'''Costa Mesa''' [http://www.travelcostamesa.com] is a city in Orange County, a region of Southern California.
Understand
Throughout the 1800s, this area consisted mostly of a few farms and some apple orchards. Costa Mesa was officially incorporated in 1920; its name meaning "coast tableland" in Spanish. During World War II, Costa Mesa was the site of the Santa Ana Army Air Base, a military installation that existed from 1942 to 1946. Today, Costa Mesa is home to the annual [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_County_Fair_(California)/ Orange County Fair].
Get in
Traveling to Costa Mesa is not difficult but usually requires a personal (or rented) vehicle.
Driving: Home to one Interstate freeway: the 405; as well as two California highways: the 55 and 73; driving into the city is not hard.
Flying: One can also fly in as '''John Wayne Airport''' (SNA) is just on the other side of the Costa Mesa/Santa Ana border.
Get around
OCTA operates a myriad of buses in the city. The most important ones are those that serve South Coast Plaza. Routes 51, 55, 57, 76, 86, 145, 172, 173, 211, 216 and 464 all serve the mall, which basically means that SCP is accessible almost anywhere in the county.
See
Do
Costa Mesa, Orange County, offers quality shopping (notably South Coast Plaza), nine luxurious hotels, and fine dining.
Buy
'''South Coast Plaza'''. An enormous shopping mall that is so large that it has its own zip code. Shops include the high-end boutiques that are also found on Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive as well as chain stores such as Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch. It is accessible from the 405 and 5 freeways.
Eat
The TerraNova Dining Room at the Wyndham Orange County provides casual, upscale dining while overlooking a picturesque lake and outdoor clubhouse seating for those who prefer the fresh air. Breakfast lovers can begin their day with the new "Fields and Sun Breakfast" buffet offering the freshest fruits and produce, muffins and croissants baked daily, cooked to order omelets and much more. The lunchtime all-you-can-eat "Pasta Bar" at our Costa Mesa California hotel offers five different types of pasta accompanied by over 25 fresh ingredients and sauces. With all cuisines represented, the brasserie-style lunch and dinner menu consists of old and new favorites including signature char-grilled meats, fresh seafood and seasonal specialties. The menu is complemented by a superb wine list with over 20 California and regional selections -making them a leader in hotel dining in Costa Mesa.
Doria's Haus of Pizza. This family-run hole-in-the-wall is a great place for inexpensive Italian food. Their pizza's are huge and cheesy, a knife-and-fork kinda pie. Their antipasto salad is very tasty, and the house dressing is full of fresh garlic for some great sopping! Hands-down best pizza in Costa Mesa (some claim best in Orange County..others claim best in Southern California). The manicotti is 'old school'--very cheesy.
Located in the Paul Mitchell School shopping center at 1500 Adams Ave., just west of Harbor Blvd, across the street from Von's. (714)751-8777. As a bonus, people-watch the mandatorily black-clad PMS students going to-and-from class, and pop into the retro second-hand clothing joint nextdoor.
Taco Mesa. A wonderfully inexpensive gourmet Mexican place. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, their food is made fresh on the premises. Try to hit between peak hours as this place is very popular. 647 W. 19th St. (949)-642-0629
Drink
Shark Club.
'''Tin Lizze Saloon'''. One of Orange Counties few remaining bars for gays , lesbians, and straights alike. Located between the 405 and 5 freeways it is easily accessible and is the perfect drink stop after a day of shopping or working at South Coast Plaza. 752 Saint Clair Costa Mesa, CA 92626. [http://www.tinlizziesaloon.com/default.asp]
Goat Hill Tavern. 830 Newport Blvd. 1-949-548-8428. Very fun, gritty bar complete with a peanut shell-covered floor. They have over 100 different beers on tap.
Sleep
'''Wyndham Orange County''', 3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, California 92626. Phone: 714-751-5100. Located between Los Angeles and San Diego, this hotel is close to several Orange County attractions like Disneyland, South Coast Plaza, Orange County Performing Arts Center and the beaches (Laguna, Huntington, Newport). [http://www.wyndhamorangecounty.com]
'''Best Western Newport Mesa Inn''', 2642 Newport Boulevard, ''+1 949'' 650-3020, Toll-free: ''+1 800'' 554-2378, Fax: ''+1 949'' 642-1220, [http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=05417].
'''Costa Mesa Marriott''', 500 Anton Boulevard, ''+1 714'' 957-1100, Fax: ''+1 714'' 966-8495, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/SNAST].
Days Inn Newport Beach/Costa Mesa. 100 Newport Blvd.. 49-642-2670. ttp://www.daysinncalifornia.com/html/days-inn-costamesa.asp.
'''Holiday Inn''', 3131 South Bristol Street, ''+1 714'' 557-3000, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/laxcm].
'''Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites''', 2070 Newport Blvd, ''+1 949'' 631-6000. Near the airport. [http://www.hiecostamesa.com].
'''Motel 6''', 1441 Gisler Avenue, ''+1 714'' 957-3063, Fax: ''+1 714'' 979-8257, [http://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=1347].
'''Residence Inn Costa Mesa Newport Beach''', 881 West Baker Street, ''+1 714'' 241-8800, Fax: ''+1 714'' 546-4308, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/CSMNB].
Hotties Pizza. 40 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92627. 49.650.6205. ww.hotties.com. Hottie's Pizza is locally owned and operated.
Originally located on Old Newport Road, in Newport Beach,
we were know as the _ghautest pizza in Newport_h and have now opened in Costa Mesa to serve Newport and East and Westside Costa Mesa.
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