Experience Costa Mesa This Holiday Season; The City of the Arts Shines in Southern California

Southern California's Costa Mesa is a year-round destination in The OC where dining, shopping and Broadway performances are just the beginning of the experience to be had in the City of the ArtsTM and the holidays are a spectacular time to visit. Below is a round up of holiday events and specials Costa Mesa.

STAY
Stay in Costa Mesa & Get $100
Participating Costa Mesa Hotels
Now through January 7, 2017, visitors who book and stay two nights in one of ten participating Costa Mesa hotels will receive a $100 South Coast Plaza gift certificate. Guests can use their $100 gift certificate at South Coast Plaza and it's more than 250 unique boutiques, fashion designer retailers and restaurants. In addition, the certificate is good for use at many restaurants around Costa Mesa, and for theater performances at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. For more information on the Stay and Get $100 offer and a list of participating hotels, please visit http://www.travelcostamesa.com/scp100.

NEW: BLVD Hotel, one of 11 branded properties in Costa Mesa has recently remodeled its lobby modifying its dining area to the Coast Lounge where they will offer complimentary evening happy hour for guests. This is the perfect addition for the chic, stylish boutique hotel.

SHOP
NEW: Weekend Max Mara at South Coast Plaza
The only North American store and located in Costa Mesa, Weekend Max Mara is the classic contemporary lifestyle collection within the Max Mara Group, created as an easy and wearable collection for weekends. From accessible ready-to-wear to accessories, the collection embodies an original sportswear foundation with focus on uncompromising quality, comfort and effortless style.

NEW: White Lilac at South Coast Plaza
Previously a private event service, White Lilac has opened its first boutique in Costa Mesa's South Coast Plaza. Celebrated design company White Lilac's signature home décor boutique showcases a unique, whimsical collection of gifts, housewares, accessories, furniture, and décor inspired by White Lilac innovative event designs for celebrity clients, dignitaries and iconic venues.

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

NEW: Gun Whale Ales
A new craft brewing, blending and tasting room started by Southern California natives where the goal of their brew is to blend European-farmhouse tradition with West Coast styles made famous by California.

Ms Alice at The Mansion
Like a classic 1930s speakeasy, you'll be wowed right when you walk through the door of this secluded bar located adjacent to popular Costa Mesa nightclub, Mansion. With the Alice in Wonderland twist on décor, unique cocktails and a menu that has your mouth watering, Ms Alice (purposely without a 'period') has no dedicated website, so you must visit in person to see why it is part of Costa Mesa'seclectic dining scene.

NEW: Ruin Bar
Yet another creative dining experience, Ruin Bar opened in later November 2016. Located in The LAB anti-mall in Costa Mesa, this is an unassuming treat to the bar scene. You'll find a sophisticated drink menu, and bites to tempt your palate.

NEW: Popbar
Founded in New York, Popbar has opened its first Costa Mesa location, serving up customizable PopGelato, PopSorbetta and YogurtPops. The authentic Italian treat is all-natural, gluten-free, low in sugar and fat and comes in a variety of flavors with traditional chocolate and vanilla, as well as banana and passion fruit. The twist is, you can customize your Popbar with a variety of dips and toppings.

BE ENTERTAINED
Segerstrom Center for the Arts December brings the sites and sounds of performances including American Ballet Theater featuring The Nutcracker (Dec. 9-18); Elf the Musical (Dec. 20 - Jan. 1); The Klezmatics Eastern European Hanukkah Concert (Dec. 22); Fiesta Navidad (Dec. 23) featuring Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano in this festive performance.

Additional upcoming holiday shows at Segerstrom include: Big Band Christmas (12/10), Bach Brandenburg Concertos Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (12/14); Australian rockstars of opera, The Ten Tenors present "Home for the Holidays" (12/16-12/17); 'Tis the Season featuring the Pacific Chorale and Pacific Symphony (12/18-12/19); American Idol alum David Archuleta on his Holiday Concert Tour (12/21). For more information on upcoming shows and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.travelcostamesa.com/calendar/upcoming-events/.

FUN FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Santa's Village and The North Pole
South Coast Plaza
Santa and his reindeer are making South Coast Plaza their home for the holidays. Now through December 24, 2016 visitors to the luxury-shopping destination have the opportunity to have their photo taken with Santa, participate in holiday crafting, go for a ride on Santa's Express Train (through Jan. 1, 2017) or enjoy the Reindeer carousel where the beloved horses have been transformed into reindeer for the holidays. Custom gift-wrapping services are also available through Christmas. Guests will also want to check out the 96-foot Christmas tree on display at Town Center Park, located directly across the street from South Coast Plaza. For more information on holiday shopping deals in Costa Mesa, visit www.travelcostamesa.com/shop.

SoCo and The OC Mix
Visit The OC Mix at South Coast Collection (SoCo) Sundays, December 11 and 18, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Enjoy free, family-friendly days filled with photos with Santa, Party Karacters, a festive photo booth, live music, and holiday activities like complimentary gift wrapping and arts and crafts.

The Triangle
Engage the whole family at The Triangle, an entertainment and retail center. Catch the latest movie on the big screen, stake out a lane at Tavern + Bowl followed by dinner at one of the center's restaurants. On December 10 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Triangle invites families to enjoy the holidays with activities including visits with Santa, face painting and holiday-themed music performed by MONTAGE - musical group from Orange County School of the Arts.

Winter Fest
OC Fair & Event Center
For just $10, Orange County's ultimate winter wonderland experience can be found in Costa Mesa at Winter Fest between December 16 and January 1. From nightly tree-lighting ceremonies, snowfall and fireworks, to snow tubing, Stage Entertainment and a petting zoo, adults and children of all ages will begin a new winter tradition after attending this outdoor event. Ice skating can also be enjoyed for an additional cost.

About Travel Costa Mesa
Travel Costa Mesa was established in 1995. The organization's primary goal is to promote tourism to the city and to fund programs and activities that benefit the hotel and motel businesses within the city of Costa Mesa. For more information on travel to the city of Costa Mesa, visit www.travelcostamesa.com. Travel Costa Mesa is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization.

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