A Guide to Living in Costa Mesa, CA

In 1953, Costa Mesa, California, was a small farming village with a population of slightly over 15,000. It didn't take long for it to grow quickly into the thriving metropolis with over 110,000 citizens that it is today. Many of the locals are still generating and creating work, even though farming isn't as popular as it once was. 

Stage performances and the arts are well-known in Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa might be the ideal location for you if you thrive on creativity and appreciate being a part of a creative environment. Here is all the information you need about living in Costa Mesa, California.

Weather in Costa Mesa, CA

Costa Mesa experiences warm summers and temperate winters, much like the rest of Southern California. Because Costa Mesa is not too far inland, it doesn't become extremely hot or cold. Typically, summertime temperatures range from the upper 70s to the mid-80s. Wintertime temperatures often remain in the 50s and 60s. The majority of the year in Costa Mesa is sunny, especially in the summer. Costa Mesa is the ideal location if you're searching for a cozy spot all year round. 

Restaurants in Costa Mesa, CA

Mercado Gonzalez

Mercado Gonzalez is a food hall located in Costa Mesa, California. The food hall offers a curated selection of authentic and traditional Mexican cuisine, ranging from Guisados like gorditas and tacos dorados to caldos de pollo y de res, pozole, mole, and frijoles y arroz. In addition to food, Mercado Gonzalez also offers artisanal crafts and Mexican goods for your home. The venue is designed to reflect Mexican mercados, where vendors of ingredients and goods mix with stalls selling their cooking. Visitors can also enjoy live entertainment and cultural events that celebrate the beauty and diversity of Mexico. Mercado Gonzalez is a true blend between a food hall and an actual grocery store where visitors can shop for groceries, enjoy a meal, and engage in an immersive cultural experience.

Milligram Coffee and Kitchen

This combination coffee shop and restaurant is a local favorite. Whether you’re looking for freshly roasted coffee, a special selection of beer and wine, or a local and seasonal bite to eat, Milligram delivers on all fronts. Visitors love the warm, inviting atmosphere almost as much as they love the food and coffee. Milligram Coffee and Kitchen’s menu changes frequently so visit often if you want to experience the full range of their offerings. 

Coffee Dose

As Coffee Dose itself advertises, this isn’t your grandma’s coffee shop. This retro and inviting coffee shop reminds its patrons not to take life too seriously through its playful cups and menu items. Coffee Dose has 5 locations throughout Orange County, but its flagship location is in Costa Mesa. Beyond coffee, Coffee dose serves breakfast food such as waffles, breakfast burritos, and more. Come for the amazing coffee, stay for the amazing vibes.

Eat Chow

Eat Chow is a unique restaurant that isn’t restricted to one genre or type of food. Whenever the head chef comes across something delicious, it’s likely to make it onto the menu. Eat Chow serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. No matter what you’re hungry for you’ll find something you love on their huge menu. They also serve seasonal special drinks and meals using the freshest seasonal ingredients.

Habana

This high-end restaurant is a local favorite for those who love Cuban food. Its menu includes favorites such as croquetas and empanadas alongside other dishes such as crab cakes and ceviche. Habana is popular for its mojito Mondays and its daily social hours, during which specific drinks and dishes are served. If you’re more of a breakfast person, they also have a great brunch menu.

Water Grill

With a focus on the finest, sustainably sourced seafood, this restaurant offers a culinary experience that’s as delectable as it is refined. The menu at Water Grill features an array of seafood dishes complemented by a large selection of wines and craft cocktails. The restaurant’s ambiance and great service create the perfect setting for special occasions or simply indulging in fresh seafood. Water Grill invites guests to savor the tastes of the ocean in a sophisticated and luxurious setting, making it a standout destination for seafood enthusiasts.

Seasons 52

This simple yet elegant restaurant serves a variety of fresh and simple dishes such as burgers, flatbreads, and pastas. With a focus on freshness, Seasons 52 uses only the freshest ingredients in its soups, salads, and entrees. That’s why its menu changes seasonally. Seasons 52 is serving some great fall dishes right now, but check the menu to see what’s fresh when you visit. If you’re in the mood for something light and fresh, Seasons 52 is a great option.

Shopping in Costa Mesa, CA

SOCO Collection

The SOCO Collection in Costa Mesa, CA, is a premier designer shopping center that epitomizes sophistication and style. Featuring a meticulously curated selection of over 70 upscale boutiques and shops, it’s a mecca for those who appreciate the finer things in life. The SOCO Collection showcases a diverse array of high-end fashion, home decor, culinary delights, and more, all in a modern and inviting setting. 

With a focus on quality and craftsmanship, this shopping center offers a luxurious shopping experience that reflects the best in design and lifestyle. Whether you’re seeking the latest in fashion or exquisite home furnishings, the SOCO Collection is the ultimate destination for discerning shoppers looking for elegance and distinction.

Outdoor Recreation in Costa Mesa, CA

Fairview Park

This 208-acre park contains open fields, trails, hills, and a forest sanctuary. It’s a great place to go on a nature walk or hike. Visitors can also participate in horseback riding, running, biking, kite flying, and a variety of other activities that require open spaces. 

In the spring, the fields are full of tall wildflowers. The natural beauty of the fields and flowers makes a great location for photos and nature walks.

Golfing

Costa Mesa offers several exceptional golf courses that cater to golfers of all skill levels. The Costa Mesa Country Club, with its lush fairways and challenging greens, is a local favorite. Nearby, the Newport Beach Golf Course, located on the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, provides a beautiful setting for a round of golf. And for those looking for a unique experience, the David L. Baker Golf Course features a beautiful course that’s perfect for a quick game. With year-round pleasant weather, Costa Mesa is truly a golfer’s paradise, offering a variety of courses to suit any golfer’s preferences and skill levels.

Visit Noguchi Garden

Noguchi Garden is a 1.6-acre sculpture garden dedicated to the California landscape. It’s a great place to go to experience California through the eyes of Noguchi, its creator. Visiting is a great way to unwind during your lunch break, chat with friends, or take amazing photos for your social profiles. It’s a peaceful place with beautiful sculptures.

Back Bay Loop Trail

The Back Bay Loop Trail in Newport Beach, CA, offers an exhilarating opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to explore the stunning natural beauty of the Bay area. This 10.5-mile trail is thoughtfully marked, guiding hikers and bikers as it meanders around Upper Newport Bay. Along the way, the trail presents scenic stops at various points of interest, including Upper Castaways Park, the County of Orange's Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, the newly established Back Bay Science Center at Shellmaker Island, and the picturesque Big Canyon.

One of the remarkable features of the Back Bay Loop Trail is its connection to the 22-mile Mountains to Sea Trail, designated as a National Recreational Trail. This extensive trail network extends from Upper Newport Bay, traverses through Irvine, passes Peters Canyon Reservoir, and ventures into the rugged mountains of Weir Canyon north of Irvine Regional Park. This interconnected trail system offers a diverse range of outdoor experiences, from the serene bay landscapes to the rugged beauty of the surrounding mountains, making it a perfect choice for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Local Attractions in Costa Mesa, CA

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is a regional landmark in Orange County. Known for its world-class productions and beautiful architecture, Segerstrom offers a variety of spaces for weddings, parties, corporate events, and more. Catering is also available. Outside of parties and events, most people visit Segerstrom Center for the Arts for its musical performances and other shows. There are dozens of events every month at Segerstrom. No matter what your taste, there’s bound to be a performance you’ll love. 

Orange County Museum of Art

Located near Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa is a vibrant cultural institution that celebrates contemporary art in all its forms. With a dynamic collection of modern and contemporary art, this museum provides visitors with the opportunity to explore a diverse range of artistic expressions. The museum’s exhibitions showcase the work of both established and emerging artists, offering a fresh and innovative perspective on the art world. 

The Orange County Museum of Art plays a pivotal role in the local art scene, fostering creativity and providing an engaging space for art enthusiasts and the community to come together and appreciate the power of visual expression. Whether you’re a seasoned art lover or just looking for a stimulating cultural experience, this museum is a must-visit destination in Costa Mesa, CA.

Check out its latest exhibitions.

OC Fair and Event Center

The OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa is always buzzing with activity. From permanent attractions to visiting and seasonal exhibitions, the OC Fair and Event Center has something for everyone. For those interested in learning more about growing your own food, visit Centennial Farm, an operational farm that offers tours, classes on growing your own food, and chances to get up close and personal with the farm’s livestock. You can also visit Hero’s Hall, a veterans museum and education center with exhibitions, performances, and educational programs that celebrate the legacy of Orange County veterans and others who have served our nation. 

Beyond those permanent attractions, expos, exhibitions, and events are always coming to Costa Mesa.

Check the calendar to learn more.

Cost of Living in Costa Mesa, CA

Much like all of Southern California, Costa Mesa has a relatively high cost of living compared to the rest of the US. The average cost of a home in Costa Mesa, CA, is over $1M, making it roughly three times more expensive than the national average. Rent prices are also comparatively high. Depending on the size of the apartment, rents average between $2,100 and $3,700 per month. Despite higher costs in some areas, healthcare costs are slightly lower than the national average, as are utility costs. 

Learn more about the cost of living in Costa Mesa, CA.

Jobs in Costa Mesa, CA

With its proximity to neighboring cities like Irvine and Newport Beach, Costa Mesa benefits from the larger economic ecosystem of Orange County, which includes thriving sectors like finance, technology, and healthcare. As a result, the job market in Costa Mesa remains robust and continues to attract a diverse range of talent and businesses.



Check out the latest job opportunities in the area.

Education in Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University

https://www.vanguard.edu/ Vanguard University is a private Christian university located in Costa Mesa, California. It was the first four-year college in Orange County. The university offers a wide variety of academic programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies programs. The campus is located about four miles from Southern California beaches and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1. 98% of enrolled students receive financial aid. The Lyceum Theater on campus is a premiere venue for university and professional theatrical performances in Orange County. The theater is home to the Vanguard University Department of Theatre Arts and the American Coast Theater Company. If you’re looking for a beautiful university in a beautiful place, Vanguard University might be perfect for you. 

University of California Irvine

Situated in Irvine, California, the University of California, Irvine (UCI) is a public research institution. It belongs to the esteemed Association of American Universities and was established in 1965. UCI is renowned for its cutting-edge research, academic brilliance, and inventiveness. With more than 36,000 students, the school is home to five Nobel laureates. According to U.S. News & World Report, the university is among the top 10 public universities in the country and offers 224 degree programs.

Culture in Costa Mesa, CA

Costa Mesa, CA, is a vibrant and diverse city that hosts a rich blend of cultures and values. People in Costa Mesa are generally friendly and welcoming, embodying the warm and laid-back spirit of Southern California. The city’s cultural scene is thriving, with a deep appreciation for the arts. Costa Mesa is home to renowned cultural institutions like the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, where theater, music, and dance performances are celebrated.

Family-friendliness is a cornerstone of the city’s identity. You’ll find family-friendly amenities, parks, and recreational activities catering to residents of all ages. The strong sense of community and the availability of quality schools contribute to the city’s appeal for families.

Costa Mesa is an incredible city and a great place to live. If you’re considering a move to Costa Mesa, check out Westside Apartments, a luxury apartment complex with all the amenities needed to make your life in Costa Mesa even better. Contact us today to schedule a tour!