Your SoCal
playground awaits.

Beaches & Outdoors in Costa Mesa

Fun in the sun hits different here. And the best part? It’s all close by and easy to get to. Turn right for the beach, left for bike trails, or straight ahead for picnic-perfect parks. Make the outdoors a full-day adventure or just a quick stop. No matter how long you stay, Costa Mesa makes it easy to enjoy every moment your way.

Get Outside. Stay Outside.

Sun, sand, trails, and greens—and yes, still more to discover. Getting out and exploring is a breeze here. Dive in, wander out, and come back again and again for a whole new day of fun.

Three people lie on grass in Costa Mesa, laughing and playfully covering their faces. One wears a red jacket, another denim, and the third a white graphic t-shirt. A brown bag and red purse rest nearby at Mesa Verde Park.

Your Guide to a Surreal Good Time

From Michelin-recognized meals to museum moments, everything in the city just clicks. Making plans is effortless, from coffee at sunrise to cocktails at sunset, and every moment feels curated. All you have to do is show up.

Four people walk along a sandy beach near a pier, smiling and wearing casual summer clothes and sunglasses. The scene captures the relaxed vibe of beaches near Costa Mesa, with the ocean, pier, and bright sky in the background.

Chase the Sunshine in Costa Mesa

Enjoy sun-soaked moments by the pool or head to the beach, then watch the sky turn pink and orange at sunset. Costa Mesa is where every moment feels like golden hour.

Three people stand in a surf shop, smiling and laughing among colorful surfboards. A woman in front holds a red board, while a man and another woman interact in the background—capturing the cheerful vibe of Costa Mesa events.

Hidden Gems from the City’s Treasure Chest

Discover our hidden gems with a treasure-map guide featuring secret cafes, artisan workshops, surf culture, craft breweries, and local legends waiting to be explored around every corner.

Coast through the day.

From Huntington Beach to Newport Beach and Corona Del Mar, Costa Mesa puts the Pacific at your fingertips. Surf, sunbathe, or explore tidepools. You can spend the whole day soaking up the sun or just pop by for the perfect sunset. Either way, the coast is minutes away, easy to reach, and always worth it.

Colorful flowers and greenery frame a rocky coastline with turquoise water. Waves crash against cliffs, and a few tall palm trees and houses are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Laguna Beach

Aerial view of a coastal city near Costa Mesa, featuring a wide blue bay dotted with sailboats and yachts, and densely packed houses and buildings lining the shoreline under a clear sky.

Newport Beach

A long pier with two small buildings extends over the ocean in pet friendly Costa Mesa, with people walking along it. Waves crash below, and the sky is clear and bright blue.

Huntington Beach

A turquoise pergola with CRYSTAL COVE written on top shades picnic tables on a sandy beach near Costa Mesa, with ocean waves, a wooden fence, and cliffs in the background under a clear blue sky.

Crystal Cove Tidepools

A scenic coastal view with cliffs, a sandy beach, rocky shoreline, and blue ocean waves under a partly cloudy sky. Some houses and greenery are visible atop the cliffs.

Corona Del Mar Beach

Tee off with a view.

Whether you’re a pro or just playing for fun, Costa Mesa’s courses offer fairways with a side of ocean. Costa Mesa Country Club, Tustin Ranch Golf Club, and Monarch Beach Golf Links all serve up beautiful greens and ocean breezes that make every swing a little more enjoyable.

Aerial view of a golf course with green fairways, scattered trees, ponds, a clubhouse with red-tiled roof, golf carts, and a parking lot; cityscape and blue sky in the background.

Costa Mesa Country Club

Strawberry Farms Golf Course

A scenic golf course with lush green fairways, palm trees, a pond, and flowering trees, surrounded by houses and hills under a clear blue sky. A golfer stands on the putting green.

Tustin Ranch Golf Club

Aerial view of a lush, coastal golf course with well-manicured greens, sand bunkers, water features, nearby houses, and the ocean in the background under a clear sky.

Monarch Beach Golf Links

Newport Beach Golf Course

Pelican Hill Golf Club

Park it all over town.

Lush lawns, winding trails, and hidden green spaces turn every visit into a mini adventure. With 28 parks to choose from, Costa Mesa makes it easy to get outside year-round. Whether you’re craving a quiet moment, a family outing, or an active day with friends, there’s a green space that fits your pace.

A woman with curly hair holds an orange toy, playfully interacting with a fluffy white dog standing on green grass in a park, not far from the scenic beaches near Costa Mesa, with trees and a pond in the background.

Costa Mesa Bark Park

A young woman wearing a helmet and blue shirt is skateboarding at a skate park near beaches near Costa Mesa, performing a trick on the edge of a ramp with trees and a fence in the background.

Costa Mesa Skate Park

Fairview Park

TeWinkle Park

Estancia Park

Lions Park

Orange County Great Park

Talbert Regional Park

Moon Park

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

Explore what’s happening around town.

Women dressed in yellow and white costumes with raffia skirts stand outdoors in a line with hands on hips, preparing for or performing a traditional dance.

July 21, 2026–July 28, 2026

Tuesday Night Dance: Hula at Argyros Plaza

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

Concert poster with retro orange, cream, and tan sunburst design, flowers, music notes, and a peace sign. Text reads: An Outrageous Concert. Happy Together Tour 2026.

July 22, 2026

The Happy Together Tour 2026 at The Pacific Amphitheatre

A woman with a high messy bun and wearing a bright green, long-sleeve, polka dot top passionately sings into a microphone on stage, with stage lights and drum equipment visible in the background.

July 23, 2026

Lauren Daigle at Pacific Amphitheatre

You might also love...

A stay for every style

Explore Hotels

Aerial view of a bustling fairground with colorful tents, amusement rides, food stalls, and crowds enjoying a sunny day. Featured in a Costa Mesa travel blog, the Ferris wheel and distant cityscape create an inviting backdrop.

Our Best Tips and Tricks for The OC Fair

Besteas for Life: A 48-Hour Friend Trip in Costa Mesa

Endless Summer Awaits: Soak Up the Sun in Costa Mesa

Your SoCal playground awaits.

Beaches & Outdoors in Costa Mesa

Beaches & Outdoors in Costa Mesa

Beaches & Outdoors in Costa Mesa

Get Outside. Stay Outside.

Coast through the day.

Tee off with a view.

Park it all over town.

Explore what’s happening around town.

Tuesday Night Dance: Hula at Argyros Plaza

2026 OC Fair – Your Adventure Awaits

The Happy Together Tour 2026 at The Pacific Amphitheatre

Lauren Daigle at Pacific Amphitheatre

You might also love...

Let's keep this trip going.

Your SoCal
playground awaits.

Let's keep
this trip going.