Costa Mesa is the cultural hub of Orange County and is known as the “City of the Arts” due to its large arts center and numerous theaters. The city is also a popular shopping hub, with sprawling malls, such as the South Coast Plaza. Browse stores for clothing and accessories or watch a show at one of the city’s many venues.
See a live performance at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Watch an ambitious production in the 3,000-seat Segerstrom Hall or a more intimate concert at the charming Founders Hall, which has 250 seats. Go to banquets, events and seminars in the Boeing Education Lab. Piano recitals are often held in the Studio Performance Space.
A large outdoor Arts Plaza adjoins these halls. Enjoy a picnic in the relaxing setting or watch a movie projected onto the walls of the arts center. Take a tranquil stroll around the plants and flowers.
Watch a play or comedy act at the South Coast Repertory Theater and have a post-performance dinner or dessert at one of the many restaurants near the theater. Go to a concert at the enormous Pacific Amphitheater, which can seat up to 8,200 patrons. This venue has hosted many famous acts over the years, varying from Madonna to Willie Nelson.
Browse luxury boutiques at the South Coast Plaza Shopping Center. The mall features shops for a number of upscale designers, including Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton. It is one of the largest of its kind in California, with more than 250 retailers.
Attend the Orange County Fair, which takes place at the Orange County Showgrounds in Costa Mesa every July. More than one million visitors attend the fair each year. Watch the livestock auction or have a ride on the Ferris wheel.
Costa Mesa is on the Pacific Coast, a 20-minute drive from Santa Ana. Bus lines serve the city, but most people travel by car or taxi. While here, explore the affluent city of Newport Beach, just a 5-minute drive away.
