coast Plaza

Shopping here pairs perfectly with elevated dining. South Coast Plaza has everything from Michelin‑starred cuisine to modern Asian fusion. Costa Mesa’s dining scene adds the perfect finish to your retail adventure.

Photo by South Coast Plaza

Treat yourself to:

• Knife Pleat: Michelin‑starred French cuisine
• Armani/Caffè: Sleek Italian coffee and light bites in a fashion‑forward setting
• AnQi Bistro: Modern Asian fusion with dramatic flair
• Hamamori: Pristine sushi and omakase

Shop, Dine, Then Unwind
After a full day of clutch finds and luxury experiences, there’s nothing more refreshing than checking into a Costa Mesa hotel to relax, recharge, and make the most of your stay. Enjoy top-tier rooms, amenities, and proximity to South Coast Plaza and local boutiques.

Comments Off on Clutch Finds in Costa Mesa: Luxury Shopping for the Modern Man

Posted in Misc

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.

Comments Off on Your Guide to a Swell Time: Summer Fun & Sun in Costa Mesa

Posted in Misc

Spring is here, which means longer days, extra sunshine, and finally saying goodbye to those too-early sunsets. This is the best time to soak up every last golden hour, and there’s no better place to do it than Costa Mesa. Picture this: coastal California vibes, epic dining scenes, endless sunshine, unparalleled shopping, and hands-on experiences all in one place with hotel options that won’t break your bank.

Comments Off on Spring Into a Costa Mesa State of Mind: Longer Days, Brighter Ways

Posted in Misc

Picture Costa Mesa as a treasure chest tucked between surf and city. Once you open it, you’ll have your pick of gleaming gems: secret menus, late-night haunts that locals guard like dubloons, and artisan workshops. This spring, we’re inviting you to follow the clues in Costa Mesa to uncover sunlit patios, tucked-away cafes, and one-of-a-kind goods. Consider this guide a map to your next overnight escape.

Never been to Costa Mesa? It’s not a hunt to find us; just follow your compass (or GPS) to Orange County. Costa Mesa is minutes from the beach, and it’s easy to get to hotspots like Los Angeles to the north and San Diego to the south. Here’s another local secret: if you’re coming by plane, make sure you’re landing at John Wayne Airport (SNA) to beat traffic and long lines.

The Crew’s Picks

The crew at Travel Costa Mesa has a lot of experience hunting down the city’s best treats and activities. This is stuff of local legend, so listen closely.

For some of the best Vietnamese food you’ll have in your life, hit up Eastborough Market. It’s tucked into the back and draped with greenery, which means it’s easy to overlook, but if you’re in the know, it’s one of the best food spots in The Camp. Stop in and get the Pho Baugette with a side of Bahn Mi pickles and Jasmine Lime Iced Tea.

Saltwater Leather Co. is a family-run, small-batch atelier producing vegetable-tanned leather goods. That’s a fancy way of saying they make some of the coolest bags, shoes, and accessories you can imagine. The family brought the craft secrets of leatherwork from Capri back to Costa Mesa. If you want your heirlooms handmade and not manufactured, this is the place to go. And don’t miss out on their one-of-a-kind, one-off offerings for something uniquely your own.

Tin Lizzie Saloon has the distinction of being the oldest tavern in the area. Well, actually, it’s the longest-standing LGBTQ+ bar in Orange County, which means it’s living history. Tin Lizzie takes you out of time to a lush, red-soaked space with embossed velvet walls. You can get a taste of queer history and an excellent cocktail—we rec trying the indulgent, coffee-flavored Black Magic.

The Secret Sip Spots

Love coffee, but a little tired of samey Starbucks or the tweeness of many local coffee places? Yeah, us too. Great news: the vibe, and the coffee, at Gremlin Garage is unlike anywhere else. You get the extra fun of following the java scent through workshops and garages to find the unique, woman-owned space. Try a signature drink like the famous Burnt Honey Latte or the self-titled The Gremlin, but remember to snoop around the space to find the secret menu (or ask the staff for pointers). It’s got some seasonal tastes and some wild drinks, like the Mango Sticky Rice Matcha. Yum.

If, like us, you’re one of the many who’ve fallen for the creative macha craze, we recommend hitting up Daydrift Coffee. It’s an artsy little corner with delicious flavors like Strawberry Yuzu Matcha, Banana Pudding Matcha, and our favorite, the Mugwort Matcha. You can also try some viral treats, like the Dubai Chewy Cookie.

Compass Points for Wave Riders

One of the joys of Costa Mesa is how close to the surf it is. We’re minutes away from some of the best beaches in California, like Newport Beach and Pirate’s Cove Beach. That means we’ve got a bunch of surfers, and Costa Mesa Surf Club celebrates the community with apparel and gear. Board craftsman Tanner Prairie teamed up with surf industry maven Rick Lohr to bring the history and the artistry to SoCal boarders and surfies. Nab a hat and blend in with the locals.

Whether you’re a surfing novice or a real ripper, Costa Mesa has everything you need to catch some waves. From stock surfboards to custom, handpainted creations, and even gear (and sunscreen), Pure Glass has your back. 

The Crown Jewel of Car Culture

If you’re deep into fashion subcultures, you can’t miss Period Correct. Count Tyler, The Creator among the fans of the brand, which celebrates motorsports and car culture with luxe craftsmanship and exclusive fabrics. Try to find somewhere cooler, we dare you.

Drop Anchor for a Cold One

After a long day of following map clues to shopping and dining, the best way to recoup is to stop by Salty Bear Brewing. Get yourself a cold glass of craft California beer and slake a day’s worth of thirst with a menu of classics like the Bear Moon White Ale and even some fun twists like Aloha Guava Kolsch. Some of our best Friday nights have been at Salty Bear, and we’re delighted to invite you to experience it.

Costa Mesa is full of treasures, from handmade crafts to secret sips and ales fit for salty dogs. For a true local’s experience, you should take it easy and explore the map at your own pace—which is why Costa Mesa is a perfect overnight escape. Whether you’re a lone explorer or bringing the whole crew, there’s a Costa Mesa hotel for every treasure hunter and for every budget. So check your compass, hoist your sails, and get ready for an adventure.

Comments Off on Unpack Costa Mesa: Hidden Gems From the City’s Treasure Chest

Posted in Misc