A young professional’s or young couple’s haven, Costa Mesa is quickly becoming one of the most popular real estate opportunities in Orange County. Given the proximity to beaches, sprawling coastline and world-class dining and shopping, it’s easy to see why people absolutely fall in love with this town.
Though it started as an agricultural community in the 1880s, the area’s name was changed to Costa Mesa in 1920 to mean “coast table” in Spanish due to the city’s geography as a plateau by the coast.
Costa Mesa enjoys all the amenities of Newport Beach while remaining a prosperous and independent community of its own. The schools are top-notch, the real estate offerings are prime and the residents are driven and successful.
In many up-and-coming neighborhoods, real estate is driven by young professionals and young couples, and Costa Mesa is no different. People here are successful, drawn to the coastline amenities, and love the proximity to downtown Newport Beach.
“Work hard, play hard” is a common sentiment among Costa Mesa citizens, and many take advantage of the thriving nightlife scene on the weekends. There are some fantastic bars and restaurants, and homeowners can often be found upon their rooftop decks with friends enjoying the SoCal climate.
Many Costa Mesa residents enjoy an active lifestyle and utilize the multiple recreational activities available at the beach or on the trail.
Playa Mesa is a popular spot for Mexican cuisine and has a gorgeously designed interior. Habana Restaurant is the go-to spot for Cuban dishes and a lively bar scene. For unbelievable Sicilian wood-fired pizza, try Trenta.
Costa Mesa also has some great cocktail spots to grab a curated cocktail with traditional gastropub fare. Check out SOCIAL Restaurant for a chic date night spot! Mesa is a trendy cocktail lounge with an indoor courtyard that serves up small plates and some of the most delicious drink concoctions in the area. Kids go crazy for Sidecar Donuts, the infamous donut spot with specialty and seasonal flavors.
South Coast Plaza is the local retail hub that mixes high-end shopping with trendy eateries. And of course, many Costa Mesa residents hit up the infamous Fashion Island in Newport to shop at brand-name retailers and upscale boutiques.
Costa Mesa residents often head down to the gorgeous beaches in the area for surf, sand, and sunbathing, but the area also has some fantastic parks for recreational activities.
Fairview Park provides unique scenery for horseback riding, hiking, walking, running, and biking. Model glider airplane flying also takes place in the center of the park. TeWinkle Park is a 49-acre park and lake that offers play areas, ball fields, tennis courts, and picnic areas. Another great activity for kids is the Orange County Fair & Event Center, which hosts 150 events that attract 4.3 million visitors annually. It’s home to the OC Fair, Centennial Farm, Costa Mesa Speedway, and Pacific Amphitheatre.
Orange County's only Tony Award-winning theatre, South Coast Repertory, mounts everything from classic plays to modern musicals and even new works on the cutting edge. Similarly, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts is a huge 3,000-seat opera house-style hall with stages for theater, dance, art exhibits, and concerts.
Many young professionals here join Elite OC, a community-driven networking society.
Costa Mesa runs on the Newport-Mesa Unified School District and includes the communities of Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Corona del Mar. There’s a well-rounded mix of great public and private schools in the area, and families absolutely love the wealth of fantastic education available to their children. We recommend doing research on each school to see where your child will thrive.
Buying or selling a home? Contact Blair to assist you with real estate services.