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Costa Mesa is an Orange County city just inland from Newport Beach, set on a coastal tableland that gives it its name, which means coastal table in Spanish. The area was once part of Spanish and Mexican ranchos, and the historic Diego Sepulveda Adobe, also called the Estancia, still stands in a small park. The city grew quickly after World War II and was incorporated in 1953.
Calling itself the City of the Arts, Costa Mesa is home to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and South Coast Repertory, which bring Broadway shows, opera, ballet and new plays to Orange County. Next door, South Coast Plaza is one of the largest and best known shopping centers in the country.
Costa Mesa also hosts the Orange County Fair each summer, while creative shopping centers such as The LAB and The CAMP, the Noguchi garden and the bluffs and wetlands of Fairview Park add variety close to the beaches.
Orange County's main performing arts campus, home to Segerstrom Hall and the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. It hosts touring Broadway shows, Pacific Symphony concerts, ballet and opera. Book ahead for popular musicals and arrive early, as the parking structures fill up before showtime.
A Tony Award-winning professional theater on the Segerstrom arts campus, known for premiering new American plays. It runs two stages, the Segerstrom Stage and the smaller Julianne Argyros Stage, plus a family series. Check the season calendar online, since many shows sell out on weekends.
OCMA opened its Morphosis-designed building at the Segerstrom Center in 2022, showing modern and contemporary art with a focus on California artists. Galleries rotate often and there is a public terrace with views. General admission has been free, so it is an easy stop before an evening show.
A hidden 1.6-acre sculpture garden by Isamu Noguchi, tucked between office towers near South Coast Plaza. Granite, water, desert plants and a stone pyramid represent California landscapes. It is free and quiet; it is usually open during daylight hours, so visit on a weekday for the calmest experience.
One of the largest and most upscale shopping centers in the United States, with around 250 stores including many luxury fashion houses, plus well-regarded restaurants. A pedestrian bridge links its two sides. Pick up a free directory at the concierge desks, as the layout is large and easy to get lost in.
An open-air shopping spot opened in 1993 on Bristol Street, built in a former factory with a grungy, creative look. It has independent boutiques, a vintage shop, cafes and a lawn with outdoor seating and occasional events. Combine it with The CAMP across the street, which shares the same laid-back style.
A small eco-minded retail village across Sunflower Avenue from The LAB, with outdoor gear shops, wellness studios, cafes and restaurants set around wooden walkways and plants. It suits a relaxed afternoon of browsing and eating. Parking is free in the shared lot, but it can be busy on weekend evenings.
The fairgrounds host the OC Fair each July and August, with rides, livestock, fried food and concerts, plus swap meets, car shows and other events year-round. The Centennial Farm on site shows crops and farm animals. Check the event calendar, as what is on changes weekly, and buy fair tickets online.
An outdoor concert venue of about 8,000 seats on the OC Fair and Event Center grounds. Its summer concert series during the fair brings classic rock, pop, country and Latin acts. Some concerts include fair admission, so check the ticket details, and bring a light jacket for cool evening air.
A large regional park on a bluff above the Santa Ana River, with grassland, vernal pools, wetlands and walking and biking trails. A model railroad club runs rides on some weekends. It is a good place for birdwatching and sunsets; stay on marked trails to protect the fragile vernal pools.
Also called the Diego Sepulveda Adobe, this restored adobe from the early 1800s sits in Estancia Park and was once an outpost of Mission San Juan Capistrano. Inside is a small museum on local Native American, rancho and early Costa Mesa history. It opens only on limited days, so check hours first.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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