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:

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

Nestled at the base of the mountains in Trabuco Canyon, Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse is OC's ultimate no-frills steakhouse experience. With mesquite-fired steaks grilled to perfection amid rustic, Western-themed décor, it’s a genuine taste of cowboy country. And the house rule? Absolutely no ties allowed.

Where: 20782 Trabuco Oaks Dr, Trabuco Canyon, CA | Phone: (949) 586-0722

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Meet interior design expert Shea McGee as she celebrates her debut cookbook with a special in-store signing. Expect design inspiration, hosting tips, and a closer look at how to create memorable, elevated gatherings. 11 AM–1 PM | Barnes & Noble Fashion Island, 401 Newport Center Dr Suite A215, Newport Beach | Event Info

Enjoy a free outdoor Afro-Cuban concert at Heisler Park Amphitheater as Laguna Beach’s Sunset Serenades series continues. Bring a low-back beach chair and settle in for music by the coast. 6:30 PM to sunset | Heisler Park Amphitheater, Laguna Beach | Event Info

Downtown Fullerton turns into a walkable art night with galleries, boutiques, coffee shops, salons, comic stores, and local creative spaces opening their doors to the public.
5–10 PM, times vary by venue | Downtown Fullerton | Event Info

Taste your way through top local restaurants, breweries, beer, and wine at this community event supporting the Orange Blossoms Auxiliary and local family-focused programs. 3–7 PM | Old Town Orange Plaza | Event Info

San Clemente’s 36th annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta brings live music, dancing, vendors, crafts, games, food trucks, a beer garden, and family activities to Max Berg Plaza Park. 2–6 PM | Max Berg Plaza Park, 1100 Calle Puente, San Clemente | Event Info

One of California’s strangest and coolest natural spectacles is back. Registered guests can join a guided evening program to learn about grunion and watch the fish come ashore to spawn, followed by s’mores by the bonfire. May 2, evening program time provided upon registration | Bolsa Chica State Beach | Event Info

Bolsa Chica’s beachside honky tonk brings country music, line dancing, Bluegrass Brunch, mimosas, and Heritage Barbecue to the sand. Expect boots, BBQ, coastal sunsets, and a full weekend country vibe. 2 PM–6 PM | SeaSalt at the Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach | Event Info

The Hoag OC Marathon returns for a full weekend of scenic coastal racing and community energy, with distances for every level from a fun 5K to the full 26.2-mile marathon. Times vary | Orange County coastal course | Event Info

Irvine Boulevard goes car-free for a 1.3-mile open streets event where residents can walk, bike, roll, and enjoy live music, art, activities, and local businesses. 11 AM–4 PM | Irvine Boulevard between Culver Drive and Parkwood, Irvine | Event Info

Del Prado Avenue shuts down for one of Dana Point’s signature markets, featuring 200+ vendors, vintage finds, surf-inspired goods, food, drinks, and music. 9 AM–5 PM | Del Prado Avenue, Dana Point | Event Info

Classic imports, coffee, a Best of Show contest, vendors, live DJ, food, and shopping come together for a relaxed car-lover morning in Anaheim. 8 AM–12 PM | Center Street Promenade, Anaheim | Event Info

Celebrate the spirit of aloha with Polynesian music and dance, island cuisine, shaved ice, local vendors, free entertainment, and a pet-friendly setup. 10 AM–4 PM | 16160 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach | Event Info

After more than 50 years, Westminster Mall is officially coming down. The longtime shopping center, which opened in 1974 and was once one of Orange County’s most popular malls, is being cleared to make way for Bolsa Pacific, a major mixed-use development planned with housing, retail, hotel space, open space, walking trails, and a new Target. It’s a major shift for Westminster and the end of an era for anyone who grew up wandering those mall halls.

Only in coastal OC: a 432-square-foot cabin in Laguna Beach is on the market for $18.8 million. The tiny seaside property has zero bedrooms, one bathroom, and panoramic ocean views, but the real value is the rare oversized lot, private setting, and direct access near Shaw’s Cove. At more than $43,000 per square foot, it’s less about the cabin and more about one of Laguna’s most coveted coastal locations.

Coastal train travel is getting a boost. Starting May 4, 2026, a new daily Pacific Surfliner roundtrip will connect Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo, expanding options for riders along the Central Coast. The added service brings more schedule flexibility for commuters, students, business travelers, and anyone looking to trade freeway traffic for ocean views, Wi-Fi, and a more relaxed ride.

Westminster Mall opened in 1974 on land that was once home to a large goldfish farm. Now, decades later, the site is being transformed again into one of Orange County’s major new mixed-use developments.

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