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Costa Mesa, California

image by Kevin Gilhooley

Flag Description
City Seal
Former Flag

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Flag Description

The motto of Costa Mesa is 'City of the Arts', and this is reflected both in the municipal seal, whose dominant images are a male and a female figure in academic robes, and on the Municipal Flag as well. The flag is in my opinion one of the more striking modernistic designs I have seen, with its dramatic use of dark blue and white and the brief touches of rainbow color. The motto is also prominently displayed.
Ron Lahav, 9 September 2004

In 1967, the City of Costa Mesa first adopted an official flag as a result of a city-wide contest. The motto, "Hub of the Harbor Area," reflected Costa Mesa's industrial and agricultural nature which prevailed at that time. Just last year, the city council adopted a new flag which more adequately reflects the current atmosphere of the City of Costa Mesa. Utilizing the city's current motto, "City of the Arts," the flag prominently displays the phrase alongside a graphic originally designed by the Costa Mesa Conference and Visitors Bureau. The graphic is prominently displayed throughout the city, adorning street signs, stationery, and tourism brochures. The flag was officially adopted on May 19, 2003. Only a simple majority vote of the City Council was required to adopt the new flag.
Kevin Gilhooley 9 September 2004

City Seal

image by Kevin Gilhooley

The City has an official Seal, which is accessible from our website: www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us/about/citylogo.htm. The City Council adopted a design for the official City Seal on July 20, 1953, which was submitted by a resident. The City Seal features the motto (since updated) positioned across the center between male and female figures in collegiate cap and gown, representing "education." At the top of the Seal is the library at Orange Coast College. The bottom insignia is decorated with an ocean scene and sail boats.
Kevin Gilhooley 9 September 2004

Former Flag

image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 19 November 2005
based on a web image located by Valentin Poposki, 26 August 2005