Eastside

Two people sit and talk outside a building with an arched entrance labeled Mercado Mesa, nestled in the vibrant theater arts district of Costa Mesa. The scene is sunny, with plants and trees nearby and a window displaying items on the building’s right side.

If you’re into a little treasure hunting, this is your spot. Eastside Costa Mesa is packed with unique discoveries, from good food to under-the-radar shops, all with a laid-back coastal feel. Come for one thing, leave with a few more.

Featured

Start on 17th.

Just a mile from the coast, East 17th Street lines up indie boutiques, restaurants, and easy stops that locals keep coming back to. Shop a little, grab a bite, and see where it goes from there.

Explore 17th Street Shops

A woman wearing a denim shirt and jeans browses colorful clothes on a rack in a bright, modern boutique at a shopping mall in Costa Mesa, with neatly arranged shelves and tables in the background.

Take it outside.

Right at the edge of the neighborhood, Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve opens into more than 1,000 acres of coastal wetlands, with trails, water views, and some of the quieter stretches around. It’s an easy shift when you need it.

A winding stream flows through a muddy marshland with green vegetation. In the background, groups of birds are gathered near the water, creating a tranquil, natural scene.

Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Can’t beat the eats.

From casual stops to long-time favorites, the lineup here has very good taste. The Crack Shack, Plums Café, The Country Club, Wild Goose Tavern, and Eat Chow feed just about any mood, while Sidecar Doughnuts and Hi-Time Wine Cellars take care of the rest.

Four plates of breakfast food on a wooden table, featuring eggs Benedict with potatoes and oranges, a large Dutch baby pancake topped with berries, a plate with eggs and hash browns, and another plate with eggs, potatoes, and salsa.

Plums Cafe

A stacked burger with bacon, grilled chicken, lettuce, a large fried onion ring, and melted cheese on a seeded bun, served on a metal tray with parchment paper.

The Crack Shack

A bar counter with wine bottles, glasses, and a chalkboard menu on the wall. Shelves hold glassware and framed pictures hang above the counter. A colorful tiled surface is in the foreground.

Hi-Time Wine Cellars

Shop small. Score big.

Back along East 17th Street, smaller boutiques and local shops keep things interesting. It’s less about big retail and more about finding something you didn’t plan on.

A woman smiles while browsing clothes on a rack in a brightly lit boutique on 17th Street, Costa Mesa. Shelves with colorful vases and decor brighten the background as she enjoys a relaxed shopping experience.

17th Street Shops

Make the beach your backyard.

Hotels like OC Hotel Costa Mesa, Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa, Best Western Plus Newport Mesa Inn, and Hampton Inn by Hilton Costa Mesa Newport Beach keep you within minutes of the coast and right by Eastside’s main stretch.

A modern hotel exterior with a large sign reading OC HOTEL and ENTER OC 2430. This standout among hotels Costa Mesa features orange accents, a covered entrance, palm trees, and parked vehicles under a clear blue sky.

OC Hotel Costa Mesa

Elegant Ayres Hotels lobby with a fireplace, gray armchairs, a light sofa with red pillows, and coffee tables. The room features marble floors, large columns, artwork, and a cozy seating area with warm lighting.

Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa Newport Beach

This hotel offers a refreshing experience with a warm European ambiance located just minutes from Newport Beach, shopping and John Wayne Airport, Orange County.

The exterior of the Best Western Costa Mesa Plus hotel at sunset features palm trees, landscaped gardens, arched windows, and a prominent red and white hotel sign welcoming guests at the entrance.

Best Western Plus Newport Mesa Inn

Modern Hampton Inn Costa Mesa Newport Beach hotel room with two double beds, blue headboards, a window with sheer curtains, a yellow chair at a desk, floor lamp, and coffee station on a wooden cabinet. Decor is neutral and contemporary.

Hampton Inn by Hilton Costa Mesa Newport Beach

See more of the city.

Keep exploring all of Costa Mesa and uncover the neighborhoods, local favorites, and award-winning flavor that make this city endlessly discoverable.

Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde is where Costa Mesa slows down and savors the day. With sprawling parks like Fairview and Estancia, and boutique shopping at SOCO & The OC Mix, this neighborhood is perfect for open-air adventures and unrushed afternoons.

Outdoor patio with empty tables and red umbrellas, surrounded by palm trees and colorful flower pots, in front of shops and restaurants at Metro Pointe Costa Mesa on a sunny day.

South Coast Metro

From the world-famous South Coast Plaza to trendy spots like Metro Pointe and hidden gems along Ramen Row, this neighborhood offers endless ways to shop, savor, and soak in the city’s energy.

A modern concert hall with curved glass architecture and warm lighting stands next to a fountain with arcing water jets in the heart of Costa Mesa’s theater arts district, set against a city skyline at dusk.

Theater & Arts District

Welcome to Costa Mesa’s cultural heartbeat. World-class shows at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, intimate performances at South Coast Repertory, and the city’s newest modern collection at UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art.

Two women browse a wall display of colorful cards and books in a cozy, well-lit shop with wooden shelves and hanging paper decorations, nestled in Costa Mesa’s vibrant theater arts district. One woman holds a card while the other looks on.

SoBECA District

Trendy, eclectic, and full of energy, SoBECA is where Costa Mesa urban edge thrives. Find craft breweries like Green Cheek and Salty Bear and creative shops like The Inconvenience Store, all within walking distance.

Two people sit on a grassy bank near a pond with ducks and geese, surrounded by trees and a small waterfall in the background on a sunny day in the heart of the Central Costa Mesa neighborhood.

Central

From the bustling OC Fair & Event Center to family-friendly escapes like TeWinkle Park and action-packed fun at Costa Mesa Skate Park, there’s always something happening in this hub.

Five people gather around a worktable in a leather workshop in the heart of the theater arts district Costa Mesa, wearing aprons and smiling as they discuss leather pieces and tools, with materials and supplies organized on shelves and the table.

Westside

Laid-back meets plenty of personality on the west side. Cozy, locals-only cafés and only-in-Costa-Mesa boutiques stand next to manicured parks and quiet streets. It’s the perfect neighborhood to slow down and see where the day takes you.

Explore what’s happening around town.

A smiling woman holds a large pink cotton candy at a fair. Text reads: OC Fair. Your adventure awaits. July 17 - Aug 16. Tickets on sale now! The background is lively with festive decorations.

July 17, 2026–August 16, 2026

2026 OC Fair – Your Adventure Awaits

Two men are in front of a blurred cityscape at night. Large white text above them reads NELLY and TOO $HORT, with a dollar sign replacing the S in SHORT.

August 2, 2026

Nelly at Pacific Amphitheatre

Seven actors in elaborate period costumes stand in a line singing on stage, under a large, gold, draped theatre curtain with a dramatic black backdrop.

August 12, 2026–August 30, 2026

Phantom of the Opera at Segerstrom Hall

Three men stand in front of a golden background with glowing light beams radiating outward. The man in the center faces forward, wearing a COLUMBIA sweatshirt. The other two look away in opposite directions.

August 12, 2026

AJR at Pacific Amphitheatre

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