About Costa Mesa...
The journey that Costa Mesa took from its initial founding to the dynamic burg currently known as “The City of the Arts” is one of Orange County’s most fascinating voyages.  Originally part of the sprawling Mexican rancho owned by OC patriarch Jose Antonio Yorba, the roots of the city of Costa Mesa were planted in 1880 when American settlers founded the small town of Fairview, utilizing the railroad that cut through the area to establish a reputation as a place for travelers to stay and rest.   However, a severe storm struck the area in 1889, wiping out the railroad and wrecking financial havoc on the community.  The area bounced back after the devastation, resurrecting itself as a farming community known as Harper.  By the time this flat, fertile “coastal table” was re-named Costa Mesa in 1920, its penchant for growing sweet potatoes, corn, tomatoes, strawberries, and apples allowed it to thrive.  The resilient area endured the one-two punch of the Great Depression and the great Long Beach earthquake of 1933 to become an important wartime community, as scores of military personnel and their families flocked to Costa Mesa during World War II to train at the old Santa Ana Army Air Base. After the war ended in 1945, a lot of veterans returned to Costa Mesa to permanently settle within its borders.  Costa Mesa officially incorporated in 1953, and gradually transformed itself to re-connect with the Fairview community’s original intention of being a destination city.  This re-invention came to fruition with the opening of South Coast Plaza in 1967 and the Orange County Performing Arts Center in 1986.

This reputation of being one of the OC’s premier hubs for fine art appreciation, sophisticated dining, and refined shopping remains as strong as ever, and shows no signs of slowing down.  The glamorous South Coast Plaza is a world-class venue known internationally for its illustrious array of high-end stores and chic restaurants.  Just across the way from this haven for browsing and purchasing is the expansive cultural complex containing, Segerstrom Hall, the Segerstrom Center of the Arts, and South Coast Reparatory.  Linked together by a beautiful sculpture garden, the area is one of Southern California’s top areas to indulge in the wonders of theatre, classical music, and other forms of lively culture.  While Costa Mesa is greatly associated with these bastions of elegance, the city’s appeal reaches deeply into other realms.  Costa Mesa is also home to the sprawling Orange County Fairgrounds; a massive venue constructed on the former site of the Santa Ana Air Base, the Fairgrounds annually plays host to the Orange County Fair, one of the largest such gatherings in the nation.  The Fairgrounds is also the site of the Pacific Amphitheater, one of Southern California’s choicest outdoor venues to enjoy live music.  And history buffs will note that the Adobe Estancia, Costa Mesa’s oldest standing property, enables people a chance to catch a glimpse of the area’s pre-Californian existence.
 

Entertainment in Costa Mesa

Orange County Performing Arts Center
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

 Orange County Fair & Exposition Center
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

OC Fair Grounds is home to the OC Market Place
Shoppers Hotline: (949) 723-6616

South Coast Repertory Theater
655 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristal Street
Costa Mesa, Ca 92626

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Golf Courses in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa Golf Course
1701 Golf Course Drive
Costa Mesa, Ca
(714) 540-7500

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Shopping in Costa Mesa

 South Coast Plaza
The Ultimate Shopping Experience and South Coast Plaza Village offer over 280 stores. South Coast Plaza brings visitors from around the world. Highly noted as one of the nation’s most luxurious shopping destinations for fashion, spa services, dining and more.
visit www.southcoastplaza.com

 The Lab
Known in OC as the “anti-mall”, this unique retail complex caters to the trendy shopper. The Lab offers unique shops, Dining, Music, art shows and special events in a relaxed indoor-outdoor environment.
714.966.6660 or visit www.thelab.com

 OC Market Place
The OC Market Place is located on the grounds of the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center. Offering a unique weekend outdoor shopping adventure, you can find everything from fresh produce to custom furniture. Open every weekend from 7am - 4pm (Orange County Market Place is closed in July for the OC Fair.) visit www.ocmarketplace.com

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Spas in Costa Mesa

The Spa & Fitness Club
695 Town Center Dr. St.#180
Costa Mesa Ca 92626
Phone: (714) 850-0050

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