Costa Mesa is Calling!

San Diego is obviously the best city and I love living here but it’s great to get outside of the city limits now and again!

This past weekend San Diego Food Girl took to the road for a fun little getaway in Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa is a town in Orange County about an hour and a half north of San Diego. Your scenic drive north will take you past Del Mar (famous for the horse race track), past Camp Pendelton (a coastal Marine base), and just inland of Newport Beach (known for its stunning ocean views).

I stayed overnight in the Theatre and Arts District of Costa Mesa at the Avenue of the Arts Hotel. From the moment I drove on to the property I knew I was in for a treat! Doormen stand by eagerly to open the door and welcome you into this gorgeous hotel. Hues of purple are warm and inviting. On the way up to my room, I walked past many beautiful pieces of furniture and art. Opening my door I was immediately surprised to see hardwood flooring. I’ve honestly never been in a more charming hotel room than this before. My spacious Deluxe King room was equipped with a King bed, sleeper sofa, personal Keurig coffee maker, large flat screen television, closet, safe, robes and slippers, and a mini bar, with a balcony view over the pool and lake.

After an effortless check-in, I spent the afternoon at South Coast Plaza, the largest mall on the West Coast. This Costa Mesa hotspot offers valet parking and features stores such as Hermès, Christian Louboutin, Dolce&Gabbana, and Cartier. Truth be told, I am not the target demographic for these high-end stores. I did, however, enjoy picking out a new wallet from Michael Kors.

Costa Mesa is home to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts (a five-minute walk from my hotel) which headlines musical performances, Broadway shows, and much more. During my visit, I was able to obtain tickets to see the Disney production of Aladdin. Let me preface this by saying, I’m just a basic Disney fan, but I sat in awe through the entire show. From beginning to end I was mesmerized by the performers, orchestra, set designs, costuming, and even pyrotechnic effects. There’s still time for you to grab tickets before the show ends and I highly recommend checking it out.

On-site at the Avenue of the Arts hotel, is Silver Trumpet Restaurant & Bar and I can happily tell you that I was able to explore both the bar and restaurant. After seeing Aladdin, I returned to the hotel and walked over to the bar for a bite to eat and a drink. Lucky for me it was a late night happy hour where I tried the Angus Beef Sliders and the Merry Cherry cocktail for a great price with a welcoming ambiance and mood lighting.

After a peaceful night’s sleep, I woke up craving a warm cup of coffee. I decided that I would take the hotel up on their offer to request liquid creamer and was told by the front desk that it would arrive within five minutes. I say this to reiterate the exceptional service I received by the (entire) staff at this hotel, as the creamer arrived in under two minutes. With coffee in hand, I snuggled back into my cozy bed with a view feeling happy to be exactly where I was in that moment.

The last hurrah of my visit concluded with breakfast at the Silver Trumpet. The interior of this restaurant is exquisite. The color tones and style of decor are carried throughout every inch of the hotel’s property. The outdoor patio is equipped with lake views, fire tables, and heaters that look like oversized lamps. But given the nature of me being a food blogger, I’m excited to tell you that my latte was honestly the best latte I’ve had in a long time. (Also note: if you’re a cold brew lover, you must ask to see their cold brew maker. To no surprise, it’s also a work of art!) The steak and eggs is their best-seller, but the highlight of my breakfast was the bacon and cheddar cheese waffle topped with fried eggs! You won’t regret ordering the waffle, I promise!

What did I discover this weekend? Costa Mesa is an enchanting travel destination and it’s easily accessible! Whether you’re looking for a local staycation or it’s part of a bigger visit within the surrounding area, it’s truly an action-packed place for great food, shopping, and the arts! If not sooner, I’ll definitely be back in October for their big TASTE Costa Mesa event. If I’ve convinced you to adventure to Costa Mesa, Travel Costa Mesa is the ultimate visitor’s guide to help plan your next trip.

Until next time, happy eating (and traveling)!