Whether You’re a Foodie or Thrill-Seeker, Costa Mesa Offers All Kinds of Unique Experiences
We’ve watched Costa Mesa have the ultimate glow up over the past decade and she’s now the hot girl in town boasting some of Orange County’s most popular pitstops. Costa Mesa has it all: restaurants, scenic trails, retail and more! There really is something for everyone—especially the girls! You want culture? We’ve got you covered. Love the great outdoors? Grab your sneakers and get ready for some sunshine. Need a caffeine fix? We’ve got all the coffee shop recs. No matter what kind of girlie you are, there’s always something to experience in Costa Mesa!
For the Foodie Girls
Shop at The Mixing Glass and Market and Indulge at Mercado González’s Maizano
We love ourselves a foodie friend. She’s the girl who has the Yelp app on her homescreen and is always scrolling TikTok for the newest hotspot. If you’re someone who always sets your sights on something to sip or savor, try perusing the shelves at the Mixing Glass and Market. Owner Gabrielle Dion has meticulously curated a selection of local, artisan goods so you can buy the best small business provisions Orange County has to offer for your bar cart and pantry. We are talking Graza olive oil, Fishwife tinned fish, Jacobsen Salt Co. salts, imported meats and cheeses, and, of course, a wide range of spirits to suit any preference. Once you’ve secured the goods, head on over to Maizano at Mercado González located just off of Harbor Boulevard. This place is a tastemaker’s dream offering elevated Mexican cuisine, so don’t expect just street tacos and chips and guac. Be sure to share the Chicharron del Parque featuring bluefin tuna and marisquera sauce and sip on some of their authentic cócteles like the Impala Margarita or the Nevado de Toluca.
For the Feminine Girls
Make Custom Jewelry at Balboa Gold’s Charmed Bar and Grab a Coffee at Coffee Dose
Feeling more femme? Stop by Coffee Dose’s flagship location in Costa Mesa or their drive-thru, Micro Dose, just down the road. The all-pink-everything vibes will have your inner Barbie squealing with joy and the drinks are just as fun. If you’re more of a matcha mama, see if you can score one of their limited-time Ice Ice Baby drinks made with a colostrum supplement, raw almond milk and sweetened with a hint of manuka honey. Craving a little more caffeine? Turn to their OG Rx lattes that pair espresso with supplements and superfoods like turmeric, MCT oil and collagen. Once you’re all gassed up and ready to go, make your way to Balboa Gold’s Charmed Bar to make some custom creations. This outing requires a reservation and a $15 deposit so be sure to do this ahead of time. You’ll be able to select the chain that suits you best, personalize your charms and walk out with some new hardware. You can even opt for a permanent bracelet that is hand-welded onto you for a clasp-less custom fit. From the coffee bar to the charm bar, this day in Costa Mesa is for the girls.
For the Nature Girls
Take a Hot Girl Walk at Talbert Regional Park and Try Vegan Comfort Food at The Plot
Listen, we could all use a good grounding now and again. And did you know you can get in touch with nature smack dab in the middle of Costa Mesa? Yeah, there’s plenty of untouched real estate to explore, extending from the back bay to the Santa Ana River Trail. And with this year’s super bloom predicted to be, well, epic, it’s a great time to explore our coastal ecosystems. We recommend a zen stroll at Talbert Regional Park, a preserve located just behind the Fermentation Farm center that is close enough to the ocean to smell that heavenly salt air but far enough where it won’t ruin your blowout. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, venture over to The Plot at The CAMP, a newly opened plant-based restaurant that has vegan-ized all the fan favorites. There are cheesy truffle fries, biscuits and gravy and shepherd’s pie, plus, you have every excuse to order the Plot Cake for dessert. You earned it.
For the Thrill-Seeking Girls
Axe Some Monsters at Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales and Dance All Night at The Wayfarer
If you’re a girl who likes life with a little spice, check out these adrenaline-pumping adventures that are sure to get your heart rate up. First, take your talents to Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales to get some aggression out. For $40 an hour (per person) or $65 for two hours (per person), you can enjoy this horror-themed experiential bar that has specialty cocktails to match the spooky aesthetic. There are the typical targets, sure (think tree trunk bullseyes), but they also have a variety of interactive projected targets to keep things exciting. Once you’re all axed out, it’s time to sing your heart out at The Wayfarer during karaoke or Y2K night. The Wayfarer is an Orange County institution featuring fun local bands, DJs and other live entertainment—as well as trivia nights on Tuesdays. This is a great dark bar to get your drink on and relive your glory days. Advil sold separately.
For the Artsy Girls
Share Tapas at Vaca and Get Lost in the Galleries at the Orange County Museum of Art
Craving a little bit of culture in Costa Mesa? Explore the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA), which is located just across from Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Get a bite before at culinary hotspot, Vaca, and then waste away an afternoon strolling through the galleries at the OCMA with over 4,500 unique items and pieces to see. They also have an on-site cocktail bar where they host an Art Happy Hour on the first Friday of every month (starting at 5 p.m.). Want a double feature? Book a reservation at Din Tai Fung for dinner and hit up the Martin Lawrence Galleries which feature original paintings and limited edition prints by some of the most famous artists in the world like Warhol and Picasso. Located right across the street from shopping mecca South Coast Plaza, this means that the artsy girls can join forces with retail girls to reconvene and debrief over some dumplings.
For the Cowgirls
Go Vintage Boot Shopping at Landers Supply House and Sip Libations at Cowboys and Poodles
Giddy up, girls! For the western-loving women, hitch a ride down to Landers Supply House to grab some vintage country duds. They have a boatload of boots made for walkin’ and some serious diamonds in the rough when it comes to pre-loved clothes looking for a second life. You can also new-boot-scoot down to their restaurant, Landers Liquor Bar, a few doors over for some pretzel bites, fried pickles and punch. Once you’re all saddled up with a sassy new wardrobe, get to steppin’ over to Cowboys and Poodles, Costa Mesa’s hottest southern-style speakeasy. This western-themed bar is serving up Millennial moonshine in the form of crafted creations like their Oaxacacillin mezcal drink. You can also stop by for ‘Tini Tuesdays for $10 specialty martinis. It’s A Whole Mood (which is also a drink you can order there that serves two for basically the price of one).
For All the Girls
Shop ‘Til You Drop at South Coast Plaza and Dance the Night Away at Tin Lizzie Saloon
We did say there was something for everyone and we know all girls can get on board with some classic retail therapy. There are a few shopping spots to choose from between outdoor anti-malls The CAMP and The LAB, the classic shopper’s paradise South Coast Plaza, and The OC Mix, a trendy spot that is home to several interior design showrooms. The original ARC Food and Libations lives there and Portola Coffee is also nestled inside The OC Mix. Once you’ve exhausted yourself and your credit card, catch a second wind dancing at Tin Lizzie Saloon located behind The CAMP off Randolph Street where all your favorite breweries are. This hidden gem touts itself as a Victorian-style gay and lesbian bar that draws in all walks of life with their themed nights, happy hours, and classic bar-style pool tables. Plus, it’s a hop, skip and a two-step down from Cowboys and Poodles if you want to meet up with your country gals.
