Local Costa Mesa Guide — 2026 Edition
Our curated local neighborhood guide for OCC students, new residents, and visitors. Discover the finest craft coffee, social breweries, independent shopping, and practical Orange County lifestyle tips.
Exploring Costa Mesa
A deep dive into local life along College Ave and the creative Randolph district. Discover how to make the most of every minute in our neighborhood.
Things to Do Near Orange Coast College (OCC)
Campus life and neighborhood activities
Located just steps from our front door, the OCC campus is the heartbeat of student life in Costa Mesa. Whether you are attending classes, visiting the state-of-the-art OCC Planetarium, or running on the public track, there is always activity along College Ave.
A stunning 125-seat immersive dome theater featuring world-class astronomy shows and interactive science exhibits open to the public.
...and if you've got a pile of gym clothes or dorm sheets piled up after a busy week, Lucy's is a quick two-minute walk to get your laundry started.
Coffee Shops & Cafés Within Walking Distance
World-class caffeine for working or relaxing
No need to sit around waiting. College Ave and the surrounding Fairview neighborhood host some of Orange County's finest craft coffee roasters, perfect for grabbing a table, opening your laptop, and getting things done.
OC's original specialty coffee pioneers, famous for meticulous single-origin sourcing and laboratory-style espresso bar.
...and while you are enjoying your iced latte or catching up on work emails, Lucy's high-speed G-Force washers will have your clothes washed and dried in under 45 minutes.
The Brewery Next Door & Nearby Food Trucks
Craft beers, local tacos, and outdoor dining
Our location along College Ave shares a neighborhood with some of Costa Mesa's most vibrant social spots. Skip the boring laundromat waiting chairs and turn laundry day into a relaxed social afternoon.
Our next-door neighbor on College Ave — a laid-back, dog-friendly craft brewery with a rotating beer selection and a food truck parked outside almost every day. Drop a load at Lucy's, grab a pint, and grab a bite while you wait.
...so drop your clothes off with our friendly attendant for our express Fluff 'N Fold service ($2.24/lb), then step next door to BRC — or walk a few more steps to Salty Bear — and enjoy a cold pint while you wait.
Student at OCC? We made a whole laundry guide just for you.
Beach-Day Gear: Rinsing Sand, Surf Wax & Sunscreen
Caring for your activewear after Newport or Huntington
Living in Costa Mesa means being just a 10-minute drive from some of the world's best beaches. However, abrasive sand, sticky surf wax, and oily sunscreen stains can quickly ruin your favorite towels, wetsuits, and swimwear.
A historic pier perfect for walking, fishing, or catching a classic Southern California sunset after a day of surfing.
...and when you head back with sand-caked towels and salty swimwear, Lucy's is a two-minute stop to rinse out the salt and sand in our high-capacity washers.
Coming back sandy? Here's our beach-day laundry guide.
New-to-Costa-Mesa & Student Move-In Laundry Tips
Save time, space, and money in your new apartment or dorm
Moving into a new apartment or starting your first semester at OCC can be overwhelming. Many local student apartments have slow, outdated shared laundry rooms, or lack in-unit machines entirely. Here is how to handle laundry like a pro.
...and instead of hoarding quarters for noisy, small laundry machines in your apartment basement, use Lucy's coinless digital card system to finish a month of laundry in just 45 minutes.
Discover Costa Mesa Guides
Our complete editorial recommendations for dining, shopping, coffee, and enjoying Orange County's iconic beaches while we care for your clothes.
The Best Coffee Shops in Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa is a certified coffee capital of Orange County. Here are our favorite design-forward, third-wave espresso bars located just minutes from our laundry lounge.
Portola Coffee Roasters
A legendary OC pioneer of meticulously sourced, single-origin coffees. Located inside the beautiful OC Mix, it's the perfect spot to grab an exquisite pour-over while your wash is spinning.
Trevor on our team swears by their Madagascar Vanilla Latte. It's not too sweet, and the espresso quality is absolutely unmatched in Orange County.
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee
World-famous for serving the 'world's freshest doughnuts' made from scratch every hour. Pair their legendary Huckleberry doughnut with a custom-roasted house latte.
Jim always tells first-timers to get the Butter & Salt doughnut. It sounds simple, but paired with their cold brew, it is an absolute game-changer while waiting for your dry cycle.
Milligram Coffee & Kitchen
Just over the border in Newport Beach, Milligram is a gorgeous, minimalist, sun-drenched cafe offering delicious Australian-style flat whites and healthy brunch items.
Lucy's morning crew loves their Flat White. It has that perfect microfoam texture that Australian cafes are famous for, and the outdoor patio is incredibly peaceful.
Laundry Near Orange Coast College
Just minutes from Orange Coast College and Vanguard University, Lucy's is an easy stop between classes. Our big high-capacity machines wash and dry a whole month of laundry in one trip, and with free Wi-Fi and comfortable lounge seating, it's a solid place to knock out homework while you wait.
Serving Costa Mesa & Nearby
Lucy's sits right on College Ave, easy to reach from across Costa Mesa — Mesa Verde, Eastside Costa Mesa, and South Coast Metro — and from neighboring Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, and Irvine. If you're nearby and need a clean, reliable laundromat, we're a quick drive with plenty of free parking.
Check our self-service prices or simply drop it off with our attendants. We also have laundry care guides to help you get the most out of every wash.
New to the area? Start with our guide to moving to Costa Mesa.
Visit Us Today
Conveniently located at 2940 College Ave in Costa Mesa. Enjoy free on-site parking, helpful attendants, and a clean, peaceful lounge environment.