Travel Costa Mesa Blog
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.
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Planning a Staycation in 2024 in Costa Mesa
National Plan for Vacation Day is on January 30th and thousands of travelers will take to the web to book flights, accommodations, and experiences that will foster lifelong memories. For Californians and visitors to the state alike, Costa Mesa can serve as the ideal central hub in SoCal for recreation, shopping, and all the other trappings of a remarkable vacation. Plan your trip today!
Where to Stay: Finding the Right Accommodations
– photo by Hilton Costa Mesa
Step one: Find a base of operations where you can enjoy privacy, comfort, and a good night’s rest. The Hilton, located five minutes from the John Wayne Airport and just seven miles from the beach, offers an ideal choice among the various hotels available across a range of budgets and amenity requirements.
For convenience and walkability, two of the best options are the Avenue of the Arts, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel and the Residence Inn by Marriott, both of which are within walking distance of some of Costa Mesa’s best locales. Take a look at all the distinct offerings of our hotels here.
Where to Shop: From Trendy Boutiques to Plaza-wide Centers
– photo by The LAB Anti-Mall
Costa Mesa is the perfect location for your SoCal vacation especially if you are looking for a little retail therapy haven. From chic boutiques to flagship stores, our diverse shopping scene offers a spectrum of options. South Coast Plaza is the largest shopping center on the West Coast. It is packed with hundreds of shops catering to every style, taste, and lifestyle.
For a more specialized experience, it is worth planning a stop by Goodies on 17th St, a local hotspot for home goods with a personal touch. From candles to unique marble items, the store is a premier stop for finding the next item to bring your home’s vibe into place.
One of the joys of traveling is the opportunity to support local small businesses in each city you visit. But the LAB Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa adds convenience into the mix. LAB stands for “Little American Business,” highlighting their mission to serve as a hub for creativity, fashion, culture, and cuisine. A visit will immerse you in the local community atmosphere. With the right mindset, you can get an up-close look at the thriving cultural pulse of Orange County.
Lastly, become enamored with the handmade jewelry designs at May Martin Jewelry. At once timeless and modern, each piece at the shop is created with the goal of being part of your life for the long run, and the lifetime repair policy is a key part of that.
What to Do: Play, Party, Explore
– photo by @imjesseatin via IG
Costa Mesa is, simply put, bursting at the seams all year with events, exhibitions, and experiences. Below, we have a quick and curated list of the places to check out for everything from adrenaline-veined concerts to culinary delights.
- Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- Best time to visit: Year round
- What it is: A performing arts complex that hosts a myriad of concerts from classical to country.
- Time Nightclub
- Best time to visit: Year round
- What it is: An upscale nightlife hub with live music by both locals and big names like DEADMAU5, VIP bottle service, and high-end decor.
- OC Fair & Event Center
- Best time to visit: Year round
- What it is: A 150-acre fair event extravaganza packed with food, fun, and festivities. Events throughout the year include Imaginology in the spring, OC Fair in mid summer, Centennial Farm, and Heroes Hall.
- Pacific Amphitheater
- Best time to visit: Summer
- What it is: A center for live performances for the past four decades. The Toyota Summer Concert Series brings in world-class talent, making the season an ideal time to visit.
- The Beach
- Best time to visit: Summer
- What it is: Some of the most beautiful beaches Southern California has to offer, with surfing, cozy coves, and tidepools across several different beaches. Key ones to visit are Laguna, Huntington, Newport, and Corona Del Mar.
- Mercado Gonzalez
- Best time to visit: Year round
- What it is: The Mercado Gonzalez Northgate Market is a recent addition to Costa Mesa and already has people talking. It shines as a center for food, entertainment, and Mexican cultural experiences. With a massive food hall with 27 puestos that boast culinary gems from every region of Mexico.
Start Planning Your Staycation for 2024 in Costa Mesa Today
The sooner you start planning your Staycation for 2024 in Costa Mesa, the sooner you can start daydreaming to get you through the days until it arrives. Costa Mesa offers a vibrant experience year-round, with no off seasons to speak of. From winter to summer, there’s always something new to see in Costa Mesa!
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