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

Perched atop the hills of Orange, Orange Hill Restaurant blends breathtaking views with culinary excellence. Recently featured as one of OpenTable's Most Romantic Restaurants in OC, it offers upscale New American cuisine, delightful cocktails, and an ambiance highlighted by koi ponds and waterfalls. Must-order tip: Sip cocktails by the fireplace at sunset… the best seats fill quickly!

Where: 6410 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92869 | Phone: (714) 997-1109

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Sip, savor, and unwind with live music and tequila specials at Top of The V in Anaheim. Enjoy 50% off select tequilas while taking in city views and live music from James Samimi. Evening | Top of The V, 1601 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805 | Event Info

Explore Dana Point’s glowing nighttime marine world aboard the R/V Sea Explorer. Guests will learn about bioluminescent plankton, nocturnal marine life, and the tiny organisms that light up the ocean. 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM | Ocean Institute, Dana Point | Event Info

Downtown Fullerton comes alive with food, local makers, live music, and community energy at this Thursday night market. It’s a casual midweek outing with plenty to browse and snack on. 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM | Downtown Fullerton Plaza | Event Info

Get ready for a weekend of authentic Greek food, music, entertainment, shopping, drinks, and community fun. From souvlaki to baklava, this Anaheim festival brings the flavors and spirit of Greece to OC. Friday 5 PM to 10 PM, Saturday 12 PM to 10 PM, Sunday 12 PM to 9 PM | 405 N Dale Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801 | Event Info

Beach volleyball returns to Surf City with three days of top-tier AVP competition next to the Huntington Beach Pier. Expect elite athletes, beach crowds, and one of the most iconic backdrops in the sport. Friday and Saturday start at 9 AM, Sunday starts at 8:30 AM | Huntington City Beach, near the Huntington Beach Pier | Event Info

The Crawfish Festival brings Louisiana-style flavor to Fountain Valley with crawfish, Cajun food, live music, dancing, drinks, family activities, and plenty of New Orleans energy. Free parking is available. Friday 5 PM to 10 PM, Saturday 2 PM to 10 PM, Sunday 12 PM to 8 PM | Fountain Valley Sports Park, Fountain Valley, CA | Event Info

Brea Bonanza Days brings a country-inspired weekend of live music, dancing, food, drinks, family activities, and line dancing. It’s an all-ages festival with a kids zone and plenty happening throughout the weekend. Times vary | Downtown Brea | Event Info

Shop more than 85 vendors featuring vintage finds, handmade goods, antiques, farmhouse decor, repurposed pieces, and more. The event also includes food trucks, live music, beer and wine, workshops, and access to the historic Kellogg House. 9 AM to 3 PM | Heritage Museum of Orange County, 3101 W Harvard St, Santa Ana, CA 92704 | Event Info

This 21-and-up fundraiser brings craft beverage tastings, food bites, and special animal encounters to the Santa Ana Zoo. Tickets include a zoo glass and unlimited tastings from brewery stations throughout the zoo. 5 PM to 8 PM | Santa Ana Zoo | Event Info

Come hungry for an outdoor feast featuring unlimited whole lobster while it lasts, plus tri-tip, sides, salads, desserts, music, and drinks available for purchase. The event supports the community and brings a classic OC food festival vibe to Peppertree Park. Gates open at 4 PM, food starts at 4:30 PM | Peppertree Park, 230 W First St, Tustin, CA 92780 | Event Info

Classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, exhibitors, food, drinks, and live music take over Laguna Hills Mall for the 6th Annual Laguna Hills Car Show. Admission is free, and The Common Chords will perform classic hits throughout the afternoon. 4 PM to 7 PM | Laguna Hills Mall, 24203 Avenida De La Carlota, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 | Event Info

Celebrate Brody’s birthday with Sonoma wines, raffles, doggie bags, and a good cause. The $25 tasting fee will be donated to Guide Dogs for the Blind, and pups and kids are welcome. 12 PM to 5 PM | Wise Guys Pizzeria, 4957 Yorba Ranch Rd, Yorba Linda, CA | Event Info

Big news for San Clemente and OC surf culture: Lower Trestles has been selected as the surfing venue for the LA28 Olympic Games. The iconic break, located just south of San Clemente in San Onofre State Beach, is known around the world for its clean, high-performance waves and deep roots in Southern California surf history. It has hosted major World Surf League events, including recent WSL Finals, and is a favorite training ground for many of the world’s top surfers. While Huntington Beach was an early possibility, local surf advocates pushed for Lowers because of its summer swell consistency and reputation as one of the best waves in California. Plans are expected to keep the event relatively small in scale, with an emphasis on using existing infrastructure and minimizing disruption to the park and surrounding habitat.

A beloved Corona del Mar destination is getting a major refresh. Sherman Library & Gardens has launched a $17 million renovation project that will update about half of the 60-year-old botanical garden. The project includes a new entrance along Pacific Coast Highway, more community space, a new Reflection Garden, a Central Garden Walkway, and improvements to the Tropical Conservancy’s environmental systems. The restaurant will eventually move closer to PCH, opening up its current space for more classes, events, and educational programming. Even with construction underway, parts of the garden remain open, including orchid displays, the succulent garden, Fern Alley, and seasonal mini-experiences throughout the property. Renovations are expected to be completed in late summer 2027.

Mission Viejo is once again turning to goats for wildfire prevention and vegetation management. The city’s latest goat-grazing program will target a roughly 12-acre open space area along the Oso Creek Trail between Jeronimo and Casta Del Sol. The goal is to reduce excess vegetation, especially non-native grasses and weeds that can add to fire risk. It’s an environmentally friendly option for steep hillsides and sensitive areas where traditional equipment can be harder to use. The city used goats last year along the Jeronimo Creek Trail, and this new four-week program will include fencing, monitoring, and protections for native plants. Residents will also be able to meet miniature goats during the city’s Arbor and Earth Day celebration on April 25.

Lower Trestles gets its name from the old railroad trestle bridge near the surf break, a landmark surfers passed on the walk to the beach. Long before Trestles was announced as the 2028 Olympic surfing venue, it was already part of California surf lore, even earning a mention in The Beach Boys’ 1963 classic “Surfin’ U.S.A.”

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