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Costa Mesa Attractions:
Costa Mesa Historical Society Museum
1870 Anaheim Ave
Costa Mesa, CA
(714) 631-5918
Hours: Thursday 10 am to 3pm (by appointment only)
Admission: Donation
This former bank building has been converted into the local repository of Costa Mesa history, including collections of memorabilia and photographs dating in particular from the Santa Ana Army Air Base during World War II. The local historical society has thousands of documents and artifacts on hand, a one room showroom for a repository of historical documents, genealogy and photographs about life in Costa Mesa from the turn of the century.
Diego Sepulveda Adobe
1900 Adams Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA
(714) 754-5302
Hours: Saturday 1 to 5pm
Directions: Take the Harbor Blvd exit south from the San Diego Freeway (I-405), and turn right and proceed to Estancia Park. Look for the "State Historic Landmark" sign. Built in the early 1800's, this adobe building was used by the cowboys as a way station. They later herded cattle for Mission San Juan Capistrano and later for Ranchero Diego Sepulveda. The Adobe is now a functioning museum with items depicting the early life of Orange County.
Orange County Performing Arts Center
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA
(714) 556-ARTS
This theater offers the Opera Pacific and Orange County Philharmonic Society performances, as well as guest orchestras, classical soloists and touring dance companies. Pop and jazz performances are also booked here. There are great acoustics, but the third balcony will give you vertigo. If you can't afford your orchestra seats, bring your opera glasses. On Monday and Wednesday you can tour the facility from 10 to 11 am. The half hour tour is free, but you will have to pay for parking.
Orange County Speedway
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA
(714) 492-9933
Hours: Friday 8pm May through October
Admission: $8
Motorcycles race here during the late spring and summer months.
Robert Mondavi Wine and Food Center
1570 Scenic Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA
(714) 979-4510
A noted Napa Valley winery, Robert Mondavi, opened this site in 1989 to sponsor programs in wine appreciation. This 10,000 square foot building has dining areas both indoor and out. The facility presents wine tasting, cooking demonstrations, concerts and other special programs for groups as large as 175 or as small as eight. The center may be booked for private events ranging casual receptions to fancy, black tie gatherings. The wines and cuisine are specifically matched to complement the occasion. For information about the center's regular schedule of public events, call the number listed.
Goat Hill Junction
Fairview Park
Placentia Ave and Swan Drive
Costa Mesa, CA
(949) 54 - train
Directions: Use Harbor Blvd. Turn west on Wilson Street and then right on Placentia Ave. If you approach from Brookhurst Street, go east on Hamilton/Victoria and turn left on Placentia. Goat Hill Junction is on the right about one half mile, boarding the Mesa Verde Golf Course. Fairview park is the home of Goat Hill Junction, a club run operation that pays homage to the iron horse, run by the Orange County Model Engineers. Club members offer free train rides every third Saturday and Sunday of the month from 10 am to 3:30 pm. Children ride on a one eight scale railroad, pulled around three miles of 7.5 inch gauge tracks, by diesel, steam, electric and gasoline powered locomotives.
Orange Counties Far and Exposition Center
July 11th to July 28th 1996
88 Fair Dr
Costa Mesa, CA
(714) 708-3247
Free Concerts and arena events with admission. Carnival, motorized events, headline musical artist, livestock shows, traditional competions. Hours Mon-Wed 12pm to Midnight and Thurs thru Sun 10 am to Midnight.
Orange County Marketplace
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA
(714) 723-6660
Hours: Weekends 7am to 4 pm
Admission: 50 cents; parking free
Located in the fair grounds, this is Orange County's largest regular schedule swap meet, with over 1,500 booths. You can find get deals on new items and crafts.
South Coast Plaza and South Coast Village
Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA
(714) 435-2000
This mall has three district shopping centers. The main one is South Coast Plaza, with 7 major department stores and over 200 shops and restaurants. In the center is a large carousel in use year around.
Directly west of South Coast Plaza on Bear St is the new extension of South Coast Plaza (formerly Crystal Court). This is a three story mall with two department stores and many more small shops and restaurants. One of the most unique shops here is the Gallery of History, where you can buy or admire rare autographs, from presidents to baseball players, mounted in handsome plaques with photographs and other memorabilia. In the center court they often stage exhibits and shows.
Across Sunflower Street (north of the main mall) is South Coast Plaza Village, an outdoor mall with an assortment of boutiques, gift and antique shops, as well as restaurants.
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