$1,900,332Average Value$1,059Average Price per Sq Ft22Homes 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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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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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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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.
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.
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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.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Drew D'Angelo,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Mariners Park
Pinkley Park
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Cliff Drive Park
Heller Park
Multi-Purpose Field
Lions Park
Playground
Ketchum-Libolt Park
Playground
Transit
Airport
John Wayne/Orange County
7 min drive
Bus
Harbor-Bernard
Bus
19Th-Harbor
Bus
Harbor-Ford
Bus
newport-19th
Bus
19Th-Anaheim
Bus
17Th-Pomona
Bus
17Th-Orange
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Costa Mesa
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Costa Mesa Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 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.
Welcome to your own private resort in the heart of highly coveted Eastside Costa Mesa. Nestled on Flower Street, this 5 bedroom, 5.5 bathroom home blends timeless elegance with contemporary luxury. Each spacious bedroom features its own walk-in closet and en-suite bath, while the primary suite offers a private balcony, an oversized spa-like bathroom, and a bonus retreat space. Step inside to rich
A labor of love by Shannon McLaren, founder of Prairie Home Styling, this stunning 4-bedroom, 2.5-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
Welcome to Twenty8 Walk, a private gated enclave of detached condos in the heart of vibrant Costa Mesa. This stunning residence features one of the community’s most coveted floor plans, enhanced by designer upgrades and smart-home features throughout. The entry level includes a spacious en-suite bedroom with direct access to a beautifully landscaped yard (the largest in the development) complete
Welcome to 308 Flower Street, a versatile income-producing property nestled in one of Costa Mesa’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Sitting on a spacious 6,970 sq ft lot, this property features three separate units with a garage that as the potenital to house six cars and a long driveway. The front house offers 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a traditional layout, perfect for an owner-user or
This beautifully updated two-story townhouse offers a highly desirable layout featuring 3 spacious bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, with the master bedroom conveniently located on the first floor. The home has been fully remodeled and includes new interior paint, tile flooring throughout the downstairs, recessed lighting, recently installed beautiful celling fans, dual pane windows, and vinyl shutters
Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views from the rooftop! Step into elevated coastal living at 17 West, a stunning END UNIT tri-level residence that exemplifies contemporary elegance and timeless design. Perfectly positioned just over a mile from the sparkling shores of Newport Beach, this turkey home was built in 2019 and has been meticulously maintained to model-home standards. Offering approximately
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
This charming 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home is located in highly desirable Eastside Costa Mesa, just steps from the shops and restaurants along 17th Street, including local favorites like Harper Barbecue, Matty’s Patty's, and so many more! Offering approximately 1,850 square feet of living space, the home features a spacious layout filled with natural light and cool breezes, a finished garage
Eastside Apartments in Costa Mesa, CA offers studio, one and two bedroom apartments for rent. As part of our Advanced Urban Properties (AUP) group, the Eastside apartments in Costa Mesa features cutting edge modern design difficult to find anywhere in the area. Our property boasts two pools and two spas, lounge areas, and BBQs with a mix of individual garages and open parking. The interiors
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Drew D'Angelo,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
17,491
Median Age
38
Population Density
16 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$103,774
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$136,725
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.4%
College Graduates
49.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12.2%
% Population in Labor Force
76.1%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
9''
Average Winter Low Temperature
50°F
Average Summer High Temperature
72°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
78/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
88/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
40/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
