Costa Mesa

^{Once a semi-rural farming community of 16,840 people, Costa Mesa is now a suburban area and one largest commercial centers in the region. American Indians were the first inhabitants and they settled on the mesa near the banks of the Santa Ana River. Based on artefacts found in the area, the indications are that this city was once part of a village known as Lukup. The padres from Mission San Juan Capistrano would sometimes visit this village and the Capistrano cattle would graze here. Eventually, consideration for shelter was given to the herdsmen and a small home was built to accommodate them. That “adobe” as it was called then has been restored into a museum by the City.}

^{A Spanish land grant was made to Jose Antonio Yorba in 1810 and by 1880 portions of the rancho were sold to settlers. In that same decade, the town of Fairview was established. Over time, a church, a school and a 25-room hotel were built. Unfortunately, in the part of 1889 the railroad was washed out by a ravaging storm. This brought disaster to the area and they went back to farming.}

^{Around the same time, a town called Harper appeared along the Santa Ana and Newport Railroad. The town was named after a local rancher but on May 11th, 1920 it was officially changed to Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa means “tableland” in Spanish. It carried on as an agricultural community with a proclivity for sweet potatoes, corn, tomatoes, strawberries and apples.}

^{Just as building and oil drilling industries were amplifying the growth of the City, the depression hit Southern California and the industries fell to pieces. So much so that the local banks closed. Shortly after, in 1933, a major earthquake wreaked more havoc on the area.}

^{During the time of World War II, thousands of people arrived to the area for training at the Santa Ana Army Air Base. And after the war ended, those same people returned to the area with their families and the population grew exponentially. Covering 3.5 square miles of land and a population of 16,840, the number of people grew to 90,000 by 1988 and a total square mile measurement of 17 square miles. The community went from suburban farming roots to a world-class environment with fine restaurants, high end shopping and cultural art.}

^{Now home to Pacific Symphony and the South Coast Repertory Theatre, the city appropriated the slogan “The City of the Arts” in 1999.}

^{The median household income is $84,138 as of 2019.}

^{Population: Approximately 113,159 as of 2019}

^{Well Known Places in Costa Mesa}

^{South Coast Plaza}

^{Segerstorm Center for the Arts}

^{Noguchi Garden}

^{Fact Sheet}

^{It’s only 10 minutes from John Wayne Orange County Airport.}

^{The city was incorporated in 1953 but was named in 1920.}