More about Costa Mesa California

Costa Mesa is considered a suburb city and is located in Orange County with an estimated population of 116,479 residents as of 2009. The city began as a rural agricultural center with a population of about 17,000 and quickly turned into a bustling suburban city with a retail, commerce and manufacturing based economy. The city received its name in 1920 wen its original name of Harper was changed to Costa Mesa, which literally means “coastal table” in Spanish; Costa Mesa refers to the city’s geography as a plateau next to the ocean. The population exploded after World War II because many thousands trained at Santa Ana Army Base; within three decades of incorporation, the city nearly quadrupled in population. The city is home to a few well-known locations including South Coast Plaza, the Orange County Performing Arts Center, and the South Coast Repertory Theatre. South Coast Plaza is a large mall with 322 stores that generates over $1 billion a year in revenue, making it one of the highest volume regional centers in the country. The Orange County Performing Arts Center offers the world’s leading Broadway shows, jazz and cabaret artists, dance companies, and family entertainment. The center houses four theaters including the 3,000-seat opera house style Segrestrom Hall all the way down to a 500-seat Samueli Theatre. The city is also home to 26 parks and the Orange County Fairgrounds which host one of the largest festivals in the state, the Orange County Fair, held annually in July. The Pacific Amphitheater is also located in the city and has hosted entertainers such as Jessica Simpson, Madonna, Kelly Clarkson and Billy Cosby. The city has its own fire, police and emergency medical services, provided by the Costa Mesa Fire Department and the Costa Mesa Police Department.