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Best Things to Do in Costa Mesa – 2024 Holiday Edition

Updated

November 27, 2024

South Coast Plaza holiday Santa tower, Costa Mesa. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Known as the “City of the Arts,” Costa Mesa is a blend of culture, creativity, and unique shopping experiences. Everything’s close by, making it a breeze to jump from high-end stores to eclectic boutiques. Costa Mesa hotels are close to all the amazing shopping and just a quick drive from the beach—without the steep beachfront price tag so you can treat yourself and knock out the gift list.

Here’s a guide to shopping, experiences, food and drink in Costa Mesa.

Shopping

South Coast Plaza

Why Go: South Coast Plaza is one of the largest and most luxurious shopping centers in the country with more than 250 stores, from Gucci to Apple, and restaurants that range from Michelin star-rated Knife Pleat to quick bites. Local holiday hotel packages include a pass to the exclusive Access Lounge where guests can take a quiet break and relax with refreshments. Plus, there’s a nursery for new moms.
Holiday Vibes: South Coast Plaza goes all out with holiday decorations, a holiday express train, holiday crafts, and replaces horses with reindeer on the carousel.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Travel writer Julie Diebolt-Price recommends parking on the east side of the shopping center near the Unity Bridge. It connects South Coast Plaza with hotels and Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

The CAMP

Why Go: Low-key and eco-friendly, The Camp supports local businesses and artisans. Think one-of-a-kind, hand-made jewelry, sustainable clothing, and eco-conscious food and goods.
Holiday Vibes: Earthy, bohemian vibe with unique shops like Seed People’s Market, where you can find the collectible holiday Jellycats, sustainable travel & home products.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Make it a two-day shopping extravaganza and treat yourself to a restful night’s sleep at one of these Costa Mesa hotels.

The LAB Anti-Mall

Vibrant walkway adorned with loads of hanging CDs at The Lab Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Why Go: The LAB, (Little American Business) aka the “anti-mall” has funky boutiques, vegan donuts, amazing restaurants, and coffee.
Holiday Vibes: During the holidays, The LAB transforms with seasonal décor that feels both festive and cool. It’s also a great spot for photos! Keep an eye out for pop-up holiday markets featuring local artisans and special-edition pieces.

Metro Pointe

Why Go: Deals! Nordstrom Rack, Bloomies Outlet, Saks OFF 5th, Marshalls. End the day with a movie and Boudin’s sourdough bread from San Francisco.
Holiday Vibes: Live holiday music: carolers, steel drums, saxophone. Santa visits.

Mitsuwa Marketplace

Why Go: 48,000 square feet of Japanese foods – a variety of vendors serving authentic Japanese dishes, bakery items, and Japanese novelty shop, Daiso. Pictures of items and food samples make it easy to navigate.
Holiday Vibes: Festive atmosphere; vendors decorate. Special holiday gift sets and cookies from Japan arrive weekly.

Mercado Gonzalez Northgate Market

Get yourself some Mexican gift items at Mercado Gonzales Northgate Costa Mesa. — Colorful Mexican gift items at Mercado Gonzalez Northgate Costa Mesa. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Colorful Mexican gift items at Mercado Gonzalez Northgate Costa Mesa. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Why Go: 70,000 square feet packed with Mexican groceries, fresh produce, food stalls, handmade tortillas, made-to-order guacamole, butcher, bakery, food stalls, Mexican art, cookery, and El Moro churros – USA flagship, originally from Mexico City.
Holiday Vibes: Miniature wooden whisk and broom ornament kits, handmade accessories from Mexico, arroz con leche scented candles, locally handmade soaps, and more.

SOCO & The OC Mix

Why Go: Huge (300,000 square feet), stylish design center with big-name furniture brands, independent boutiques, gourmet food vendors, and art-inspired shops. Plus a weekend farmer’s market.
Holiday Vibes: Shop Small Saturday on 11/30 to celebrate independent retailers; holiday decor inside and out.

More Small Business Shops

Why Go: Local shops keep the economy humming and creativity alive: Click the link to check out Landers Supply House, Rococo Boutique, Hadley & Ren Floral Market, Fleur deLys.
Holiday Vibes: Joy, cheer, and community spirit.

Arts and Entertainment

Winterfest

Why Go: Where else can you find snow in Costa Mesa? Orange County’s winter wonderland turns on the snow making machine and promises family fun, carnival rides and decked out holiday decor.
Holiday Vibes: More than 1 million twinkling lights, fireside igloos, hot cocoa, and ice tubing or ice skating to embrace the holiday spirit.

Snoopy House at City Hall

Why Go: Fun activities for families with younger kids with live entertainment, food, train rides.
Holiday Vibes: Pop up with holiday events, including Santa visits, carolers, and photo ops.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Why Go: Broadway shows: Shrek!, Back to the Future (the musical), Kimberly Akimbo, plus music and ballets with world-class Pacific Symphony. Free tours of the concert hall and theater are offered throughout the year. Book early – the tours are popular and book up fast.
Holiday Vibes: Special events that bring in the holiday spirit with live music and festive cheer: Voctave Spirit of the Season, Fiesta Navidad, Joss Stone and the Pacific Symphony, The Nutcracker for Kids, and much more.

Argyros Plaza

Why Go: Argyros Plaza, this public space in front of the Segerstrom concert hall, hosts public musical events all year long. It’s worth arriving early to the Segerstrom concert hall or theater to relax and enjoy a bite from George’s Cafe in the outdoor dining area.
Holiday Vibes: Diverse seasonal shows include Holidays Around the World, Silent Nite, and a Silent Disco.

Noguchi Garden

Why Go: Also known as California Scenario, this serene sculpture garden, designed by artist Isamu Noguchi, offers a peaceful retreat tucked away between office buildings.
Holiday Vibes: The garden’s tranquil environment provides a restful pause amidst holiday shopping, allowing for reflection and relaxation.

Orange County Museum of Art

Why Go: OCMA champions the transformative possibilities of art, investing in promising artists and shaping art history. Free admission (closed Monday and Tuesday).
Holiday Vibes: Stay warm with a coffee or cocktail at the Verdant bar and restaurant upstairs.

Mural Hunt

Mural of sports figures in Costa Mesa, CA. — Mural of sports figures including Kobe Byant in Costa Mesa, CA. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Mural of sports figures including Kobe Byant in Costa Mesa, CA. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Why Go:
- Dolly Parton; 719 19th street
- Kobe Gianna Bryant, 745 W. 19th St, #H
- Home Sweet Home 420 W. 19th STreet
- Costa Mesa Bloom, 1870 Harbor Blvd.
- Welcome Home, 125 E. Baker St.
- Kobe, Gianna & Friends, 512 W. 19th ST
- Have a Nice Day, 512 W. 19th ST

SheBuysTravel Tip: Check out more things to do in Costa Mesa here.

Eating in Costa Mesa

Why Go: Costa Mesa is a foodie’s dream which is why it was coined an Eatcation®. The diversity of cuisine, from pho and numerous Mexican restaurants to Michelin-rated Knife Pleat, the prices, and easy access are palatable compared to big cities. Costa Mesa boasts the most Michelin-rated and mentioned restaurants between Los Angeles and San Diego.
Holiday Vibes: Many of the best restaurants are conveniently located in or near South Coast Plaza, making it easy to combine amazing food with holiday shopping.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Check out my full list of Costa Mesa restaurant recommendations.

New Year’s Events in Costa Mesa 2024

Time Nightclub presents hip hop producer and DJ, Valentino Khan. Tickets are $45 and NOT AVAILABLE through 3rd party sites.

Tin Lizzie Saloon hosts a BRAT FOREVER party to ring in the new year, and if you party a little too hard, head back for their Hangover Party on New Year’s Day starting at noon. You can build your own Bloody Marys and mimosas to ease into the year in style!

Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts started 10 years ago and has become a Costa Mesa tradition. It’s all about the magic of Vienna’s Golden Age, with dazzling costumes, lush flowers, and music brought to life by European singers, dancers, and a full orchestra.

Check the blog at TravelCostaMesa for NYE updates.

Kim Orlando

Kim Orlando, founder of SheBuysTravel, is a lifelong traveler, an entrepreneur and a sought-after social media and marketing consultant. She has made hundreds of appearances on TV and in digital and print media, sharing advice and tips built on decades of travel experiences. Hailing from the hills of Kentucky and taking her story to New York, Los Angeles, and beyond, Kim built an online platform, the original TravelingMom, that has reached millions of moms and empowered them to explore the world with their families. Today, TravelingMom has evolved into SheBuysTravel. Kim has been featured on “News Nation,” “Today,” “Good Morning America” and on numerous satellite media tours. She has contributed travel guidance to outlets including The Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal and more. (Read more about Kim’s media appearances here) Her travel mantra is simple: All travel counts. “You don’t have to go far. Leaving your home is travel,” Kim says. “Wherever you go, even just to the next town over, you can learn something new, see someone and something you haven’t seen before. “It’s good for the brain and good for the soul.” An epiphany in early parenthood started Kim on the journey that led to SheBuysTravel. She’d been a fan of a newsletter for women travelers, and she saw an opportunity. “I thought something like that for moms could be extraordinarily helpful,” she said. “I was traveling for work, traveling for fun, and I was looking for support.” That seed grew into the award-winning website TravelingMom, created as a resource for traveling families of all stripes. Today, TravelingMom has evolved into SheBuysTravel, with an expanded mission to serve women travelers at any stage of life. Millions of readers have visited the site for trip planning help, travel secrets, destination information and gear recommendations. What sets SheBuysTravel’s content apart, Kim says, is its foundation in real-world experience. “Our writers and editors have actually gone out there and done this stuff,” she says. “They’ve booked the flights, tried the tour, tested travel clothing, visited that new hot spot to see if it’s worth the hype. It’s all real.” Memorable Adventures A 2022 tour Kim guided to Bhutan was a particularly standout experience. “Bhutan sounds so exotic, of course,” she said. “But the part where my heart just glows and warms is thinking of the people we met – amazing women doing amazing things in Bhutan.” Their ranks included a former police officer whose ventures into food science helped mitigate food insecurity for residents of Bhutan’s highlands. Top Tips Planning for travel can be daunting, Kim acknowledges. “I always say: Go anyway. No trip is going to be perfect. There’s always going to be something you didn’t expect, something that doesn’t go the way you pictured or planned it. And that something is what’s going to make it a great trip.” And on a practical note: “Go early! Getting to the airport or hitting the road just an hour earlier relieves so much stress.” Kim’s Background Kim, a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, holds degrees in finance and entrepreneurship and has deep experience in developing and running businesses. Her previous work includes developing and running communications workshops and overseeing document management for corporations. SheBuysTravel hits a sweet spot where Kim’s two loves of travel and entrepreneurship meet. “The longer I work in this field, I only want to do more,” she says. “I find the travel world so exciting – not just the trips, but the whole online world of travel. There are still so many opportunities.” The World Awaits “The ‘best trip ever’ probably won’t be the same for an empty-nester or mom of three versus a single woman celebrating a bachelorette party with her friends,” Kim says. “We want to keep it real for traveling women, no matter what their age, life stage, where they came from or where they’re going. “We want to inspire women to travel in any shape or form.” In her free time, Kim enjoys visiting her adult kids, creating trips and traveling with her BFFs to explore the world. Her most recent adventures can be found on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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