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Good morning, Orange County. You’re reading Thrive OC, your shortcut to the best eats, events, and local news so you’re never left wondering “What’s going on this weekend?” Here’s what’s on deck:

• Farm-to-table dining in Huntington Beach

• Concerts, Fairs, Markets, Food Fests & More

• Family-friendly TSA lane at JWA

• Firefighting Goats

• Where to Cool Off This Week

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Heirloom – A Modern Farmhouse (Huntington Beach)

This cozy farm-to-table spot has all the warmth of a home-cooked meal—because that’s exactly the vibe the mother-daughter duo behind it set out to create. Since opening in 2018, Leo and Chef Brianne Clancy have paired an open-kitchen New American menu with a thoughtful wine list and local beers.

Must-try: Scallop Provençal or Short Rib Bourguignon.

📍 18344 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach

📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

🎶 Brea Concerts in the Park (Aug 13)

Free live music at City Hall Park. Bring chairs, blankets, and your own picnic—or grab tri-tip sandwiches and snacks on site.

🕡 6:30 PM | 📍 City Hall Park, Brea

Event Info

🍷 Wine Down Wednesdays (Aug 13)

Midweek wine, bites, and live tunes at California Vintage Wine Bistro.

🕔 5 PM – 9 PM | 📍 1925 S State College Blvd, Anaheim

Event Info

🌽 OC Farmers Market – Costa Mesa (Aug 14)

Local produce, flowers, fresh fish, and hot lunch options. Free admission & parking.

🕗 8 AM – Noon | 📍 OC Fair & Event Center – Lot D, Costa Mesa

Event Info

🎷 San Clemente Summer Concert (Aug 14)

Beachside reggae-rock with the Wheeland Brothers right on the pier.

🕕 6 PM – 8 PM | 📍 622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente

Event Info

🎤 Irvine Concerts in the Park – No Duh (Aug 14)

Free concert featuring the ultimate No Doubt tribute band at Bluff Park.

🕔 Event 5 PM, Music 6 PM | 📍 Salt Creek Beach, Dana Point

Event Info

🍽 Taste of Lake Forest (Aug 15)

Sample local restaurant favorites, sip in the beer & wine garden, and enjoy live music by The Trip.

🕓 4 PM – 7:30 PM | 📍 Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest

Event Info

🎬 Irvine Movies in the Park: Elemental (Aug 15)

Family movie night under the stars.

🕕 Event 6 PM, Movie at sunset | 📍 Irvine Regional Park, Orange

Event Info

🥨 Pretzel Fest (Aug 16–17)

Live music, beer, and more pretzels than you thought possible. $5 entry.

🕛 Aug 16: 12–4 PM & 5–10 PM | Aug 17: 12–6 PM | 📍 Old World Village, Huntington Beach

Event Info

🎸 Brunch with the Beatles (Aug 17)

Beachside Beatles tribute with brunch favorites.

🕙 10 AM | 📍 SeaLegs at the Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington Beach

Event Info

🎡 OC Fair: “Find Your Happy” (July 18–Aug 17)

Carnival rides, exhibits, games, and classic fair food.

🕚 11 AM–Midnight (Fri & Sat) | 📍 OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa

Event Info

🎨 Sawdust Art Festival (Now through Aug 31)

185+ artists, live demos, music, food, drinks, and free art classes daily.

🕚 Opens 11 AM | 📍 Sawdust Festival Grounds, Laguna Beach

Event Info

🏄 Local News You Should Know

✈️ John Wayne Airport Adds Family-Friendly TSA Lane

Flying with kids just got easier. JWA is now home to Southern California’s only “Families on the Fly” lane at Checkpoint B, offering faster security and less stress. Bonus: new lactation pods in Terminals B and C.

🐐 Laguna Beach Goats on Wildfire Patrol

Three herds (about 200 goats each) are clearing brush near schools and neighborhoods to reduce wildfire risk. Two herds have wrapped up their work, with the last finishing behind Thurston Middle School this week.

🔥 Cooling Centers Open During Heat Wave

With triple-digit temps hitting parts of SoCal, cooling centers are open across Orange, LA, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Officials urge residents to avoid prolonged outdoor activity, stay hydrated, and never leave pets or kids in cars. Find OC cooling center locations here.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Huntington Beach was once called “Pacific City” before being renamed in 1909 in honor of railroad magnate Henry Huntington.

Think you know OC? Reply with your best trivia, and we might feature it next!

🎉 VIP Shoutouts!

A big welcome to our newest Thrive OC VIPs—Mary L.! Thanks for being part of the community—we’ve got some exclusive perks coming your way! 🚀✨

🎶 Live Music This Weekend

Looking for live tunes? Here’s what’s happening:

Friday, August 15:

1. Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach (Dana Point) – The FABBA Show, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

2. Crown Valley Park Amphitheater (Laguna Niguel) – Flashback Heart Attack, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

3. Gibroni's Pizza (San Clemente) – Blues Cartel, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

4. Sandpiper Lounge (Laguna Beach) – Anthony Terrezza, 9:00 pm

5. The Coach House (San Juan Capistrano) – The Motels, 9:00 pm

6. The Drake (Laguna Beach) – Adryon De Leon Quartet, 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm

7. Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – Classic Journey, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm

8. Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – Infectious Grooves, Damnage, Bastardane, 6:00 pm

9. OC Fair - The Hangar (Costa Mesa) – Twisted Gypsy, 8:15 pm

10. Pacific Amphitheatre (Costa Mesa) – Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms, Spin Doctors, 6:15 pm

11. Spaghettini (Seal Beach) – Erin Stevenson, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

12. The Harp Inn (Costa Mesa) – Tastee Nuggz, 8:00 pm

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

Big News for OC Locals: Your New Go-To Guide is Here 📘

We’ve been hard at work and are proud to announce that The Ultimate OC Guide is finally here! This e-book is packed with 150+ pages of curated OC gold—hidden gems, date spots, dog-friendly favorites, annual events, and more.

Normally $40+, we’re giving it away for just $10 for a limited time!

Thrive OC VIPs? It’s yours for FREE. Check your inbox 👀

💛 Want to support but not ready to grab the guide? You can still help keep Thrive OC running strong — Donate here.

Or, take your OC experience to the next level—join Thrive OC VIP for exclusive discounts, VIP event access, and insider perks while supporting local businesses!

Your support means the world—thank you for being part of the Thrive OC community! 🙌

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