Holiday Events at South Coast Plaza   Santa's Reindeer Carousel, Nov. 1st - Jan. 5th~ South Coast Plaza's famous carousel is transformed with Santa's reindeer. Carousel Express booklets may be purchased at all concierge locations in $5, $10 and $25 denominations.   Santa Comes to South Coast Plaza, Nov. 22nd - Dec. 24th~ Photos with Santa will be available at both Carousel Court and Macy's Home Store Wing. Complimentary Santa's Express Train ride with any Santa photo purchase.   Santa's Express Train, Nov. 22nd - Jan. 5th  ~ Santa's Express Train takes children straight into the holidays and is free with any Santa photo purchase. Crate & Barrel/Macy's Home Store Wing. Level 2.   Santa's Village & The North Pole, Nov. 22nd - Dec. 24th ~ Children will enjoy holiday crafts at Santa's Vil... 11/07/2013

OC Food Truck Fare - Halloween Foodtacular       What: Halloween fun event for kids & adults When: Wednesday, 10/30/13 5:30-9pm Where: OC Fair & Event Grounds 88 Fair Dr Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Cost: Free parking & Admission, food prices vary            The orange county fair & event grounds is known as a great spot for community events and local things to do.  This Wednesday evening will be no exception, as the fair grounds adds a spooky twist to it's Wednesday afterdark food truck fare.        I fell in love with food truck fare back in college (thanks to Alexanders lunch truck in West Chester, PA - home of the BEST breakfast sandwich I've ever had) and recently food trucks have become a national phenomenon.  This event showcases some of the best local trucks and their gourmet fare and o... 10/29/2013

Halloween Celebration at Downtown Huntington Beach 2013   This event will take place at 200 Main Street in Huntington Beach from 4pm to 8pm.   There will be pony rides, games, candy, entertainment and a costume contest for children at 5pm. This event is intended for children from the ages of 2 to 17.   For more information, please call (714) 536-8300 10/27/2013

Halloween Street Fair and Farmers Market Downtown Huntington Beach 2013   On Tuesday October 29, 2013, there will be a Halloween Street Fair and Farmers Market on Main Street in downtown Huntington Beach.  It will take place from 5pm to 9pm.   The activities include games, a coloring contest and pumpkin contest all at no cost for admission.       10/27/2013

Costa Mesa Trunk or Treat - 2013   The Crossing Church will be having a Halloween event on October 31, 2013 from 6pm to 9pm.   Costumes are welcomed as long as there are no full masks. Along with the trunk or treat there will be free food, a bounce house, music and more.   The Crossing Church is located at 2115 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA. 10/27/2013

Things to Do in Costa Mea - The Wood Working Show 2013     The Woodworking Show will take place at the Orange County Fairgrounds on November 1, 2 and 3, 2013. It will occur from Noon to 6pm on Friday and 10 am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.   Tickets are $12, and parking is $7.       10/20/2013

Things to Do in Costa Mesa - Electric Run 2013     The Electric Run is a nighttime 5k which will take place on November 1, 2013 from 7pm to 10pm. The event will take place at the Orange County Fairgrounds with light and sound to accompany the runners. Registration is $45-$70 for individuals and less for teams of 10 or more.   For more informmation please see www.electricrun.com.      10/20/2013

Things to Do in Costa Mea - 37th Annual Home and Garden Show 2013   This event will take place at the Orange County Fairgrounds on November 2 and 3, 2013 from 10 am to 7pm.  Tickets are $7.75 for general admission and kids under 11 are free.   The first 200 admitted will receive a free carving knife. There will be several DIY workshops and seminar for gardening.   10/20/2013

There's no place like home        About 3 months ago, I closed my eyes and said "There's no place like home".  When they opened, I was in Southern California.  In reality, it wasn't that easy. I had to sell a house, get rid of a house full of stuff, pack up my car, and drive cross country.          My house is a small townhome in Costa Mesa, CA.  The things I love about it are that it lies in a quiet gated community in an extremely convenient location, and has ample storage with a 2 car garage, good sized patio/yard, and a balcony off my bedroom where I can sit at a small table and enjoy a cup of coffee or play my guitar outdoors.  I dislike that for the first time in years I'm renting, and that neighbors are on top of eachother (I'm not a huge fan of townhomes).  But my house is not at... 10/15/2013

Costa Mesa History at the Estancia Adobe October 2013   e   On Sunday, October 13, 2013, the Costa Mesa Historical Society will be hosting an evnet at the Estancia Adobe. It will take place from 12pm to 4pm and will feature information on how previous residents of Costa Mesa lived and will include a presentation from a Acjachemen Nation descendent.   There will also be awards for the winner of the Costa Mesa Scarecrow contest. Originally posted at: Costa Mesa Miniature Trains Receive Extension on Lease 10/12/2013

Goathill Junction Scarecrow Festival 2013     On Saturday and Sunday October 12 and 13, 2013, Costa Mesa continues its 60th anniversary celebration with a scarecrow contest at Goathill Junction.        For more information about Goathill Junction, please see Costa Mesa Miniature Trains Keep on Rolling Fun, Free or Near Free Things to Do in Costa Mesa – Minature Trains 5 Things to Do in Costa Mesa with Young Kids         In addition to the scarecrow contest, there will be train rides and pumpkin painting contests.   The festival will take place between 10am and 3pm both days.   Originally posted at: Costa Mesa Miniature Trains Receive Extension on Lease   10/12/2013

Thoughtful Thursday - Rain Rain, Come Again       Moving to the West Coast has taught me a lot of things about myself and about life.  One of the biggest reasons for my move was the weather - I'm a person that's happiest in the sunshine, and back east I was a shell of myself in the winter time - short days, grey skies, and cold weather bummed me out.  Well, now I've got sunshine.  And more sunshine.  And even MORE sunshine.  I am so much happier being able to do things outdoors every day of the week & not having to worry about poor weather cancelling plans on a regular basis.         Well, yesterday we didn't get any sunshine here in Costa Mesa, CA.  We got rain.  For the first time in 3 months, I saw those familiar grey skies and a steady, day-long shower.  And you know what?  I liked ... 10/10/2013

Things to Do in Costa Mesa - Trek Breast Cancer Awareness Ride 2013   Two Wheels One Planet is having its 8th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Ride on October 12, 2013 from 9am to 12:30pm.   This is a ride for adults and children of all ages.   For more information, please see Trek Breast Cancer Awareness Ride.     10/06/2013

16th Annual Trick or Treat Festival & Halloween Hearse Show - 2013 - Things to Do in Costa Mesa   Come for early trick or treating on October 27, 2013 from 10am to 4pm at the Orange County Fairgrounds.  Kids are welcome to come in costume. The first 500 children will get a free gift as well as goodies. Tickets are $2, and free for kids 12 and under.   There will be restored hearses as part of the event.  There will also be pumpkin portraits and even a scream contest.   For more information, please see Costa Mesa Trick or Treat. 10/06/2013

Things to Do in Costa Mesa - NMUSD College Night   Are you trying to help your children decide which college is best for them?   Why not gather the information you need at the Newport Mesa Unified School District from 7 to 9pm on October 16, 2013 at the Orange County Fairgrounds at the Hangar. There will be representives for colleges and universities from around the country to help answer any questions.   For more information, please see NMUSD College Night.     10/06/2013

Things to Do in Costa Mesa - Costa Mesa Halloween Events -  Breakfast on the Farm Farmraiser 2013       The Breakfast will take place on October 26, 2013 at the Orange County Fairgrounds at Centennial Farm from 8 to 11am. Breakfast will be locally sourced.  There will also be a scarecrow contest, pumpkin patch, a tour of Centennial Farm, bounce house and face painting.  So be sure to bring the kids.   Proceeds of this event will benefit Centennial Farm.  Ticket are $12 or $6 for kids 12 and under.  Parking is free for tickets with advance ticket purchase.     10/06/2013

Things to Do in Costa Mesa - OC Japan Fair 2013   The OC Japan Fair features a ramen festival, sake tasting and more.   The event will take place October 12 and 13, 2013 from 11am to 7pm on Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday. Tickets are $5 for one day and $8 for two day.   For more information, please see OC Japan Fair.   10/06/2013

Things to Do in Costa Mesa - Halloween Masquerade at Pacific Symphony 2013   The Pacific Symphony will be performing "spooky favorites"  combined with Latin American music to create a cross-cultural event that incorporates the Dia de los Muertos.   This event is for children 5 to 11 years old, and costumes are encouraged.   The event takes place on October 26, 2013 at 10:30 am at Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.  Tickets start at $19.    For more information, please see Halloween Masquerade.     10/06/2013

Things to Do in Costa Mesa - Reef-A-Palooza - 2013   Reef-A-Palooza will take place Saturday and Sunday, October 12 and 13, 2013 from 10am to 6pm at the Orange County Fairgrounds.   It is a two day event featuring marine aquarium vendors and exhibitors.   The cost is $10, $5 for seniors and free for children under 13.   For more information, please see Reef-A-Palooza.     09/29/2013

Costa Mesa Miniature Trains to Keep on Rolling This week, Costa Mesa City Council voted to extend Goathill Junction's lease for another 5 years allowing the popular miniature trains in Fairview Park to continue to delight children, young and old.     The Orange County Model Engineers (OCME) have run the Goathill Junction miniature trains in Fairview Park since 1988. There are about 100 members of OCME and have invested about $750,000 into building and maintaining the railroads in Fairview Park over the past 25 years. The trains have given about 40,000 rides per year for the past two and a half decades. The trains are open to the public on the third weekend of each month, and the rides are free though donations are accepted happily.     The trains have holiday celebrations throughout the... 09/29/2013