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

Mayfield pairs modern Californian cooking with Levantine flavors in downtown San Juan Capistrano. Dinner is built for sharing, from dips and kebab skewers to branzino, fried chicken, and lamb shank; daytime brunch runs Wednesday through Sunday. The indoor-outdoor dining room and hidden garden patio make it an easy choice for a long lunch or celebratory dinner.

Where: 31761 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano | Phone: (949) 218-5140

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Worldcon’s final day still offers panels, autographing, a MakerSpace, children’s programming, dealers, and the 3 PM closing ceremony. Monday-only memberships are available online. Times vary | Anaheim Convention Center North and Hilton Anaheim | Event Info

More than 100 Orange County artists fill this open-air juried show with paintings, glass, ceramics, photography, and other original work. Admission also opens the door to demonstrations, select live music, and artist encounters throughout the season. Times vary | Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach | Event Info

The season wraps with market vendors, food, and live music in the Downtown Plaza. Admission is free. 4:30–8:30 PM | Downtown Fullerton Plaza, 125 E Wilshire Ave, Fullerton | Event Info

Family Style closes the free concert series with opener Chase Walker Band, food trucks, and an ocean-view lawn. Parking and admission are free beginning at 5 PM. 5–8 PM; music starts at 6 PM | Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach, 33333 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point | Event Info

Catch the final performance of this year’s living-pictures production, a 90-minute celebration of landmark artworks and artists. 8:30 PM | Festival of Arts grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach | Event Info

Food, crafts, community booths, and entertainment fill the streets around the Plaza for this long-running free festival. Friday 5–10 PM; Saturday–Sunday 10 AM–10 PM | Old Towne Orange Plaza | Event Info

Pacific Symphony closes SummerFest with violinist Randall Goosby performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, followed by the 1812 Overture and a fireworks finale. 8 PM | Great Park Live, Irvine | Event Info

Orange County SC hosts Sacramento Republic FC, with a Labor Day Beer Fest scheduled before kickoff. The current schedule provides separate links for match and Beer Fest tickets. 7 PM kickoff | Championship Soccer Stadium at Great Park, Irvine | Event Info

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

Hundreds of living historians recreate military camps and civilian life, with demonstrations and four scheduled battle reenactments. Admission is free. Times vary | Huntington Beach Central Park behind Central Library, Gothard St between Slater Ave and Talbert Ave | Event Info

Classic Japanese cars take center stage at this free first-Sunday gathering. 8 AM–noon | 2300 E Orangewood Ave, Anaheim | Event Info

Island cuisine, vendors, and free entertainment bring a relaxed Sunday market atmosphere. Admission and parking are free, and leashed pets are welcome. 10 AM–4 PM | 16160 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach | Event Info

Sawdust’s handcrafted village brings together more than 180 Laguna Beach artists, live entertainment, demonstrations, workshops, and food and drink. It’s an easy choose-your-own-pace art day with plenty to see beyond the booths. Times vary | Sawdust Festival Grounds, 935 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach | Event Info

MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress is open again at Knott’s Berry Farm after its renovation. The relaunched coaster keeps the classic shuttle-loop thrill, sending riders through a 360-degree loop and back again. Riders must be at least 48 inches tall, and the posted maximum height is 79 inches. It is a practical add to the park-day list for coaster fans who have been waiting for its return.

GKN Aerospace plans to establish a claims program of up to $100 million for people and businesses with losses tied to the May evacuation in Garden Grove. According to the city’s announcement, the company expects the program to open this fall and says covered categories may include hotel stays, meals, transportation, lost wages, and loss of use. Eligibility and application details are still being developed. Keep receipts and watch the city page for the formal process.

OCTA is making temporary OC ACCESS changes as it moves to a new scheduling system. Current rider guidance says new or modified subscription trips are paused through September 7, while existing trips continue. Online booking will be unavailable beginning September 2, but phone reservations remain available at (877) 628-2232. Text notifications are scheduled to begin September 5.

With LAcon and live music bringing readers to Anaheim this week, here’s a name-origin nugget: the city explains that “Ana” refers to the Santa Ana River and the German word “heim” means “home,” making Anaheim the founders’ “home by the river.”

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

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