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Costa Mesa’s Best Food, Shopping, and Experiences in 2025 

Posted on December 3, 2025 | 11:08am

We’re thrilled to share our end-of-year guide to the best Costa Mesa has to offer. From mouthwatering meals to one-of-a-kind shopping and unforgettable experiences, we’re celebrating the highlights from each of Costa Mesa’s diverse neighborhoods

How did we choose the best? We tapped into staff and community favorites, kept our finger on the pulse of everything new, and thrilled with every viral video. The result is a curated list of what captured the heart and soul of Costa Mesa in 2025.

We couldn’t include every stop we loved, so we recommend you use this to kick off your itinerary and discover—or rediscover—everything that makes Costa Mesa an unexpected favorite.  Let’s dive in and celebrate the best of this year!


Eastside Costa Mesa  

Eat: Salty Horse

What makes it special: You’ll be ooo-ing over the drink menu, aaa-ing over the food, and somehow end up with a full spread at Salty Horse. The space is a cowboy meets coastal vibe, with a fusion menu pulling flavors from Asian, Mexican, and American cuisines. In a hurry? Grab their classic Cowgirl Matcha to go. Got time to settle in? The pink pitaya pancakes and loaded soyrizo breakfast burrito are perfect for brunch.

Shop: Paseo 17

What makes it special: This Spanish courtyard-style retail space has everything you need to build-your-own perfect day. You can start with coffee at Milligram, then treat your skin to a facial at Freeface. Refresh your wardrobe at Purre Boutique or find a new signature home scent at Slow Goods. Pick up a freshly made bread at Rye Goods and pair it with artisanal jam from Mercado Mesa or finish strong with an Italian dinner at OSPI.

Experience: Snake Yoga 

What makes it special: Only in Costa Mesa! What started as a passion project quickly became a viral sensation at LXRYOGA. As seen in People Magazine, this snake yoga experience pairs you with friendly, non-venomous ball pythons for a unique class that’s both calming and exciting. In small-group sessions, yogis first learn how to hold the snakes, then are paired with their own snake for the duration of the class. It’s the perfect way to conquer your fears—or try something totally out of the ordinary.


Westside Costa Mesa 

Eat: Neat Coffee/Third Place

What makes it special: A local favorite in Costa Mesa’s coffee scene, Neat lives up to its name with simple, elegant décor in minty green and cool cream. Their menu is equally neat, dotted with latte essentials, seasonal favorites, and a lime jasmine green tea that you’ll be coming back for. As day turns to night, Neat undergoes its own transformation, becoming Third Place in 2025, a wine bar with cozy, glowing lighting and rich conversation.

Shop: Saltwater Leather Co

What makes it special: Tucked into a creative enclave just minutes from the Pacific Ocean, Saltwater Leather Co is named for the water that nips at their heels. A true family affair, primarily run by mother and son, Jaime and Chase Huante. Some may call Jaime a multi-hyphenate, an accomplished chef, and formerly embroidery and crochet teacher at The CAMP, but it’s her leatherworking that shines the brightest. Their Belt Bar and Custom Italian Leather Sandal experiences are hands on, creatively affirming experiences where attendees walk away with luxury goods made by their own two hands. It’s an experience only possible in Costa Mesa, and it’s one that utterly captivated us in 2025.

Experience: Wayfarer 

What makes it special: The Wayfarer is Costa Mesa’s live music venue and gastropub, celebrating over ten years of bringing live performance right to the community. Every style of music has a home at The Wayfarer, and everyone is welcome. Drop by and you might discover your next favorite band. We couldn’t help but take notice of the calibre of talent taking the stage this year, and we can’t wait to see what 2026 holds.


Mesa Verde 

Eat: Il Girasole

What makes it special: Blue velvet seats, modern art with colorful impasto, bright and tangy passionfruit, silky smooth tiramisu—Il Girasole is a rich delight for the senses, from the decor to the cocktails to the dishes and dessert. Soon to round out a year in Costa Mesa, the concept belongs to Florence-born Chef Antonio Bevacqua.  Il Girasole is California-forward Italian food that has a way of lingering even after you’ve left. Find it at SOCO and The OC Mix.

Shop:  Thrift & Secondhand Finds

What makes it special: “Thanks, it’s vintage,” is what you’ll be saying after a day spent making your way through Costa Mesa’s upcycling shops. Start out at the brand-new Goodwill of Orange County on Harbor Blvd, where you’re going to need a few hours and a double shot of caffeine to power through. We didn’t know what a treat a brand-new Goodwill is until we had it. The treasures are bountiful, the shop is sparkling clean, and your cart will be overflowing. Follow up with 2nd Street at The CAMP, Buffalo Exchange at The LAB, and Landers Supply House right across the street from Goodwill.

Experience: Costa Mesa Country Club

What makes it special: If a professional golfer—aka Jake Knapp—has teed off here, then it’s definitely a must-do. The Costa Mesa Country Club is a quiet, scenic gem featuring two classic municipal courses, a 30-tee driving range, and pristine practice areas where pros and amateurs alike fine-tune their game. Designed in 1967 by William F. Bell and Ronald Fream, the courses have stood the test of time.


South Coast Metro 

Eat: Ramen Row 

What makes it special: No Eatcation® is truly complete without a slurp-worthy stop at Costa Mesa’s famous Ramen Row! This noodle nirvana is where locals—and now lucky visitors—find bowls of soul-soothing broth brimming with umami-packed flavor. Don’t miss local favorites like Ramen Nagi,  Slurpin’ Ramen Bar,  Hakata Ikkousha Ramen, and  Kashiwa Ramen. Trust us, one slurp, and you’ll understand why this is the ultimate comfort food row! 

Shop:  South Coast Plaza  

What makes it special: In the shopping Olympics, South Coast Plaza takes gold. It has the highest concentration of luxury brands in the United States, and this year brought several notable firsts:

  • First Dior Beauty in North America
  • First Manolo Blahnik boutique on the West Coast
  • First Delvaux flagship on the West Coast
  • First-ever ZARA Man

Honorable mention: Pop Mart. No, it’s not new to South Coast Plaza —but it was our  Labubu plug for the year, and honestly, that deserves a recognition.

Experience: Mitsuwa Marketplace

What makes it special: Back from Japan and already missing it? Luckily there’s Mitsuwa Marketplace. This Japanese-style market is packed with hard-to-find snacks, fun stationery, and plenty of aisles worth browsing. Some of our favorite finds include fruit daifuku, cream pan, frozen Kirin beer, and matcha soft serve. Be sure to explore the food court, it’s a quick escape to Japan minus the flight (and jet lag).


Theater and Arts District 

Food: Moongoat Greenhouse
What makes it special: In a city rich with independently owned, high-vibe coffee shops, this just might be the best vibes around. Half greenhouse, resplendent with leafy friends from mother-daughter duo DashnGrow, and half goat—that is, Moongoat. Moongoat Coffee is a Costa Mesa-based independent coffee chain, and this marks their second location in Costa Mesa. Just steps away from public sculpture garden, Isamu Noguchi’s California Scenario, stop in for coffee, matcha, or their delicious breakfast biscuits.
 
Shop: Maum Market at OCMA

What makes it special: Orange County Museum of Art has a dedicated curator in an unexpected location, and that’s their gift shop. While you can still browse the traditional Taschen tomes and greeting cards, it’s primarily dominated by Maum Market, a collective of Asian creators and Asian-founded brands. Shop locally made home goods, gifts, wellness products, and little pieces of luxury before stepping into the main galleries of the museum. Maum Market puts a special focus on handmade, small businesses, all with an elegance and attention to detail that suits a location as stately as OCMA.

Experience: Pacific Symphony

What makes it special: Don’t hit the snooze button: Pacific Symphony has new blood and refreshed energy coming into their 2026-2027 season. 2025 marked Alexander Shelley becoming the Artistic and Music Director Designate of the Symphony, and he took the conductor’s podium with a surge of dedication and enthusiasm that permeated throughout the Symphony’s home at Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. In Costa Mesa, the City of the Arts®, Shelley proves that classical music has its place in a city teeming with creativity, style, and counter-culture expression.


SoBeCa District 

Eat: Green Cheek Beer Co  

What makes it special: Neighborhood-wide, Sobeca spells community—or maybe only after a few drinks at Green Cheek Beer Co. Either way, the brewery, right off the hub of Randolph Street, is expansive in space but intimate in community. Try one of their many options that’s brewed right on sight, from a hard lavender lemonade to their Czech-style pilsner. Come hungry, too, because their food menu has one of the best smashburgers in Orange County, and their Triangle Supreme is a vegan-friendly dead ringer for a similar item from a fast-food favorite that rhymes with Raco Rell

Shop: General Store by the Pour Kids

What makes it special: General Store by the Pour Kids has a lot of heart, thoughtfully positioned to bring a space into Costa Mesa that didn’t already exist. Part coworking, part coffee shop, part hip, branded merch, part importer of classic Japanese homeware—General Store takes on a lot, and it succeeds. It’s the perfect place to just “stop by and see what they have.” You’ll find unique gifts and new friends. If you see a design you like, be sure to go ahead and get it, as their merch is produced in small batches, and after they run out, it may never come back.

Experience: CANVASWORKER

What makes it special: Tucked into small garages right off Randolph Street is CANVASWORKER, the home of beginner-to-expert level classes on tote and backpack making. Douglas Davidson, industry insider and designer for The Brown Buffalo, leads with clear instructions, patience, and a style all his own that makes you feel instantly engaged. Hear stories about his decades working in the accessories industry, while assembling your project on professional, industrial sewing machines. No previous experience is necessary for his beginner-level tote making class, but Davidson’s steadfast guidance makes you feel capable of creating anything. Walk away with something you’ve created with your own hands, and with a new appreciation for the small details that go into the world we carry around us.

Honorable mention: You’ll find the coolest travel keepsake at Booth By Bryant! These celeb-approved, TikTok viral vintage photo booths snap iconic black-and-white photo strips for just $5. It’s a throwback moment with a modern twist and a timeless way to capture your Costa Mesa memories.  


Central Costa Mesa 

Eat: Uncle Fluffy  

What makes it special: Uncle Fluffy is one of the many delicious ways to experience Japanese culture in Costa Mesa. It’s home to the jiggly golden cheesecake you’ve been seeing all over Instagram and opening only its third California location right here in Costa Mesa—and yes, it’s a big deal. Their original cheesecake is a forever favorite, but the pistachio and lemon flavors will have you coming back. And it’s not just about the cake—pair your fluffy treat with a coffee, fruit smoothie, or a blended drink to complete your experience. Opening soon at Triangle Square.

Shop: Mercado Gonzalez 

What makes it special: Mercado González is a one-of-a-kind concept from the multi-generational González family behind 60+ Northgate Markets. This 70,000-square-foot food hall is a love letter to Mexican culture and traditions, bringing everything to life right in front of you—from fresh tortillas, churros, and carnitas to artisan-made shoes, serapes, Talavera, and skincare. Add live mariachi or some cooking classes and you’ve got an all-day destination that celebrates Mexican heritage in the best way possible.

Experience: OC Pride at the OC Fair & Event Center

What makes it special: The OC Fair & Event Center hosts more than 150 events each year, and OC Pride on September 27th easily made the top of the list. This year’s celebration was fun and designed with everyone in mind, bringing the Revolutionary theme to life through the free parade and Zero Proof Sober Space to the return of the Pride Marketplace. Party energy stayed high at the Pride Stage while Pride Family Camp and Teen Pride made youth feel seen and celebrated. Costa Mesa showed up with open arms, reminding attendees that inclusivity here isn’t limited to one month—but is a year-round value.

A Giveaway With All of Our Favorites

We picked our favorites, and we’re giving it away so you can get a taste of the best Costa Mesa has to offer. Visit us at @TravelCostaMesa to enter to win. 

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Posted in Events, Food, Locals, Music & Art, Play, Shopping, Travel

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

Posted on September 30, 2025 | 5:21pm

There’s a crispness in the air, and leaves take on a golden hue. Whether you consider pumpkin spice a friend or foe, it’s a can’t-miss sign of autumn.  

We invite you to fall for the sights, sounds, (and spooks!) of Costa Mesa. With countless exciting events, comforting and craveable flavors, and one-of-a-kind Halloween happenings, Costa Mesa is a cozy, welcoming haven for the season. Whether you’re a local or planning your next vacation, here’s your ultimate guide to celebrating fall.  

Beat the Morning Chill with Seasonal Sips 

Kickstart your day with a visit to two local gems, Original Barista and Coffee Nature. These neighborhood-favorite coffee shops are a great place to taste the season and warm your soul.  

By popular demand, Original Barista is bringing back their “Pumpkin Brulee Latte” made with Brulee cold foam, house made honeycomb magic, and a sprinkle of Chai dust on top. Coffee Nature has whipped up a seasonal “Witch’s Potion”: matcha, brown sugar, with pumpkin syrup AND pumpkin foam. (We definitely recommend the pumpkin foam.) 

Get into the Fall Spirit at Tanaka Farm

For the ultimate fall vibes head over to Tanaka Farms and explore Hana Field Pumpkin Patch. With eight acres of pumpkins, it’s the perfect orange backdrop for all your fall photos and you’ll have no problem finding the perfect one for carving.  

New for 2025: the Jurassic Fright Corn Maze! Weave your way past giant raptors, spooky skeletons, and a roaring T-Rex. Tanaka Farms, Hana Field, is open Tuesday – Sunday starting September 27th through November 9th . Book your pumpkin patch experience here.  

Hocus Pocus Beetle Juice Drag Show 

You’re going to want to drop this one in the group chat! From October 3rd through November 1st , catch Orange County’s most wicked drag performance at STRUT Bar & Club.  The Hocus Pocus Spelltacular Drag Show is filled with fun surprises that will leave you spellbound all while you sip on your favorite poison from the bar—because what’s a little witchcraft without a drink in hand? We recommend trying their citrusy “Midnight Cabaret-tini” or their fizzy “My Ex Jack’s Lemonade!”  

Boo Ha Ha – A Haunted Oktobeerfest 

If your idea of Halloween fun includes a pint in hand, The Boo Ha Ha at the OC Fair & Event Center on Saturday, October 25th is the place to be. Sip your way through unlimited craft beer tastings from some of the region’s best breweries — it’s basically trick-or-treating for adults, only the treats come in a frosty glass.  The night doesn’t stop there: rock out to live sets from Ozzmania and The Mismiths, and don’t miss the debut of the Dead Man Drivin’ Demolition Derby, with haunted hearses crashing under the fairground lights.  

Snake Yoga & Horror-Themed Axe Throwing 

A spooky season calls for spine-tingling fun, and we double dare you to take a snake yoga class at LXR YOGA  with real ball pythons. In small-group sessions, you’ll learn how to handle these slithery (but super gentle) companions. Pick a crystal, and the one you choose decides which snake joins you on the mat. Beginner-friendly and paced for comfort, this unique class lets you breathe, stretch, and get up close with your new scaly friends.  

If snake yoga is too much of a stretch, try an axe-throwing session at Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales. This horror themed axe-throwing venue is fully decorated with memorabilia from your favorite scary movies including iconic figures like Freddy Krueger, Leatherface, and Jason Voorhees. As you put your axe-throwing skills to the test, enjoy a round of their spooky themed cocktails and beer.  

Fall’s Fashion and Fun

No visit to Costa Mesa is complete without a trip to South Coast Plaza, Southern California’s ultimate luxury shopping destination! Shop the latest fall fashion trends at their newest boutiques including Gentle Monster, the first-ever Dior Beauty flagship in North America, and the west-coast exclusive for Khaite. With an array of designer labels and collections to choose from, you’ll find everything you need to give your wardrobe a seasonal glow-up.   

Need a show-stopping costume for your holiday festivities? Check out the Halloween Bootique  inside Triangle Square. Open all year long, this shop has the best costumes and accessories to bring your wildest vision to life!     

Cultivate Your Creativity  

Pick up a paintbrush—and a glass of wine—at Inspired Art Wine, a studio, bar, and gallery. All throughout October, Inspired is hosting painting sessions with a spooky twist . Paint your own trick-or-treat scene, or sign up for October 23th‘s mashup of Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic “Starry Night” with Harry Potter’s Hogwarts.  No experience is necessary, and all supplies are provided.  

This October, Segerstrom Center for the Arts  is bringing a different kind of chill to the season with San Francisco Ballet’s Frankenstein. It’s Mary Shelley’s classic story, but told through stunning choreography and dramatic sets that will give you goosebumps-in-a-good-way.  It’s dramatic, a little eerie, and the perfect excuse for a fall night out.    

Savor the Season in Costa Mesa 

Fall is the best time to get out and explore Costa Mesa! Full of craveable fall sips, pumpkin patch adventures, and hands-on fun, why stop at a day? Make it a getaway by booking a cozy overnight stay at a Costa Mesa hotel—you’ll thank yourself when you don’t have to rush home. 

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Posted in Events, Food, Misc, Music & Art, Play, Shopping, Travel

Our Best Tips and Tricks for The OC Fair

Posted on July 19, 2025 | 3:31pm

Once a year, Costa Mesa’s summer sun brings a special attraction where everyone can come together for a good time. The foodies and thrill seekers can find their latest adventure, the shoppers and artists can find new inspiration, and families, couples, or solo-riders can experience sights, sounds, and laughter they’ll remember all season.

Grab your sunscreen and your appetite: it’s time for the OC Fair.

Know Before You Go

From Friday, July 18th to Sunday, August 17th (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays), the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa will be transformed into a fun-packed festival to fill up your summer days. We’ve pulled together our best tips, tricks, and insider information to help you have the best time ever at the fair this year.

Tickets

  • Purchase tickets in advance. Limited daily capacity makes for a better experience for fairgoers.
  • Don’t wait until the end of the season thinking you’ll beat the crowd—the last several days of the fair often sell out.

How to Beat the Crowd

  • Rideshare is the way to go! It’s quicker and less stress than circling for a parking spot. That means more time to enjoy the fair.
  • If you do want to avoid the crowds, come to the fair early! It opens at 11am. Grab a breakfast burrito, fresh-baked cinnamon roll, or acai bowl as you sip your morning coffee and congratulate yourself on making it in before anyone else.
  • Better yet—turn it into an overnight stay. Stay at the Best Western Plus and walk to the fair. OC Hotel Costa Mesa or Hampton by Hilton Costa Mesa Newport Beach are a short Uber ride away from the Fair—or a longer walk for ambitious fairgoers. Hotels often sell out during the Fair, so book early. View all of Costa Mesa’s best hotels here.

    Tips to Save Some $$$

  • Tickets to performances at the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar, and Action Sports Arena all include same-day entry. Visit The Hangar for tribute bands and singalong to Elton John, Prince, or Queen for a bargain, with fair admission included.

  • All exhibits are free with Fair admission, including blue-ribbon winning cake decorations, woodworking and fine arts, and REWIND: A VHS Revival. (More on that below!)

  • Save on food by trying the $5 Taste of the Fair. Everyday until 4 p.m. you can sample bites from a variety of vendors offering $5 menu items. 

NEW: OC Fair After Dark at Plaza Pacifica is where to go for music and dancing—Friday through Sunday nights feature swing dancing, DJ sets, and Latin beats that keep the fun going. Free with Fair admission!

Did You Know That…?

  • OC Fair is a celebration of Orange County’s agricultural heritage. From cattle to lima beans, agriculture was a driving force in the development of Orange County, and the Fair is a rare moment where we can get closer to our food production. Visit the Fair’s Centennial Farm, a year-round working farm, to meet animal educators, get up close and personal with exotic animals and barnyard favorites at the petting zoo, and cheer the pigs at the All-Alaskan Pig Races!

  • REWIND: A VHS Revival features hand-painted, large-scale recreations of album covers and movie posters, live painting demos, and more—all capturing the spirit of the VHS era. It’s a nostalgic celebration of bold graphics and pop culture that defined a generation.
     

Remember: get your tickets in advance, go early, and carpool or rideshare. What are you looking forward to the most? See you at the Fair!

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Posted in Events, Food, Misc, Play

Our Favorite Places To Celebrate Pride Month in Costa Mesa

Posted on June 5, 2025 | 10:33am

June is here, the sun is out, and our rainbows are in full technicolor. Swing by City Hall in Costa Mesa and watch our Pride flag wave. From Harvey Milk Day on May 22nd and all the way to June 30th, the City of Costa Mesa raises the rainbow flag to show their commitment to equality and in recognition of the ongoing impact LGBTQ+ folks make not just in Costa Mesa, but all over the world. 

Costa Mesa City Council recognizes June as Pride Month, and Costa Mesa stands out among our Orange County neighbors as a welcoming, accepting, and inclusive place. We offer space for the LGBTQ+ community to gather, to work, to celebrate, and to thrive. We are small business owners, chefs, artists, teachers, and neighbors. 

In Costa Mesa, Pride doesn’t end on June 30th. It continues throughout the year, as does our commitment to advance support and advocacy, to fight discrimination, and to remember and honor those that came before us in the pursuit of equality. 

Now, let’s hit play on all our favorite places to celebrate Pride in Costa Mesa, all year long.

Strut Bar + Birdcage Lounge

Need to dance the night away? Strut Bar, OC’s premiere LGBTQ nightclub, has the beats to get your body moving and drag shows that light up the stage all year long. Walking into Strut, you’re instantly immersed in a familiar atmosphere with all the music you know and love, but with a community vibe that only exists in Costa Mesa. If you want something quieter for conversation, you don’t have to leave. Step into their all-new Birdcage Lounge, where you can cuddle up with your besties—or with a fantastic cocktail. The more intimate space serves flocktails in kitschy bird cups and flamingo pool floaties. 

Not one for nightlife? Dolly awaits. Strut is the home of a special tribute to Dolly Parton, featuring a fifty-two foot mural on the exterior of the building, recently restored by Long Beach artist David Gilmore. The owner of Strut, Luke Nero, says, “She represents love and light.” Enough said. 

Tin Lizzie Saloon

Coming here is being part of history. Tin Lizzie Saloon is not just the longest-standing gay & lesbian bar in Costa Mesa, but in all of Orange County. The saloon dates back to the 1950s, and as you step inside, the rest of the world falls away. Tin Lizzie sets its own tempo, moving at a pace that has marched and endured proudly for almost a century. 

The moody red lights and Victorian atmosphere offer a memorable night for locals and visitors alike.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Segerstrom Center for the Arts brings Orange County together through celebrating art, performance, and music. Visit Segerstrom for their world-class entertainment, from shows straight out of Broadway, to symphony performances, and movie screenings on the lawn.

Does the word “prom” give you nervous flashbacks to being too gay to be cool in high school? We get it, and so does Segerstrom. This June, they’re hosting Pop Punk Prom. This time, Prom means community, drag queens, and way better music. Use the Code: PROMPARTNER for 20% off tickets!

OC Pride Festival & Parade

The OC Fair & Event Center has year-round experiences and entertainment, and summer’s OC Fair is the main event. This year brings big news: a new queen is in town, and she’s sashaying her way to the fairground for the OC Pride Festival & Parade. This is the official Pride event for OC, out-loud and in-color at its brand new home in Costa Mesa. Catch it on September 27th, 2025 at the fairgrounds. 

One-of-a-Kind Dining

In Costa Mesa, everyone’s welcome—and we mean everyone. The restaurants, bars, and local spots are spaces where you can show up exactly as you are, whether you’re dressed for brunch or full-on Pride parade.

One of those feel-good places is Collage Culinary Experience a two-story dining collective inside the iconic South Coast Plaza. There’s not a label that fits the experience, and we’re okay with that. Collage offers local and global-inspired fare in a colorful, stylish space that celebrates authenticity and joy. Swing by Paradise Dynasty and try their rainbow Xiao Long Bao to fuel up before a night full of fun.

Shop Local, Shop Small

Change starts at the community level, and two alternative shopping centers in Costa Mesa are making it happen. Eschewing everything quick, corporate, and mass-produced, The LAB and The CAMP instead choose community and creators. The soul of a city is in its small businesses and its local dining, and there’s no better place to experience the DNA of Costa Mesa than The LAB and The CAMP.

  • The LAB Anti-Mall: A stomping ground for local creators and crave-worthy food. It’s the home of shops like House of Intuition, an LGBTQ owned shop with a mission to foster individual spirituality. 
  • The CAMP: Situated right across the street, The CAMP is a green and eco-friendly campus that balances modern needs with environmental consciousness. Visit LGBTQ-owned Blackmarket Bakery for sweets and treats you’ll be thinking about long after you leave, or hit up the local breweries for craft beers and new friends.

Stay the Night

Settle in and book a stay at one of Costa Mesa’s top hotels to give yourself time to see all the city has to offer. Every location on this guide is inclusive and welcoming. We want you to feel at home right away so you can focus instead on the comfy rooms, comprehensive amenities, and world-class service. 

If it’s your first visit to Costa Mesa, welcome! Thanks for being a friend.

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Posted in Events

Costa Mesa Celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week!

Posted on May 2, 2025 | 8:19am

Photo by Rachel Off Duty

Costa Mesa annually embraces millions of travelers at various points of interest throughout the city, such as South Coast Plaza, OC Fair & Event Center, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Orange County Museum of Arts, The LAB, and The CAMP. The fabulous restaurants and retail boutiques contribute to the city’s unique charm. Costa Mesa’s allure lies in its ever-changing landscape, ensuring there’s always something new to see, do, and taste

During National Travel and Tourism Week, we are honoring those who warmly embrace our visitors, promote our city with genuine passion and enthusiasm, and collaborate with others to achieve mutual success. We recognize our creative and driven business owners, big and small, and their incredibly dedicated staff, who show up daily to take care of our guests. We see our community pride growing as more stories and engagement spread. You are indispensable. 

As the city’s destination marketing organization, Travel Costa Mesa recognizes the significant role of tourism in our community. The jobs it creates and the security it brings are vital for our economy. Did you know that approximately 8 percent of all jobs in Costa Mesa are sustained by tourism? The transient occupancy tax our hoteliers collect in our city accounts for the fourth most significant revenue source in the city’s general fund, contributing to the city’s funding of police, fire, and other public services. Sales tax collected from retail and dining is crucial in financing essential city, state, and county services. 

Tourism has the potential to stimulate new business growth. The increased demand for goods and services, infrastructure, cultural and creative industries, collaboration, and business networking creates opportunities for entrepreneurs and enhances the visitor experience, generating more demand for goods and services. We take pride in being a part of a diverse industry that provides opportunities for economic growth. 

Photo by U.S. Travel Association

Collaboration is highly valued in our industry as it fosters success for businesses, guests, and residents. However, Travel Costa Mesa recognizes that it needs help to achieve its mission. Partnerships with forward-thinking companies and positive, creative individuals are essential to our objectives. We’ve partnered with multiple businesses and entrepreneurs in Costa Mesa and look forward to establishing more connections that enhance our travel and hospitality industry. When tourism thrives, communities thrive.

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Posted in Events, News, Travel