Costa Mesa Recommendations
Costa Mesa Guidebook
Here are our personal recommendations of what Costa Mesa and the surrounding area has to offer! Of course, if you want more in-depth reviews and recommendations, please use the Yelp app to go straight to each location's Yelp page.
A wonderful city in sunny Orange County central to many attractions, beaches, restaurants, and fun things to do!
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Costa Mesa
A wonderful city in sunny Orange County central to many attractions, beaches, restaurants, and fun things to do!
Essentials
The basic places you'll be able to go to get any of your essential items while in town!
Vons
3650 S Bristol StGrocery store for all your necessities!
Costco Wholesale
2700 Park AveA huge Costco with many essential items!
Long lines (depending on how many cars there are this trip may take anywhere from 10-30 minutes) but prices are much better so worth it!
Costco Gasoline
2700 Park AveLong lines (depending on how many cars there are this trip may take anywhere from 10-30 minutes) but prices are much better so worth it!
Stater Bros. Markets
2630 W Edinger AveAnother popular grocery store!
Albertsons
7201 Yorktown AveA common grocery store found in California.
Walmart Supercenter
16555 Von Karman AveHuge Walmart for all your grocery needs.
Target
3030 Harbor BlvdClassic grocery store to get all your essentials.
Feed Me!
MEXICAN: This is one of my all-time favorite restaurants. Delicious Mexican food! I recommend getting the carne asada burrito combo plate. The guacamole is also a must!
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Baja Fish Tacos
171 E 17th StMEXICAN: This is one of my all-time favorite restaurants. Delicious Mexican food! I recommend getting the carne asada burrito combo plate. The guacamole is also a must!
BRUNCH: One of the most popular brunch places around Costa Mesa!
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Eat Chow
1802 Newport BlvdBRUNCH: One of the most popular brunch places around Costa Mesa!
SANDWICHES: This is one of my all time favorite restaurants! Great entrees and sides in one of the cutest locations!
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Mendocino Farms
450 E 17th StSANDWICHES: This is one of my all time favorite restaurants! Great entrees and sides in one of the cutest locations!
BREAKFAST: My favorite bagel breakfast place! You can customize your breakfast bagel sandwich to your liking. I recommend trying the hot chocolate!
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Bruegger's Bagels
2743 Pacific Coast HwyBREAKFAST: My favorite bagel breakfast place! You can customize your breakfast bagel sandwich to your liking. I recommend trying the hot chocolate!
CUBAN: Everyone raves about this restaurant for brunch, lunch, and dinner!
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Habana Restaurant
2930 Bristol StCUBAN: Everyone raves about this restaurant for brunch, lunch, and dinner!
The Pizza Press
901 S Coast DrPIZZA: A unique pizza place where you can customize your pizza from start to finish!
FAST FOOD: A trip to OC would definitely not be complete without visiting the classic burger joint. You can look up the secret menu on google to get some special options that many don't know about!
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In-N-Out Burger
2895 Park AveFAST FOOD: A trip to OC would definitely not be complete without visiting the classic burger joint. You can look up the secret menu on google to get some special options that many don't know about!
ASAIN: Delicious!! But beware the wait is long! It is located in the South Coast Plaza mall so it's best to go to South Coast Plaza 2-3 hours before you plan to eat, put your name on the list, do some shopping, and then go the restaurant when they say your table is almost ready. Or you can wait in line for the bar (it's usually a shorter wait). My favorites here are the chicken fried rice, the spicy wonton soup, and the mochi chocolate xiao long bao (to die for!).
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Din Tai Fung
3333 PlazaASAIN: Delicious!! But beware the wait is long! It is located in the South Coast Plaza mall so it's best to go to South Coast Plaza 2-3 hours before you plan to eat, put your name on the list, do some shopping, and then go the restaurant when they say your table is almost ready. Or you can wait in line for the bar (it's usually a shorter wait). My favorites here are the chicken fried rice, the spicy wonton soup, and the mochi chocolate xiao long bao (to die for!).
ITALIAN: Great Italian food and service here! I recommend anything with their pink sauce!
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The Original Mama D's Italian Kitchen
3012 Newport BlvdITALIAN: Great Italian food and service here! I recommend anything with their pink sauce!
MIDDLE EASTERN: The restaurant is on the smaller side but the food is so full of flavor! I recommend getting the Sultani.
House of Kabob
92 Corporate ParkMIDDLE EASTERN: The restaurant is on the smaller side but the food is so full of flavor! I recommend getting the Sultani.
SEAFOOD: Messy because you have to peel all your seafood, but full of flavor. I love getting the shrimp and the cajun fries.
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The Boiling Crab
129 W Main StSEAFOOD: Messy because you have to peel all your seafood, but full of flavor. I love getting the shrimp and the cajun fries.
BRUNCH: Foodie option for brunch! Very different but so good!
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Old Vine Kitchen & Bar
2937 Bristol StBRUNCH: Foodie option for brunch! Very different but so good!
FAST FOOD: Finger lickin' good chicken tenders. Their sauce is SO good!
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Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
3150 Harbor BlvdFAST FOOD: Finger lickin' good chicken tenders. Their sauce is SO good!
Quick Treats + Desserts
My favorite places to get a quick refresher or satisfy my sweet tooth.
BOBA
A trip to OC wouldn't be complete without some boba tea! The hottest craze in refreshing drinks.
Ding Tea South Coast Metro
3941 S Bristol StBOBA
A trip to OC wouldn't be complete without some boba tea! The hottest craze in refreshing drinks.
So many flavors and toppings to meet your frozen yogurt craving.
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Yogurtland
1450 Baker StSo many flavors and toppings to meet your frozen yogurt craving.
A popular ice cream shop with unique flavors and donuts!
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Afters Ice Cream
18030 Brookhurst StA popular ice cream shop with unique flavors and donuts!
Cauldron Ice Cream
1421 W MacArthur BlvdUnique place to eat ice cream!
Starbucks
3333 Bear StClassic coffee shop!
Family Friendly Fun
Of course, this list wouldn't be complete without the happiest place on earth: Disneyland!
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Parco Disneyland
1313 Disneyland DrOf course, this list wouldn't be complete without the happiest place on earth: Disneyland!
ARTS
Performing arts center that always has amazing programs!
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Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center DrARTS
Performing arts center that always has amazing programs!
The Orange Circle is a great place to take a nice stroll and visit all the different boutiques, stores, and restaurants.
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Orange Circle
99 Plaza SquareThe Orange Circle is a great place to take a nice stroll and visit all the different boutiques, stores, and restaurants.
Laguna Beach
One of the most popular beaches!
A cute beach city where you can take the ferry across and rent beach items to partake in fun beach activities.
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Balboa Island Ferry
Agate AvenueA cute beach city where you can take the ferry across and rent beach items to partake in fun beach activities.
Where fun meets learning! A super fun museum where kids can enjoy learning science.
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Discovery Cube Orange County
2500 N Main StWhere fun meets learning! A super fun museum where kids can enjoy learning science.
Wakeham Park
3400 Smalley RdA huge park with tons of fun for families!
Edwards Cinemas Stadium
Movies on the big screen!
Another fun amusement park to spend the day at! During Halloween time it becomes Knott's Scary Farm (be prepared to get scared!)
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Knott’s Berry Farm
8039 Beach BlvdAnother fun amusement park to spend the day at! During Halloween time it becomes Knott's Scary Farm (be prepared to get scared!)
Night Life + Drinks
Some of the best drinks and nightlife in OC.
A brewery with a great variety of beers and food.
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Karl Strauss Brewing Company Costa Mesa
901 S Coast DrA brewery with a great variety of beers and food.
A brewery, with both inside and outside seating. Has many fun games and a variety of drinks and food.
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Golden Road Brewing Anaheim
2210 E Orangewood AveA brewery, with both inside and outside seating. Has many fun games and a variety of drinks and food.
The Wall
80 Plaza SquareA unique, serve yourself beer place in the Orange Circle.
Light eats and cocktails in a rustic-chic cottage setting with multiple bars, a patio, and ocean views.
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The Bungalow Huntington Beach
21058 CA-1Light eats and cocktails in a rustic-chic cottage setting with multiple bars, a patio, and ocean views.
Time Nightclub
1875 Newport BlvdA popular night club with many events and performers!
Shopping Malls
These are some of the most popular spots to shop, eat, and relax!
An awesome indoor mall that has everything from department stores to luxury stores to splurge!
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South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol StAn awesome indoor mall that has everything from department stores to luxury stores to splurge!
This is a great outdoor mall with some of the most popular stores!
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Metro Pointe at South Coast
901 S Coast DrThis is a great outdoor mall with some of the most popular stores!
This is such a different mall. Super hipster, good eats, and beautifully decorated!
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The Lab Anti-Mall
2930 Bristol StThis is such a different mall. Super hipster, good eats, and beautifully decorated!
A huge outdoor shopping mall with many shops, restaurants, and outdoor space to relax and spend time with family and friends.
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Newport Center/Fashion Island
401 Newport Center DrA huge outdoor shopping mall with many shops, restaurants, and outdoor space to relax and spend time with family and friends.
Another hugely popular outside mall with a ferris wheel, stores, and restaurants. A wonderful place to take a stroll and bring the kids to play at the different lounging and playgrounds throughout the mall.
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Centro Irvine Spectrum
Another hugely popular outside mall with a ferris wheel, stores, and restaurants. A wonderful place to take a stroll and bring the kids to play at the different lounging and playgrounds throughout the mall.