If you’ve recently moved to Costa Mesa, CA, you’re likely already soaking up the beautiful weather and sites. The urban-suburban mixed environment makes it a great place to live whether you’re single or growing a family. Plus, its proximity to Los Angeles and the beach makes it an ideal location for quick day trips or getaways. If you’re living in sunny Costa Mesa and want to make the most of your time in this city, here are four tips to live the life you’ve always wanted in Southern California.

1. Get up to speed on local resources.

As with any new city, it’s in your best interest to get the lay of the land in terms of the resources available to you in the area. Though it is unpleasant to think about what you might do in case of an emergency, it’s a good idea to do some research on where the closest hospital is, where the nearest police station is, and if there are any neighborhood resources where you live, like a neighborhood watch. You may also want to get acquainted with the law firms or legal services in the area to get a grasp on the type of legal team you could expect if you were the victim of a car accident, personal injury, or property damage lawsuit. A Costa Mesa car accident attorney with a positive reputation and free consultations will likely be your best bet if you happen to be in a vehicle collision during your time in Costa Mesa. Looking up these things ahead of time will ensure that you’re all set for legal services in case a negligent driver causes you serious injury or property damages. Once you’ve figured the law firm you’d like out, you can get back to enjoying your new Costa Mesa home.

2. Get involved in your community.

After living in Costa Mesa for a while, start looking for ways you can get involved in your community and give back to the population who lives there. You may want to volunteer at a food pantry, local museum, or cultural center, or spend evenings tutoring youth. Or, if you don’t have a lot of time to spare, consider looking for an organization that does work that is close to your heart and set up a monthly donation to support them.

3. Go for a sightseeing weekend in Los Angeles.

One of the best parts of living in Costa Mesa is that it is so close to Los Angeles. It only takes around an hour to travel there! So, make a weekend of it either alone, with friends, or bring your family. You can see all the best Los Angeles sites, like Hollywood Boulevard, the Hollywood sign, the Getty Center, Venice Beach, and more. Los Angeles is also full of great places to eat, so you will never go hungry. The best part of taking a weekend in Los Angeles is that if you decide you don’t want to pay the premium price for a hotel in the city, it only takes one hour to drive back home and sleep soundly in your own Southern California bed.

4. Hit the best clubs and bars with new friends.

After you’ve got a chance to get acquainted with some new people from your job, community involvement, or neighborhood, it’s time to explore Costa Mesa’s nightlife in all its glory. Make a night of it by donning your best outfit and doing a full glam look with your makeup. Go for a full coverage foundation, smokey eyeshadow style, and faux lashes that cling to your natural lash line and give you that doe-eyed, doll-faced look. The time spent using glue on your lash line will all be worth it when you can bat your eyes with lashes that have all the curl and volume of a natural lash, but better. Couple your face of glamorous makeup with a clubbing outfit that any celebrity would be jealous of, and you’ll be set. You’ll show Orange County the best you can be!