Travel Costa Mesa Blog
The Ultimate Summer Destination for SoCal Travelers
If you’re looking for the ultimate location to plan a Southern California vacation, then Costa Mesa is the place to be! It’s the perfect home base if you want to explore Disneyland, Hollywood, and beyond. Experience our incredible dining options, shopping destinations, and exciting summer events —all in one trip.
The Perfect Location
Costa Mesa is located right in the middle of Southern California, which makes it super easy to hit up all your summer bucket list destinations.
- Disneyland, 15 miles
- Knott’s Berry Farm, 17 miles
- Downtown Los Angeles, 40 miles
- Hollywood, 45 miles
- Angel’s Stadium, 15 miles
- Aquarium of the Pacific, 29 miles
- San Diego, 87 miles
Plus, if you’re all about spending as much time as you can at the beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach are all just a short drive away and we have plenty of beach-close hotels to choose from.
Foodie Paradise
Costa Mesa is the most flavorful destination in Southern California! With the only 2 Michelin Starred restaurants in Orange County plus 6 Michelin Recognized spots, it’s truly the perfect city to take an Eatcation®. Whether you’re craving artisan coffee, gourmet burgers, or exotic eats, our city has it all. Dive into our insane variety of restaurants and discover new flavors!
Boutique Bliss
Did you know the largest shopping center on the West Coast is located in Costa Mesa?
Experience designer shopping at South Coast Plaza where you can explore over 200 boutiques including a massive two-story Gucci store and the largest Balenciaga boutique in the Americas. But, if you are more into local finds, Costa Mesa has plenty of unique boutiques. Some of our favorites can be found at The LAB and The CAMP.
After Dark Adventures
The fun never ends in Costa Mesa. The nightlife here is lit with cool bars, craft breweries, and plenty of locations to enjoy live music. Whether you’re into dancing, enjoying craft cocktails, or catching a live band, Costa Mesa has you covered. We recommend visiting Mercado Gonzalez, a massive Mexican food hall offering a full cocktail bar and live mariachi music, or newly opened, Westwood Coast for country vibes and line dancing.
Events and Concerts
If you’re in town for the summer then you have to hit up the OC Fair which runs from July 19 – August 18th! It’s one of the top ten largest fairs in the U.S. and has no shortage of rides, carnival games, animals, arts and crafts, beer, food, and live music. Bonus tip: attend a concert at Pacific Amphitheater and get free fair admission. This year’s lineup includes UB40, Stray Cats, Big Time Rush and so many more, check out the full list.
Arts and Culture
Explore the artsy side of Costa Mesa at Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA). Don’t miss the chance to walk through their new Yves Saint Laurent: Line and Expression exhibit. For the first time in the United States, you can explore the designer’s groundbreaking work from the 1960s until 2002, his last show. Admission is FREE!
Segerstrom Center for the Arts is another great choice if you are looking to catch a Broadway show like Clue and Peter Pan. This summer, they’re also hosting free events like outdoor movies and dance classes—perfect for making the most of your summer nights!
Get Ready for an Unforgettable Summer
So what are you waiting for? Drop this blog in the group chat, book your hotel stay, and get ready to experience the best SoCal vacation you’ve ever had. We can’t wait to see you here!
Comments Off on The Ultimate Summer Destination for SoCal Travelers
Posted in Events, Food, Hotels, Music & Art, Play, Shopping, Travel
Costa Mesa’s Pride Guide: LGBTQ Events for 2024
June is here, the sun is out, and our rainbows are in full technicolor. We’re proud devotees of Dolly P. throughout the whole year—we have the mural to prove it, see below—and when June comes around, we can’t help turning the volume up on everything gay in Costa Mesa.
Here are some of our favorite places to celebrate and take part in LGBTQ events in 2024:
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 Plaza Prom: Pride edition. This time, Prom means community, drag queens, and way better music.
- Plaza Prom: Pride: Relive prom night as an adult with drag performances, free arcade games, and DIY corsages and boutonnieres.
- Pride Live: Pride Anthems: Take a musical journey that spans 50 years of music celebrating LGBTQ culture. From heartache to liberation, experience the musical legacy of queer musicians.
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. 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.
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 October 5th, 2024 at the fairgrounds.
One-of-a-Kind Dining
Located in Costa Mesa’s famous South Coast Plaza, the two-story dining collective Collage Culinary Experience is a sensory delight. 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. You can pop in for a quick snack or bev at Blossoms and Brass to start the night out right—or make a day of it and eat your way through the best of Costa Mesa flavor.
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.
Comments Off on Costa Mesa’s Pride Guide: LGBTQ Events for 2024
Posted in Events
Costa Mesa Celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week!
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.
Comments Off on Costa Mesa Celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week!
6 Ways to Spoil Mom on Mother’s Day in Costa Mesa
From floral arrangements to fine eating, Costa Mesa offers plenty of ways to show your mother some love and appreciation on this special day. Spoil Mom with one (or all) of these top things to do on Mother’s Day in Costa Mesa.
1: Relax with Facials + Recharge with Coffee
Photo by Facial Lounge
Treat Mom to a luxurious skincare experience at Facial Lounge. Every product is 100% all-natural, vegan, and cruelty-free for a spa day that is good for both you and the environment. Then head next door to Coffee Dose for a little pick-me-up. It’s got a fun Barbie-meets-coffee-shop vibe with its trendy pink decor. We recommend trying their Mary Matcha latte or Espresso Tini to help mom unwind even more!
2: Gift Her an Everlasting Floral Bouquet
Photo by @phoebe_eats IG
If your mom loves flowers, why not gift her some that will last all year long? Hadley and Ren inside The OC Mix specialize in everlasting floral bouquets that are customizable, easy for Mom to care for, and eco-friendly. While at The OC Mix, swing by Balboa Gold to design custom matching charm bracelets with mom!
3: Spend an Evening of Wine & Painting
Photo by Inspired Art Wine
Inspired Art Wine is having two special painting sessions on Mother’s Day this year, each with a floral focus in two different styles. Reserve your spots ahead of time to ensure you have a seat and glass of wine waiting for you. Tickets include art supplies, instruction by an artist, and up to two glasses of wine. Bond and create works of art while enjoying fine wines from California vineyards.
4: South Coast Plaza Shopping to Show Mom Appreciation
Photo by South Coast Plaza
South Coast Plaza is the perfect place to spoil Mom with a day of shopping. Its collection of luxury brands and flagship stores ensures there’s something perfect for every mother. Come prepared by getting Mom a South Coast Plaza gift card, which can be redeemed at any of the 280+ shops and restaurants.
5: Treat Your Mom to a Memorable Brunch
Photo by Tableau Kitchen & Bar
Restaurants around Costa Mesa are planning special menus to make this upcoming Mother’s Day one for her to remember. Some of our hand-picked highlights include:
- Silver Trumpet: Their Mother’s Day brunch offers delicious variety, satisfying both you and Mom. The special menu features a seafood station, a Lakeside Grill station, more than a dozen buffet options,as well as appetizers, desserts, and salads.
- Ayres Hotel: Experience a gourmet brunch featuring omelet, carving, and seafood stations. To top it off, brunch includes bottomless mimosas.
- Tableau Kitchen & Bar: Their Mother’s Day special starts with a fresh floral-infused cocktail that both looks and tastes like spring itself. Then, indulge in Miso Crab Benedict served for the main course, a unique twist and a culinary staple.
- Verdant Café at OCMA: Settle in for a curated three-course meal with a focus on bright and exquisite flavors located in the Orange County Museum of Art. Blend culinary delight with art and culture for a memorable day.
- Seasons 52: Enjoy a brunch menu that features freshly made soups, salads, and starters, along with four entrees, including a crab & cheddar quiche, upright French toast, apricot-glazed spiral ham, and wood-grilled shrimp & grits.
- Plum’s Cafe: Considered one of the best brunch locations around, period, Plum’s Cafe offers everything from comfort foods to decadent indulgences. But since everything is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, it’s a guilt-free experience.
6: Book Mom the Overnight Stay She Deserves
Photo by The Westin South Coast Plaza
Surprise Mom this Mother’s Day weekend with a plush hotel room where she can relax and feel extra pampered. Book Mom an overnight stay at one of the 11 hotels in Costa Mesa, each with its own unique style and amenities.
Comments Off on 6 Ways to Spoil Mom on Mother’s Day in Costa Mesa
Posted in Events
Things to do in Costa Mesa This Spring
Spring is here, and Orange County as always is packed with opportunities to make the most of the warming weather. Time your visit right and you will have a range of spring events to choose from in Costa Mesa, from foodie fairs to galleries, even to a full marathon.
OC Winefest
Photo by OC Wine Fest
When: April 20–April 21
Where: OC Fair & Event Center (The Hangar)
Admission: $55
More than 100 different wines from over 30 wineries will be available for a diverse wine tasting event hosted at the OC Fair & Event Center. For 3 hours, you can try wines from around the world made from some of the finest grapes ever grown.
South Coast Plaza Garden Show
Photo by South Coast Plaza
When: April 25–28
Where: South Coast Plaza Shopping Center
Admission: Free
The 34th Southern California Spring Garden show is set to happen at South Coast Plaza over four days. Featuring dozens of plant and garden vendors selling exotic plants, it is the perfect time to find something to make your living space stand out. There will be 8 display gardens showcasing the talent of SoCal horticulture specialists, along with a crowning centerpiece—a 25-foot floral installation.
Beetlejuice, the Musical
When: April 16–28
Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Admission: $49–179 (varies by seating)
Experience this classic tale of family and fun in musical form at Segerstrom Hall. This adaptation of Tim Burton’s beloved film has been hailed by Variety as “SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN” and was a Broadway favorite before making its way to Orange County.
OC Japan Fair
When: April 19 – April 21
Where: OC Fair & Event Center (Anaheim Building)
Admission: $10 (free for children 6 and under and adults 66 and over)
Gather your friends or family and prepare for a fun, educational experience about Japanese cultures. Featuring comedy, kimono models, music, cosplay, and more, this weekend-long event at the OC Fair & Event Center is the perfect way to start off your spring.
OCMA New Exhibit
Photo by OCMA
When: March 15—August 18
Where: Orange County Museum of Art
Admission: Free
Orange County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, Color is the First Revelation of the World, features more than a dozen artists’ works exploring how color and form intersect. The works all center around hues of blue in a variety of styles, creating unique narratives using color as the central aesthetic element. Admission to the entire museum is free!
Mercado Gonzalez Miguelito’s Kids Classes
When: Saturdays in April (6, 13, 20, & 27)
Where: Mercado Gonzalez Northgate Market
Admission: Free
Stop by Mercado Gonzalez for a different kids class every Saturday morning throughout April. Each class will teach kids how to make their own version of food items such as sushi, paleta, sandwiches, and skewers.
OC Marathon
Photo by OC Marathon
When: May 4– May 5
Admission: $50+ (for participants, registration fees vary with event)
Whether running it or watching it, the OC Marathon is always a memorable event. This year it returns for its 20th anniversary. More than just running, the event as a whole spreads across the entire weekend and features live music, kids events, and some of the best breweries in OC. The main event (the HOAG OC Marathon) kicks off at 5:30 AM on May 5th, and the Half Marathon starts one hour later.
Disney’s Aladdin
When: May 7– May 12
Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Admission: Starting at $49
The hit Broadway musical ALADDIN is coming to Segerstrom Hall for a week in May. Seize the chance to see a performance that critics across the board have heaped praise upon and experience a beautiful, spectacular, and moving retelling of Disney’s classic tale.
626 Night Market
Photo by 626 Night Market
When: May 31–June 2
Where: OC Fair & Event Center
Admission: $5 for pre-sale tickets
Enjoy the final weekend of spring at the 626 Night Market, a sprawling event featuring local businesses as they showcase some of the best food, handmade products, art and more. Live music will keep the energy going at this fun event for everyone.
Extend Your Stay
There is no shortage of spring events in Costa Mesa offering opportunities for adventure and exploration. Make the most of your visit by booking an overnight stay at one of our eleven hotel properties in the city.
Comments Off on Things to do in Costa Mesa This Spring
Posted in Events
