Top 8 Things to Do in Costa Mesa, CA: The Ultimate Guide (2024)
Costa Mesa At-A-Glance
| Population | 110,750 |
|---|---|
| Area | 15.81 mi² |
| Best known for | South Coast Plaza Mall |
| Character | A cultural hub for Orange County, great shopping and dining |
Locals have different opinions about what city separates Northern Orange County from Southern Orange County, but if you ask us here at OC Insiders, Costa Mesa is the dividing line.
There are plenty of things to do in Costa Mesa: It is home to the retail shopping behemoth, South Coast Plaza, where you can find pretty much every luxury store imaginable, and a number of great restaurants and seasonal attractions at the OC Fairgrounds.
Top 8 Things to Do in Costa Mesa
1. South Coast Plaza
2. The LAB Anti-Mall
3. Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA)
4. Noguchi Garden
5. Segerstrom Center for the Arts
6. Mercado Gonzalez
7. OC Fair
8. Costa Mesa restaurants
1. South Coast Plaza
The SCP carousel is a Costa Mesa icon. OC locals and tourists flock here to splurge at stores like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and Dior. If luxury goods are your thing, South Coast Plaza is heaven.
Check this out, too: The BEST Malls in Orange County
2. The LAB Anti-Mall
The LAB is a small outdoor mall just a mile away from South Coast Plaza offering some contrast from SCP’s high-end lineup with favorites like Urban Outfitters and Buffalo Exchange. Plenty of cool art installations for your Instagram highlight reel.
Ruin - One of OC’s funkiest bars with quirky, random decor that you might find at an eccentric grandma’s house (pianos at the bar, a gondola, and lots of tiny framed photos on the wall).
Habana - A trendy restaurant serving excellent Cuban food.
3. Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA)
OCMA is a newly unveiled museum that is free for the next 10 years!
4. Noguchi Garden
Right across the street from OCMA, California Scenario (also known as the Noguchi Garden) depicts the diversity of the California landscape. Tucked away in the middle of corporate office buildings, it’s easy to miss, but it attracts lots of influencers and engagement photographers. (Tip: It’s best to go earlier in the day to capture the exhibit with maximum sunshine.)
5. Segerstrom Center for the Arts
You can catch a show at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in this architecturally stunning venue.
6. Mercado Gonzalez Northgate Market
Mercado Gonzalez is a brand new food hall in Costa Mesa with every type of Mexican food imaginable.
See also: Complete List of Food Halls in Orange County, CA
7. OC Fair
Every summer the OC Fair comes to town. At the fair there’s something for everyone: rides, games, fried food, live music, and even live animals. The parking situation can be a headache, so try to get there early to avoid the line off the freeway exit.
OC Fair Summer 2023: What to Expect
If you enjoy the OC Fair, you might also like the OC Night Market (at the same venue).
8. Costa Mesa restaurants
Tin Lizzie Saloon - One of just a few gay bars in Orange County. It’s a small, dark space that feels like a speakeasy, with a pool table and a patron-controlled jukebox. Perfect for a happy hour or low-key Saturday night.
Sidecar Donuts - We gave Sidecar Donuts the #1 spot on our list of best donuts in Orange County because of their super fresh donuts made hourly. The butter and salt donut is a classic.
Costa Mesa is the city with the most Michelin-recognized restaurants in Orange County.
