5 Best Places To Live In Costa Mesa [2023]

Thinking about moving to Costa Mesa? You've come to the right place.

Costa Mesa is a vibrant city located in Orange County, California situated between Los Angeles and San Diego. It is known for its diverse community, thriving arts scene, and proximity to beautiful beaches. Its central location in Orange County, along with its numerous amenities and attractions, makes it an awesome place to live!

There are a few different neighborhoods within Costa Mesa. Here are some of the best ones to live in.

Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde is a neighborhood in the northwest side of Costa Mesa. It is a highly desirable residential area known for its peaceful suburban atmosphere and convenient location.

Within Mesa Verde, there are not one, but two places to golf: the Mesa Verde Country Club and the Costa Mesa Golf Course. Mesa Verde is also home to Costa Mesa's largest park, Fairview Park.

Fairview Park encompasses a vast expanse of 208 acres, consisting of 195 acres of open space, natural areas, and 13 acres of meticulously maintained landscapes. This expansive park boasts an impressive range of features, including two National Registered Cultural Resource Historic Sites and five distinct habitat ecosystems that serve as habitats for numerous rare and endangered plant and animal species.

Serving as a regional gateway to the Santa Ana River Trail, the Orange Coast River Park, and the adjacent Orange County Talbert Regional Park, Fairview Park offers visitors a multitude of passive recreational opportunities. Whether it's enjoying a leisurely picnic, flying kites in the open space, observing wildlife, participating in environmental education activities, or exploring the park's 7 miles of scenic trails for walking or bicycling, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The median home price in Mesa Verde is $1.3M.

Westside Costa Mesa

Just south of Mesa Verde is Westside Costa Mesa. As you can tell by its name, it is located on the west side of the city and is known for its mix of residential and commercial areas.

Within Westside Costa Mesa, you will find Talbert Regional Park and Canyon Park.

Talbert Regional Park spans nearly 200 acres and offers scenic landscapes for hiking, biking, and jogging. Divided into two sections, it serves as a botanical garden, wildlife refuge, and recreational facility. The park features six plant zones representing natural progressions along the Santa Ana River. With nine trails covering almost 3 miles, it's ideal for beginner hikers and families. The park connects to the Santa Ana River Bicycle Trail, leading to Newport Beach. Wildlife includes birds, squirrels, rabbits, and occasional coyote sightings.

Westside Costa Mesa is also where you'll find the DMV, as well as Lions Park, the OC Public Library, and recreation center near Downtown.

The Downtown area is home to several shopping centers, including the Triangle aka Triangle Square. The Triangle encompasses 191,000 square feet of outdoor entertainment and dining options, including a 24-Hour Fitness Super-Sport Club, Yard House, Olive Branch Pizza. It also features family-friendly activities like Starlight Cinemas and Tavern+Bowl.

The median home price in Westside Costa Mesa is $915K.

Eastside Costa Mesa

Eastside Costa Mesa is a neighborhood in Costa Mesa east of the Route 55 Freeway. It is considered by many to be the most desirable place to live in Costa Mesa because of its close proximity to Newport Beach, its quality schools, and access to the Back Bay and Newport Harbor.

The Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve totals approximately 135 acres and is made up of the bluffs surrounding the Bay. It supports and is home to rare and endangered species, both in terms of birds and plants. Upper Newport Bay is one of the most pristine remaining estuaries in Southern California. It's one of the best in Orange County for recreation and wildlife viewing, attracting birders, joggers, bicyclists, hikers, horseback riders, educators and more!

Within Eastside Costa Mesa is also 17th Street Promenade, where you'll find a diverse array of shopping and dining options, as well as many local businesses. Some examples include: The Crack Shack, Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee, Tabu Shabu, and Stella Jean's Ice Cream.

The median home price in Eastside Costa Mesa is $1.5M.

Central Costa Mesa

Central Costa Mesa is home to the OC Fairgrounds, Orange Coast College, Vanguard University, TeWinkle Park, and Bark Park.

Residential areas in Central Costa Mesa include College Park and the Monticello Community where there is a mix of homeowners and renters.

The OC Fair & Event center is a large venue that hosts the annual Orange County Fair, concerts, festivals, and various events throughout the year.

TeWinkle Park is a 49-acre park with barbecues, picnic tables, a playground, baseball field, softball fields, utility field, tennis courts, an amphitheater and a lake with a waterfall. Wild ducks can often be seen swimming around in the lake and people are allowed to feed them.

Next to TeWinkle Park is the Costa Mesa Skate Park a popular skate park with a kidney-shaped pool, bowl, and range of street elements.

Next to the Skate Park is the Bark Park, a 2-acre off-leash dog park with small and large dog play areas. It is the only place in Costa Mesa where dogs are not required by ordinance to be on a leash.

The median home price in Central Costa Mesa is $1.0M.

South Coast Metro

South Coast Metro is a district within Orange County, California within the cities of Santa Ana and Costa Mesa. The area is mixed with residential, office, and retail developments and is home to the upscale South Coast Plaza shopping mall.

South Coast Plaza, one of the largest shopping centers in the United States, features luxury retailers, high-end boutiques, and award-winning restaurants. Some names include: Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Din Tai Fung.

Right nearby South Coast Plaza is the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, a renowned performing arts complex that hosts Broadway shows, musical performances, and cultural events.

The median home price in South Coast Metro is $745K.

Best Places in Costa Mesa

That concludes the best Costa Mesa neighborhoods to live in. With its convenient location in the heart of Orange County, residents enjoy easy access to beautiful beaches, major attractions, and vibrant coastal cities.

Costa Mesa's cultural scene, including theaters, art galleries, and annual festivals, fosters a rich and dynamic community spirit. The abundance of parks, recreational facilities, and outdoor spaces like Fairview Park and Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve offer opportunities for outdoor activities and a connection with nature.

With a range of housing options, excellent amenities, and a welcoming atmosphere, Costa Mesa stands out as a highly desirable place to call home!

Check out this video about the different neighborhoods in Costa Mesa and let me know how I can help!