{"id":11703,"date":"2025-12-31T16:07:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T00:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelcostamesa.com\/blog\/?p=11703"},"modified":"2026-01-14T10:19:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T18:19:55","slug":"surreal-good-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelcostamesa.com\/blog\/surreal-good-time","title":{"rendered":"Plan Less, Live More: Costa Mesa\u2019s Guide to a Surreal Good Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You know that feeling when some places just click<\/em>? That\u2019s Costa Mesa. Whether you\u2019re desperate for a weekend getaway, want to catch up with friends over drinks and a perfect meal, or if you\u2019re eager for an afternoon of retail therapy, the city does all the work for you. From coffee at sunrise to cocktails at sunset, Costa Mesa delivers such a good time, it\u2019s almost surreal. All you have to do is show up. For real. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New to the City of the Arts\u00ae? Costa Mesa is at the heart of Orange County, just a few miles from the Pacific Coast and John Wayne Airport<\/a> (SNA)\u2014which we always rec flying into, since it\u2019s so well located, scrupulously maintained, and chill to navigate. We\u2019re a short drive from Los Angeles or San Diego, too, which makes us a great home base for exploration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Retail Therapy On Easy Mode<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019d be remiss if we didn\u2019t mention South Coast Plaza<\/a> first. It\u2019s a mecca for shoppers, with over 250 stores all under one enormous, air-conditioned roof. Nothing illustrates how effortless Costa Mesa is than being able to hit up Michelin-rated food and designer flagship stores in the same location. If there\u2019s something you want, it\u2019s going to be at South Coast Plaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Some of South Coast Plaza\u2019s recent additions include the first Manolo Blahnik on the West Coast (here\u2019s to you, Carrie Bradshaw!), the first ever Dior Beauty flagship in North America, and Zara\u2019s first stand-alone menswear boutique in the United States.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need to refuel amidst all the shopping, a quick and easy solution is Collage Culinary Experience<\/a>. It\u2019s the plaza\u2019s dining hall that\u2019s really more of a culinary collective. Whatever you crave, if it\u2019s sushi, ramen, tacos, or something sweet, hit up Collage. (We usually hit up a few places in Collage and make ourselves a little tasting menu of our faves. Great place for groups, families, and choosy eaters!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n