Summer of Pride: Costa Mesa
The City of the Arts opens its arms for Orange County Pride and beyond.
Where else can you discover an entire county full of Pride events than the OC? An essential part of the Orange County experience, Costa Mesa will play host to several key events, but whether you're traveling for OC Pride or planning your own west coast adventure, this charming city is packed with culture, shopping, dining, and plenty of California sunshine.
PRIDE: WHAT NOT TO MISS IN COSTA MESA
Velvet-embossed walls, hardwood floors, and a swanky vibe set the stage for OC Pride's kick-off party at this local saloon that dates back to the 1950s.
Take a bite out of pride with this epic party at Shark Club, a 12,000-square-foot venue with dramatic features including outdoor patio, fireplaces, lounge areas and dance floor.
COSTA MESA BUCKET LIST
Fill your days and nights with our top five must-do experiences.
1. OC Fair
Celebrating 125 years, the OC Fair draws more than one million annual visitors for a summer's worth of outdoor concerts, carnival rides, wine tastings, Centennial Farm, and other special programming. July 17 through August 16.
2. Segerstrom Center for the Arts
The $73.8 million performing arts center has welcomed top-tier talent including the New York City Opera and Tony Bennett, as well as resident companies including Pacific Symphony.
3. South Coast Plaza
Forget New York and Los Angeles -- Costa Mesa's South Coast Plaza boasts the highest concentration of fashion designers in the United States. Bring an extra suitcase for the latest designs from John Varvatos, Berluti, Prada and more.
4. Disneyland
What started as an undeveloped parcel of land purchased by Walt Disney in 1953 has grown into a world of wonderment for children and adults alike. The Disneyland Resort includes Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park and the free-of-charge Downtown Disney District, which is packed with restaurants, shopping, and entertainment venues.
Guests can also enjoy easy shuttle transportation to the Disneyland Resort from select Costa Mesa hotels. Round-trip day passes start at $2 for kids (ages 3 to 9) and $5 for adults, kids under the age of three ride free. Three and five-day passes are also available. Shuttle passes and room night packages are available from participating hotels.
5. Laguna Beach
Comprised of 20 public beaches and welcoming approximately 3 million visitors per year, Laguna Beach offers something for everyone. Just neighboring Costa Mesa, Main Beach is perfect for an afternoon in the sun and people watching; head to Crescent Bay's Seal Rock for photo opps with sea lions and seals; or go deep at Shaws Cove and Divers Cove for awe-inspiring SCUBA diving.
REINVENTING COASTAL CUISINE
With access to an abundance of fresh ingredients, Costa Mesa overflows with innovative chefs who are delivering some the country's best bites. Come hungry and be sure to check out some of our favorite spots.
Taco Mar�a
What started as a food truck has morphed into Orange County's "Best Mexican Restaurant" according to OC Weekly. Chef Carlos Salgado (Food & Wine Magazine's Best New Chef 2015) serves up "chicano cuisine" that includes calamari tacos with squid ink tortillas, carne asada, local black cod with charred scallion aoli, and other innovative culinary creations.
Old Vine Caf�
Chef/owner Marc McDonald celebrates global cuisine at his popular caf�, where diners can indulge in ever-changing seasonal tasting menus and explore an extensive wine list with familiar offerings as well as some quirky finds including dry Lambrusco from Emilia-Romagna, Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, and hard-to-find wines from Lebanon and Uruguay.
SOCIAL Costa Mesa
A celebration of fusion cuisine, the recently opened SOCIAL Costa Mesa combines Southern-inspired recipes with fresh, locally sourced California ingredients. Executive Chef Jeffrey Boullt's credentials include New Orleans' legendary Commander's Palace and the influence is evident with an array of scrumptious, shareable plates that offer a modern approach including wood-fired oysters with bone marrow butter, confit pork belly, and fried cauliflower with black-eyed pea hummus.
STAY A WHILE
Costa Mesa's character is evident in its unique hotel offerings, many of which offer free round-trip shuttle service from John Wayne Airport, Orange County.
"The inclusion of many different cultures makes up Costa Mesa's richness and fabric of life just as much as its exquisite dining, shopping and art," says Raymond Bustamante, director of sales and marketing at the Avenue of the Arts Wyndham Hotel, a Costa Mesa four-diamond property. "Upon arrival, expect to be welcomed with unabashed friendliness, respect, comfort and the convenience of staying steps away from some of the best charms of Southern California."
Other developments on the hospitality front include BLVD Hotel, a comfortable 58-room boutique property that opened in 2014 as well as the recently completed restyled rooms at The Westin South Coast Plaza.
"Our guestrooms have been fully refreshed and are ready for guests to enjoy," says general manager Mike Hall. "Our mission is to focus on the well-being of our guests. Everything about their stay will leave them feeling better than when they arrived, from the comfortable beds to our SuperFoodsRx menu."
"The Westin South Coast Plaza has always been an important part of Costa Mesa's arts and entertainment district," says Paulette Lombardi-Fries, president of the Costa Mesa Conference and Visitor Bureau. "Located just steps away from world-class shopping, dining and entertainment, this renovation represents continued efforts to accommodate the highest standards of quality, comfort and convenience for guests experiencing the City of the Arts."
To plan your Costa Mesa getaway, visit www.travelcostamesa.com.