Pacific Amphitheatre

Venue Profile

Costa Mesa, CA · 8042 capacity · Outdoor · Updated September 2026

Pacific Amphitheatre is the outdoor concert venue on the grounds of the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. It opened on July 29, 1983, with Barry Manilow playing the first show, and Marvin Gaye gave his final concert there on August 14 of that year.

Noise complaints from nearby residents closed the amphitheatre in 1995, and it reopened in 2003. A 2013 renovation reshaped the seating berm and cut capacity from about 18,765 to 8,042. Past performers include Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Bob Dylan and Taylor Swift. Today its season is built around the summer OC Fair, when concert tickets include same day fair admission.

Seats are reserved for concerts. Cameras, recorders and backpacks are not allowed, and neither is outside food or drink. Fair parking costs $15, and weekends during the fair run are the busiest, so arriving early helps.

Know Before You Go

  • Venue type: Amphitheater
  • Opened: 1983
  • Operator: OC Fair & Event Center
  • Programming: Summer concert series during the OC Fair: classic rock, pop, R&B, hip-hop, country and tribute bills
  • Ages: All Ages (tickets required from age 2)
  • Phone: 714-708-1500

This profile is part of The 824 Journal Guide to Live Music Venues in Los Angeles and Orange County.

Official Links

Sources

Photo: Epolk via Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Venue Details

Address
100 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
City, State
Costa Mesa, CA
Capacity
8042
Indoor / Outdoor
Outdoor
Standing / Seated
Seated
Parking
Parking at the OC Fair & Event Center is $15 per car, and limited reserved parking (Gate 4) is sold in advance through the box office or etix.com.
Phone
714-708-1500

Amenities

Food
Concessions
Bag Policy
Backpacks are not permitted, and outside food and beverages are not allowed.

https://pacamp.com/about-us/frequently-asked-questions/

Photographer's FAQ

Camera Policy
Still and video cameras and audio or video recorders are not allowed inside the venue.

https://pacamp.com/about-us/frequently-asked-questions/

Links

Official WebsiteMap & Directions