Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Orange County’s performing arts venue started life in 1986, but today’s multi-space complex has come a long way since the early days, thanks to the generous philanthropy of local benefactors, the Segerstrom family, in whose honour the venue was renamed in 2011. An ambitious expansion programme, which began in 2003, has transformed the popular venue into a world-class cultural facility hosting everything from ballet to pop.The largest venue is the 3,000-seat opera house, which accommodates lavish Broadway musicals, ballet galas and performances by global superstars. The 2,000-seat concert hall boasts a diverse programme of chamber operas, drama, celebrity recitals and symphony concerts, many of them given by the centre’s resident ensembles, Pacific Symphony, Philharmonic Society of Orange County and Pacific Chorale. The 500-seat theatre is a flexible space that works equally well for raucous rock bands or club-style jazz.Free community performances are held in the outdoor Arts Plaza, which shows classic films every Monday during the summer months. The walls of the concert hall are transformed into a giant cinema screen, and visitors are encouraged to bring their own picnics and enjoy the al fresco atmosphere. For a more formal dining experience before or after a show, book a table at Leatherby’s Café Rouge, which offers an elegant fine dining menu.If you don’t have time to attend a performance, why not take a free guided tour of this architectural landmark to admire the impressive auditoria and catch a glimpse of the backstage world that’s normally off limits to audiences. Check in advance for tour departure times, which vary according to show schedules. The centre also runs a year-round education programme.Segerstrom Center for the Arts is situated in Costa Mesa, around 15 minutes’ drive from Santa Ana city centre, and you’ll find plenty of free on-site parking.