Spring is finally here, and we are not about to waste it! This season is all about rebirth and rediscovery, including rediscovering the best our local cities have to offer. Costa Mesa has always been known for its art culture, but it’s also a destination for Instagrammable foodie finds and is a melting pot for artisan makers. Whether you’re out with a spring fling or life-long bestie, find a new love for Costa Mesa’s best offerings—we’re talking themed spritzes, flower fields, bread mills and luxury living. Consider this your “things to do in Costa Mesa” checklist for the most memorable spring yet.
Live the Suite Life at Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Suite dreams are made of these: first-class hospitality, cocktails in luxe lounges and Sunday morning room service. Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa Hotel is a boutique hotel specializing in just that. Inspired by music icons and the surrounding art culture, the interior’s eclectic decor sets the mood for a weekend of upscale exploration with your spring fling. The entrance is marked by a three-tiered crystal chandelier and sits just minutes from many of Costa Mesa’s main attractions: the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Orange County Museum of Art and shopping mecca South Coast Plaza. What we’re trying to tell you is that Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa Hotel has the ideal location for the urban adventure of your dreams. Retreat from a day of play in lakeside suites with sumptuous amenities and details like hardwood flooring and granite bathrooms. Hot tip: To make your stay even better, book the hotel’s Suite Dreams offer and lock in rates starting at $199 a night with a complimentary room upgrade and complimentary parking!
Catch a Show at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Life is the occasion, so dress up and head over to Segerstrom Center for the Arts Orange County’s premier, State-of-the-art performing arts center! An elevated date night or mother-daughter day is just the right remedy to recover from the winter blues. Grand arches outside the performance hall nod to the stunning architecture within. Ascend the mirrored staircase and grab a glass of cabernet before the lights dim and the symphony crescendos. This spring, the pianist will be playing familiar scores, so don’t miss a tribute to the King of Pop! “MJ The Musical” rocks the stage March 19-31.
Drink and Dine at Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar
On par with the artistic allure of the Avenue of the Arts hotel, Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar blends theater’s classy culture with the area’s contemporary vibe. Live music jazzes up the lounge where art lovers meet and greet. Even the ever-changing cocktail menu draws inspiration from the next-door Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ lineup of shows for a musical theater twist that is sure to arch the plot. Mosey on over to the bar for a Pretty Woman Spritz pre- or post-show. P.S. Late-night happy hours make Silver Trumpet the ideal spot for a nightcap.
Cheers to Art Happy Hour at Orange County Museum of Art
Orange County Museum of Art recently introduced happy hours on First Fridays, where guided walking tours of new exhibits are elevated by something to sip on. Strolling through the towering galleries with a crisp glass of sauvignon blanc just feels so much more sophisticated! Their upstairs cocktail bar even offers themed elixirs inspired by current art on display. Play like your “Emily in Paris”—it will be your new favorite way to start the month.
Spruce up Your Home with Sweet Deals at Goodies Costa Mesa
If a house revamp is on the agenda for spring, add a trip to Goodies to the to-do list. This curated home goods store in Costa Mesa with LA origins is designed to inspire minimal and modern spaces. Their sunshine-filled studio off 17th Street looks more like a scene out of Architectural Digest than a storefront. Find the perfect ceramic serveware to host a spring brunch and woven rattan baskets for indoor plants that are budding back to life. Oh, and wait for it—everything, yes everything, is $25 or less!
Explore Mercado González + Try El Moro Churrería’s Famous Churro
Taste your way through Mexico City on Harbor Boulevard at Mercado González. Amongst the array of taco vendors is Mexico City’s most famous churro: El Moro Churrería. If the line does not lead you there, the scent of fresh fried dough definitely will. Ringmasters loop hula-hoop-sized churros in the fryer, and the twists are coated in cinnamon sugar crystals before being served with your choice of dipping sauce (which should always be chocolate!). RIP to the Costco churro—they don’t even rank in comparison.
Sit With Us at ‘Mean Girls: A Fetch Drag Affair’ at STRUT Bar & Club
Fetch is finally happening, and you can sit with us, but only at this fetch drag affair. Inspired by the “Mean Girls” empire, STRUT Bar & Club has rehearsed something that may just beat the Plastics’ rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock.” Slip on your pink sweater and highest heels for a night of glitter and gossip. This interactive cocktail show features fabulous fashion and all things fetch! Tickets are on sale now for select Fridays and Saturdays in March. See you there, loser.
Indulge in the Creme Brulee Cookie at Dough & Arrow
For everyone who claims their sweet tooth cannot be satisfied, let us introduce you to Dough & Arrow. This cookie laboratory reimagines traditional baked goods. From innovative flavors like Korean Corn Dog and Grown Up Chocolate Chip to a line of edible cookie doughs, Dough & Arrow never fails to pleasantly surprise their loyal fan base. Their creme brulee cookie was rated best cookie by several publications, and it lives up to the hype. Sink your teeth into a crispy brown sugar exterior and creme-filled center.
Shop Local at SoCo Farmers Market
SoCo and the OC Mix is Costa Mesa’s one-stop shop for home styling, artisan goods and a selection of tasty curated bites. From must-have decor to hot, new restaurants, the OC Mix is a tempting errand any day of the week. On Saturdays, shop in the sunshine and pick up local honey, freshly baked bread and Brothers Mix Dip. SoCo’s market is one of the best things to do in Costa Mesa if you love fresh food and a little retail therapy.
Pick Sunflowers at Hana Field by Tanaka Farms
One of the best parts of spring is budding flowers everywhere you look. Fill your home with fresh florals that go from field to coffee table. A sea of golden sunflowers stretches for acres and acres at Hana Field in Costa Mesa. This tucked-away flower field transports you away from the hustle and bustle to a playful meadow—one of the only places where you can pick your own stems. Come late spring, bring your own strong cutting utensils and play florist for the day.
Take a Wheel-Throwing Class at Costa Mesa Ceramics
Costa Mesa Ceramics is exactly what you think it might be: an aesthetic studio that serves as a hub for creativity in the community. Potted plants line the shelves and rattan pendant lights illuminate the thrower’s wheel. Take a single class or sign up for a course to hone in on your skills and up your clay collection. In a 90-minute session, you’ll learn the fundamentals of pottery and even get your hands dirty. Classes sit up to eight aspiring potters, so bring a friend or two!
Adopt New Habits at Earth Day Festival
Save the date for Saturday, April 20th! Costa Mesa locals will gather to celebrate Earth Day with an eco-friendly festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the city hall lawn. This family-friendly festival celebrates the planet through education and art and is one of our favorite things to do in Costa Mesa in the springtime. Start the day with a restorative yoga flow on the lawn and replenish with locally sourced, sustainable foods. Compost demos and tree plantings allow you to take hands-on action, and there will be compost games and raffles for kids!
Morning Decadence at Eller Bakery
Brunch is something we never get tired of talking about. Introducing Costa Mesa’s hottest new cafe: Eller Bakery. A grain mill, coffee roaster and artisan bakery all in one, Eller Bakery is like an answered prayer. They take it down to basics for a wholesome and transparent menu inspired by European traditions. Light-washed wood counters and limestone flooring create a calming space for sipping cappuccinos and sharing buttery croissants. It’s classic yet modern, and it’s where we want to start every morning.
Originally published in Locale Magazine
Text by Emily Miller
