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Good morning, Orange County. You’re reading Thrive OC, your weekly guide to the best local spots, happenings, and hidden gems across the coast and beyond. Here’s what’s on deck:

• Steakhouse experience in North OC

• Lunar New Year & Valentine’s events across OC

• Music festivals, dance nights, book/movie clubs & more

• Newport Beach wave pool update

• Newport Harbor dredging project

• Free tax help for Irvine residents

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Old Brea Chop House (Brea)

Old Brea Chop House delivers a timeless steakhouse experience with a modern edge. Expect prime steaks, fresh seafood, craft cocktails, and a warm, upscale atmosphere that works just as well for date night as it does for special occasions or business dinners.

Where: 180 S Brea Blvd, Brea, CA 92821 | Phone: (714) 592-3122

📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

Laguna Beach Music Festival (Feb 2–7)

A multi-day music festival featuring classical and contemporary performances, special events, and community programs throughout Laguna Beach. Time varies | Various venues across Laguna Beach | Event Info

Book to Movie Club, Laguna Hills (Feb 4)

Discuss Jane Austen’s Emma and then enjoy a screening of its modern adaptation, Clueless, as part of this monthly community book club. 5:30 PM | Laguna Hills Community Center & Library (Heritage Room) | Event Info

Taste of San Juan Capistrano (Feb 5)

Sample dishes from some of San Juan Capistrano’s best restaurants at this annual tasting event hosted by the Fiesta Association. 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | San Juan Hills Golf Club, 32120 San Juan Creek Rd, San Juan Capistrano | Event Info

Santa Ana Tết Lunar New Year Festival (Feb 7)

A free, family-friendly celebration honoring Vietnamese and Asian cultures with performances, food vendors, and a fireworks show. 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Centennial Park, 3000 W. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana | Event Info

Lunar New Year Festival at Great Park Live, Irvine (Feb 7)

The inaugural Lunar New Year Parade and Festival featuring cultural performances, food, community booths, and family activities. 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Great Park Live, Irvine | Event Info

Books & Blooms, Dana Point (Feb 7)

A creative outdoor market blending books, plants, author readings, live music, and local vendors. 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Bump Out Park, 24354 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point | Event Info

Fountain Valley Lunar New Year Festival (Feb 7)

Celebrate the Year of the Horse with crafts, games, and cultural activities designed for all ages. 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Fountain Valley Recreation Center, 16400 Brookhurst St | Event Info

Salsa in the Streets, Santa Ana (Feb 7)

An outdoor Latin dance night with a free beginner salsa class followed by music and social dancing. 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | 305 E 4th St, Santa Ana (4th & French St) | Event Info

Be Mine Paint & Sip Class, Brea (Feb 7)

A Valentine-themed paint-and-sip class where guests create a romantic floral canvas in a fun, relaxed setting. Designed for all skill levels, with upbeat music and a social vibe that’s perfect for a night out. 3:00–5:15 PM | Pinot’s Palette Brea, 110 W Birch St, Suite 1, Brea, CA | Event Info

Lunar New Year at the Barnyard, Tanaka Farms (Feb 7–8)

A family-friendly barnyard celebration featuring crafts, stories, traditions, and photo ops with the farm’s resident horse. 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Tanaka Farms, Irvine | Event Info

Valentine’s Day Events for Singles & Couples Across OC (Now–End of Feb)

A countywide guide to Valentine’s Day plans, whether you’re celebrating as a couple, with friends, or solo. From romantic dinners and live music to singles mixers and hands-on experiences, there’s something for every vibe and relationship status. Now through the end of February | All across Orange County | Event Info

🏄 Local News You Should Know

Wave Pool Plans in Newport Beach Reversed

Last year, Newport Beach City Council approved plans for the Snug Harbor Surf Park, a proposed wave pool development near the Newport Beach Golf Course. That plan is now in limbo after the council voted to rescind its approval of a general plan amendment that would have allowed a nearly 60,000-square-foot project. A successful petition forced the council to either send the issue to voters or reverse course, and members opted to pull the amendment instead. While a wave pool could still move forward under existing zoning rules, it would need to be significantly smaller, and it remains unclear whether the developer plans to proceed.

Newport Harbor Dredging Reaches Key Milestone

The long-awaited Newport Harbor dredging project continues to make progress, with crews completing much of the Turning Basin and Coast Highway areas and hauling roughly 75% of the dredged material destined for Long Beach. Work is now shifting toward Marina Park and the peninsula, with additional dredging expected to last several months. Once completed in fall 2026, the project will restore harbor depth, improve water quality, and mark the final large-scale dredging effort anticipated for Newport Harbor for decades.

Free Tax Preparation for Irvine Residents

The City of Irvine, in partnership with Orange County United Way, is offering free tax preparation services for eligible residents through OC Free Tax Prep. Irvine residents who earned under $69,000 in 2025 can receive help filing their tax returns starting February 3, with assistance provided by IRS-trained and certified volunteers. The program also helps identify potential state and federal tax credits, including Earned Income and Child Tax Credits, which could put extra money back in residents’ pockets.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Before large-scale dredging projects, much of Newport Harbor hadn’t been restored to its original depth in over 50 years—making the current effort one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the harbor’s history.

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

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🎶 Live Music This Weekend

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

Friday, Feb 06:

1. Alza Italian Kitchen (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Jason Bohen, 6:00 pm

2. BeachFire Bar & Grill (San Clemente) – Echo Love Chamber, 8:00 pm

3. Bigshots Billiards Bar & Grill (Lake Forest) – Soundcake (Rock/Pop Friday), 10:30 pm

4. Bricco Cucina & Wine Bar (Laguna Niguel) – Jacobi Brown, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

5. Carlos Mexican Restaurant (Dana Point) – Randall Winvick Quartet, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

6. The Coach House (San Juan Capistrano) – Sons of Cream, 9:00 pm

7. Cafe Sevilla (Costa Mesa) – Colombian Latin Soul, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

8. Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – Skynyrd and Company, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

9. Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – Billy Joel vs. Amy Winehouse Tributes, 5:00 pm

10. House of Blues Anaheim – Music Hall (Anaheim) – Rock of the 80s, 7:00 pm

11. Kobe Steakhouse & Lounge (Seal Beach) – Bongo Funk, 8:00 pm

12. The Observatory (Santa Ana) – Infekt (Port Zero Tour), 7:00 pm

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

Valentine’s Mugs Are Here ☕❤️

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be complicated. We made a few OC-inspired mugs for anyone who’s single, caffeinated, obsessed with coffee, or just really loves living here. They’re simple, cozy, and designed to be your new go-to coffee companion. (Thrive OC VIPs get a mug free as a thank-you for supporting the community! If you’ve been thinking about upgrading, this is one of the many perks you’ll unlock.)

Take a look below, pick your favorite design, and enjoy a little extra coffee-time love this Valentine’s season. Free shipping, too.

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