Condé Nast TravelerAug 12, 2026
Where to Eat, Stay, Play in Costa Mesa—Orange County’s City of the Arts
Costa Mesa may not inhabit any of Orange County’s iconic coastline, but we promise you won’t find yourself missing it.
24 things in this story
- South Coast PlazaSightone of the largest shopping malls in the country
- The LAB Anti-MallSightdestination full of small businesses, art, and funkiness
- The CampSightoutdoor mall supporting local businesses with environmentalism focus
- Orange County Fair and Event CenterSightformerly Santa Ana Army Air Base during WWII
- John Wayne International AirportSightranked among the best airports in the country
- OCTA busesPlacepublic transportation option in Costa Mesa
- Let's Go Costa Mesa!Placeelectric rideshare vehicles for public transport
- Costa Mesa Theatre & Arts DistrictNeighborhoodhome to Pacific Symphony, Philharmonic Society, Pacific Chorale
- Pacific SymphonyPlaceThe orchestra performs at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall as a part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts…
- Segerstrom Center for the ArtsArts centresix venues hosting performances and talks
- South Coast RepertoryTheatreperforms local theater favorites
- UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of ArtMuseumdesigned by Thom Mayne, features outdoor public stair
- Costa Mesa Art WalkTrailfree audio guide to art installations
- Isamu Noguchi’s “California Scenario”Sightmicrocosm of the state on the art walk
- Joan Miró’s “Oiseau”Sightsurrealist cast bronze statue on the art walk
- Creme TangerineSightsells records on a mission to keep vinyl alive
- Pen PalsSightoffers stationary and cute gifts
- SoCo & The OC MixMarketoutdoor shopping destination with farmers market
- SoCo Farmers MarketMarketfeatures only certified California grown agricultural products
- Shirley'sRestaurantOrange County classic serving bagels since 1986
- Boil and BakeRestaurantbagel joint using local purveyors and 72-hour fermented dough
- Hola AdiosRestaurantserves breakfast tacos, burritos, biscuits, and coffee
- Philharmonic Society of Orange CountyPlace
- Pacific ChoralePlace