Living in Costa Mesa - Eastside and Westside Guide cover

Living in Costa Mesa - Eastside and Westside Guide

Curated byOC Homes by Kelly4 cardsUpdated Sep 2026
What it's really like to live in Costa Mesa, from Mesa Verde's Inner Loop to Eastside vs Westside homes, for buyers weighing Orange County neighborhoods.
City of Costa Mesa
costamesaca.gov
City of Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa is an incorporated city, and that is the practical difference between buying here and buying in North Tustin: there is a city hall, a council and city permitting. Eastside and Westside are the two halves buyers compare most. Use the city's own neighborhood boundaries, which do not always match how a listing describes them.

OC Fair and Event Center, on Fair Drive
ocfair.com
OC Fair and Event Center, on Fair Drive

The OC Fair and Event Center sits on Fair Drive in the middle of Costa Mesa and runs events well beyond the July fair. If you are looking south of Fair Drive or around Mesa Verde, ask about summer traffic and street parking before you fall for the house. It is the biggest seasonal variable in this part of the city.

Newport-Mesa Unified, not Tustin Unified
nmusd.us
Newport-Mesa Unified, not Tustin Unified

Costa Mesa is served by Newport-Mesa Unified. Attendance boundaries here can split a single street. Check the address rather than the neighborhood name before you write an offer.

Costa Mesa Properties
ochomesbykelly.com
Costa Mesa Properties

Find properties for sale with our easy-to-use map search. Explore active and pending listings for single-family homes, condos, and more in Costa Mesa, CA.