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In need of a weekend getaway with your ride‑or‑dies? Get the group chat started, because we have your itinerary right here. Costa Mesa is the perfect place to meet up, catch up, and live it up. We’ve sketched out a two-day itinerary to make sure you experience the best of it all with your besties—-the besteas for besties agenda is in full swing!

Centrally located in Orange County, Costa Mesa sits between Los Angeles and San Diego. We’re minutes from the beach and just a stress‑free hop from John Wayne Airport (SNA). Road‑tripping in? You’re an easy drive from the Inland Empire, San Diego, Palm Springs, or even Las Vegas if you’re feeling ambitious. However you get here, the vibes start the moment you arrive.

Meet Your Perfect Besties Itinerary 

Day 1: Caffeine, Cute Shops, and a Night Out

Kick off the trip at Daydrift Coffee, located in one of the best spaces in the city, The CAMP. Getting your morning fuel on here is honestly a delight; you can stroll the CAMP grounds (see what we did there?) and sip fun matcha creations in the spirit of besteahood. 

Now that you’re fueled, head to South Coast Plaza for the best luxury shopping on the West Coast. Whether you’re just browsing or balling out, there’s hundreds of boutiques, global brands, and neat spots to explore. (We recommend a stop into POP MART to grab some matching blind boxes.)

Next stop is Salty Horse to make sure you’re hydrated and fed after all that shopping. This new addition to the Costa Mesa dining scene has excellent breakfast and lunch fare, along with a tasty variety of coffee and tea options. We can never choose between Pitaya Pancakes and their Mesa Nachos. Salty or sweet? But if you’re bringing your bestie, you can order both and share.  

After all the luxe of South Coast Plaza, it’s time for something with a totally different vibe: treasure hunting. Landers Supply House is a family-owned Costa Mesa institution that recently relocated to The LAB. Don’t worry, you can still find their curated vintage Western goods, while 2nd Street (just across the street!) is perfect for scoring pre‑loved fashion gems. Matching jackets? Statement accessories? A random but perfect find? Yes to all of it.

For dinner, after all that shopping, it’s time to go hard and delicious at Folks Pizzeria. The red and white pizza flavors are Costa Mesa mainstays, and there’s veg options for those so inclined. 

After the pizza has settled and the sun has gone down, it’s time to head to Cowboys & Poodles for cocktails, disco balls, and a whole lot of personality. This hidden spot is playful, colorful, and built for a night out with your favorites. We can’t think of a better way to end the day than sipping cocktails with friends in a speakeasy.

Day 2: Theme Park Thrills and Beachy Chills

We went hard on food and drink in day one, but day two is all about Orange County big-time mainstays: the mouse and the beach. 

Head over to Disneyland, a quick trip from Costa Mesa, bright and early—or whenever you manage to crawl out of your comfy bed (we don’t judge!). Don’t forget the sunscreen. Hit up your favorite rides, get matching mouse ears, make memories, and split a churro; it’s all magical here. 

Save some light in the day for a gorgeous beach experience at one of the beaches nearby Costa Mesa. Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Corona del Mar are all minutes away, each with its own vibe. Whether you’re tanning, strolling, or dipping your toes in the water, it’s the perfect way to reset before dinner.

Make It a Besties Staycation

To make the most of your 48 hours, stay overnight in a Costa Mesa hotel. You’ll be close to everything, including coffee shops, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and the beach, with comfy rooms and amenities that make the whole trip feel elevated without putting a strain on your wallet. No rushing, no long drives. Just quality time.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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