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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:

• South OC winery pick

• Fairs, Markets, and Festivals

• Art walks and Easter events

• Garden Grove shuttle

• Rivian robotaxi deal

• Petrol Club opening

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Rancho Capistrano Winery (San Clemente)

Craving great wine, food, and coastal charm? Head to Rancho Capistrano Winery, the largest winery in Orange County and Southern California’s Best Winery, located right in the heart of San Clemente. Enjoy handcrafted wine tastings, a relaxed dog-friendly patio, and a menu that delivers, from grass-fed filet mignon with blue cheese mashed potatoes to pan-seared salmon with grilled vegetables and cilantro rice, plus a rich flourless chocolate cake to finish. For the full experience, their Wine Club offers exclusive events, discounts, and curated wine shipments.

Where: 124 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA | Phone: (949) 276-2197

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📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

OC Japan Fair, Costa Mesa (April 3-5)

The largest Japanese festival in Southern California returns with street food, cultural vendors, and live entertainment, plus access to the Freedom LA Japanese Music Festival. From sushi to J-pop, this is one of those once-a-year events that turns the fairgrounds into a full-on cultural experience. Fri, April 3 (4:00 PM-10:00 PM); Sat, April 4 (12:00 PM-10:00 PM); Sun, April 5 (11:00 AM-7:00 PM) | OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 | Event Info

Knott’s Boysenberry Festival (Now-April 12)

One of Knott’s most beloved seasonal traditions is back, bringing limited-time food and drink, live entertainment, artisan vendors, and plenty of family-friendly fun. If you want classic spring-in-SoCal energy with a very OC twist, this is a solid pick. Now through April 12, times vary | Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park | Event Info

Trivia Night at Four Sons Brewing, Huntington Beach (April 1)

If your ideal midweek plan involves beer, friends, and proving you know way too much random information, Four Sons has you covered. Hosted by Thinky Drinky, the weekly trivia night also features rotating food trucks and prizes for the top teams. 6:00 PM-8:00 PM | Four Sons Brewing, 18421 Gothard Street, Suite 100, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | Event Info

Dana Point Harbor Farmers Market (April 1)

A low-key harbor market is always a good idea, especially when it comes with fresh produce, local vendors, snacks, and an easy waterside stroll. This one makes for a great midweek reset. 9:00 AM-1:00 PM | Harbor Village Lot, 34555 Golden Lantern St, Dana Point | Event Info

Easter Eggstravaganza, Anaheim (April 2)

This spring-themed market event mixes shopping with family fun, including free kids crafts, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and an Easter treat hunt. It’s a festive option if you want something cheerful and easygoing in the middle of the week. 11:00 AM-3:00 PM | Anaheim Farmers Market 435 West Center Street Promenade, Anaheim | Event Info

Fullerton Night Market (April 2)

The Fullerton Night Market returns for the 2026 season with live music, food, and local makers in the heart of downtown. It’s the kind of weekly community event that’s perfect for casual wandering and seeing what catches your eye. 4:30 PM-8:30 PM | Downtown Plaza, 125 E. Wilshire Avenue, Fullerton | Event Info

Pizza & Paws, Garden Grove (April 2)

Garden Grove’s Pizza & Paws fundraiser brings together pizza night and a good cause, with proceeds supporting the Garden Grove Police Support Canine Program. A fun, family-friendly option for anyone who wants to do something local and helpful at the same time. 5:00 PM-9:00 PM | Chuck E. Cheese, 13101 Harbor Boulevard, Garden Grove | Event Info

Grunion Run at Bolsa Chica State Beach (April 3)

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. April 3, evening program time provided upon registration | Bolsa Chica State Beach | Event Info

Cypress Spring Egg Hunt (April 4)

Cypress is going big on spring fun with egg hunts for kids, local vendors, and photo ops with the Spring Bunny, including dog photo sessions and a citywide scavenger hunt twist. It’s a great family option if you want a classic community event with a few extra touches. 8:00 AM-12:00 PM | Oak Knoll Park, 9600 Graham Street, Cypress | Event Info

Eggscavation, Garden Grove (April 4)

Garden Grove’s Eggscavation brings a playful spring event to Atlantis Play Center, with activities geared toward kids and families looking for an Easter-themed outing. Expect plenty of energy, plenty of photo-worthy moments, and a fun way to spend the afternoon. 1:00 PM-4:00 PM | Atlantis Play Center, 13630 Atlantis Way, Garden Grove | Event Info

Downtown Santa Ana Art Walk (April 4)

One of DTSA’s signature nights returns with live music, DJs, artisan vendors, pop-ups, dancing, and interactive art experiences spread across downtown. If you want a night out with actual energy and culture, this is one of the strongest picks of the week. 5:00 PM-10:00 PM | Downtown Santa Ana | Event Info

🏄 Local News You Should Know

Garden Grove is launching a new shuttle service to Disneyland Resort

Starting the last week of March, guests at 10 participating Garden Grove hotels will be able to use a new shuttle system connecting them to the Disneyland Resort area for a small fee. It’s a timely move, especially with Anaheim’s longtime ART transit service ending March 31, and it should make things easier for visitors staying just outside the resort zone while also giving Garden Grove a stronger connection to nearby dining, shopping, and entertainment.

An Irvine company is helping build Uber’s future robotaxi fleet

Rivian just landed a deal worth up to $1.25 billion with Uber to help produce thousands of self-driving electric vehicles over the next several years, with early rollouts expected around 2028 in cities like San Francisco and Miami. It’s not confirmed for Orange County yet, but the fact that this technology is being developed in Irvine makes it a major local business story and a glimpse at where transportation may be heading.

A new San Clemente concept called The Petrol Club is getting ready to open

Part specialty coffee shop, part community hub for car enthusiasts, the new space on North El Camino Real is expected to soft open in early April. The founders are blending elevated coffee, car culture, family-friendly hospitality, and a design inspired by classic automotive aesthetics, with hopes that it becomes a natural gathering place for both locals and the South OC Cars and Coffee crowd.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Southern California is one of the best places in the world to witness a grunion run, where these small fish come ashore at night to spawn. Orange County beaches like Bolsa Chica are among the top local spots to experience it.

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, April 3:

1. Barnoa Wine Company (San Clemente) – Kirk Morgan, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

2. BeachFire Bar & Grill (San Clemente) – Jason Bohen Band, 8:00 pm

3. Doho Cafe (Dana Point) – American Standard, 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm

4. Kaleidoscope (Mission Viejo) – 3 N’ Out, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

5. San Juan Hills Golf Course (San Juan Capistrano) – Strangle Hold, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

6. The Coach House (San Juan Capistrano) – Doobie Doubles, 9:00 pm

7. Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – The PettyBreakers, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

8. Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – The Early November & Hellogoodbye, 6:00 pm

9. House of Blues Anaheim – Music Hall (Anaheim) – Shane Smith & The Saints, 7:00 pm

10. Musco Center for the Arts (Orange) – Considering Matthew Shepard, 7:30 pm

11. The Bay Theatre (Seal Beach) – Donavon Frankenreiter, 8:00 pm

12. Time Nightclub (Costa Mesa) – Will Sparks, 9:30 pm

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

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