Guidebook for Costa Mesa

James
Guidebook for Costa Mesa

Sightseeing

Fishing, swimming, surfing, restaurants, bars, shops, nightclubs, etc.
372 locals recommend
Huntington Beach Pier
103 Huntington Beach Pier
372 locals recommend
Fishing, swimming, surfing, restaurants, bars, shops, nightclubs, etc.
Fishing, swimming, surfing, restaurants, bars, shops, nightclubs, etc.
198 locals recommend
Newport Beach Pier
1 Newport Pier
198 locals recommend
Fishing, swimming, surfing, restaurants, bars, shops, nightclubs, etc.
Fishing, swimming, paddle boats, kayaking, ferries, surfing, restaurants, bars, shops, nightclubs, carnival rides, etc.
Balboa Pier
Fishing, swimming, paddle boats, kayaking, ferries, surfing, restaurants, bars, shops, nightclubs, carnival rides, etc.
SCUBA diving, snorkeling, mountains, submarine, swimming, camping, kayaking, boating, parasailing, wildlife (Garibaldi fish, buffalo [bison], etc.), jeep & bus tours, airport (helicopter & small plane service), ferries from Newport Beach, Dana Point, San Pedro, & Long Beach.
188 locals recommend
Santa Catalina Island
188 locals recommend
SCUBA diving, snorkeling, mountains, submarine, swimming, camping, kayaking, boating, parasailing, wildlife (Garibaldi fish, buffalo [bison], etc.), jeep & bus tours, airport (helicopter & small plane service), ferries from Newport Beach, Dana Point, San Pedro, & Long Beach.

Parks & Nature

Large regional park, RC cars and drone/RC plane area, free monthly train rides, ponds, nature preserve, on- and off-road trails, trail access to the beach and inland OC.
20 locals recommend
Fairview Park
2525 Placentia Ave
20 locals recommend
Large regional park, RC cars and drone/RC plane area, free monthly train rides, ponds, nature preserve, on- and off-road trails, trail access to the beach and inland OC.
Nature preserve, nature center.
36 locals recommend
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
2301 University Dr
36 locals recommend
Nature preserve, nature center.
Orange County Model Engineers is a non-profit, all volunteer club that offers public ride days every 3rd Sat & Sun of the month! Trains are 1/8 the size of the real thing & operate like real locomotives! GOATHILL JUNCTION RAILROAD 2480 PLACENTIA AVE., COSTA MESA, CA 92627
Orange County Model Engineers
2480 Placentia Avenue
Orange County Model Engineers is a non-profit, all volunteer club that offers public ride days every 3rd Sat & Sun of the month! Trains are 1/8 the size of the real thing & operate like real locomotives! GOATHILL JUNCTION RAILROAD 2480 PLACENTIA AVE., COSTA MESA, CA 92627
The Santa Ana River Trail is a multi-use trail complex that runs alongside the Santa Ana River in southern California. The trail stretches 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean at Huntington Beach along the Santa Ana River to the Orange–Riverside county line.
6 locals recommend
Huntington Beach Santa Ana River Trail
Huntington Beach Bike Trail
6 locals recommend
The Santa Ana River Trail is a multi-use trail complex that runs alongside the Santa Ana River in southern California. The trail stretches 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean at Huntington Beach along the Santa Ana River to the Orange–Riverside county line.
Nature preserve, hiking, Sheep Hills BMX course, mountain biking, Victoria Pond, picnic areas (tables, restrooms), scenic overlooks.
6 locals recommend
Talbert Regional Park
1298 Victoria St
6 locals recommend
Nature preserve, hiking, Sheep Hills BMX course, mountain biking, Victoria Pond, picnic areas (tables, restrooms), scenic overlooks.

Arts & Culture

Ancient Native American settlement and Spanish mission, 200 years of Costa Mesa history. Open 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month, 12-4 pm.
Diego Sepulveda Adobe
1900 Adams Ave
Ancient Native American settlement and Spanish mission, 200 years of Costa Mesa history. Open 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month, 12-4 pm.
Free self-guided tours.
66 locals recommend
Orange County Museum of Art
3333 W Sunflower Ave
66 locals recommend
Free self-guided tours.

Essentials

Handcrafted fermented foods & drinks (kombucha, soda, yogurt, brine, tonic, kraut, etc.), locally-sourced health foods (grass-fed beef, sprouted nuts, etc.).
Fermentation Farm
1125 Victoria St
Handcrafted fermented foods & drinks (kombucha, soda, yogurt, brine, tonic, kraut, etc.), locally-sourced health foods (grass-fed beef, sprouted nuts, etc.).
Convenience store
7-Eleven
Convenience store
Zero-waste market, gourmet grocery store
Amis de la Terre Zero-Waste Market
Zero-waste market, gourmet grocery store
Non-toxic home & body products, eco-friendly, zero waste, zero plastic, refill shop. Bring your own bags/containers to refill.
Fill Up Buttercup - Costa Mesa
Non-toxic home & body products, eco-friendly, zero waste, zero plastic, refill shop. Bring your own bags/containers to refill.

Drinks & Nightlife

Movies
118 locals recommend
Starlight Triangle Square Cinemas
1870 Harbor Blvd
118 locals recommend
Movies
Music venue with live bands, craft beer, gourmet tacos, happy hour.
21 locals recommend
The Wayfarer
843 W 19th St
21 locals recommend
Music venue with live bands, craft beer, gourmet tacos, happy hour.
Shops, bowling, movies, restaurants, bars, craft beer, happy hours, nightclubs, live music, etc.
Triangle Square
Shops, bowling, movies, restaurants, bars, craft beer, happy hours, nightclubs, live music, etc.

Food Scene

Japanese-style dough, wood-fired oven, craft beer, wine, unique gourmet appetizers, happy hour.
6 locals recommend
2145 Pizza
2145 Placentia Ave
6 locals recommend
Japanese-style dough, wood-fired oven, craft beer, wine, unique gourmet appetizers, happy hour.
Locally owned since 1966, traditional recipes from Guanajuato, México, handmade tortillas, bar, happy hour, outdoor patio.
13 locals recommend
Avila's El Ranchito - Costa Mesa
2101 Placentia Ave
13 locals recommend
Locally owned since 1966, traditional recipes from Guanajuato, México, handmade tortillas, bar, happy hour, outdoor patio.

Sports

Golf, clubhouse, restaurant, lessons, weddings, banquets.
Costa Mesa Golf Course
1701 Golf Course Dr
Golf, clubhouse, restaurant, lessons, weddings, banquets.