Orange County Arts and Commerce Hub
Welcome to Costa Mesa, an Orange County city anchored by South Coast Plaza, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and John Wayne Airport.
Costa Mesa is a city in Orange County, California, with a 2020 population of about 111,900. It sits within the South Coast Plaza–John Wayne Airport edge city, one of the region's largest commercial clusters, giving it an economic and cultural profile far larger than a typical mid-sized suburb. Its name means "mesa coast" in Spanish, reflecting its position on the coastal mesa above Newport Beach. The city incorporated in 1953, when it was a semi-rural farming community of about 16,800 people. Over the following decades, it urbanized rapidly around retail, commerce, and light manufacturing, anchored by the growth of South Coast Plaza and the airport. That transformation turned Costa Mesa into a retail and employment destination for the entire region. Costa Mesa is perhaps best known today for its arts and shopping. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts is home to resident companies including the Pacific Symphony, Pacific Chorale, and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, and its campus features public sculpture by major artists. South Coast Plaza remains one of the region's premier retail destinations, and its public art tour extends the city's cultural identity outdoors. The city's neighborhoods span a wide urban-suburban spectrum. Eastside, centered on 17th Street, is a walkable dining and shopping district with a mix of older cottages and newer homes. Westside, once industrial, has become an eclectic creative district. Mesa Verde is a midcentury single-family neighborhood prized for its schools and parks, and South Coast Metro is the dense commercial core. Students attend the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, and recreation ranges from Fairview Park and the Upper Newport Bay trails to nearby beaches. Costa Mesa suits households seeking an urban-suburban mix with strong arts, retail, and employment access — from renters drawn to the Westside and South Coast Metro to families seeking the schools and midcentury homes of Mesa Verde.
Costa Mesa is a city in Orange County, California, south of Los Angeles. It sits within the South Coast Plaza–John Wayne Airport commercial area, one of the region's largest employment and retail clusters.
Costa Mesa is served by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, which mainly serves Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. The district operates 32 schools and enrolls about 17,800 students, including Costa Mesa and Estancia high schools.
Costa Mesa is known for South Coast Plaza, one of the region's premier shopping destinations, and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, home to the Pacific Symphony, Pacific Chorale, and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County.
Key neighborhoods include Eastside, centered on 17th Street; Westside, a formerly industrial area turned creative district; Mesa Verde, known for midcentury homes; and South Coast Metro, the dense commercial core around South Coast Plaza.
Costa Mesa incorporated as a city in 1953. At the time it was a semi-rural farming community of about 16,800 people, and it has since grown into the urban arts and commercial center it is today.
City Guide
Costa Mesa's housing stock is notably varied for an Orange County city. Mesa Verde features midcentury single-family homes near parks and shopping, while Eastside blends older cottages on generous lots with newer construction around the 17th Street corridor. Westside, which grew from industrial roots, has evolved into an eclectic mix of creative businesses, lofts, and cafés. South Coast Metro offers a denser, more urban character with condominiums and apartments near the region's commercial core. The city's urban-suburban mix is reflected in its tenancy, with many residents renting. Styles span midcentury ranches, cottages, townhomes, and newer multi-family development.
Costa Mesa's neighborhoods each carry distinct character. Eastside Costa Mesa centers on 17th Street, a dining and shopping corridor, and mixes older cottages on larger lots with newer homes. Westside, historically industrial, has transformed into a laid-back, eclectic district of lofts, creative businesses, and cafés near Fairview Park and Huntington Beach. Mesa Verde is a midcentury single-family neighborhood prized for its parks, beach access, and highly rated schools. South Coast Metro, around South Coast Plaza and the Segerstrom Center, is the dense commercial and arts core, with more condominium and apartment living. Together they span the full urban-to-suburban spectrum.
Costa Mesa offers an urban-suburban mix with a strong arts and retail identity. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts anchors a cultural scene that includes the Pacific Symphony, Pacific Chorale, and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, while South Coast Plaza draws shoppers from across the region. Eastside's 17th Street and Westside's creative districts supply the everyday dining and nightlife, and nearby Newport and Huntington beaches add a coastal dimension. The city balances a substantial renter population with long-standing single-family neighborhoods, and its residents enjoy a lifestyle that is equal parts suburban comfort and urban convenience.
Costa Mesa is served by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, which mainly serves Costa Mesa and neighboring Newport Beach. The district operates 32 schools and enrolls about 17,800 students, including Costa Mesa High School and Estancia High School within the city. Mesa Verde's schools are frequently cited among the district's strengths, and families should confirm attendance boundaries by address, as the district crosses city lines. The district's scale brings broad academic, arts, and athletic programming, and its schools are a central consideration for households choosing Costa Mesa.
Costa Mesa sits within the South Coast Plaza–John Wayne Airport edge city, one of the region's largest commercial clusters, and its transportation network reflects that role. The Costa Mesa Freeway (State Route 55) runs along the city's eastern neighborhoods, with regional freeways and arterials linking the city to the rest of Orange County. John Wayne Airport sits adjacent to the city, providing convenient air access for residents and businesses. Commuting is predominantly car-based, with the city's freeway position offering relatively central reach across Orange County and toward the Los Angeles basin.
Recreation in Costa Mesa ranges from coastal trails to world-class arts. Fairview Park offers open space, trails, and habitat in the city's northwest, while the Upper Newport Bay trails provide walking and wildlife viewing nearby. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts, with its resident companies and sculpture installations, anchors the cultural calendar, and South Coast Plaza's public art tour adds an outdoor dimension. Beaches in neighboring Newport Beach and Huntington Beach are a short drive away. Together the parks, bay trails, and arts venues give Costa Mesa a recreation profile that spans active outdoors and the performing arts.
MARKET SNAPSHOT
How homes have been selling here over the last 90 days.
Market data reflects closed sales over the last 90 days and is provided for informational purposes.
BROWSE BY ZIP
Browse listings by postal code in this area.