Wine Dinners, Speakeasies and Sunset-Worthy Walks Included
Thereās a certain kind of magic in a weekend escape that doesnāt require a plane ticket or passport. And Costa Mesa, Orange Countyās cultural capital, delivers that magic in spadesāoffering just the right blend of luxury, artistry and low-key charm. Whether you’re wooing a new flame or rekindling the spark with your longtime love, this vibrant city is brimming with opportunities to do romance a little differently. From speakeasy cocktails and candlelit dinners to immersive art classes and Broadway-caliber performances, this is your definitive guide to a romantic date weekend in Costa Mesa.
Stay at Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Checking into Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa is like stepping into your rom-com eraācue the flirty elevator glances. As the cityās only AAA Four-Diamond hotel, this boutique stay sets the bar high for romance. Inspired by Costa Mesaās creative spirit, the property blends music, modern art and upscale design with just the right amount of drama. Weāre talking a three-tiered crystal chandelier in the lobby, curated local art on the walls and luxe lakefront suites outfitted with granite bathrooms, hardwood floors and plush bedding that practically begs for a lazy morning in.
Location-wise, it doesnāt get better. The hotel sits right across the street from Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the Orange County Museum of Art and is only a few blocks from shopping mecca South Coast Plazaāso your entire weekend is walkable (heels and all). As for the romance? Their Romantic Escapes Package is the kind of experience that turns a simple getaway into a full-on love fest. Think chilled champagne and rose petals waiting in your room, daily breakfast for two, complimentary overnight parking and a $100 food and beverage credit to splurge on dinner at Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar or cocktails by the lake. Itās effortlessly elegant, perfectly located and totally āletās do this again next monthā material.
Mark Your Calendar for Symphony of Flavors: A Wine & Dine Experience
This is not your average dinner date. Hosted at Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa on June 5, this all-inclusive culinary experience is where five-star flavors meet first-class romance. With dishes like Wagyu Beef Wellington and Lamb Noisette paired with rare Justin wines (yes, including the iconic ISOSCELES Reserve), itās the kind of evening that makes you fall in loveāwith the food and each other. Add in live entertainment and expert guidance from Master Sommelier Joe Spellman, and youāve got yourself a date night that deserves its own soundtrack.
See a Show at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Consider this your standing ovation moment. A night out at Segerstrom Center for the Arts isnāt just about seeing a showāitās about dressing up, holding hands in velvet seats and experiencing a spectacular production. Whether youāre getting swept away in Life of Pi (June 3-15), belting along to ABBA tributes (July 19) or witnessing the Miami City Ballet’s āSwan Lakeā performance (June 20-22), Segerstromās star-studded lineup guarantees goosebumps. Fun fact: Costa Mesa is the West Coast stop for national Broadway tours, so yes, youāve officially made it.
Get Creative Together at Inspired Art Wine
Eager to get a little artsy? Inspired Art Wine is a cozy creative studio in Costa Mesa where painting meets pinot in the best way possible. With step-by-step classes, wine tastings and a vibe that encourages dancing while you paint, itās the perfect way to loosen up and connect. For extra credit, sign up for the wine blending session, where youāll mix your own custom bottle and design a label together. Nothing says romance like crafting your own love blend and cheers-ing to it afterward.
Dinner Date at Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar
If dinner is the main event of your weekend itinerary, Silver Trumpet is the showstopper. Located inside Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, this AAA Three-Diamond gem offers the kind of elevated California cuisine that makes you linger long after dessert. With its shimmering lakefront setting, moody lounge lighting and live jazz serenading the dining room, this Costa Mesa restaurant radiates effortless romance. Itās where the food is sophisticated, the playlist is smooth and the vibe is just upscale enough to feel like a special occasion.
Silver Trumpet leans into its artsy surroundings with a theater-inspired flair that extends to the menu. The bar and lounge area is ideal for pre-dinner cocktails and small bitesāespecially during Social Hour. Take a date from 2 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, or until 11 p.m. on Sundays. Sip on The Stars, their rotating cocktail of the month inspired by the stage, Meanwhile share Opening Acts like crispy potatoes with roasted garlic aioli, sweet-and-spicy baked sesame meatballs or seafood fritto with chipotle aioli. And If you’re heading to a show, take advantage of the $59 pre-show prix fixe menu.Ā This features a well-curated lineup of fan favorites that wonāt leave you running lateāor hungry.
Wander Through Noguchi Garden
Take a breath and wander into Noguchi Garden. Itās calm, quiet, and just off the buzz of Costa Mesaās creative corridor. Designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi, this serene slice of SoCal features six installations that channel Californiaās terrain. Think desert dunes, riverbeds, and palm-lined pathsāall in one dreamy stroll. Itās totally free, rarely crowded, and perfect for golden hour chats, impromptu selfies, or pretending you’re in a surprise engagement shoot. One minute, you’re discussing art. The next? You’re planning your wedding hashtags.
Explore Exhibits at the Orange County Museum of Art
Art is always more fun when it sparks conversationāand the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) never misses. With rotating exhibitions like āUnearthed,ā āAmy Adler: Nice Girlā and this yearās āCalifornia Biennial: Desperate, Scared, But Social,ā OCMA blends culture with commentary, offering a perfect daytime date. Youāll wander through dreamy galleries, compare takes on modern femininity and maybe even find a new favorite artist together. The best part? Admission is always free, which means a bigger budget for cocktails after.
Grab a Nightcap at a Costa Mesa Speakeasy
End the evening with a nightcap and a little mystery. Pie Society Bar hides behind Pitfire Pizza and serves up crafty drinks in what looks like an old maintenance closet turned moody bar. Meanwhile, P10NEER brings sexy, pop-up energy with curtain-drawn booths and a whisky menu worth writing home about. And if you feel like saddling up, Cowboys & Poodles is what happens when the Wild West meets Studio 54. Its complete with disco balls, horsetail stools and cocktails named things like āA Whole Mood.ā And Ruin Bar? Itās quirky, itās cat-themed and itās hidden behind white shuttered doors at The LABāCosta Mesaās hip āanti-mall.ā Whichever vibe you choose, youāll leave feeling buzzedāon love and a little liquor.
