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Good morning, Orange County. You’re reading Thrive OC, your guide to the best things to eat, see, and know across the OC this week. Here’s what’s on deck:

• Modern Yucatán Flavors

• Fall Festivals, Culture Festivals, Games & More

• Oktoberfest & Pumpkin Patches Now Open

• Laguna Beach Crime Report

• San Clemente Hotel Debate

• Key Wildfire Bills For Homeowners

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: CHAAK Kitchen (Tustin)

Modern Yucatán flavors in the heart of Old Town. Executive Chef Gabbi Patrick channels her roots with Mayan staples—pibil, recados, open-fire smoke, bright spices—done with a polished, contemporary touch. Expect a lively room, great cocktails, vegetarian options, and weekend brunch.

Where: 215 El Camino Real, Tustin | (657) 699-3019 | Opens 11 AM

📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

Oktoberfest, Huntington Beach (Now–Nov 9)

Orange County’s biggest German celebration returns with imported beer, live bands, and award-winning bratwurst. Wed–Sun, hours vary | Old World Village, Huntington Beach | Tickets at door | Event Info

Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch, Irvine & Costa Mesa (Now–Nov 2)

Two beloved OC locations return for a new season of fall fun with wagon rides, photo ops, barnyard animals, and pumpkins in every size and color. Daily 9 AM–6 PM | Irvine: 5380 University Dr. | Costa Mesa: 427 Anton Blvd. | Event Info

Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch, Orange (Sept 13–Oct 31)

Train rides, hay mazes, carnival games, and photo ops behind the historic Irvine Park train station. Reservations required on October weekends; $20 includes train ride and entry. Weekdays 10 AM–6 PM, Weekends 8 AM–6 PM | 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange | Ticketed | Event Info

Knott’s Scary Farm, Buena Park (Sept 18–Nov 1)

Southern California’s longest-running Halloween haunt with mazes, shows, and more than 1,000 monsters. Select nights 7 PM–1 AM | Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park | Ticketed | Event Info

Ducks vs. Kings Preseason Game (Sept 24)

The SoCal hockey rivalry hits the ice for a preseason face-off. Wed Sept 24 7 PM | Honda Center, Anaheim | Event Info

Westminster Fall Fest (Sept 25–28)

Carnivals, food vendors, and live music celebrating community spirit. Thu–Sun | Westminster Civic Center | Event Info

OC Auto Show (Sept 25–28)

New models, test drives, and family fun—kids 12 and under get in free. Thu–Sun | Anaheim Convention Center | Event Info

Ohana Festival, Dana Point (Sept 26–28)

Hozier, Leon Bridges, Green Day, and more perform by the beach. Fri–Sun | Doheny State Beach, Dana Point | Event Info

Fencing Across America, Mission Viejo (Sept 26–28)

Free all-ages fencing demos with Olympic and Paralympic legends plus hands-on lessons, part of the USA Fencing nationwide tour and Mission Viejo’s LA28 Olympic training push. Thu–Sat 1–5 PM | First floor of The Shops at Mission Viejo (outside Build-a-Bear) / 949-215-4112 | Event Info

Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Costa Mesa (Sept 27)

Live performances, food, and family activities celebrating Hispanic culture. Sat 10 AM–2 PM | Lions Park Event Lawn, Costa Mesa | Event Info

Buena Park Culture Fest (Sept 27)

Performances, food vendors, family activities, and an end-of-night drone show. Sat 4 PM–8 PM | Boisseranc Park, Buena Park | Event Info

San Juan Capistrano Greek Festival (Sept 27–28)

Authentic Greek food, pastries, live music, dancing, kids’ activities, and cultural demos. Sat 11 AM–10 PM; Sun 11 AM–9 PM | San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino Del Avion, SJC | Event Info

Hops With Heart Community Fundraiser (Sept 28)

Food, drinks, live music, lawn games, and raffles benefiting Tilly’s Life Center. Sun 12–4 PM | Brewery X, Anaheim | $30 ticket includes meal, drink, and raffle entry | Event Info

🏄 Local News You Should Know

Laguna Beach Recognized as Safest OC Coastal City

Laguna Beach earned the top spot for lowest violent crime among Orange County’s coastal cities in 2024. With about 22,000 residents and more than six million visitors each year, the city reported only 37 violent crimes and 210 property crimes. Police and residents credit strong community partnerships and a focus on safety.

San Clemente Prepares for New Boutique Hotel

San Clemente approved plans for a stylish, five-story hotel with a rooftop lounge near the Outlets. City leaders highlight the project’s potential to boost tourism and bring in new visitor revenue. The hotel will follow strict noise and lighting rules to protect nearby neighborhoods.

State Advances Wildfire-Resilience Measures

Several new state bills aim to help homeowners protect their properties and recover faster after fires. Highlights include grants for fire-resistant home upgrades, quicker permit approvals for rebuilding, and new mortgage-relief options for families impacted by wildfires. These steps are designed to make rebuilding safer and less stressful for Californians.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Those bell-shaped markers along El Camino Real (you’ll spot them near CHAAK on El Camino Real in Tustin) mark the historic route that once linked California’s 21 Spanish missions—much of which still threads through today’s Orange County.

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

🎉 VIP Shoutouts!

A big welcome to our newest Thrive OC VIPs—Sheri C.! Thanks for being part of the community—we’ve got some exclusive perks coming your way! 🚀✨

🎶 Live Music This Weekend

Looking for live tunes? Here’s what’s happening:

Friday, September 26:

1. Barnoa Wine Company (San Clemente) – Sandii Castleberry, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

2. Bigshots Billiards Bar & Grill (Lake Forest) – Ragdoll (Classic Rock/Pop Friday), 8:30 pm

3. Five Vines Wine Bar (San Juan Capistrano) – Will Heard, 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm

4. Soka Performing Arts Center (Aliso Viejo) – Season Opener: Daniil Trifonov, 8:00 pm

5. The Coach House (San Juan Capistrano) – Honk, 9:00 pm

6. The Drake (Laguna Beach) – Jake Tompkins Quartet, 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm

7. Bayside Restaurant (Newport Beach) – Ron Kobayashi Band, 6:30 pm - 11:30 pm

8. Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – Sam Morrison Band: Southern Rock Explosion, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm

9. Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – No Duh (No Doubt Tribute) + Remix, 5:00 pm

10. Spaghettini (Seal Beach) – DW3: A Tribute to the Legends of Music, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

11. The Observatory (Santa Ana) – Se So Neon: Now North American Tour 2025, 7:00 pm

12. The Wayfarer (Costa Mesa) – Sega Genecide, 10:00 pm

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

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