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:
Corn, rides and parade
Classic cars by the coast
Mexican food with history
Irvine’s trail gap closes
Jewelry sale supports seniors
West Garden Grove roadwork
Let’s dive in.
— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: El Adobe de Capistrano (San Juan Capistrano)

El Adobe de Capistrano pairs authentic Mexican cooking with a California State Historical Landmark built from two early adobes. The menu moves from tableside guacamole and enchiladas to mesquite-grilled steaks and seafood, while the old courthouse and jail spaces give dinner a story of its own. It is open daily, with Sunday service beginning at 10:00 am.
Where: 31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano | Phone: (949) 493-1163

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📅 Upcoming Events 🎉
Ocean Encounter, Santa Ana (Now–August 23)
Explore five ocean zones through giant LED displays, inflatables, demo labs, and a full-scale submarine experience in this all-ages exhibit. Included with general admission or membership. 10:00 am–5:00 pm | Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 N Main St, Santa Ana | Event Info
Laguna Art-A-Fair, Laguna Beach (Now–September 6)
The juried summer show celebrates 60 years with new and returning artists working across painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, glass, and more. General admission is $10, with season-pass options for students, seniors, and VIP guests. Times vary | 777 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach | Event Info
The Phantom of the Opera, Costa Mesa (Now–August 30)
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s landmark musical continues its Orange County run in a revitalized production. Times vary | Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa | Event Info
Tustin Sunset Market, Tustin (August 20)
Old Town fills with farmers market vendors, local makers, food trucks, live music, and a beer and wine garden for the monthly evening market. 5:00 pm–8:30 pm | El Camino Real at Third St, Old Town Tustin | Event Info
OC Parks Summer Concerts, Fountain Valley (August 20)
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy brings swing and big-band energy to the park, with Bich Van and Sean Buhr opening the free outdoor show. Event 5:00 pm–8:00 pm; music begins 6:00 pm | Mile Square Regional Park, 16801 Euclid St, Fountain Valley | Event Info
Tequila & Tunes Thursday, Anaheim (August 20)
Top of The V pairs select tequila specials with city views and live guitar by James Samimi at its weekly Thursday rooftop event. Times vary | Top of The V, 1601 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim | Event Info
OC Parks Sunset Cinema, Orange (August 21)
Pack low-back chairs and blankets for a free outdoor screening of the 1995 adventure comedy, Jumanji. Pre-show activities begin at 6:00 pm; movie starts around sunset | Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange | Event Info
Sea Country Festival, Laguna Niguel (August 21–23)
The three-day community festival returns with carnival rides, games, food vendors, and live entertainment. Entry is free; rides, games, and food cost extra. Times vary | Aliso Creek Rd between Alicia Pkwy and Dorine Rd, Laguna Niguel | Event Info
La Habra Corn Festival and Parade, La Habra (August 21–23)
Celebrate 77 years of this community tradition with rides, food, live entertainment, shopping, games, and a Saturday morning parade. Times vary | El Centro-Lions Park, 320 E Erna Ave, La Habra | Event Info
Toontown Market, Anaheim (August 22)
More than 70 Disney-inspired small shops bring art, accessories, collectibles, and food to an afternoon pop-up near the Packing House. 12:00 pm–4:00 pm | Center Street Promenade, Anaheim | Event Info
Vic Skimboarding Championship, Laguna Beach (August 22–23)
Watch amateur and professional skimboarders take on Aliso Beach shorebreak during Victoria Skimboards’ annual competition. Times vary | Aliso Beach, Laguna Beach | Event Info
The Music of ABBA with Pacific Symphony, Irvine (August 22)
ARRIVAL from Sweden joins Pacific Symphony for an outdoor night of ABBA favorites including Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, and Waterloo. 8:00 pm | Great Park Live, 250 Corsair, Irvine | Event Info
Knobby Night Invitational at Costa Mesa Speedway (August 22)
Motorcycle speedway racing returns for the second Knobby Night Invitational of the season. Gates open 6:00 pm; first race 7:30 pm | OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa | Event Info
Dana Point Classic Car Show, Dana Point (August 23)
More than 325 custom and classic cars line Del Prado, joined by awards, vendors, food trucks, and music. Spectator admission is free. 10:00 am–3:00 pm | Del Prado Ave, Lantern District, Dana Point | Event Info

🏄 Local News You Should Know
Irvine Opens Its Largest Bridge to Close a Trail Gap
Irvine opened the nearly 1,200-foot-long Jeffrey Open Space Trail Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge on August 11 after a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new 15-foot-wide connection spans Walnut Avenue, the Jeffrey Road Park & Ride, and I-5, linking trails on both sides of the freeway. The project closes a key gap in Irvine’s trail network and gives people a safer route for walking and biking across the city.
Mission Viejo’s Jewelry Sale Gives Back
Mission Viejo’s annual Second Time Around sale returns August 21–22 with more than 10,000 donated jewelry and accessory items, most priced from $1 to $5. The two-day sale runs Friday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center. Admission is free, cash and cards are accepted, and proceeds support senior services in Mission Viejo.
West Garden Grove Street Work Reaches the Seal Phase
Garden Grove’s rehabilitation project moves into chip seal work August 17–18, followed by slurry seal work August 24–25 on eight West Garden Grove streets. The city’s construction notice says road surfaces will be temporarily rough and some streets may close to vehicles during the work. Residents will receive at least 48 hours’ notice before slurry seal application, and drivers should watch posted parking restrictions and detours.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?
Skimboarding began in Laguna Beach in the 1920s, when local lifeguards used wedge-shaped wooden boards to slide along the shoreline.
Think you know OC? Reply with your best trivia, and we might feature it next!

Little Known RMD Strategy Allowed by the IRS
For investors with $1M+ in retirement accounts, the tax code allows specific strategies that can reduce your tax exposure once RMDs begin—but only if used before then.
The window is open for anyone within ten years of 73. A fiduciary advisor can review which may apply, at no cost.

🎶 Live Music This Weekend
Looking for live tunes? Here’s what’s happening:
Friday, August 21:
Doho Cafe at Doheny Beach (Dana Point) – Kirk Morgan, 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Festival of Arts (Laguna Beach) – Gypsy Dreams: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Sea Country Festival (Laguna Niguel) – Adele vs. Bruno, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Gibroni’s Pizza (San Clemente) – The Blue Byrdes, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Coach House (San Juan Capistrano) – Metalachi, 8:00 pm
Ivan’z House Live (Laguna Beach) – North Mississippi Allstars, 9:00 pm
Irvine Spectrum Center (Irvine) – Faultlines, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – El Tri, Maldita Vecindad, Panteon Rococo, Enanitos Verdes & Soda Stereo Tributes, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Observatory (Santa Ana) – Little Stranger, 8:00 pm
Spaghettini (Seal Beach) – Pretzel Logic: A Steely Dan Revue, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
The Harp Inn (Costa Mesa) – Borracho Obama, 9:00 pm – 12:30 am
Old World Biergarten (Huntington Beach) – New Wave Kids & Living in Stereo, 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC
Sunrise | 6:09 am, 71° East |
|---|---|
Sunset | 7:42 pm, 289° West |
Total Daylight | 13 hours, 33 minutes |

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