Rendezvous for two.

A couple joyfully holds hands and splashes in shallow ocean waves on a sunny Huntington Beach, California day, with a clear blue sky and distant coastline in the background.

Costa Mesa sets the scene. You bring the chemistry. Whether it’s your first steps into the city limits or you’ve got your own itinerary, this city delivers an endless mixof experiences to enjoy together.

Start with brunch at Salty Horse or Outpost Kitchen, wander hand-in-hand through the art at t UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art, or explore the shops and hidden corners of The LAB and SOCO. Grab cocktails at Ruin Bar, catch a show at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, then linger over dinner at Vaca or Habana.

Want to take it slow or fill the day? Totally your call. This is your time, your way. Just the two of you, with Costa Mesa as the backdrop.

From brunch to golden hour. All the sweet spots.

Your perfect day together might start with coffee and vintage vinyl hunting, or maybe it’s drinks before a show. In Costa Mesa, there’s no wrong way to spend time together.

Coffee

Tan stone slabs form a geometric pathway over a shallow stream, with large rocks and sparse greenery in a minimalist space—evoking the modern flair of a costa mesa art walk, bordered by a plain wall.

Noguchi Garden

A woman and man take a selfie in front of a colorful mural near Segerstrom Performing Arts Center Costa Mesa, featuring a large portrait of a smiling blonde woman in a sparkling blue outfit, surrounded by bright flowers and birds.

Art Walk

A long pier extends over calm ocean water at sunset, with vibrant orange, pink, and purple clouds filling the sky above a coastal town—capturing the beauty of beaches near Costa Mesa.

Beaches

Great dates deserve great tables.

Costa Mesa’s food scene isn’t just good, it’s award winning good. Sit at the table of a James Beard Award-winning chef, or peruse the menu of a restaurant recognized by the Michelin guide. It’s okay to get a little fancy.

A green glass filled with a yellow cocktail, topped with crushed ice, garnish, and smoke rising from the drink, sits on a rustic wooden bar with warm lighting and blurred decor in the background.

Habana

A colorful salad with grilled tofu cubes, tortilla strips, red onions, leafy greens, and fresh cilantro is served on a white plate over a multicolored, abstract table surface.

Seabirds Kitchen

A Japanese food stall called Gyutan Tsukasa with colorful signs and menus stands inside a modern food court. Nearby, people are seated at tables near another eatery, Matcha Ren. The space is bright and spacious.

Mitsuwa Marketplace

Wandering is a love language here.

Not every couple’s idea of fun is shopping. But in Costa Mesa, it’s less about the bags and more about the moment. Open-air strolls through The LAB and The CAMP. Local makers. Great coffee. Nowhere to be but here. Stop in if something catches your eye, or don’t. The best part? You’re doing it together.

A woman in a bright yellow fringe dress and high heels walks outdoors on a covered walkway, carrying luxury shopping bags, including a large Dior bag, under a clear blue sky.

South Coast Plaza

The LAB

Rooms with room to breathe.

Art-forward hotels, spacious suites, and no car required. You’ll find yourself with plenty of room to relax between adventures. Close to the beach, close to everything else you’ll want to explore, and just far enough from home to feel like an actual break.

A large white Marriott Costa Mesa hotel building with multiple balconies, tall palm trees in front, and a clear blue sky overhead. The hotel entrance and surrounding greenery are visible at the base.

Costa Mesa Marriott

Settle into an all-suite stay at Costa Mesa Marriott, featuring spacious accommodations, an outdoor pool, and a convenient location near South Coast Plaza and Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Two people with suitcases walk past a hotel front desk in Costa Mesa, California, where three staff members stand behind computers. The background features gold and black artistic panels with classical-style figures.

Avenue of the Arts, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Discover Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, an AAA Four Diamond lakeside hotel near Segerstrom Center for the Arts, South Coast Plaza, dining, and culture.

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A stay for every style

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Three women pose and smile in front of a large mural with handwritten text about art, perfect for a Costa Mesa travel blog. Another person with curly hair faces them, possibly taking a photo. The mural is on a tan wall with greenery above.

Sip, Savor, and Celebrate the Best of Fall in Costa Mesa

Two women sit on outdoor steps, chatting near the Orange County Museum of Art—a modern, angular building with large windows and a unique architectural design—under a bright blue sky with wispy clouds.

Free Things to do in Costa Mesa

Dancers in vibrant costumes perform traditional Mexican folklórico on a checkered outdoor stage, with musicians playing in the background and a metal scaffold structure overhead.

How to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Costa Mesa

Rendezvous for two.

From brunch to golden hour. All the sweet spots.

Great dates deserve great tables.

Wandering is a love language here.

Rooms with room to breathe.

You might also love…

Let’s keep this trip going.

From brunch to golden hour. All the sweet spots.

Great dates deserve great tables.

Wandering is a love language here.

Let’s keep
this trip going.