$1,955,789Average Value$1,062Average Price per Sq Ft23Homes For Sale
Hip area not far from the beach
Downtown Costa Mesa blends the low-key suburban lifestyle with city amenities. This is a coastal community near the beach centrally located in Orange County, close to freeways and the airport, and has a great climate. The neighborhood is within walking distance of shops, restaurants and community parks. “It’s the hip area, there’s no doubt about that,” says Torelli Realty’s Valerie Torelli, who has been in real estate for over 30 years. “The food, the social scene and then, for families, the schools are fabulous. And it’s super, super close to the beach.”
With everything within reach, Downtown Costa Mesa is a popular place to live.
If your craving Mexican food visit Taco Mesa for some tasty dishes.
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Few HOAs and RV parking
Homes in Downtown Costa Mesa are a mix of single-family, condos and townhomes. Homes in the neighborhood were built between the 1920s and 1960s, heavily emphasizing the traditional California ranch. Most houses are one story, but some spacious contemporary offerings have been developed more recently. “People who don’t like all the rules and HOAs in Irvine are drawn to Costa Mesa, one of the only cities in the region to allow RV parking in driveways,” says Coldwell Banker’s Brian Gibney, who has over 20 years of experience. Houses downtown can range anywhere from about 1,000 square feet to over 3,000 square feet, costing between $1 million and $4 million. “Because the lots are large, you have some great upside,” Torelli says. Townhomes and condos cost between $750,000 and $2 million. Torelli says anything priced well will sell fast and receive multiple offers.
You can find luxury, multi-level homes in Downtown Costa Mesa.
An elevated view of Downtown Costa Mesa shows it being a short distance from the ocean.
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Commercial hotspot on 17th Street
Sidewalks line all the streets downtown, making it easy for many to walk to the schools and bustling commercial corridors. There is a hotspot around 17th Street near Newport Boulevard. “Seventeenth Street is just chock full of shops, restaurants, bike stores and some great clothing shops,” says Torelli. One of the most popular places along this stretch is Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee. “The lines are out the door,” Torelli says. Playa Mesa is a well-liked Mexican restaurant down the street, beloved for its brunch and mean margaritas. There is a Trader Joe’s for stocking up on groceries.
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee in Downtown Costa Mesa features scrumptious donuts and beverages.
People can find several dining options on 17th Street in Downtown Costa Mesa.
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Orange County fair attracts a million visitors
Costa Mesa hosts over a half-dozen annual events, including the Orange County Fair, which attracts over one million visitors annually. In 2023, the fair ran from mid-July to mid-August, with 12 sold-out days during its 23-day run. More than 400,000 stuffed toys were won by fairgoers in the carnival midway. Free concerts in the park occur on Tuesdays in July and feature live bands, a beer and wine garden, gourmet food trucks and kids’ activities. There are also community runs, an annual fish fry, the OC marathon and community events that celebrate the Fourth of July and the Christmas holiday.
Solid schools with Mandarin immersion
Newport-Mesa Unified serves school-aged children. It is a highly rated public school district graded A by Niche. "You've got some fabulous, fabulous schools here," Torelli says. Kids can start their education at Everett A. Rea Elementary, a walkable community school in downtown Costa Mesa graded C-plus by Niche, then continue at Charles W. TeWinkle Middle, a B-graded school. Students advance to Costa Mesa High School, which also serves as a middle school. It is a well-performing school graded A-minus by Niche. CMHS has a Mandarin Chinese dual immersion program that promotes academic achievement, bilingualism and biliteracy, and sociocultural competence.
TeWinkle Middle School is located in Costa Mesa, Ca.
The Performing Arts Center at Costa Mesa High School.
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Beach and park access
Costa Mesa does not border the coast, but the beach is about 5 miles west via the Costa Mesa Freeway. Huntington State Beach is a popular surfing destination on over 120 acres with over 8 miles of paved trails. In downtown, Lions Park is a classic community park with a playground, picnic tables, a baseball field and a community center. The Downtown Recreation Center has adult and youth programs, and courts for pickleball, basketball and volleyball. Dog-friendly Heller Park is a cute little offering for kids, with a robust playground and swings, open grassy areas shaded by trees, benches and a public restroom.
Children will enjoy the amenities at Lions Park in Downtown Costa Mesa.
Downtown Costa Mesa is a short drive to Newport Beach and the coastline.
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Surrounded by major thoroughfares
Costa Mesa is near several cities, including Huntington and Newport beaches, Irvine, Santa Ana and Orange. It sits along the Costa Mesa Freeway, which cuts straight through town. "Traffic can be heavy because we're so close to the beach, but you can get to Huntington Beach without even getting on the freeway," Gibney says. Surrounding the city are the Corona Del Mar Freeway, I-405 and the Pacific Coast Highway. John Wayne Airport is on the city’s eastern border and just 5 miles from downtown. Los Angeles is 40 miles north, a heavy-lift drive that can take as long as two hours at rush hour. The Orange County Transit Authority operates many bus routes along major thoroughfares that connect to the broader region.
The OC Bus passes through Downtown Costa Mesa and will take you where you need to go.
Aerial view of the Downtown Costa Mesa Neighborhood.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa over the last 12 months is $1,800,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
A labor of love by Shannon McLaren, founder of Prairie Home Styling, this stunning 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home spans 3,278 sqft on a 6,308 sqft lot, blending California coastal charm with modern traditional aesthetics. Located in the heart of Eastside Costa Mesa, 224 Flower Street has been freshly painted inside and out, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere with impeccable design details
Desirably located on a welcoming street in Eastside Costa Mesa, 366 Esther Street radiates the warmth and ease of coastal living. Within the Newport-Mesa school district—and just a short bike ride to the beach or a leisurely stroll to the shops and dining along 17th Street—the home offers a lifestyle as enviable as its design. Fully renovated, rebuilt, and expanded in 2022 with approximately 30%
Nestled in the heart of highly desired Eastside Costa Mesa, this darling cottage home has been in the same family for over 50 years. It is the epitome of your classic Eastside home. This 4 bed, 3 bath charmer with a separate ADU has been lovingly cared for and upgraded. It is situated on a 6,970 sq. ft. lot and has a combined 2,056 square feet of living space. The original hardwood flooring has
Welcome to 1658 Topanga, a sleek and spacious residence nestled in the heart of Costa Mesa’s coveted 17 West community. As one of the largest loft-style floor plans available, this contemporary home effortlessly blends style, functionality, and comfort across four expertly designed levels.The first floor offers a private bedroom with an en suite bath, ideal for guests or a home office.
Just What You’ve Been Waiting For!Welcome to this upgraded and expanded single-level pool home, ideally located in the highly desirable Cambridge Estates of East Side Costa Mesa. This 3-bedroom, 2 full bathroom residence features an inviting, functional layout that’s perfect for seamless indoor-outdoor living. Anchored by two wood-burning fireplaces, the home exudes warmth and charm. French
Welcome to 1523 Sullivan Avenue, where modern coastal living meets the best of Costa Mesa. This 2-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom end-unit condo spans 1,961 sq. ft with a perfect balance of elevated design and beach-close convenience. Step inside to discover a versatile first-floor flex space with a full bathroom, ideal for a home office, gym, or guest suite. Upstairs, the open-concept living space is
Live like you want - that’s our anthem. AVA is a new kind of living space in Costa Mesa by Newport’s Back Bay. This is a choice of ’hood where tacos meet sushi, double expressos meet green tea and yoga, and shopping depends on your mood of the moment. Public transportation’s right here, if you need it. AVA’s studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments feature newly renovated kitchens and
Experience modern coastal living in this newer, energy-efficient townhome nestled within the sought-after 17 West community. Designed with contemporary style and thoughtful functionality, this residence boasts high ceilings, an open-concept main living area, and a versatile ground-level office or creative space complete with an ADA-compliant restroom.Built for comfort and sustainability,
The Parsons Apartments in Costa Mesa, CA offers studio, one, & two bedroom apartments for rent. As part of our Advanced Urban Properties (AUP) group, The Parsons features cutting-edge modern designs that are rare to find anywhere else in the area. Our vibrant Costa Mesa community is located in the heart of the city with endless activities to explore. Grab the family and join our pet-friendly
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