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Things to Do in Costa Mesa, California: See Tripadvisor's 26,380 traveler reviews and photos of Costa Mesa tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in June. We have reviews of the best places to see in Costa Mesa. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
- Go on A Self-Guided Art Walk
- Shop Til You Drop at South Coast Plaza
- Find Some Zen at The Noguchi Garden
- Check Out The Lab Anti-Mall
- Hang Out at The Camp
- Attend An Event at The Segerstrom Center For The Arts
- Check Out Soco and The OC Mix
- Spend The Day at The OC Fair
- Where to Eat and Drink in Costa Mesa
- Where to Stay in Costa Mesa
One of the best things to do in Costa Mesa is to go on a self-guided art walkof some of the most notable public art in the city. It is a fun way to spend an afternoon, and the perfect (mostly) outdoors activity. The tour takes you to 20 different sculptures, art installations, and other pieces that are nestled within the city’s theater district. Re...
Perhaps one of the most famous things to do in Costa Mesa is to visit South Coast Plaza, a world-class shopping center which draws visitors from all over the world (there’s even a currency exchange booth here, as well as multilingual signage). Shopaholics will rejoice and find this one of the best things to do in Costa Mesa, as South Coast Plaza is...
Also known as California Scenario, the Noguchi Garden (also known as California Scenario) is recognized as one of the most important sculpture gardens in the US, as well as one of the most important public spaces in California and visiting it is one of the best things to do in Costa Mesa. Created by famed sculpture artist Isamu Noguchi and commissi...
What once housed a night-vision goggle factory has been creatively transformed into a trendy shopping center known as the LAB Anti-Mall. The LAB stands for “Little American Business,” and houses a collection of eclectic boutiques, cool cafes, and a variety of cool art installations. Visiting the LAB has always been one of my favorite things to do i...
Directly across the street from the LAB is the CAMP, a retail campus which focuses on green, eco-friendly businesses. The shops and eateries here are dedicated to fostering an active, healthy lifestyle, mindful of the environment and with a strong connection to the local community. Like the LAB, there is a strong focus on unique independent busines...
Costa Mesa is known for its renowned arts scene, and is home to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the premier performing arts and theater complex in Orange County. Attending a performance or an event here is one of the most popular things to do in Costa Mesa! The Segerstrom Center for the Arts houses six performance venues, with the main two bein...
Foodies and shopaholics alike will enjoy browsing the mix of unique retailers and restaurants at the SOCO and the OC MIx. This is one of the most fun things to do in Costa Mesa because it is part food hall, part design experience, and part pop-up retail experience. The 70 curated shops and eateries are meant to inspire your inner foodie, designer, ...
One of the best things to do in Costa Mesa in the summer is to attend the OC Fair. Going to the fair is always one of my favorite things to do every summer, and the OC Fair is one of my favorites! You’ll have so much fun embracing your inner kid again and going on all the carnival rides, playing some games and trying to win a stuff (spoiler alert: ...
As I said earlier, my favorite kind of vacation is an Eatcation® and eating your way through the city is one of the best things to do in Costa Mesa! The city is a foodie haven, and there is something for everyone here, from Michelin-starred restaurants (the only two in the OC), celebrity chef-owned restaurants, hole-in-the-wall gems, and trendy caf...
We stayed at the Avenue of the Arts Hotel, and really enjoyed our stay! The property is conveniently located near the Segerstrom Center and South Coast Plaza, making it a central location for exploring all the best things to do in Costa Mesa! The boutique hotel is also beautiful, and was named one of the most Instagrammable hotels in Orange County!...
- Noguchi Garden. Located on Anton Boulevard in Costa Mesa, the award-winning Noguchi Garden is one of the area’s premier outdoor attractions. Construction of the garden began in the late ‘70s.
- South Coast Repertory Theater. For more than 50 years, the South Coast Repertory Theater has been an iconic local live entertainment venue. Located on Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, it typically gets rave reviews from industry authorities and those who know a good production when they see one.
- Fairview Park. At more than 200 acres, Costa Mesa’s Fairview Park offers abundant wide-open spaces perfect for those interested in distancing themselves from the crowds and enjoying the great outdoors without wasting time traveling to distant state and national parks.
- Costa Mesa Estancia. California’s history has largely been influenced by Mexican immigrants, who’ve come north over the years looking for steady work and better lives.
- 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.
- 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.
- Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA)
- Noguchi Garden. Right across the street from OCMA, California Scenario (also known as the Noguchi Garden) depicts the diversity of the California landscape.
- Go thrift shopping at the Lab Anti-Mall. Note: This post contains affiliate links, which earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase using one of these links.
- Shop around South Coast Plaza. In contrast to the Lab, South Coast Plaza is home to luxury shopping and coveted brand options such as Prada, Moncler, Versace, and Valentino — plus entertainment like a carousel!
- See a show at Segerstrom Theater. The Segerstrom Theater for the Arts is an arts center showcasing musicians, ballets, cabarets, and more! This intimate venue is a must for art-lovers, providing an ideal location in the heart of Orange County.
- Enjoy a night at the Costa Mesa Playhouse. The Costa Mesa Playhouse is a small, 73-seat, not-for-profit theater serving the community with incredible shows!
Aug 12, 2022 · In one of the southernmost regions of SoCal lies the sprawling city of Costa Mesa, California. This coastal town is part of Orange County, and it boasts a rich performance art scene, natural and manmade attractions, as well as a storied past.
Dec 13, 2018 · Arts + Culture. Costa Mesa calls itself the “city of the arts” and it definitely lives up to its name. It’s home to some truly spectacular art centers including famous performance halls and theaters, impressive outdoor art installations, and plenty of interesting art galleries. Fun things to do in Costa Mesa. What to Do in Costa Mesa for Art-Lovers
