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Create Your Shopping Escape in Costa Mesa

Posted on September 18, 2020 | 10:44pm

School may be back in session, but with warm weather and newly reopened businesses in Orange County, we can’t wait to get back to one of our favorite Fall activities–shopping. Costa Mesa is home to South Coast Plaza, one of the largest shopping destinations on the West Coast, as well as the first anti-mall, The LAB, and other unique options to shop small. Find out why fall is the perfect time to take a break to shop in Costa Mesa. Coming to stay? Take a look at our Create Your Escape hotel deals.

Photo courtesy of South Coast Plaza

South Coast Plaza

For the 19th year, South Coast Plaza and Angelitos de Oro are partnering to present the Angelitos Card. Cardholders get 20% off at over 80 boutiques and restaurants. Proceeds from the sale of the card ($60) benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire. We love that the Angelitos Card discount applies to the latest fall fashions, not otherwise on sale. If you’re planning on shopping at South Coast Plaza this fall, we recommend coming during Angelitos Week, September 24-30.

South Coast Plaza has been innovating safe ways to shop, from their attention to health and safety indoors to debuting alternative shopping experiences The Pavilion at South Coast Plaza and SCP2Go. The Pavilion at South Coast Plaza features 14 open-air suites where guests can shop select participating boutiques by appointment. For those who prefer to remain contactless, SCP2Go offers curbside pickup at participating shops and restaurants. The process is easy: order, park, call and pop your trunk. There’s even a color-coded map for parking.

The LAB

Honoring the “little American business,” The LAB Anti-Mall features a variety of stores, restaurants, two hair salons, a bar, a brewery and an art gallery. The eclectic mix of businesses makes for a unique shopping experience. You can find everything from clothing to tarot cards to zero waste refills, not to mention some delicious donuts, here. The LAB is also one of Costa Mesa’s most Instagrammable spots, so be sure to snap a photo (and tag us @travelcostamesa) while you’re there.

The CAMP

Across the street from The LAB you’ll find its sister center, The CAMP. If you love the outdoors, The CAMP may be the perfect shopping location for you. The entire space is eco-friendly. Stop in to SEED People’s Market for their curated collection of ethical and sustainable brands. You can find everything from outdoor gear to artisan soaps and jewelry. Find a unique gift at Pürre Boutique or Organic Designs By Aggelige. There are great dining options at The CAMP too.

If it’s time for a little retail therapy, why not create a shopping escape close to home? In addition to our hotel deals, be sure to check out our hotel safety and cleanliness procedures. Want to know what else is open? Our business updates and restaurants pages have our latest info.

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Posted in Shopping

Top 3 Ways to Beat the Heat and Unwind in Costa Mesa

Posted on August 13, 2020 | 8:27am

National Relaxation Day is August 15, but we think that any day you can relax is a reason to celebrate. Coming to Costa Mesa? Follow our guide to add a little zen to your visit. There are plenty of activities, shopping and dining open in Costa Mesa. Be sure to bring your masks because they are required. Can’t make the trip? Don’t worry. We have a relaxing virtual vacation as well.

Play outside

Get outdoors from some fresh air and the beauty of Costa Mesa parks. TeWinkle Park is particularly serene, with a lake and soothing waterfall. It’s the perfect backdrop to unwind with some yoga or reading. You can also hike or bike from Fairview Park or Talbert Regional Park to the beach.

If you’re making it a mini-break and staying overnight, lounge by one of our Costa Mesa hotel pools. All of our hotels offer increased safety and cleanliness procedures

The Pavilion at South Coast Plaza on July 29, 2020, in Costa Mesa, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

Shop in the open air

Indoor shopping may be closed, but Costa Mesa has a range of open-air shopping choices for everyone. The Pavilion at South Coast Plaza recently opened with 14 newly built suites on the second level of the North parking structure. You can pamper yourself with a private in-person shopping experience in elegant South Coast Plaza tradition. The Pavilion is available by complimentary appointment. Find out more information about reserving your suite, and participating boutiques, here.

Head over to The LAB and The CAMP for an array of small, local businesses in two unique settings. The LAB, which stands for “little American business,” has a variety of shops including  vintage clothing, zero waste and more. Across the street at The CAMP, you’ll find stores that celebrate the outdoor, eco-friendly vibe. 

For more information about which stores are currently open, visit our Costa Mesa Business Updates page.

Dine al fresco

Enjoy a delicious meal at one of Costa Mesa’s acclaimed restaurants while staying safe with innovative dining options. AnQi unveiled an unparalleled dining experience with their “An the Garden” patio dining. Guests can dine on small plates, AnQi’s signature dishes and Noodle Bar menu. Stay safe with the House of AN’s “Extra Care and Contactless Service,” which includes hermetically sealed silverware, UV blue-light wands and auto butler buzzers on each table.

Old Vine Kitchen & Bar recently opened OVKB The Roof, a beautiful rooftop dining space with socially distanced tables. Chef Mark McDonald also debuted an exciting new menu with wine pairing options by sommelier Kate Perry. 

To find out which restaurants offer patio dining, as well as takeout and delivery, visit our open restaurants page.

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Posted in Food, Hotels, Play, Shopping

Create Your Escape in Costa Mesa

Posted on June 30, 2020 | 7:48pm

Ready to get away, but don’t want to go far from home? Costa Mesa is located 35 miles south of Los Angeles, in the heart of Orange County. With plenty of options open, you’ll find something no matter what type of traveler you are. Make it a weekend getaway with one of our “Create Your Escape” hotel deals.

Go to the Park

With 30 parks of all sizes, Costa Mesa has plenty of outdoor space to enjoy. Fairview Park has trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. There are also open spaces for flying kites or playing frisbee. Nearby Talbert Regional Park offers 9 trails, a BMX area and a pond. You can follow along the Santa Ana River Bicycle Trail straight to the beach. If you want a more relaxing atmosphere, head to TeWinkle Park. The lake and waterfall make a perfect backdrop for a picnic, an afternoon reading or some yoga. If you’re traveling with a pup, TeWinkle is also home to Costa Mesa Bark Park for some off leash fun.

Take a Day Trip to the Beach

Take a short drive to one of our nearest beaches to soak up the Southern California sun. Known as Surf City USA®, Huntington Beach is popular for surfing, volleyball or just enjoying the view. It also has one of Southern California’s only dog beaches. World-famous Newport Beach is home to The Wedge, an area where waves can reach up to 30 feet. You can spend the day surfing, sunbathing or even snorkeling. Both Huntington Beach and Newport Beach have fire pits for bonfires, concessions and more.

Please note: Beaches are closed 4th of July weekend.

See the Arts

Costa Mesa is the City of the Arts™ and you’ll find plenty of art around the city. Take a stroll around Segerstrom Center for the Arts, South Coast Repertory and South Coast Plaza on the Costa Mesa Art Walk. You’ll discover more than 20 sculptures, including California Scenario by the acclaimed sculptor Isamu Noguchi. You’ll find art throughout the city too. Even our utility boxes celebrate art. Be sure to snap a selfie in front of one of Costa Mesa’s many murals. If you’re on Instagram, be sure to tag us for a chance to be featured on #MuralMonday.

Enjoy a Little Shopping

A trip to Costa Mesa wouldn’t be complete without a stop at South Coast Plaza. It’s one of the largest shopping destinations on the west coast, with 250 boutiques and 30 restaurants. From designers, like Dior and Gucci, to department stores, like Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, South Coast Plaza is a shopper’s dream. There are even two Sephora locations! Find out about their new health and safety procedures here

Looking to shop small? We have options for you too. Visit The LAB Anti-Mall, which celebrates the “little American business,” with independent retailers and restaurants. Across the street you’ll find The CAMP, an eco-friendly retail space with lots of food options.

Eat Award-Winning Food

Stop in TERRACE by Mix Mix at South Coast Plaza for a delicious lunch on a lush patio where you’ll feel you’ve escaped into your personal oasis. Acclaimed chef Ross Pangilinan has crafted a menu of shared and small plates so you can try his popular Pork Cheek Adobo and Albacore Tostado, as well as a variety of pizzas, meats and cheeses. Grab Top Chef winner Richard Blais’ Southern California-style fried chicken on your way to the park or beach at The Crack Shack. Fellow Top Chef alum Amar Santana has two Costa Mesa restaurants, Vaca and The Hall: Global Eatery. You can also get food takeout at chef Carlos Salgado’s Michelin-star Taco María. Find our full list of open Costa Mesa restaurants here.

Want more suggestions? We’ve created itineraries for solo, couple, family and pet-friendly travel. No matter what you choose to do during your visit, be sure to follow California state guidelines and wear a mask, practice social distancing and frequently wash your hands. For more information on how Costa Mesa is doing our part to keep you healthy, visit our hotel safety and cleanliness procedures page.

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Posted in Food, Hotels, Misc, Music & Art, Shopping

5 Ways to Show Your Love in Costa Mesa

Posted on January 29, 2020 | 4:33pm

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day or just a long weekend, show your love with these events over Presidents Day weekend. Make it a special getaway with one of our Valentine hotel deals.

Chris Botti with trumpet
Photo courtesy of Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Valentine’s with Chris Botti

The Grammy Award winning trumpeter Chris Botti is performing February 14 and 15 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. His combination of jazz, classical, pop and rock has earned him acclaim throughout the world. He’s performed with everyone from Frank Sinatra, Steven Tyler and Yo-Yo Ma. Spend Valentine’s with Chris Botti to see his unforgettable new show.

She Loves Me cast at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa
Photo courtesy of South Coast Repertory

She Loves Me

Fans of You’ve Got Mail and The Shop Around the Corner will fall for She Loves Me, at South Coast Repertory until February 22. Georg and Amalia can’t seem to get along working at Maraczek’s Parfumerie. After hours, though, they are both falling in love with each other as secret pen pals. She Loves Me is a charming musical comedy that’s perfect for both Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day.

Couple at a spa getting a massage

Spa Nordstrom

Pamper your Valentine, and yourself, with a visit to Spa Nordstrom at South Coast Plaza. Named one of the top 5 day spas in Orange County, Spa Nordstrom offers facials, massages, body treatments and more. Get a couples massage and relaxing facials. Staying for more of a girls weekend? Try Two Hours in Heaven that includes a full body massage, wrap and facial, scalp and foot pressure-point massage. You can also look at their full menu of services to find the perfect option for you.

Couple at The LAB in Costa Mesa

The LAB

Take a trip to The LAB (Little American Business) for a unique shopping and dining experience, not to mention plenty of selfie spots. Prism Boutique offers a variety of clothing, accessories and home goods or find some jewelry at May Martin. Grab dinner at Habana or drinks at the eclectic Ruin Bar. Be sure to snap a photo while you’re there and share it with us on social media

Dish from Vaca in Costa Mesa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Pebenito

Vaca

Chef Amar Santana has a special menu planned for Valentine’s Day at Vaca. Start with the ostiones, cornmeal crusted fried oysters with wagyu steak tartare and tonnato sauce. Then, try the salchicha de mariscos, a seafood sausage with a shellfish pork butter sauce. Finish your meal with the budino de chocolate, a white chocolate budino with maraschino cherries and toasted pistachios. The cocktails from Vaca Group’s beverage director, Michael Rooney, are a must too.

However you decide to spend your Valentine’s Day, make it a fun weekend getaway with our hotel deals and visitor guide.

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

Holidays Made Easy: Shop and Stay in Costa Mesa

Posted on November 13, 2019 | 2:31pm

Finding the perfect gifts during the holidays can be stressful. What if shopping for gifts were just as fun as watching loved ones open them? Forget online shopping. Costa Mesa has everything from luxury shopping to one-of-a-kind boutiques. So grab your best shopping partner and head to Costa Mesa for a relaxing getaway with our holiday hotel deals!

Where to Stay

The Westin South Coast Plaza with pool in front.

We love to shop in Costa Mesa and our hotels know it. Stay at Hilton Costa Mesa and enjoy their South Coast Shopping Package, which includes the South Coast Plaza VIP Passport and complimentary valet parking. Plan to do some serious shopping? The Westin South Coast Plaza offers a Shopper’s Delight package, complete with $100 gift certificate to South Coast Plaza. There’s even a bridge that connects to the shopping center. If you’re making a weekend of it, we’ve partnered with Residence Inn by Marriott to include a $100 South Coast Plaza gift certificate in their Shop and Stay in Costa Mesa package.

Where to Shop

South Coast Plaza bridge with a couple holding hands and shopping bags.

South Coast Plaza is the largest shopping center on the West Coast with over 250 retailers and 30 restaurants. They have designer boutiques, large department stores and both Apple and Microsoft stores. If you have a variety of people to get gifts for, or want to do all of your shopping in one place, then this is your destination. They’re open 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Black Friday too. Plus, you can relax at the full-service Spa Nordstrom after you’ve finished shopping.

Exterior of The Cheese Shop and We Olive & Wine Bar at SOCO & The OC Mix.

If Small Business Saturday is more your thing, we have shopping for you too. Go to Savory Spice Shop, The Cheese Shop, The Mixing Glass or We Olive & Wine Bar in SOCO & The OC Mix for the cook or cocktail enthusiast in your life. You can also check out their artisan boutiques and grab a bite or some coffee while you’re there. 

A couple drinking coffee with shopping bags at The LAB in Costa Mesa

Just a short drive away is The LAB, which is celebrating its 25th year of “anti-mallism.” The LAB (Little American Business) is just the place to find the perfect original and unconventional gift. Walk in to Prism Boutique for homeware, clothing and accessories or over to May Martin for handmade jewelry.

A couple holding hands shopping at The CAMP at night in Costa Mesa.

Across the street from The LAB is The CAMP, an eco-friendly retail center dedicated to healthy living and local community. Stop in SEED Peoples Market for home goods, outdoor gear, footwear and accessories. Purre Boutique and Baskets of Gold carry apparel and accessories, along with vegan and organic products. For a unique gift option, try Organic Designs by Aggelige for succulent arrangements, air plants, terrariums or cacti.

You can find something for everyone on your list—including yourself—in Costa Mesa. Want more suggestions on how to spend your Costa Mesa getaway (including a peek inside the South Coast Plaza VIP Lounge)? Check out these recommendations from Obsessed by Portia, Marcie in Mommyland and Maple Leopard.

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Posted in Hotels, Shopping