Costa Mesa

2025 OC Fair is open for its 23-day whirlwind of fun, food, blue ribbons and more

The grills are fired up and attractions are swirling people through the air already for the 23-day OC Fair that’s expected to bring in a million-plus guests.

Lesli Becerra, center, and Helen Garcia, right, celebrate ringing a duck at a carnival game during the opening day of the OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA on July 18, 2025.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Fair-goers during opening day at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA, on Friday, July 19, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

OC Fair 2025: Here’s what you need to know to pay, play and park

Design and Decor Supervisor, Mathew Willmann is OC Fair’s core designer responsible for concept and themes. He works on the Promenade, a cavernous three-story area with an “Orange County Sand and Sea” theme. “It’s an exhibit that highlights our coastline,” he says on Monday, July 7, 2025. “Featuring some surprises,” he adds. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

His happy place is at the OC Fair where he creates artistic flair

Fireworks rain down on the Queen Mary for the culmination of its Fourth of July celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Long Beach. The ship will once again host a Fourth of July event and fireworks this year. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

July 4th 2025: 12 ways to celebrate Fourth of July in Southern California

By Richard Guzman

June 23, 2025 at 9:23 a.m.

Celebrate Independence Day at these local events

Marissa Castor, left, and David Masters, right, use their smart phones to photograph each other in front of art depicting people using their smart phones to photograph at Desperate, Scared, But Social, an exhibition at the Orange County Museum of Art opened with a free celebratory block party on Saturday. The installation features twelve California artists and collectives, two embedded group exhibitions, listening stations, reading rooms, site-responsive installations, sculptures, photographs, paintings, and ephemera that evoke the unique alchemy of coming-of-age. (Photo by Sam Gangwer/Contributing Photographer)

OCMA throws a biennial block party

By Lillian Ashworth

June 22, 2025 at 7:03 a.m.

The 15th California Biennial: “Desperate, Scared, But Social" will be on display through the end...

Sophia Lorey, a former CIF and collegiate athlete and current Outreach Director for California Family Council, urges the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) to keep transgender athletes out of girls’ sports while speaking at a press conference outside an official CIF meeting at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa on Friday, June 20, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)

Protesters in Costa Mesa ask CIF to ban transgender girls from competing in girls’ sports

By Jonathan Horwitz

June 25, 2025 at 7:40 a.m.

A CIF spokesperson would not comment on the protestors’ remarks, but issued a statement saying...

Victoria Street Apartments in Costa Mesa sold May 16 for $8.6 million or $661,538 per unit. (Photo courtesy of Zach Stahl at Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty)

Real estate news: Costa Mesa apartments sell for $8.6M or $661,538 each

By Samantha Gowen

June 20, 2025 at 11:41 a.m.

The complex features eight two-bedroom cottages and five three-bedroom townhomes built in 1991.

Rendering of Hive Live apartment development in Costa Mesa. (Courtesy of AO)

Hive Live, proposing 1,050 apartment units in Costa Mesa, heads to City Council for approval

By Emilie Takahashi

June 19, 2025 at 8:04 a.m.

Proposed for 14 acres north of the 405 Freeway on Susan Street, the project would...

The entrance to an At Home store on June 16, 2025 in Miami, Florida. The home decor and furniture retailer, with more than 200 locations in the United States, is filing for bankruptcy after struggling for months amid rising tariffs. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

At Home retailer closing 8 California stores in bankruptcy reorganization

By Samantha Gowen

June 18, 2025 at 12:06 p.m.

Five in Southern California will close by late September.

Christopher Y. Lew, from left, Courtenay Finn, and Lauren Leving in Costa Mesa on Monday, June 16, 2025, are curating an upcoming exhibit for the Orange County Museum of Art’s biennial celebration themed Desperate, Scared but Social. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

OCMA is celebrating California artists with an exhibition inspired by a local 90s punk band

By Lillian Ashworth

June 18, 2025 at 10:03 a.m.

The biennial has been a signature exhibit of the Orange County Museum of Art. This...

Andrea McElroy is running for a seat on the Newport Mesa Unified School Board in Trustee Area 5. The special election is being held on June 10. (Photo courtesy of Andrea McElroy)

Results of special election to decide new school board member in NMUSD

By Erika I. Ritchie

June 11, 2025 at 10:36 a.m.

The special election is deciding a new school board member in NMUSD after seat was...

Jocelyn Gonzalez shows off her diploma during the Costa Mesa High School graduation ceremony in Costa Mesa on Thursday, June 5, 2025. (Photo by Sam Gangwer/Contributing Photographer)

Costa Mesa High Graduation 2025: Our best photos of the ceremony

By Heather McRea

June 6, 2025 at 8:50 a.m.

Costa Mesa High handed diplomas to its graduating class on Thursday, June 5.

Construction has begun on Slater Ave Apartments, a 272-unit, five-story apartment complex in Fountain Valley. JPI and partner Chicago-based Heitman are building the wraparound complex on 3.34 acres at 10231 Slater Ave. (Rendering courtesy of AO)

Real estate news: Work begins on 272 apartments in Fountain Valley

By Samantha Gowen

June 6, 2025 at 8:58 a.m.

The city this week is also considering another 1,263 housing units, mostly apartments, with a...

Costa Mesa

Featured