Good morning, Orange County. You’re reading Thrive OC, your guide to the best things to do and places to eat this week, plus the local updates worth knowing before you make plans. Here’s what’s on deck:

• Elevated dining in South OC

• Holiday lights & parades

• OC winter events

• New Fullerton trail

• LA–OC speed rail

• Ancient lake reappears

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Ironwood (Laguna Hills)

Ironwood is one of South OC’s go-to spots for a proper night out, serving contemporary American cuisine alongside a full bar and an open kitchen that keeps the energy high. The menu leans classic but elevated—think ribeye, lamb, seafood, and burgers—paired with a heated patio and Saddleback Mountain views that make it ideal for date night or celebrations.

Where: 25250 La Paz Road, Suite 100, Laguna Hills | Phone: (949) 446-8772

Discover Where Makers Are Made. Urban Workshop – Costa Mesa

Bring your ideas to life at Urban Workshop, Orange County’s largest membership-based makerspace. With 28,000 sq. ft. of professional tools, workspaces, and hands-on workshop classes, it’s the perfect place for creators, entrepreneurs, and DIYers to learn, build, and grow.

For young makers ages 10–16, the Kids Shop Classes introduce STEM and industrial arts through fun, hands-on projects while using traditional and modern tools to create projects they’ll be proud of. Urban Workshop also offers professional welder training and certification testing, helping students and tradespeople develop real-world skills and earn credentials recognized by industry professionals.

Free tours daily! 365-A Clinton St, Costa Mesa

Questions? Call (949) 296-2153 or check out the links below to learn more!

• 👉 Membership Overview

• 👉 Welding Programs

• 👉 Youth Programs

📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

Santa’s Workshop, Mission Viejo (Now–Dec 21, Select Days)

Free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus in a festive, drop-in setting, plus hot cocoa and desserts nearby. Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, Dec 3–21 from 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo | Event Info

Sawdust Winter Fantasy, Laguna Beach (Now–Dec 21, Fri–Sun)

Laguna’s winter art village with 180+ local artists, live music, food, and festive activities—one of the best spots for unique, handmade holiday gifts. Fridays–Sundays, Nov 21–Dec 21 | Sawdust Art Festival Grounds, Laguna Beach | Event Info

Dream Glow Festival – Wild Rivers, Irvine (Now–Dec 31)

Wild Rivers transforms into a glowing holiday walk-through with millions of lights, tunnels, sculptures, music, and seasonal treats. Now–Dec 31, 4:30 PM–10 PM | Wild Rivers Waterpark, Irvine | Event Info

Newport Dunes Fire & Light Festival (Now–Jan 4)

Floating holiday decorations, fire dancer performances, photos with Santa, inflatables, and an igloo bar. Thursday–Sunday evenings through Jan 4 | Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort | Event Info

Dana Point Harbor “Merry Kiss Me” Lights (Now–Jan 4)

Holiday lights are back—self-guided, free, and photogenic as ever. Nightly, Nov 12, 2025–Jan 4, 2026 | Dana Point Harbor | Event Info

Skating Under the Stars, Irvine Spectrum (Now–Jan 4)

Outdoor ice skating under the Giant Wheel with timed sessions, rentals, and themed Thursday nights through the holidays. Daily through Jan 4 (multiple afternoon & evening sessions; closed Thanksgiving & Christmas, special hours Christmas Eve & New Year’s) | Giant Wheel Court, Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine | Event Info

Holiday Movie Matinee: “Miracle on 34th Street” (Dec 15)

A free midday holiday classic at the community center — easy and family-friendly. 12:00 PM | Laguna Hills Community Center | Event Info

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade of Lights (Dec 17–21)

One of the largest boat parades in the country, featuring hundreds of decorated boats and waterfront displays. Dec 17–21 Evenings starting at 6:30pm | Newport Harbor | Event Info

Capistrano Lights at the Mission (Dec 19–30)

Evening holiday experience with lights in the Mission gardens, music, and a live nativity scene. 3:30 PM–6:30 PM | Mission San Juan Capistrano | Event Info

Taste of Japan, Anaheim (Dec 19–21)

A weekend celebration of Japanese food, culture, and holiday cheer with free admission. Fri–Sat from 12pm-9pm, Sun from 12pm-7pm | STC GardenWalk, Anaheim | Event Info

Run for a Claus, Irvine (Dec 20)

A festive 5K and kids mile at the Great Park, complete with Santa appearances and photos. Saturday, Dec 20 starting at 6:30am | Great Park, Irvine | Event Info

Country Christmas, San Juan Capistrano (Dec 20)

Line dancing, country music, cowboy Santa, vendors, and holiday sips and eats. 4:00 PM–9:00 PM | Inn at the Mission, San Juan Capistrano | Event Info

Urban Workshop Youth Programs (Dec–Jan)

Enrollment is happening now for Urban Workshops' Youth Programs, offering hands-on learning with real tools, real projects, and real-life skills during Winter Camps and Spring Semester classes. 1-Week Winter Camps run in December and January, and the 12-Week Spring Semester begins January 26th, with sessions offered daily at varying times.

🏄 Local News You Should Know

LA to Anaheim high-speed rail moves forward

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has released its draft environmental report for the Los Angeles-to-Anaheim segment, opening the public comment period through early February. This 30-mile corridor is a critical link in the state’s Phase 1 plan and brings Southern California closer to a future high-speed rail connection between California counties.

Fullerton’s Union Pacific Trail officially opens

After years of planning, Fullerton’s Union Pacific Trail Phase Two is now open, transforming a former railroad corridor into a multi-use path for walking and biking. The project adds lighting, landscaping, and new trees while creating safer, more connected routes through the city. It’s a major step toward greener, more accessible public spaces in North OC.

An ancient lake reappears in Death Valley

After record rainfall this fall, a shallow version of ancient Lake Manly has reemerged in Death Valley’s Badwater Basin. The basin, normally dry, now holds several inches of water, creating rare reflections of surrounding mountains. Park officials say the water will slowly evaporate over time, making this a limited window to see a once-in-a-generation phenomenon.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Fullerton began as a railroad town in the late 1800s, which makes the transformation of an old rail corridor into today’s Union Pacific Trail a fitting full-circle moment for the city.

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, Dec 19:

1. Frisby Cellars (Dana Point) – Chelsey Sanchez, 5:00–8:00 pm

2. Knuckleheads (San Clemente) – Soul Beacons, 8:00 pm

3. Royal Hawaiian (Laguna Beach) – Rebel Robbie, 7:00–10:00 pm

4. Raya at The Ritz-Carlton (Dana Point) – Olivia Rohde, 6:00 pm

5. The Rib Joint (Dana Point) – The Cabbys, 6:30–9:30 pm

6. San Juan Hills Golf Course (San Juan Capistrano) – Tricia Freeman Band, 6:30–9:30 pm

7. Anaheim Packing House – Marrakesh (Anaheim) – Belly Dance Dinner Show, 7:00–9:00 pm

8. Gallery at Anaheim Hills Golf Club (Anaheim Hills) – Yellow Dog, 5:30–8:30 pm

9. Let It Brie (Fullerton) – Lindsey Star, 6:00–8:00 pm

10. Newport Harbor Elks Lodge #1767 (Newport Beach) – Bad Habit, 7:00–11:00 pm

11. Spaghettini (Seal Beach) – Pretzel Logic – Steely Dan Revue, 7:00–8:30 pm

12. Pacific Symphony – Segerstrom Concert Hall (Costa Mesa) – Rat Pack Christmas, 8:00 pm

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

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