The Most Beautiful Places To Work Remote From In Orange County, CA
In a time where going into an office every day is becoming less and less common, the shift to working remote is something that’s added more freedom, flexibility, enjoyment, and sometimes challenges, to employees’ lives.
While the home office option allows for comfort and convenience, sometimes you just need a change of scenery, vibes, and other humans to help get you in an inspired and motivated space.
Cramming into a crowded, loud coffee shop isn’t always ideal either, so having some go-to spots that are peaceful, beautiful, and inspiring is a welcome luxury when it comes to choosing a remote work spot you’re actually excited to visit.
Take a tour of these nine coffee shops, lounges, and bars in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Laguna Beach, CA that would make for not just productive work remote spots, but ones that are vibey and aesthetically appealing as well.
Photo: Gracias Madre
Gracias Madre, Newport Beach, CA
Gracias Madre is a vegan Mexican restaurant in Newport Beach, CA with a spacious and beautiful outdoor patio as well as a stunning bar and lovely interior design. While most people probably don’t think of restaurants and bars as their first go-to spot to work remote from, we’d argue these make some of the best locations, especially in their off hours.
Whether you get there first thing to avoid the lunch rush, or come after lunch and stay until happy hour time, there are typically plenty of spaces to post up and get some focused work done in a beautiful setting. Treat yourself to happy hour as it gets later in the day or transition to the bar once you’ve clocked out at work.
Note: Gracias Madre in Newport Beach, CA is closed. However, their location in West Hollywood is still open.
Photos: Gracias Madre
Work in Progress, Costa Mesa, CA
If you want a place that runs the gamut of coffee shop to yummy cafe to natural wine bar, Work in Progress, or WIP, in Costa Mesa is for you.
Photos: Work In Progress
With incredible food - their breakfast burrito is a must - indoor and outdoor seating options, wonderful coffee or matcha and seasonal drinks, and high vibe alcoholic beverages to choose from, your senses will be very satisfied at this place. While a little hard to secure a good spot during peak hours, come with a charged computer and enjoy the bustling and cute environment this place offers.
Photo: Work in Progress
Coffee Dose, Costa Mesa, CA
For a jolt of neon energy while you work, head to the flagship Coffee Dose location in Costa Mesa, CA. While it technically mentions they don’t have wifi so as to discourage people from posting up for hours and working solely from here, if you have a mobile hotspot and either come at off, non-busy hours, or squeeze in a bit of work while you grab breakfast or lunch, this place still counts as somewhere you could visit and get some work done with a big side of vibes.
Photo: Opulist
Whether you sit at the pink terrazzo bar or one of their cute table-for-two’s, the energy alone of this place will inspire and motivate you while you work. Their fun drinks are a delightful treat, and their food is truly phenomenal (try the Honeycomb Riccotta). This place is also one you could transition from coffee to wine as they’re open til 6pm most days and 5pm Mondays and Tuesdays, with a bar offering wine and fun cocktails.
Photos: Coffee Dose
Milligram Coffee & Kitchen, Costa Mesa, CA
Milligram Coffee and Kitchen in Costa Mesa is an incredibly elevated and beautiful location to head to for a work sesh. Whether you find yourself inside surrounded by the light and modern design of the restaurant, or sit on their beautiful outdoor patio(s), everywhere here feels good and high vibe.
Photo: Opulist
Yet another spot that transitions from daytime coffee to early evening wine, beer, or even Euro spritzes - with their delicious food and beverage options and lovely surroundings, working from here feels like a mini vacation all its own.
Larsen, Laguna Beach, CA
Boasting some of the very best ocean views in all of Orange County, Larsen at Hotel Laguna also has one of the most beautiful and vibey bars and lounges to work from as well.
Photos: Hotel Laguna
Located in the historic Hotel Laguna, the recently refurbished downstairs now has two stunning restaurants and an artistic and beautifully designed lobby / entryway as well.
While Larsen is an upscale restaurant you’d most likely want to find yourself at on a fun night out, the bar and lounge area of it is something you could visit all day long, and tuck yourself away in the corner while you get some work done.
Enjoy the incredible interiors over an iced tea or any other kind of fun beverage, and pretend you’re someone very fancy who only works at nice hotels while you’re here.
Photo: Hotel Laguna
Herst Coffee Roasters, Newport Beach, CA
Herst Coffee Roasters in Lido Marina Village is a rustic yet elegant and modern coffee shop that gives Euro living with it’s outside bistro tables and white umbrellas, and fresh baked croissants and delicious coffee. A lovely and inviting place to post up for the afternoon, Herst is a bubbly locals spot that feels fresh and industrious all at once.
Photo: Herst Coffee
Seating indoors is a little limited, but there are a few spots by their spacious windows, and a tucked away back booth area complete with a fireplace that’s extra cozy. You’ll mostly see the crowd filling up the tables outdoors, and whether it’s an overcast or summery day, this feels like a delightful little escape while you get work done at the same time.
Photos: Herst Coffee
Zinque, Newport Beach, CA
To continue the French bistro vibes, another relaxing and enjoyable place to work remotely from in Orange County is Zinque in Newport Beach, also located in Lido Marina Village. Situated on the docks with views of the water, Zinque has both patio and indoor seating - complete with a bar and a cozy fireplace area - so you can choose which working views you’d most like to have.
Photo: Zinque
Order a cappuccino and a croissant while you work during the afternoon - we’d recommend visiting in the late afternoon for the least amount of fellow patrons - then transition to happy hour wine and french fries as soon as early evening hits.
While there might not be a lot of outlets available, there’s wifi, quiet corners, and beautiful views to keep you inspired and peaceful while you work.
VEA Hotel Lobby, Newport Beach, CA
There’s just something about working from a hotel lobby that feels extra professional. Especially when it’s a beautiful one. The VEA Hotel across from Fashion Island in Newport Beach, CA is a spacious and sophisticated space that has couches, cozy seating areas, and even a long conference table complete with outlets and space to spread out.
Photos: VEA Hotel
There’s a coffee shop located inside so you can stay caffeinated and fed, and the open windows and views from the lobby make it a beachy yet elegant place to work remotely from.
While as a non-guest this might not be a place you could head to every day, if you need somewhere to stop in at and work for a few hours, this would make for a great spot.
Photo: VEA Hotel
KIT Coffee, Newport Beach or Irvine, CA
Both KIT Coffee locations - one in Newport Beach and one in Irvine - provide a light, airy, and beautiful space to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee from while you work.
Photos: KIT Coffee
They are beautifully designed, have absolutely incredible food and delicious coffee and matcha, and make you feel productive when you’re surrounding yourself with lots of other remote workers as well.
Choose indoor or outdoor seating, and enjoy the experience of being a working professional with good taste too.
The Aesthetic Edit is your go-to source for design-forward coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and more. Keep following along to find more aesthetically appealing content just like this.
Head to Opulist’s search page to discover the most beautiful and aesthetic places to work remote from all throughout Orange County and beyond.
