Baseball cards have been a beloved part of American culture and childhood for generations. In Costa Mesa, California, the hobby of collecting baseball cards remains vibrant with numerous shops catering to fans of all ages. Located in Orange County just south of Los Angeles, Costa Mesa has developed a reputation as a baseball card hotspot with a variety of stores offering cards from the early 20th century up to the present day.
One of the most well known and longstanding baseball card shops in Costa Mesa is Dave & Adam’s Card World, located in the South Coast Metro area at 2310 Newport Boulevard. Founded in 1985, Dave & Adam’s is a sprawling 10,000 square foot store filled from floor to ceiling with cards from every era. Whether you’re looking for vintage stars like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, or Mickey Mantle or modern stars like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, or Shohei Ohtani, Dave & Adam’s vast inventory is sure to have what you’re seeking. In addition to singles, the shop stocks factory sets, boxes of packs, supplies for collectors like magnetic holders, toploaders, and binders. Dave & Adam’s knowledgeable staff can also assist customers with valuations, grading submissions, and custom card searches. The store hosts frequent group breaks, autograph signings, and special events that draw collectors from across Southern California. Dave & Adam’s longevity and central Costa Mesa location have cemented its status as a premier baseball card destination.
Another baseball card shop that has been serving the Costa Mesa area for decades is Pacific Sports Cards, located about 5 miles north of Dave & Adam’s at 2912 Bristol Street. Pacific Sports Cards opened in 1988 and like its South Coast Metro competitor, features floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with cards from the earliest decades of the hobby through modern issues. In addition to singles, sets, and boxes for building collections, Pacific Sports Cards stocks memorabilia from autographed balls and bats to framed jerseys and photos. The shop is also a dealer at card shows around California and specializes in high-end vintage cards, with many rare pre-war tobacco cards and vintage rookie cards in its extensive inventory. Pacific Sports Cards is known for its expertise in grading and authentication, making it a trusted source for valuable vintage cardboard. The friendly, knowledgeable staff are always happy to help customers find that special card to add to their collection.
While Dave & Adam’s and Pacific Sports Cards are two of the largest and most prominent baseball card shops in Costa Mesa, there are also several smaller, locally owned stores that have been fixtures in the city for years and cater to the close-knit baseball card community. One such shop is Orange County Sportscards, located at 3010 Harbor Boulevard in the Westside area. Opened in 1994, Orange County Sportscards packs its small 800 square foot space with new releases, boxes, supplies and a vast selection of vintage cardboard, much of it reasonably priced. The shop holds regular Saturday morning meetups that draw collectors of all ages to trade, sell and admire each other’s collections. Another neighborhood favorite is All Star Sportscards, located about 10 minutes east of Dave & Adam’s at 2742 Harbor Boulevard. All Star Sportscards opened in 2003 and its 500 square feet are jam packed floor to ceiling with boxes organized by sport and era. The shop is known for its deep selection of football and basketball cards in addition to baseball.
In addition to its brick and mortar shops, Costa Mesa is also home to one of the largest and longest running baseball card shows in Southern California. The Orange County Baseball Card Show has been held monthly since 1987 at the OC Fair & Event Center, attracting hundreds of dealers and thousands of collectors from around the state. Vendors fill the cavernous halls of the Event Center, transforming it into a baseball card lover’s paradise. In addition to tables packed with cards from dealers near and far, the show features autograph signings from retired players, memorabilia displays from local collectors, and contests and giveaways. It’s not unusual to spot a former Major Leaguer casually signing at a dealer’s booth. The size and history of the Orange County Baseball Card Show underscore Costa Mesa’s significance as a hub for the hobby in Southern California.
Whether you’re a lifelong collector or just starting to build your collection, Costa Mesa offers the passionate fan plenty of options to feed their baseball card habit. With shops that cater to collectors of all budgets and interests as well as one of the nation’s top card shows, it’s no wonder Costa Mesa has become synonymous with the baseball card scene in Southern California after decades of dedicated hobbyists and small business owners cultivating the city’s reputation. For the true aficionado of cardboard treasures, Costa Mesa is baseball card heaven.
