$1,973,731Average Value$1,079Average Price per Sq Ft19Homes 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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Downtown Costa Mesa neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
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 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa over the last 12 months is $1,850,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This mid-century modern home is a unique property with a bungalow-style vibe. Located in desirable pocket of Costa Mesa, it epitomizes urban-living, walking distance to Mothers Market, Triangle Square, dining and shopping. Located in the 1.7 Ocean community, this completely completely remodeled 2-bedroom, 1 bath was tastefully elevated in 2022. Its first OC facelift was in 2007, a project by
Lovely updated Home, Bike to the Beach, Near Tri-Angle Square, Dining, Movies, 24 hour Fitness and Shopping, Costa Mesa Courtyards.Remodeled Kitchen, Granite Counters, Stainless Steel Appliances, refrigerator included, dishwasher, black gas stove.Bamboo Hard Wood floors, Tiled Full Bath, Tub/Shower Combination, Tiled half bath too!Slightly Vaulted Ceiling, open beam. Inviting
Introducing a beautifully upgraded corner-lot home in the highly desirable Eastside Heights neighborhood of Costa Mesa. This meticulously maintained detached residence seamlessly blends timeless style with modern comfort, offering a spacious 2,958 sq ft open-concept layout filled with natural light. With over $60,000 in recent improvements, key upgrades include a new roof (2017), central A/C and
Welcome to 617 17th St, a modern luxury residence constructed in 2015 encapsulating the spirit of live-work living with its inviting open design, dedicated workspace, high ceilings, eco-friendly attributes, and a large rooftop hangout. The entry to this property greets you with a secure front courtyard, an office, an ADA compliant restroom, and a convenient attached two-car garage. Taking you to
Welcome to 519 Caleigh Lane, located in the coveted gated community of Twenty8 Walk - Where Modern Luxury meets the heart of Costa Mesa's vibrant dining and shopping scene. It's unlike anywhere else in Orange County! Built in 2021, this stunning residence has had only one owner since it was built, and the property has been maintained in immaculate, like-new condition. Every space is bright, open,
The 1711 - 1719 Pomona Avenue project offers a premier development and investment opportunity in one of Costa Mesa’s most dynamic and promising areas. At the intersection of Pomona and 17th, this site benefits from a blend of urban convenience, emerging market activity, and high visibility, making it a strong choice for developers and investors. With final tract map approval expected within 8 –
This remodeled 2 bedroom 2 story townhouse style condo was built in 2008 and recently remodeled. It has travertine floors in the kitchen and bathrooms and hardwood floors throughout the rest of the unit, crown molding throughout, fireplace, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances including refrigerator, full size washer/dryer included, private garage plus extra parking space, and
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
Welcome to this beautifully refreshed Eastside Costa Mesa residence, a rare opportunity to lease a spacious main home paired with a brand-new, fully equipped ADU. The property combines modern comfort, flexible living, and coastal charm, all in one of the area’s most sought-after neighborhoods. The main house features 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, thoughtfully updated with fresh finishes and
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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.
