Four people walk along a sandy beach near the water, smiling, with a wooden pier in the background on a sunny day—one of the picturesque beaches near Costa Mesa.

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

A red flag on a golf course green, with rolling fairways, trees, a pond, and a house on a hill in the background under a blue sky with wispy clouds.

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

A lush golf course with two sand bunkers, a putting green, and tall palm trees under a clear blue sky.

Newport Beach Golf Course

Green golf course with sand traps, a small pond, and a single tree on a hill, overlooking the ocean under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

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

A family of four enjoys a picnic on a blanket in a sunny park, surrounded by trees and greenery. There is a bag next to them, and they appear to be eating and talking together, perhaps planning their next outing to the beautiful beaches near Costa Mesa.

TeWinkle Park

Estancia Park

Lions Park

Orange County Great Park

A person rides a bicycle on a dirt path through a grassy field at Talbert Nature Preserve, Costa Mesa, with green trees and bushes in the background under a clear blue sky.

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.

September 19, 2026–October 18, 2026

Into the Woods

A person with long hair and a red hat smiles while holding a cheeseburger with toppings, shown up close in a casual indoor setting.

September 20, 2026–September 26, 2026

Orange County Burger Week

A person in dark clothing holds a rectangular white plate with several small appetizers made of crispy potato chips, garnished with chopped chives.

October 2, 2026–October 4, 2026

Relish: A Food, Wine and Spirits Experience

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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

Sip Happens: The Best Happy Hours 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.

Into the Woods

Orange County Burger Week

Relish: A Food, Wine and Spirits Experience

You might also love...

Let's keep this trip going.

Your SoCal
playground awaits.

Let's keep
this trip going.