T HE BES T OF S O U T HERN CALIF O RNIA a multi-faceted cosmopolitan destination with something for everyone www.TravelCostaMesa.com Shopping, Dining & Entertainment Complete Directory online www.metropointe.com ENJOY LIVE ENTERTAINMENT WEEKENDS AT METRO POINTE Edwards Stadium 12 Theatres Show times: (800) 326-3264 Theatre Code 128 -$%Gcih\7cUgh8f]jY 7cghUAYgU 75-&*&* % $$$G:hc%$ $$$G:C:C::=79GD5795J5=@56@9 @cWUh]cb ]g9J9FMH<=B; G7<98I@9MCIFD9FGCB5@HCIFHC85M AUf_GUbei]gh +%("(,%")$&) kkk"UfbY`"Wca -(-Gcih\7cUgh8f]jY Gi]hY*$$ 7cghUAYgU 75-&*&* Metro Pointe is located where the 55, 405 and the 73 Freeways meet. On the corner of Bear and South Coast Drive in Costa Mesa. Welcome to Costa Mesa Located strategically in the heart of The OC, this mecca for sun, fun, fashion and footlights has something for everyone. A chief asset is Costa Mesa’s close proximity to 42 miles of pristine beaches located along a Southern California coastline dotted with fabled seaside communities, quaint beach towns and art colonies. So whether you’re a seasoned surfer or just a grommet (that’s beach lingo for an inexperienced wave rider), or you take great joy in sailing, snorkeling, fishing, strolling along the beach, or just plain gazing at an incredible Pacific Ocean-style sunset bursting over legendary Catalina Island, Costa Mesa is the destination for you. As a worthy rival to the likes of San Francisco and Manhattan for performing arts, dining and shopping, Costa Mesa is the City of the Arts. It’s known for many outdoor sculptures and other works of art, and for its world-class shopping at South Coast Plaza, The Ultimate Shopping Experience, where shoppers are invited to practice the art of shopping with a virtual visit to 17 countries. Costa Mesa and Orange County. Like the popular television show named after the county proclaims: You may just find that it’s“ nothing like where you live. And nothing like what you imagine.” TravelCostaMesa.com What 4:05 is like, when you’re not on the 405. Contents History 8 Attractions 10 Leisure & Outdoor Sports Activities 14 Unique Gardens 19 Wineries 21 Shopping 24 Performing & Visual Arts 30 Museums, Points of Interest & Local History 38 Team Building & Distinctive Venues 42 Dining 46 Nightlife 61 Transportation 63 Map 65 Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® AmtrakCalifornia.com 1-800-USA-RAIL Amtrak is a registered service mark of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. www.TravelCostaMesa.com History of the OC 8 Long before the county became synonymous with beaches, shopping, and Disneyland, Orange County was formally organized as a political entity separate the area was home to Native Americans. In 1769, Gaspar de Portola was appointed from the County of Los Angeles in 1889. A year-round harvest of Valencia governor of Lower California. Portola called upon Father Junipero Serra to assist in oranges, lemons, avocados, lima beans and walnuts made agriculture the securing the Spanish claim to the vast frontier against any invasion from Russian single most important industry in the fledgling county. As orange groves trappers or British colonizers. began to proliferate throughout the area, the new county was named for In July of 1769, European explorers reached the boundaries of present-day Orange the fruit, becoming Orange County. County, naming the region “The Valley of Saint Anne” (Santa Ana). Father Serra The twentieth century brought with it many industrious individuals such dedicated the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, Orange County’s first permanent as Walter Knott, a farmer turned entrepreneur, who founded the Knott settlement, on November 1, 1776. legacy in Buena Park. During the years that followed, Orange County In 1801, Jose Antonio Yorba, a volunteer in the Portola expedition, returned to Santa witnessed the discovery of oil in Huntington Beach, the birth of the Ana. He established the county’s first rancho (Santiago de Santa Ana) in what today are aerospace industry on the Irvine Ranch, and filming of several Hollywood the cities of Villa Park, Orange, Tustin, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. Later the extensive classics in the Newport area. In 1955, Walt Disney opened his Magic land holdings of the Capistrano Mission were subdivided and awarded to a number of Kingdom in Anaheim. distinguished war heroes, ushering in the romantic rancho era of Orange County. Today, Orange County is the home of more than three million diverse Irish-born James Irvine established in 1876 sole ownership of a 110,000-acre sheep residents and a vast number of housing developments, shopping centers, ranch that is today one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in America. In 1887, major companies, small businesses, service organizations and much silver was discovered in the Santa Ana Mountains. Land speculators and farmers came more. Visit www.costamesahistory.org for more details. by rail from the East to settle in such boomtowns as Buena Park, Fullerton and El Toro. Orange County was formally organized as a political entity separate from the Father Serra dedicated the Costa Mesa Historical Society Mission of San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana Army Air Base Wing The museum and library are open to the public every Thursday &and Friday between 10:00am and 3:00pm, and at other times by Orange County’s first permanent appointment. For more information visit www.costamesahistory.org or call 949-631-5918 settlement, on November 1, 1776. Diego Sepulveda Adobe www.TravelCostaMesa.com 1870 Anaheim St. Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Mailing address: P.O. Box 1764 Costa Mesa, CA 92628 Sports arenas, theme parks, wild animals and sea life 10 Love baseball, hockey, outdoor concerts, theme parks, zoos, car shows and much more? They are all here. Welcome to Costa Mesa, The Best of Southern California, nestled strategically in the heart of The OC. Rich in venues, events and activities, this mecca for sun and fun has something for every member of the family. Minutes away from the Pacific Ocean, and just 35 miles south of Los Angeles, Costa Mesa’s central location makes it an ideal “base camp” for exploring all that Southern California has to offer. SPORTS ARENAS HONDA CENTER 714.704.2400 www.hondacenter.com Home of the Anaheim Ducks hockey team, and site of many concerts and other events. ANGEL STADIUM 714.940.2000 www.angelsbaseball.com Home to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball team in addition to featuring other public events. FAMILY FUN SANTA ANA ZOO 714.835.7484 1801 East Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana www.santaanazoo.org The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park is a 20-acre site focusing on the animals and plants of Central and South America. The Santa Ana Zoo hosts more than 270,000 people annually. Joseph Prentice donated land for the zoo with the stipulation that the city must keep at least 50 monkeys at all times. The zoo maintains an extensive primate collection with over a dozen species from around the world. The focus of the Santa Ana Zoo is recreation, education and conservation. One of the most popular attractions at the Santa Ana Zoo is the Zoofari Express children’s train. SAN DIEGO ZOO AND WILD ANIMAL PaRK 619.231.1515 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego www.sandiegozoo.org The Zoo is 100 acres in size and houses over 4,000 animals comprised of more than 800 species from forests and jungles. Visitors can walk along pathways, into aviaries, and through bioclimatic zones. There’s a 35-minute Guided Bus Tour along with an Express Bus that stops at several locations to assist guests in accessing different areas. The Wild Animal Park is located approximately 35 miles northeast of the Zoo and spans 1,800 acres. It cares for over 3,000 animals comprising more than 400 species. They showcase herd-style animals from the plains and savannas of Africa and Asia that normally roam together in the wild, such as rhinos, giraffes, and antelope. The Wild Animal Park is a unique walking experience that exhibits animals in the most natural way possible, adding shows and animal presentations throughout the day for additional enjoyment. www.TravelCostaMesa.com Sports arenas, theme parks, wild animals and sea life 12 AQUARIUM OF THE PacIFIC 562.590.3100 whether it’s basking on Balboa’s pristine beaches or exploring the sites of this picturesque community. 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach www.aquariumofpacific.org There’s the Balboa Pier, and the Catalina Flyer, one hour to Catalina Island. Other activities include Take a journey of discovery through the world’s largest ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Dive right harbor cruises, whale-watching cruises, sport fishing, quaint shops, great restaurants and, of course, the into the exhibits, explore sunny Southern California and Baja, the frigid waters of the North Pacific, and Balboa Fun Zone. Since 1936, the Fun Zone’s ferris wheel has been both a day and night landmark on the colorful reefs of the tropical Pacific. Come face-to-face with, and even touch, the ocean’s ultimate the Newport Harbor scene, beckoning all to join in the fun. predators in Shark Lagoon. Hand feed lorikeet birds. Go on a Behind-the-Scenes tour. Enjoy Monsters of the Abyss, a film that combines stunning state-of-the-art, 3-D technology and digital animation to BOOMERS 949.559.8336 explore the deep ocean. 3405 Michelson Drive, Irvine www.boomersparks.com What could be more fun than boarding a bumper boat for a little adventure cruise, satisfying your OCEAN INSTITUTE 949.496.2274 competitive edge in the batting cages, laser tag, miniature golfing, rockwall climbing or enduring Dana Point www.ocean-institute.org high speed go-karts and kiddie go-karts for speed demons under 58” tall? The huge, state-of-the-art Guests are invited to explore a world where they are not just an observer but one in which they ride the high gameroom contains a wide assortment of games.