Costa Mesa, California

Costa Mesa, California

Costa Mesa is a lively city in Orange County, California. Its name means “Coast Mesa” in Spanish, where “mesa” describes a flat-topped hill.

The city became official in 1953, starting as a small farming place with about 16,840 people. Since then, Costa Mesa has grown into a busy urban area. It is part of the South Coast Plaza–John Wayne Airport edge city, one of the biggest commercial spots in the region. Today, the city has over 111,000 people.

Fun Facts

• Costa Mesa enjoys mild weather all year, with most rain falling in the winter.
• The city is just a short drive from the Pacific Ocean, making it a great place for beach visits.
• Famous shopping spot South Coast Plaza is located here, featuring over 270 stores for visitors to explore.

Learning and Living

Costa Mesa has many places for learning, including Orange Coast College and Vanguard University. The city also boasts beautiful parks, a golf course, and libraries for everyone to enjoy.

The city has bus services run by the Orange County Transportation Authority, but many people prefer driving. Important roads like State Route 55 and the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405) pass through or start in Costa Mesa, making it easy to travel around.