1. COSTA MESA DOWNTOWN

Discover your new home in a vibrant neighborhood located just minutes from the beach, offering an abundance of dining options to cater to diverse tastes. The local food scene, social opportunities, and schools are exceptional, making this area highly desirable.

You will find a variety of housing options, including a substantial number of single-story residences as well as multi-story homes. This community also features condominiums and townhomes alongside single-family properties. Many homes in the area date back to the mid-20th century, but there are also modern residences constructed in the 21st century. The size of houses ranges from approximately 1,000 to over 3,000 square feet.

In Downtown, lots tend to be spacious, typically starting at 6,000 square feet and extending up to around 13,000 square feet. Property prices in this area can vary widely, ranging from about $1 million to upwards of $3 million, making it challenging to find listings below $1 million.

2. WESTSIDE COSTA MESA

Westside Costa Mesa, located in the heart of Orange County, is an emerging neighborhood that offers easy access to shops and eateries, proximity to multiple beaches along the Pacific Coast, and a selection of charming homes. Midcentury-era ranch-style and contemporary Spanish-style houses feature short driveways and garages, and roomy streets provide space for additional parking if needed. Homes are slightly close together, with left room for front yards landscaped with drought-resistant plants and backyards, yet there is large enough for a pool, guest house, garage, or RV parking. Trees line the streets, offering shade for afternoon walks around the block. Prices range from $635,000 for 1,200 square feet to $2.7 million for 3,300 square feet. If you’re looking for a home with less upkeep, condominiums and townhouses are available throughout the neighborhood, with prices ranging from $360,000 for 600 square feet to $1.5 million for 2,300 square feet. Patios, garages, pools, and barbecue areas are among the amenities offered.

3. EASTSIDE COSTA MESA

Homes in this area typically come with yard room on lots that are often between 5,000 and 8,000 square feet. Sidewalks line many blocks in the grid network of residential streets in Eastside Costa Mesa, helping make the area walkable. Price tags for single-family houses in the neighborhood start at around $1.5 million and go up to roughly $4 million. Homes that hit the market tend to sell quickly, partly because of low inventory.

4. MESA VERDE

House architectural styles vary, from small ranch-style homes with low-pitched roofs and big, front-facing windows, to larger, two-story homes with Spanish influences like barrel tile roofs, second-floor balconies and stucco facades in warm colors. Houses sometimes sit close, but there’s still plenty of space for front yards landscaped with drought-tolerant plant life and roomy backyards with patios or pools. Sidewalks are abundant and offer a perfect place to take an afternoon stroll around the neighborhood. Prices range from $690,000 for 1,200 square feet to $3 million for 4,500 square feet. Buyers looking for a home with a bit less upkeep can consider town houses, with prices ranging from $605,000 for 900 square feet to $910,000 for 1,500 square feet.

5. COSTA MESA

Thanks to the development boon in the 1950s and 1960s, there are many single-family homes across Costa Mesa. These are mostly a mix of split-level and ranch-style with some contemporary Spanish and Monterey revivals built in the 1990s and early 2000s. The newest homes are often built in the contemporary modern style. Lot sizes tend to be small, but most homes have plenty of space for front yards landscaped with drought-tolerant plant life and backyards big enough for patios or in-ground pools. There are wide streets with ample sidewalks. Prices start at $500,000 for condos of around 1,500 square feet and go up from there. Two-bedroom townhomes in minimal traditional developments with two-car garages are listing for $650,000. For just under $1 million, you’ll find a three-bedroom ranch-style home shaded by palm trees. At the top of the market, spacious renovated four-bedroom ranch-style-turned-contemporary modern homes are listing in the range of $1.5 million.

6. NORTH SIDE COSTA MESA

Newcomers to Northside Costa Mesa will find a mix of single-family homes lining the quiet, suburban streets, from midcentury-era ramblers to Contemporary houses built more recently. Their exteriors sport fresh coats of paint and upgrades like modern lighting fixtures and front doors, adding curb appeal. Lot sizes can run a bit small, but there’s still plenty of room for front yards landscaped with local flora and backyards with patios or pools. The streets are wide, lined with sidewalks and dotted with tall trees, offering an ideal place for an afternoon stroll. Prices range from $770,000 for 1,400 square feet to $1.7 million for 2,700 square feet. If you’re in the market for a condo or town house, you can find those in Northside Costa Mesa, too, ranging from $500,000 for 1,200 square feet to $1.2 million for 1,800 square feet.

7. HARBOR GATEWAY

Housing in Harbor Gateway offers a distinct representation of Southern Californian architectural styles. Single-family homes, many dating back to the mid-20th century, showcase a blend of classic ranch-style designs and more contemporary constructions. A significant feature among many homes here is the thoughtful landscaping, with gardens often bearing citrus trees, bougainvillea, and palms, exuding a coastal yet cozy ambiance. The neighborhood’s diverse range of residences also includes town houses and apartments, catering to various lifestyles and budgets. You can find a 1,000-square-foot town house in the neighborhood for around $650,000, while most single-family homes sell for between $1 million and $1.5 million and offer between 1,250 and 2,500 square feet of space.