Costa Mesa is a city in Orange County, California, with a population of over 111,000. Located in the heart of Orange County, just minutes from John Wayne Airport and the Pacific coast, it is a city that has transformed from a semi-rural farming community into a major commercial and cultural hub. Its motto — “City of the Arts” — reflects a deep commitment to the performing arts, visual arts, and cultural institutions that have made Costa Mesa a destination for art lovers across Southern California.
South Coast Plaza and Retail
Costa Mesa is home to South Coast Plaza, one of the largest and most prestigious shopping centers in the United States. With over 250 stores, including luxury brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Cartier, South Coast Plaza is a major retail destination that draws shoppers from across the region and around the world. The mall’s South Coast Plaza–John Wayne Airport area has developed into one of the largest commercial clusters in Southern California, with offices, hotels, and restaurants surrounding the retail core.
City of the Arts
Costa Mesa’s commitment to the arts is embodied in the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, a world-class performing arts complex that is home to the Pacific Symphony, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, and the Pacific Chorale. The center’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, with its stunning architecture and acoustics, hosts performances by leading orchestras, soloists, and dance companies from around the world.
The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA), located in Costa Mesa, features a collection of modern and contemporary art and hosts rotating exhibitions by internationally recognized artists. The museum’s striking building and sculpture garden have made it a cultural landmark. The city also hosts the annual Costa Mesa Art Walk and numerous gallery openings throughout the year.
History and Heritage
The area that is now Costa Mesa was originally inhabited by the Tongva and Acjachemen peoples for thousands of years. Spanish explorers arrived in the 1760s, and Mission San Juan Capistrano was established in 1776 as the first permanent European settlement in the area. The land was part of Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, a vast Mexican land grant. After the Mexican-American War, American settlers arrived and formed the town of Fairview in the 1880s. The city was incorporated on June 29, 1953, and grew rapidly as a suburban community in post-war Orange County.
The Diego Sepúlveda Adobe, built in 1823, is one of the oldest surviving structures in Orange County and is a California Historic Landmark. The adobe offers a glimpse into the region’s early Mexican-era history and is open to the public as a museum.
Climate and Geography
Costa Mesa sits at just 98 feet above sea level on the coastal plain of Orange County. The climate is Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The city covers 15.8 square miles and enjoys over 280 days of sunshine per year. Its location — between the Santa Ana Mountains and the Pacific Ocean — provides easy access to both mountain hiking and beach recreation.
From a farming community of 16,840 in 1953 to a thriving city of over 111,000, Costa Mesa’s transformation reflects the growth of Orange County itself — a place where commerce, culture, and community come together in the heart of Southern California.
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