Largely responsible for building an empire in Costa Mesa is the Segerstrom family. Their creative vision transformed farm land into a shopping and entertainment Mecca not seen elsewhere on the West Coast. Stretching over four city blocks, a shopping district  includes everything from upscale Gucci and Godiva to discount outlets such as Nordstrom Rack and Cost Plus. It is possible to fly into Orange County Airport, just 2.5 miles away and never see anything but stores and a hotel room on a two or three day stay. 

Costa Mesa became known first for its annual county fair held in July. Since it began in 1950, the event has grown from one week to 17 days, with name entertainment, contests, exhibits, the latest thrill rides and food booths. The Fairgrounds also contain a popular 3-acre working Centennial Farm, a weekly Farmers Market on Thursdays, and Marketplace  on Saturdays and Sundays, with booths selling sunglasses, fragrances, clothes and more. The Fairgrounds are available for rent and play host to a variety of events and shows which include the popular Scottish Highland Games. Check the schedule on their web site: www.ocfair.com 

Costa Mesa is the place to shop in California.  Though called "The City of the Arts,"  it was shopping and the Orange County Fair which first brought a tax base to city and made the creation of arts venues an achievable dream.  So popular is shopping, in fact, that some tourists book flights into Southern California just to visit the premiere shopping center located there, South Coast Plaza.