Solo Travel
Costa Mesa is the perfect getaway if you enjoy traveling alone. We know you’ve had plenty of time to yourself lately and you’re yearning to find your next travel adventure. With a lot still uncertain at this time, we understand people may want to stay closer to home, but still need a break from the four walls surrounding them every day. Just an hour south of Los Angeles and 90 minutes north of San Diego, take a short drive, or even a train ride, and it will feel like you’ve traveled to a new world.
WHAT TO DO
Costa Mesa—the City of the Arts®— offers plenty of art and culture to experience around the city. The Costa Mesa Art Walk is a self-guided tour that takes you through Town Center Park where you’ll pass more than 20 sculptures and can explore the 1.6-acre California Scenario, also known as Noguchi Garden. This is a serene park where you can meditate, read a book and soak up some warm sunshine. For a bit more exercise, bring your bike to Fairview Park. Cruise through the park to the Santa Ana Riverbed and head straight to the beach. Bike rentals are available along with various water activities.
WHERE TO EAT
South Coast Plaza isn't just known for shopping. With 30 restaurants, you can try everything from fast-casual to fine dining. Quattro Caffe’s menu features delicious pasta and homemade sauces with signature salads and a great happy hour. If you’re looking to treat yourself you might try getting a table, or even a bar seat at Knife Pleat, a French, Michelin-starred restaurant in the Penthouse of South Coast Plaza. Not sure what you’re in the mood for, checkout two floors of options at Collage inside Bloomingdales, offering a variety of options from international to local cuisines.
WHERE TO SHOP
SOCO and The OC Mix is a collection of home design showrooms if you’re looking for ideas to spruce up your home or outdoor spaces. Within The OC Mix are a variety of small boutique shops selling jewelry, coastal-themed gift ideas, a spice shop and more. The entire center offers a dozen restaurants, including a juice bar, cheese shop and wine tasting at We Olive & Wine Bar making it easy to spend a good part of your day shopping with a break in between. If your idea of solo travel still includes a furry companion, you’ll be pleased to find that Costa Mesa is very pet-friendly. Visit our itinerary here.
WHERE TO STAY
Avenue of the Arts Hotel – A Tribute Portfolio Hotel is a boutique-style property with artistic inspiration in its design and décor. The pool offers a relaxing ambiance with lake views. Silver Trumpet Restaurant located on this property features lakeside dining on the patio and a nightly happy hour. The Crowne Plaza has recently completed a full renovation, with updated rooms. They have an extensive pool and lounge area, onsite restaurant with happy hour and are located just a few blocks from The LAB and The CAMP.
