I was in Costa Mesa for a wedding last month, and much of the party overnighted at the clean and functional Ramada Inn Costa Mesa. The wedding was on a boat in Newport Harbor. If you’ve never been to a wedding on a boat I highly recommend crashing one. It was quite the time and full of nautical themed jokes like “If anyone objects – it’s a long swim to shore…”

While awaiting the shuttle I checked out the Ramada’s lobby PC. I’m sad to report that after three years and two unanswered emails to Ramada, this PC didn’t appear to be any more secure than the Detroit airport PC I encountered a few years back. Lesson to all: Don’t check your email, bank accounts or airline reservations on these pieces of garbage, unless you want to board the keylogger/identity theft express train. Who wants that when traveling?

Next to the Ramada is Growers Direct. When I caught glimpse of this medium sized greenish hued building I thought it was a medical marijuana dispensary. I realized the store was too big and the grocery bags being carried out would far exceed the MMJ limit.

I walked in and saw a well organized clean local market, stocked high with fruits and vegetables from local growers and suppliers. The store is small and easy to browse and find items among the bustling patrons. I grabbed a few apples and checked out the goods while fawning at the perfection of a retail establishment devoted to local goods – and a place that was open regular hours rather than a four hour farmer’s market on a Sunday morning.

I returned the next morning for a hand picked breakfast of fruits, breads and juice. It definitely won out over the Denny’s next store.

Check ‘em out at 101 E 17th St. Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Most Yelpers like them too