Sun, fun, and festivals in the friendly city of Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa is a sun-kissed city in California’s Orange County, based 40 miles from downtown Los Angeles, and a stone’s throw from the wide white and gold sands of the Huntington and Newport Beach coastal cities. The city serves up a series of annual fairs and festivals, and promotes local art and theater. Shoppers, meanwhile, will find a mix of cute independent boutiques and upscale shopping plazas. And there are many Costa Mesa vacation rentals to choose from – including tree-shaded bungalows and enormous family houses with huge palm-studded gardens.
Arts and architecture in cultural Costa Mesa
Architecture enthusiasts and culture vultures will fall in love with Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts, a vast performing-arts complex, built in 1983 in a futurist style by architect Cesar Pelli. Inside this enormous sci-fi-like glass and stone building there is an opera house, concert hall, and theater, which all regularly host performances. A short 10-minute drive south of downtown Costa Mesa takes you to the Orange County Museum of Art, which boasts over 3000 objects of primarily Californian artwork, from the early 1900s onwards, including a vibrant display of eye-popping Pop Art.
Making waves in Costa Mesa
Take a quick trip to Newport Beach – just 2 miles south of Costa Mesa, along the Newport Boulevard – where you’ll find soft, uncrowded sands stretching into the shimmering blue Pacific ocean. Here you can swim, surf, and sunbathe – beginners can even take surfing lessons at Newport Beach. Back in Costa Mesa, shoppers can treat themselves to a trip to the luxury South Coast Plaza, a modern white-walled complex championing brand and designer fashion and cosmetics boutiques. In summer, Costa Mesa hosts several outdoor food, wine, and music festivals.
Summer in Costa Mesa brings non-stop sunshine
Sun seekers looking for a Costa Mesa vacation rental will be happy to know the city enjoys a sun-blushed semi-arid climate, with warm temperatures throughout the year. During the winter season – December through February – daily temperatures reach an average high of 70 degrees, but do drop to the high 40s at night, so remember to pack a coat. The height of summer – July through September – welcomes temperatures in the mid 80s, with almost no rainfall. If traveling in summer, book a Costa Mesa vacation rental with an outdoor pool to make the most of the honey-like sunshine.
Exploring the beaches and other natural features in Costa Mesa
Whether you're looking for adventure or just want to take in the scenery, Costa Mesa is a great spot to appreciate mother nature. Here are some of the area’s most eye-catching sights, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Balboa Beach (2.7 mi / 4.4 km)
- Huntington State Beach (3 mi / 4.8 km)
- Corona del Mar State Beach (4.1 mi / 6.5 km)
- Huntington Beach Sports Complex (6.4 mi / 10.2 km)
- Crystal Cove (6.4 mi / 10.3 km)
- Crystal Cove Beach (6.7 mi / 10.8 km)
Transportation options to and around Costa Mesa
The nearest airport is in John Wayne Airport (SNA), located 4.2 mi (6.8 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you could book a flight to Los Angeles - Ontario Intl. Airport (ONT), which is 34.6 mi (55.7 km) away.
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