Any tips on restaurants, shopping and other info re Costa Mesa, California? Thanks.

Restaurants:

Avila's El Ranchito <http://www.avilaselranchito.net/locations1.htm>

Pleasant Peasant <http://thepleasantpeasant.com/>. Although technically located in Newport Beach, it is literally just a few blocks away from the Costa Mesa city line near the airport (SNA).

Shopping:

South Coast Plaza <http://www.southcoastplaza.com/>

What kind of restaurants and cuisines do you like?
What kind of shopping are you interested in?
I go out to eat lunch about twice a week in this area.
The best activity in my mind is a walk along the beach in Newport Beach or a picnic dinner at Corona Beach State Park.

Yeah, South Coast Plaza Shopping Mall (Costa Mesa) was the largest in the U.S. until the one in Minnesota was built. It's a great mall with a bridge connecting two parts. It's on Bear Street. It has everything from low-end to very high-end merchandise and the busiest Louis Vuitton store, supposedly, in the U.S. so I've been told. Happy Travels!

South Coast plaza is actually the highest grossing mall per square foot in the U.S. Several stores are concept stores and many have merchandise available that is not available at other stores. Also the shops on 17th street are nice…though you have to drive.

Coffeehouse www.keancoffee.com/

second Avilas!!!

Santouka ramen www.yelp.com/biz/santouka-ramen-costa-mesa

Great Vegan (not an oxymoron at this place)www.nativefoods.com/

Oh and TK burgers is fairly good too.

Beer: Goat Hill Tavern

Sushi: Shibucho (amazing))!!!!! http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/2005...osta-mesa.html

Steakhouse/music: La Cave
http://www.lacaverestaurant.com/

A lot of times, on the same day that I zip down to South Coast Plaza Mall, I also zip down to Newport Fashion Island. You should check it out,too. It's a beautiful, outdoor, shopping center and only about 20 minutes south of South Coast Plaza. There's a fully renovated Neiman Marcus there and now an American Rag Co (like the one we've had for decades here in L.A.). The housewares store that's connected to/part of American Rag is really nice. It carries mostly French housewares along with other European ones. They always have a wonderful selection of European drinking glasses.

Then about 10 minutes south of Newport Fashion Island, on Avocado, is another small, outdoor shopping center, that houses the Tommy Bahama store and restaurant. The restaurant is quite good. I've eaten there quite a bit over many years. The interior has been redone and with less of an island flare than before. I liked the old interior better, but the food is still quite good although the menu has changed. Happy Travels!