Costa Mesa is a vibrant coastal city in Orange County, California known for its shopping, dining, arts and entertainment. Let’s explore this lively city through some fun riddles!
Costa Mesa Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
I’m a natural border that separates Costa Mesa from Newport Beach to the southeast. Sailboats dot my waters on sunny days. What am I?
Answer: Newport Harbor
Riddle 2
I’m an ecological reserve and bird sanctuary located in Costa Mesa along the San Diego Freeway. Over 200 species of birds visit me each year. What am I?
Answer: Fairview Park
Riddle 3
I’m a green lush open space located in the northern part of Costa Mesa. You can walk my trails, exercise at my fitness zone or attend concerts at my amphitheater. What am I?
Answer: TeWinkle Park
Costa Mesa History Riddles
Riddle 4
We were the Native American tribe that originally inhabited the land that became Costa Mesa. Our name means “People of the Willow Houses.” Who are we?
Answer: The Tongva tribe
Riddle 5
I’m the Spanish soldier who was granted the land that became Costa Mesa in 1783. My last name is a city in Orange County today. Who am I?
Answer: Jose Antonio Yorba
Riddle 6
I’m the year that Costa Mesa officially incorporated and became its own city, no longer part of Santa Ana. What year am I?
Answer: 1953
Costa Mesa Culture Riddles
Riddle 7
I’m a world renowned performing arts center located in Costa Mesa’s arts district. My unique architectural design resembles a ship. What am I?
Answer: Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Riddle 8
I’m a Tony Award-winning theater company located in Costa Mesa. My name sounds like an animal. What am I?
Answer: South Coast Repertory
Riddle 9
I’m an annual 10-day food, music and art festival held each summer in Costa Mesa. What’s my fruity name?
Answer: The Orange County Fair
Costa Mesa Shopping Riddles
Riddle 10
I’m an upscale open-air shopping center located off the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa. I’m named after a coastal city to the north. What am I?
Answer: South Coast Plaza
Riddle 11
I’m a retail establishment in The Camp in Costa Mesa. You can browse my home decor, clothing and beauty products while sipping on a coffee. What am I?
Answer: Anthropologie
Riddle 12
I’m a high-end department store anchored at South Coast Plaza. I share my name with a fruit. What am I?
Answer: Bloomingdale’s
Costa Mesa Dining Riddles
Riddle 13
I’m a food hall inside South Coast Plaza where you can taste dishes from restaurants like Shake Shack, Din Tai Fung and more. What am I?
Answer: South Coast Plaza Food Court
Riddle 14
I’m a hip vegan Mexican restaurant on Newport Boulevard serving plant-based tacos, burritos and margaritas. My name sounds like a calculated risk. What am I?
Answer: The OC Chance
Riddle 15
I’m a cozy breakfast and brunch spot near South Coast Plaza specializing in eggs benedict and pecan sticky buns. My name is a hoppy beverage. What am I?
Answer: Kean Coffee
Costa Mesa Activity Riddles
Riddle 16
I’m a family fun center in Costa Mesa with bowling, arcade games, laser tag and mini golf. My name has “Mesa” in it too. What am I?
Answer: Boomers Costa Mesa
Riddle 17
I’m a live music venue and nightclub on Newport Boulevard known for rock, indie and electronic acts. Many music legends have played my stage. What am I?
Answer: The Wayfarer
Riddle 18
I’m a local community theater founded in the 1970s where kids and adults can participate in musicals and plays. My name is an underwater mammal. What am I?
Answer: Mesa Dolphin Theater
Costa Mesa Sports Riddles
Riddle 19
I’m a major league soccer team that plays at the OC Great Park in Costa Mesa. Our mascot is a lion named Murphy. Who are we?
Answer: LA Galaxy
Riddle 20
I’m a minor league baseball team that plays at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. Our name has to do with sunlight. Who are we?
Answer: Orange County Flyers
Riddle 21
I’m a 65-acre sports complex in Costa Mesa with facilities for soccer, tennis, volleyball and more. My name starts with the letter “T.” What am I?
Answer: The Triangle
Costa Mesa Education Riddles
Riddle 22
I’m a public university located right across the street from South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. I’m part of the California State University system. What am I?
Answer: California State University, Fullerton Irvine Campus
Riddle 23
I’m a private Christian university located off the 405 freeway in Costa Mesa. My name starts with the letter “V.” What am I?
Answer: Vanguard University
Riddle 24
I’m a community college located in Costa Mesa with vocational programs in fields like automotive tech and culinary arts. My initials are OCC. What am I?
Answer: Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa Politics Riddles
Riddle 25
I’m the current mayor of Costa Mesa, first elected in 2018. My last name starts with the letter “S.” Who am I?
Answer: Mayor John Stephens
Riddle 26
I’m the congressional district that includes most of Costa Mesa within its boundaries. I’m currently represented by Michelle Steel. What district am I?
Answer: California’s 48th congressional district
Riddle 27
I’m the California State Senate district that includes Costa Mesa. I’m currently represented by Dave Min. What district am I?
Answer: California’s 37th State Senate district
Costa Mesa Infrastructure Riddles
Riddle 28
I’m a busy 8-10 lane freeway that borders Costa Mesa to the north. I connect Los Angeles to San Diego. What am I?
Answer: Interstate 405
Riddle 29
I’m a street that forms part of Costa Mesa’s western border adjacent to Santa Ana. I’m named after a famous Spanish explorer. What’s my name?
Answer: Bristol Street
Riddle 30
I’m a Costa Mesa road that goes past South Coast Plaza. According to my name, I apparently don’t like trading. What am I?
Answer: Anton Boulevard
General Costa Mesa Riddles
Riddle 31
I’m the county that Costa Mesa is located within. My name starts with the letter “O.” What am I?
Answer: Orange County
Riddle 32
I’m the telephone area code for Costa Mesa and all of Orange County. What 3 digits am I?
Answer: 714
Riddle 33
I’m the climate of Costa Mesa – warm, temperate and ideal for enjoying the outdoors year-round. What am I?
Answer: Mediterranean climate
Tricky Costa Mesa Riddles
Riddle 34
You can see me but you cannot touch me. I’m transparent but I’m shaped like a square. What am I in downtown Costa Mesa?
Answer: A storefront window
Riddle 35
We make Costa Mesa move yet we do not have legs. We help people get to their destinations all over the city. What are we?
Answer: Cars
Riddle 36
I’m green and populated with trees but I’m not a forest. You can walk me, play on me, or have a picnic on me. What am I in Costa Mesa?
Answer: A park
Silly Costa Mesa Riddles
Riddle 37
What building in Costa Mesa has the most stories?
Answer: The public library
Riddle 38
Why couldn’t the Costa Mesa tourist find the Orange County Fair?
Answer: Because it was fair and square!
Riddle 39
Why do birds fly over Costa Mesa?
Answer: Because it’s illegal to drive!
Rhyming Costa Mesa Riddles
Riddle 40
I’m a green place in Costa Mesa you might take your kids, with playgrounds, fields, and trails amidst. What am I?
Answer: A park
Riddle 41
I’m a waterway that borders Costa Mesa with sailboats and calm waters everyday. What am I?
Answer: Newport Harbor
Conclusion
How did you enjoy those riddles about Costa Mesa? This vibrant SoCal city has so much rich history, culture, activities and infrastructure to explore. Thinking up riddles, rhymes and puzzles is a fun way to get to know Costa Mesa on a deeper level. Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a new arrival or just visiting, Costa Mesa has something for everyone. We hope these riddles gave you some new insights and appreciation for this wonderful coastal city in the heart of Orange County!
