Summer may feel far away, but Plan for Vacation Day on January 27th is the perfect reminder to start putting travel plans on the calendar. Don’t know where to start? We’ve got some ideas.
Located between Los Angeles and San Diego, Costa Mesa is Southern California’s under-the-radar gem. Just 11 minutes from the beach and filled with plenty of events to look forward to this year, Costa Mesa is the ideal home base for your next SoCal escape. Let’s dive in!
When Summer Calls, Live Music Answers
Some summer decisions are easy, like saying yes to live music under the stars. The Pacific Amphitheatre at the OC Fair & Event Center has already started to release their 2026 performances including Alison Krauss & Union Station, Iration, and Midland, with plenty more on the way. Each summer brings a packed calendar of music genres including country, rock, pop, Latin, and reggae all enjoyed in this outdoor venue.
The best part? Tickets purchased for summer concerts at the Pacific Amphitheatre include free same day admission to the OC Fair.
Summer’s Main Event
Your Adventure Awaits at the OC Fair this summer, running from July 17 through August 16 in Costa Mesa. This Southern California favorite draws more than one million visitors each year making it a must-do on any itinerary. Think classic carnival rides, pig races, demolition derby, creative exhibits, and fair food that deserves its own vacation memories. With enough entertainment to fill a full day or more, planning ahead makes it easy to book a nearby hotel and enjoy stress free access to the fairgrounds.
Beach Days, Minutes Away
If you’ve heard of Newport Beach or Huntington Beach, let us put you onto Costa Mesa, you’re new favorite beach-close vacation. It’s close enough to make surfing, whale watching or sunset beach views happen while paying less for hotels and avoiding all the crowds.
Book here and stay close to the beach:
Find all the Drama, Broadway Style
Looking for something a little more theatrical? If you’ve never seen a musical live (or just need an excuse to fall in love with one again), make this the year you do it. The Phantom of the Opera is coming to Segerstrom Center for the Arts this August, delivering gothic romance, mystery, and peak theatre drama. It’s the longest-running show on Broadway for a reason so don’t be surprised if you attend out of curiosity but leaving humming the soundtrack. Get your tickets early.
Run Toward Something Memorable
It’s official—we get it, you’ve become a run-club regular and now a marathon person. The good news? Traveling somewhere specifically to run 26 miles is absolutely a thing. The OC Marathon on May 2nd and 3rd draws runners from around the world and doubles as a full weekend celebration, with Celebrate OC, a two-day festival featuring live music, food, and fun fitness experiences for all ages. Whether you’re racing, cheering, or just soaking up the coastal energy, Costa Mesa is an ideal home base. It’s close to the action, comfortable for recovery, and surrounded by great food to fuel up before and celebrate with after.
Summer of 2026 Done Right
Plan for a Vacation Day is your official excuse to think ahead. Summer 2026 in Costa Mesa is already filling up with can’t-miss moments, and locking in your hotel early means better options, better dates, and one less thing to think about later. Explore the best hotels in Costa Mesa.
