Travel Costa Mesa Blog
Treat Yourself with a $100 South Coast Plaza Gift Card from Travel Costa Mesa
Travel Costa Mesa wants your holidays to still be bright this year. We’re going to Light Up Your Holidays with a $100 South Coast Plaza gift card when you stay 2 nights in the City of the Arts®! South Coast Plaza is the premier shopping destination on the West Coast. They’re also dedicated to your health and safety. You can find something special from one of 250 boutiques, of course. However, we think a trip to South Coast Plaza isn’t complete without trying, at least, one of their 30 restaurants. We’re sharing some ideas for you to treat yourself to some amazing food.
Tapas and Cocktails at Vaca
Since Vaca is located across the street, between Segerstrom Center for the Arts and The Westin South Coast Plaza, you may not realize that it is actually part of the South Coast Plaza restaurants. The Spanish-inspired cuisine, from Top Chef finalist Amar Santana, is a Costa Mesa favorite. We recommend going for tapas and cocktails for an authentic experience. You can’t dine at Vaca without trying the Canellon de Pollo Ahumado ($18)–a smoked chicken cannelloni with foie gras sauce and a sherry reduction–and their signature Vaca Tonic ($13). Pair them with the Pan Con Tomate ($9) or the Ensalada de Remolacha ($13) with watercress, roasted beets, caña de cabra, saffron poached pears and a caramelized sherry-honey vinaigrette for an unforgettable meal.
Sushi at Water Grill
Another adjacent South Coast Plaza restaurant, Water Grill is known for their extensive selection of fresh seafood. We think it’s a great place to stop in for some unbelievably good sushi. The Trojan Roll includes wild bigeye tuna, wasabi vinaigrette, yuzu tobiko and traditional ponzu sauce ($20). Pair it with the Smoked Hamachi Nachos ($17)–with Japanese yellowtail, Asian pear, yucca chips and toasted marcona almonds–or the King Crab California Roll ($27)–with wild barents sea red king crab leg, avocado, fried leeks and brown butter nikiri. In the mood for a cocktail? The Bristol Street ($14.50) is vodka-based with fresh strawberry and lemon juice, infused with tarragon essence.
Lunch at Terrace by Mix Mix
One of our favorite options for lunch at South Coast Plaza is the Express Lunch Menu ($25) at Terrace by Mix Mix from chef Ross Pangilinan. The three-course meal changes daily, so it’s a great opportunity to try a variety of dishes. Another popular option is their bone-marrow pizza ($19–with shallot marmalade, mornay sauce and red wine jus–and the marinated tomatoes ($9) with burrata, oregano, basil and sherry vinaigrette.
Breakfast or Lunch at The Hall: Global Eatery
The Hall: Global Eatery, also from chef Amar Santana, is inspired by European food halls. It includes a patisserie, a Mediterranean grill and poke. The patisserie serves coffee, pastries and sandwiches. If you’re in the mood for the Mediterranean grill, we suggest trying the shawarma fries ($12) or the bowl ($11), which comes with your choice of starch, protein, five sides and sauce. Poke bowls ($14) also come with five sides, two scoops of protein, sauce, topping and a base of rice or salad.
Tasting Menu at Knife Pleat
If you want to indulge at one restaurant, it’s hard to beat the tasting menu at Knife Pleat ($175) on November 6 and 13. Chef Tony Esnault’s 6-course menu begins with vegetable consomme and foie gras, followed by pasta, fish and meat courses and dessert. You can view the entire menu here. The tasting menu dinners regularly sell out, so we recommend making reservations as early as possible.
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Posted in Food
5 Events for Festive Foodies in Costa Mesa
The holidays are in full swing and that means family, friends and food! Costa Mesa is the perfect place for a culinary celebration. Our restaurants continue to earn accolades, including Orange County’s only two Michelin stars. The Los Angeles Times recently named Taco Maria as #3 in their 101 Best Restaurants of 2019! We’ve put together a list of five events for the festive food lovers this holiday season. Stay for more foodie fun with one of our holiday hotel deals!
Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge
The American Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” comes to Segerstrom Center for the Arts December 14-23. If you’re planning to attend, why not make it a celebration?
Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge, located within the center, is featuring an exclusive Nutcracker pre-fixe menu during the run of the show. Start with a roasted beet and apple salad with tarragon, Silton blue cheese, candied walnuts and a chardonnay vinaigrette. The entree is a pork loin with cranberry-orange chutney, baby fennel, shallots and horseradish potatoes. For dessert, enjoy their buche de noel with coffee buttercream and cranberry sorbet. Then, join Clara, toy soldiers, sugar plum fairies and more than 100 performers in this acclaimed production.
Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar
Celebrate the holidays without the cooking. Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar invites you to join them for a 5-course holiday menu December 24-25 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dine on a first course of cauliflower soup with toasted hazelnuts and calabrian chili oil, your choice of crispy pork belly or cured jumbo lump crab for the second course, followed by a persimmon beet salad with a wildflower honey vinaigrette. There are five choices for the entree course, including lamb loin, filet of beef, half chicken, mahi mahi or beef ravioli. The final course is raspberry mousse with basil gelée, raspberry ice cream and candied pistachio. Holiday Dinner on the Avenue is $75 per person (tax and gratuity are not included and their regular menu will not be served). Silver Trumpet is conveniently located in the Avenue of the Arts, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel.
Vaca
Between Segerstrom Center for the Arts and The Westin South Coast Plaza sits Vaca, Top Chef finalist Amar Santana’s Spanish-inspired restaurant. The menu changes seasonally, but they have a special menu for New Year’s Eve. Try the ensalada de langosta (poached lobster salad with avocado mousse), ostiones (oysters with a cava rose sorbet and caviar), paella de zetas con trufas (paella with truffles, bomba rice and a duck egg) and budino (coconut bodino with pineapple and rum caramel). Their regular menu is also available. We recommend sharing tapas like the canelon de pollo ahumado (smoked chicken cannelloni), vieiras a la plancha (seared scallops) and bikini sandwich.
Water Grill
Ring in the new decade at Water Grill, across the street from South Coast Plaza, in their private event room for New Year’s Eve from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The event includes complimentary serving from their raw bar, hors d’oeuvres, dessert bites and two drink tickets. There will also be a DJ, dancing, photo booth and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight during the balloon drop. The event is standing room only, with guaranteed seats available with a VIP package. General admission tickets are $125 per person.
Mesa Lounge
See Mesa Lounge transformed into a Bali getaway with their Escape to 2020 New Year’s Eve event. The evening includes passed and stationed hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, gifts, a champagne toast at midnight and more. Pre-sale tickets are $100 until December 25, general admission tickets are $150.
Want more ideas? Check out our calendar for all of the festive events happening in Costa Mesa. Our holiday hotel packages continue through the new year, so you still have time to make it an Eatcation™!
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Fun (and Free!) Things To Do In Orange County This Fall
Orange County might be known for its “forever summer,” but there is still plenty to do during the autumn months—and tons of free events and activities. From Oktoberfest to free museum admissions to hiking, here are our picks for what to do in Orange County during fall.
Enjoy your day at the beach, and then return to your luxury vacation rental home forthe perfect holiday, vallartarentals.com/ want you to enjoy the distinguished warmth and hospitality,
Best of all? Costa Mesa is your perfect central location to stay for the weekend, but quickly get to all the top spots of The OC. There are plenty of great hotel deals in Costa Mesa that can act as the perfect springboard for your fun fall Orange County activities.
Take the Kids to the Orange County Children’s Book Festival
Grab the kids and go to this family-friendly event, which has free admission. On September 30, head to Orange Coast College, where more than 125 authors (this year, Kobe Bryant is a special guest) and 25 illustrators will be in attendance. See how popular characters are illustrated, attend readings and discussion panels, and visit the petting zoo and wild animal stage. It’s a great (and free) way to get your children interested in literature.
Celebrate Oktoberfest in Huntington Beach
You don’t have to go to Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest! Every Wednesday through Sunday throughout September and October, head to Huntington Beach’s huge Oktoberfest celebration. From oom-pah bands to bratwurst to pretzels to, of course, tons of beer, this fun festival has it all, including a parade and a special Kinderfest celebration for families. Best of all? Admission is free on Wednesdays and Thursdays, making this celebration budget-friendly.
Attend a Free Event at Argyros Plaza
The free events at Argyros Plaza have become a huge draw to Costa Mesa, and they continue into the fall. September 21 is National Dance Day, which will feature live performances and interactive lessons. Also on the calendar are a Silent Disco on October 11, a special fall celebration with storytelling, tunes, dance and more on October 19, and the All Abilities Celebration with art-making and performances on October 26. There’s something for everyone at the Argyros Plaza.
Visit Newport Bay and Muth Interpretive Center
A walk around Newport Bay is always a good idea, especially when temperatures cool off. Wander down the various paths or cycle around the area, and don’t forget to stop at the Muth Interpretive Center, where you’ll learn all about the species that can be found at the bay. Parking is also free and ample around the area.
Attend the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational
From October 5 to 13, attend this classic Laguna Beach event. Watch painting demonstrations and learn all about art from these master plein air painters. You can also enjoy refreshments and meet the artists at certain events and attend special Q&As, all for free.
Take the Family to the Environmental Nature Center
The Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach is always a fun place to spend a few hours visiting the butterfly house and learning about Orange County’s habitats. But in the fall, they host the Fall Faire and Pumpkin Patch on October 13, which features plenty of games, a petting zoo, live animals, DJs, face painting and a plethora of pumpkins. This yearly event is a huge draw, so get there early.
Attend an Art Walk in Costa Mesa, Santa Ana or Laguna Beach
On the third Saturday of the month, Costa Mesa offers an art walk at Lions Park, including offerings from great local artists, live music, DJ, food trucks and end the afternoon with an awesome Dance battle! Every first Thursday of the month, head to Laguna Beach for their local art walk, when the town’s galleries stay open later so guests can check out art artwork and nibble on refreshments. This is also a great day to check out the Laguna Art Museum, which offers free admission on first Thursdays and boasts an absolutely amazing collection of California art. Meanwhile, Santa Ana hosts their own Art Walk on the first Saturday of the month, and just opened a free trolley earlier this year that can take visitors to the city’s myriad galleries. Both days are also a good opportunity to explore the respective cities and all they have to offer.
Take a Hike!Cooler temperatures means hiking just got a whole lot easier. Head out to local trails in Orange County like Talbert Regional Park Nature Preserve in Costa Mesa, Quail Hill in Irvine, challenging Whiting Ranch in Trabuco Canyon, Peters Canyon Regional Park in Orange, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park in Laguna Beach, Black Star Canyon in Santa Ana, or Salt Creek Trail in Laguna Niguel. Learn more about OC Parks here!
There are plenty of trails for all fitness levels around Orange County and street parking is typically available for free. You can also bring your bike to cycle around the trails; here’s a map of Costa Mesa bike trails. Experienced hikers will love Whiting Ranch and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, while those looking for a more low-key hike will love exploring Bommer Canyon and Quail Hill.
Visit Discovery Cube OC
Are you a Bank of America cardholder? Then head to Discovery Cube OC on the first Sunday of the first full weekend of the month for free admission to this fun, kid-friendly museum. There are always cool exhibits at this interactive museum, covering everything from superheroes to healthy cooking to dinosaurs and rockets. This is another fun way to get kids interested in STEM subjects.
Check Out Sherman Library & Gardens
Admission is free at this cool library and garden on the first Monday of every month. Check out their amazing collection of cacti and succulents, herbs, flowers like orchids, roses, and heliconias, and more. Meanwhile, the library documents the development of Southern California with books, photographs, maps and newspapers. You can spend an afternoon whiling away the hours at this informative (and beautiful) spot in Newport Beach, learning all about Orange County.
Visit California Scenario (and Take Some Pictures)
You’ve seen it all over Instagram: California Scenario, created by Isamu Noguchi (locals call it “Noguchi Garden.”) Spend an hour or two checking out this tranquil sculpture garden located in the heart of Costa Mesa’s Arts District, which documents the various elements that make up our state. Situated on 1.6 acres, the garden in its design symbolizes various geographical characteristics in California, incorporating indigenous plants and materials. Not only is it a great photo opportunity, but a nice place to spend some quiet time and maybe even enjoy lunch.
Stroll the OC Great Park
Free parking means visiting the OC Great Park is a great deal. This gigantic park has plenty of space to cycle, skateboard, or just stroll around. There’s also plenty of free art to check out, including a gigantic walkable timeline that outlines the history of the park and Orange County in general. Also check out the rotating contemporary art exhibits at the Palm Springs Courtyard and the cool, old-school planes at Hangar 244.
Celebrate Halloween
There’s plenty of fun, free Halloween-themed events in Orange County! Check this list for some ideas, but we’ve got some too. Go trick-or-treating at Anaheim Plaza, where stores and restaurants will be dishing out candy. There will also be face painting, a kid-friendly DJ, and a balloon artist. Or head to the Halloween Spooktacular & Trunk or Treat in Dana Point, which will have free refreshments, crafts, entertainment, carnival games, movie showcases, and plenty more.
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Posted in Misc
May the Fun Be with You: OC’s Most Convenient Way to Experience Disneyland
One of the most anticipated additions to the Disneyland® Resort in its history, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, is now officially open! If you weren’t one of the lucky few to snag the required reservations to visit through the end of June, the waiting period offers plenty of time to start planning your own trip to a galaxy far, far away.
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13 Memorable Things to Do in Orange County
Planning a trip to Orange County? We don’t blame you! With access to some of the best dining, shopping, activities and beaches (not to mention that sunshine), it’s the place to be! And at the center of it all is OC’s not-so-hidden-gem Costa Mesa, the epicenter of the arts, dining and shopping scenes.
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