Costa Mesa, California

Reading Time: 6 minutes

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Geographic Coordinates: 33.666700, -117.913000

Climate: Mild Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters.

Population: 112148

Language: English

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Costa Mesa, Situated in Orange County, California is a lively city that provides visitors with an array of attractions and activities. The city’s proximity to the beach and major tourist destinations like Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm has made it a popular destination for travelers looking to experience Southern California. The thriving arts scene is one of the main draws of Costa Mesa. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts hosts world-class performances ranging from Broadway shows to classical music concerts. There are also numerous art galleries throughout the city showcasing local talent.

The annual Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters event held in Laguna Beach also attracts visitors from all over. Costa Mesa has plenty to offer for shopping and dining out enthusiasts. South Coast Plaza is one of California’s largest shopping centers with over 250 stores featuring luxury brands such as Chanel, Gucci, And Louis Vuitton. There are also many unique boutiques and specialty shops scattered throughout the city’s various neighborhoods.

Foodies will be delighted by Costa Mesa’s impressive culinary scene with a diverse range of restaurants offering everything from classic American fare to international cuisine like Korean BBQ or Japanese ramen noodles. One must-visit spot is The OC Mix at SoCo Collection – an artisanal food hall featuring gourmet food purveyors like Portola Coffee Roasters and award-winning bakeries like Sidecar Doughnuts. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do in Costa Mesa as well with easy access to nearby beaches such as Newport Beach or Huntington Beach where they can surf or soak up some sun on miles-long stretches of sand.

For those who prefer more low-key activities there are several parks including Fairview Park which offers hiking trails with stunning views overlooking Orange County. History buffs or architecture enthusiasts can visit several notable landmarks worth visiting including The Diego Sepulveda Adobe, A restored adobe house dating back to the 1800s that now serves as a museum, And The CAMP, An eco-friendly shopping center built from recycled materials. Costa Mesa offers something for everyone – from arts and culture to outdoor recreation and world-class shopping and dining.

Its central location in Orange County makes it an ideal base for exploring all that Southern California has to offer.

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1. South Coast Plaza is a world-renowned shopping center that boasts high-end designer stores and restaurants.
2. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts is a performing arts complex that hosts Broadway shows, concerts, and dance performances.
3. The OC Fair & Event Center serves as the home of the annual Orange County Fair and numerous other events throughout the year.
4. Costa Mesa Country Club offers an 18-hole golf course located in the heart of Costa Mesa.
5. The LAB Anti-Mall provides an alternative shopping experience with unique shops and eateries.
6. Pacific Amphitheatre is an outdoor concert venue that features popular musicians and bands during the summer months.
7. The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) showcases contemporary art exhibitions from around the world.
8. Newport Beach is a nearby coastal city with beautiful beaches, harbor cruises, water sports activities like kayaking, paddleboarding etc., waterfront dining options
9. Vanguard University is a private Christian university known for its performing arts programs
10. Mesa Verde Country Club offers exclusive country club amenities such as golfing facilities along with social membership privileges

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1. Retail: Costa Mesa is home to the South Coast Plaza, one of the largest shopping centers in the world with over 250 retailers and restaurants.
2. Technology: The city has a growing technology industry with companies such as Vans, Hurley, and Volcom headquartered there.
3. Healthcare: There are several hospitals and medical centers located in Costa Mesa including Hoag Hospital.
4. Education: The city is home to Orange Coast College, a community college with over 25,000 students enrolled.
5. Hospitality: There are numerous hotels and resorts located in Costa Mesa due to its proximity to popular tourist destinations such as Disneyland and Newport Beach.
6. Manufacturing: Several manufacturing companies have operations in Costa Mesa including Ceradyne Inc., a manufacturer of advanced ceramic products for defense applications.
7. Financial Services: Many financial services companies have offices or headquarters located in Costa Mesa including Experian North America, Pacific Life Insurance Company, and First American Title Insurance Company.

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1. The area now known as Costa Mesa was originally home to the Tongva people until Spanish colonizers displaced them in the 18th century.
2. During the early 1900s, Costa Mesa was primarily an agricultural community that produced lima beans and citrus fruit.
3. In World War II, the Santa Ana Army Air Base was established in what is now part of Costa Mesa. This base played a significant role in shaping modern aviation technology by training pilots for the war effort.
4. In the 1950s and 60s, developers built new housing developments in Costa Mesa to accommodate its growing population.
5. South Coast Plaza opened in Costa Mesa during 1967 as one of America’s largest malls at that time and remains a major shopping destination today.
6. Notable individuals associated with Costa Mesa include actor Steve Martin (who attended high school there), musician Jeff Buckley (who lived there briefly before his death), and skateboarder Tony Hawk (who has owned a skateboarding company based in Costa Mesa).

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1. Segerstrom Center for the Arts
2. Orange County Fairgrounds and Event Center
3. The Camp
4. South Coast Plaza
5. The LAB Anti-Mall
6. Costa Mesa Historical Society Museum
7. Pacific Amphitheatre
8. Lyon Air Museum
9. Mesa Verde Country Club
10. TeWinkle Park

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1. Costa Mesa United Soccer Club: This soccer club was founded in 2007 and offers programs for boys and girls of all ages and skill levels.
2. Costa Mesa Pop Warner Football: Established back in 1970, this football program provides organized tackle football for kids aged 5-14.
3. Newport-Mesa Girls Softball Association: Since 1974, this association has been providing softball leagues for girls aged 4-18.
4. Costa Mesa National Little League: Founded way back in 1958, this league offers baseball programs for kids aged 4-16.
5. Estancia High School Athletics: Estancia High School boasts a wide variety of athletic programs including football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, track & field, wrestling and more.
6. Orange Coast College Athletics: Orange Coast College (OCC) has an extensive athletics program that includes baseball, basketball,cross country running,golf,soccer ,swimming & diving ,tennis ,track & field (indoor and outdoor),volleyball,and water polo .
7. Costa Mesa Aquatics Club:A competitive swim team that trains at various pools around the city of Costa mesa
8. Costa mesa American Youth Soccer Organization(AYSO):A youth soccer organization established to develop player skills while emphasizing good sportsmanship
9. Costa mesa little league softball:A recreational softball league open to young girls who want to learn how to play the sport
10. Mesa Water Polo Club:A competitive water polo club consisting of boys and girls ages ranging from elementary school through high school

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1. The OC Fair is an annual event that occurs in July and August. It offers a variety of activities such as live music, carnival rides, games, exhibits, and delicious food.
2. The Pacific Symphony Summer Festival is held at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. It features concerts by world-renowned musicians and orchestras.
3. The Dia de los Muertos Celebration takes place in October at the OC Fairgrounds. This cultural celebration includes traditional Mexican music, dance performances, art exhibits, and a procession to honor loved ones who have passed away.
4. Every November at South Coast Plaza Mall is the South Coast Plaza Tree Lighting Ceremony which features live entertainment and a spectacular tree lighting ceremony to kick off the holiday season.
5. The Orange County International Auto Show takes place annually in October at the Anaheim Convention Center showcasing hundreds of new cars from top automotive brands around the world.
6. The Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters is a summer-long festival that celebrates art with exhibitions featuring local artists as well as an outdoor theater production that recreates famous works of art using real people as models.
7. Since 1908 every December boats are decorated with lights for a parade through Newport Harbor during five consecutive nights providing a festive atmosphere for everyone to enjoy! This event is known as Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.

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• Taco Maria – serving modern Mexican cuisine
• The Crack Shack – specializing in fried chicken dishes
• Anjin – a Japanese steakhouse with teppanyaki-style cooking
• ARC Food & Libations – offering farm-to-table American cuisine
• Rooster Cafe Costa Mesa – known for their breakfast and brunch dishes
• Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai – serving authentic Japanese ramen
• Memphis Cafe – featuring Southern-style comfort food
• Habana Costa Mesa – offering Cuban cuisine and cocktails
• Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee- known for their gourmet doughnuts and coffee
• Pueblo Restaurant- serving contemporary Mexican food with a focus on fresh ingredients and bold flavors

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Parks and Recreation

1. Fairview Park – This park offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and a playground.
2. TeWinkle Park – This park has a lake with fishing opportunities, sports fields, and a playground.
3. Canyon Park – This park is great for hiking and mountain biking.
4. Costa Mesa Golf Course – This golf course offers 18 holes of golfing fun.
5. Orange County Fairgrounds & Event Center – This venue hosts various events throughout the year such as fairs, concerts and festivals.
6. The Camp – A unique outdoor shopping center that features eco-friendly stores and restaurants.
7. South Coast Plaza Mall – A large shopping mall with high-end retailers and restaurants.
8. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts- A performing arts center that hosts Broadway shows, music concerts, ballets etc.
9. Costa Mesa Skatepark- Offers an expansive concrete skateboarding facility for all skill levels.
10. Lions Park- Features picnic areas, basketball courts, a playground etc.

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Its All About The Journey.

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