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Costa-Mazing! California's Best Coastal City!
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items You can find the city of Costa Mesa, California between Los Angeles and San Diego. It is a foodie haven, art destination, and casual, coastal adjacent city.
Sections
4
Foodie's Dream
Shopping & Activities
Drinks
The Arts
Foodie's Dream
Everything is good here but my favorite thing is the appetizer, Avocado Frito, plantain crusted avocado with Caribbean aioli! Yum.
Habana - Cuban Restaurant
The hardest part of going to Hanuman is trying to decide if you're going to order your favorite item on the menu or branch out. There truly isn't a bad dish in sight. All of the curries are phenomenal and amongst the best I've ever had.
Hanuman New Fusion Thai Food
Social has good food and an amazing espresso martini! You can also see a beautiful tribute painting on the side of Social of Kobe & Gigi Bryant.
SOCIAL Restaurant
The best margarita in California, according to Yelp.
Playa Mesa | Mexican Restaurant
From sizzling street tacos with your choice of flavorful meats or quench your thirst with a variety of refreshing aguas frescas, every corner exudes the essence of authentic Mexican cuisine. Stop by the Churrería for made to order churros and milksha...
Mercado - Northgate Market
Say you're heading down to Newport Beach and you want some pastries, wine, chips, etc but you just don't want to get out of your car… Well, this drive through market has you covered. The owner is there often and she's a dream! Often hosting pop-ups f...
Eastside Drive Through Mini-Mart
Shopping & Activities
The LAB began its journey to combat retail monotony in 1993 when it was recycled from a night-vision goggle factory. Favorite places to shop within the lab include Buffalo Exchange for killer thrift deals and Creme Tangerine for vinyl record needs.
The LAB Anti-Mall -- Support Small and Local Businesses
Book a group or private class!
Costa Mesa Ceramics Studio
A tiny store with a lot of personality. From clothing, vintage items, Japanese stationary, and collectible toys… they have a little bit of everything!
The Inconvenience Store
Quonset Huts were once used as Army barracks for soldiers in World War II. The base was decommissioned in 1946. Fortunately, the Duffield Family purchased the property and the first Duffy electric boats were built here in the 1970s. Since then, every...
Silver Wings Vintage
Located in Costa Mesa, South Coast Plaza is the largest luxury shopping destination on the West Coast, spanning 2.8 million square feet with over 250 boutiques and critically acclaimed restaurants. Check out Pop Mart for cute collectibles and Issey M...
South Coast Plaza
Californians love their pickleball. And how could we not? The weather is always perfect. ;)
Play Pickleball at Balearic Park
If you take a stroll through Fairview Park you are certainly going to see some wildlife. Early mornings and evenings are the best time to go: but beware the coyotes! This park is breathtaking in the spring when it's in full magnificent bloom.
Fairview Park
Canyon park has playgrounds and lots of wild spaces to explore. From here you can ride a bike to the beach via the Santa Ana River Trail.
Canyon Park
Drinks
There are A LOT of coffee shops in Costa Mesa… some might say it's the coffee shop capital of California (I say that). But I'm not going to B.S. you. Work in Progress is in my top 3. The locals call it WIP. Get the rosemary latte and thank me later. ...
Work in Progress - Costa Mesa, CA
The people have spoken and Hola Adios always reigns supreme. There are a few locations in Orange County that are great but I always go with this one. It's always a vibe. Lot's of people from the neighborhood hanging out.
Hola Adios Coffeeshop - Costa Mesa, CA
Moongoat Greenhouse easily wins this competition when it comes to the architecture. It's inside a freaking greenhouse. What more do you want? Coffee is good, bites are an 8/10, and outdoor seating is AMPLE. Not to mention you can walk to Noguchi Gard... hang in the communal spaces. Park across the street in the parking garage and validate when you head out.
Moongoat Greenhouse - Costa Mesa, CA
If you ask a local it's highly likely this will be their first coffee shop choice. Killer graphics, fun vibe, and anti-bitch coffee. What more could you want?
Home of the Original Anti-Bitch Serum
If you want to talk to the most knowledgeable sommeliers and mixologists there are then look no further! Tucked behind a Sprouts in a little neighborhood called Eastside sits Hi Times. There is a wine bar and tasting room in the downstairs area. Enjo...
Hi-Time Wine Cellars - Costa Mesa, CA
A speakeasy with a semi-hidden entrance… head towards Salty Bear Brewery and look for a line of people waiting to get into this tiny establishment. Sit inside the vintage confessional booth or carriage for maximum privacy. Preferred drink is the one ...
Cowboys & Poodles
Ruin is hidden behind white shuttered doors. Inside you’ll find a cozy and quirky indoor-outdoor bar filled to the brim with knick-knacks and delicious craft cocktails.
Ruin Bar
The Arts
See a play, enjoy some music, experience ballet. Segerstrom delivers non stop entertainment at big city quality.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Always something new to experience and often geared towards the whole family.
OCMA / Orange County Museum of Art
The light changes completely depending on whether you visit in the morning or evening. Shadows move beautifully across the varied California-inspired landscape, from rugged desert motifs to pine forests and rivers cutting through the space. I’ve seen...
Noguchi Garden