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Best Things to Do in Costa Mesa

Updated

January 31, 2025

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.

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

Shopping in Costa Mesa

South Coast Plaza

Lounge with seating and beverages for shoppers — The South Coast Plaza Access Lounge where shoppers can relax, get refreshments and for new moms, a nursery. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

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. Several local hotels offer a package stay that 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.

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.

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

Why Go: The LAB, (Little American Business) aka the “anti-mall” has funky boutiques, vegan donuts, amazing restaurants, and coffee.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Arts and Entertainment Options in Costa Mesa

Arts center with billboards featuring artists and upcoming performances. — Costa Mesa’s scene for the arts includes Broadway shows, a world-class symphony, sculpture garden and an art museum featuring local and upcoming artists. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Why Go: Broadway shows like 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.

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.

Noguchi Garden – Free

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 near South Coast Plaza.

Orange County Museum of Art– Free

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

Mural Hunt – Free

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

Why Go: Great way to see more of Costa Mesa, scavenger hunt style.

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

Fresh Ceviche and guacamole dishes — Fresh ceviche and guacamole at La Vida in Costa Mesa. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Why Go: Costa Mesa is a food lover’s paradise where visitors can plan an entire Eatcation® during their stay. The dining scene combines incredible variety and quality with prices that are refreshingly approachable compared to larger cities. Boasting more Michelin-rated and mentioned restaurants than any other city between Los Angeles and San Diego, Costa Mesa serves up a diverse range of cuisine, from comforting bowls of pho to an abundance of Mexican eateries and Michelin-starred options like Knife Pleat.

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

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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