Costa Mesa has 18 dispensaries licensed by the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). Adults 21 and older can buy with a valid government photo ID, including beach visitors from out of state, and 17 Costa Mesa licenses also serve medical patients 18 and older. Storefront sales are fairly new here: Costa Mesa voters approved retail stores with Measure Q in 2020, and the city charges those stores a 7% cannabis business tax.
Costa Mesa was a cannabis manufacturing and testing town before it was a shopping town, and its stores are packed into a small area. Most sit on Newport and Harbor Boulevards, a short drive apart. Since most Orange County cities still ban cannabis stores, many shoppers drive in from neighboring cities.
All 18 Licensed Dispensaries in Costa Mesa, CA
Almost every Costa Mesa store is in the 92627 ZIP code on the city's south and west side, strung along Newport Boulevard, Harbor Boulevard and 17th and 19th Streets. A smaller group sits in north Costa Mesa (92626) on upper Harbor Boulevard and Paularino Avenue near the 405.
Newport Boulevard: Mr Nice Guy is at 1854 Newport Blvd, Instabuds is at 2013, Nectar is at 2275 and FF2332 is at 2332. Farther up the boulevard are Off the Charts at 2424, Newport Wellness at 2490 and Secret Garden at 2664.
Harbor Boulevard and the west side: High Seas, 420 Central Newport Mesa and access costa mesa sit within a block of each other on lower Harbor Boulevard. Nearby, Catalyst Costa Mesa is on East 17th Street, Native Garden is on Cabrillo Street, Nebrina Costa Mesa is on West 19th Street and King's Crew is on Orange Avenue.
North Costa Mesa (92626): Upper Harbor Boulevard has STIIIZY Costa Mesa, Off the Charts at 2801 Harbor Blvd and a second Mr Nice Guy at 2845. Stiiizy South Coast is on Paularino Avenue.
Best Costa Mesa Dispensaries for Every Need
Based on public Google ratings and hours, checked October 2026:
- Highest rated: 420 Central Newport Mesa (5.0 stars, about 2,400 reviews), access costa mesa (5.0, about 2,000), High Seas (5.0, about 740) and Off the Charts on Harbor (4.9, about 1,700).
- Most reviewed: 420 Central Newport Mesa, then access costa mesa and Off the Charts on Harbor.
- Open earliest (7 a.m.): Nectar, Mr Nice Guy on Newport, both Off the Charts stores, STIIIZY Costa Mesa and Stiiizy South Coast.
- Open until 10 p.m.: Nine stores, including High Seas, Instabuds, Secret Garden and access costa mesa.
Visiting a Dispensary in Costa Mesa: ID, Payment and Hours
- ID: Bring a valid, unexpired government photo ID showing you are 21 or older. Out-of-state licenses and passports work.
- Hours: State rules allow sales from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Costa Mesa stores in our data open between 7 and 10 a.m., and most close at 9:30 to 10 p.m.
- Payment: Cash is safest, and debit is widely accepted. Credit cards are uncommon because cannabis is still illegal under federal law.
Costa Mesa and California Cannabis Laws: Purchase Limits, Public Use and Driving
Adults 21 and older can buy up to 28.5 grams of non-concentrated cannabis, 8 grams of concentrate and 6 immature plants per day. The full rules on possession and home grow are in our California marijuana laws guide.
- Beaches and parks: Smoking or eating cannabis in public, including at Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and city parks, is an infraction with a fine of up to $100.
- Driving: Keep products sealed or in the trunk. Using cannabis while driving or riding in a car is illegal.
Cannabis Taxes in Costa Mesa
Every purchase includes California's 15% cannabis excise tax, plus state and local sales tax. Costa Mesa adds a 7% tax on the gross receipts of retail cannabis businesses. Measure Q allowed a rate between 4% and 7%, and the City Council chose 7%, according to a 2025 city finance memo. The store pays the city tax, and it is reflected in prices. See our cannabis prices by state report.
Medical Marijuana in Costa Mesa
17 of the Costa Mesa licenses on this page include medicinal sales and carry a Medical badge. Patients 18 to 20 need a California physician's recommendation to shop, and a state Medical Marijuana Identification Card plus ID removes sales tax at checkout.
Dispensaries Near Costa Mesa
- Dispensaries in Santa Ana: 22 stores just north, the largest count in Orange County.
- Dispensaries in Long Beach: 36 stores up the coast.
- Dispensaries in Corona: 10 stores inland on the 91.
Browse every city on our California dispensary directory.
Costa Mesa Dispensary FAQ
Is weed legal in Costa Mesa?
Yes. Adults 21 and older can buy at licensed Costa Mesa stores and use cannabis on private property where allowed.
How many dispensaries are in Costa Mesa?
Our directory lists 18 DCC-licensed retailers in Costa Mesa, second in Orange County only to Santa Ana.
When did Costa Mesa allow dispensaries?
Voters approved storefront and delivery retail with Measure Q in November 2020. Before that, the city allowed only non-retail cannabis businesses such as manufacturing and testing.
Can tourists buy weed in Costa Mesa?
Yes. Visitors 21 and older can buy with an out-of-state driver's license or passport.
What time do dispensaries close in Costa Mesa?
Most close between 9:30 and 10 p.m. State rules end sales at 10 p.m.
Do Costa Mesa dispensaries take cards?
Debit cards are widely accepted, and cash always works. Credit cards are rare.
How much weed can I buy in Costa Mesa?
Up to 28.5 grams of flower, 8 grams of concentrate and 6 immature plants per day.
Can I smoke weed at the beach near Costa Mesa?
No. Beaches are public places, and public use can bring a fine of up to $100.
Can I get weed delivered in Costa Mesa?
Yes. Measure Q allows licensed delivery, and state rules permit deliveries between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
What is the best dispensary in Costa Mesa?
420 Central Newport Mesa and access costa mesa both hold 5.0 stars on about 2,000 or more Google reviews. See our ratings list above.
Does your dispensary need more visibility? Cannabis shoppers use The Weed Street Journal to compare stores, read strain guides and check the law before they buy. Advertise with us · Spotted a wrong address, phone number or hours? Tell us and we will fix it free.
How we build this list: Store names, addresses, license numbers and medicinal designations come from the California Department of Cannabis Control's license list. Ratings, review counts and hours come from public Google Maps data. We refresh the list monthly and remove stores whose licenses are no longer active.