Good morning, Orange County. You’re reading Thrive OC, your weekly guide to the best places to eat, events to catch, and news to know around the county. Here’s what’s on deck:

• Newport Beach Film Festival Returns

• Best Newport Seafood Spot

• Fall Fairs & Pumpkin Patches

• John Wayne Airport #1

• Mission Viejo’s Firefighting Goats

• UCI’s All-Electric Hospital

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: The Cannery Seafood of the Pacific (Newport Beach)

Classic OC seafood, polished service, and a versatile indoor/outdoor setup steps from the water. Go for the staples and stay for the wine list (and happy hour).

Where: 3010 Lafayette Ave, Newport Beach | Phone: (949) 566-0060

🎬 Featured Event: Newport Beach Film Festival returns October 16–23!

The Newport Beach Film Festival returns October 16–23, 2025, celebrating 26 years of world-class cinema on Southern California’s coast. Experience red carpet premieres, international spotlights, and unforgettable events in the heart of Newport Beach. With filmmakers and audiences from around the globe, NBFF offers eight days of film, culture, and connection.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of one of Southern Califonia's leading luxury lifestyle film festivals. Secure your tickets now at newportbeachfilmfest.com!

📅 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

Knott’s Scary Farm, Buena Park (Now–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

Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch, Costa Mesa (Oct 2–31)

Big pumpkin patch with rides, inflatables, petting zoo, and a train. Daily (hours vary) | OC Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa | Event Info

Pumpkin City Pumpkin Patch, Laguna Hills (Oct 1–31)

Family-friendly harvest fest with kiddie rides, games, and an Oktoberfest beer garden. Mon–Thu 12:30–9 PM; Fri–Sun 10 AM–10 PM | Laguna Hills | Event Info

Newport Movies at the Dunes, Newport Beach (Every Fri/Sat in Oct)

Outdoor movies by the bay at dusk—call ahead for the weekly lineup. Fri & Sat at dusk | Newport Dunes | Event Info

Pacific Airshow, Huntington Beach (Oct 3–5)

The country’s largest-by-attendance airshow roars back over Surf City with aerobatic teams, on-sand action, beach bars, and signings. Gates 9 AM; flying starts ~10 AM | South of HB Pier (on the sand) | Event Info

Laguna Niguel Fall Crafts Faire (Oct 4)

One-of-a-kind makers, kids’ crafts, and live entertainment (Kids Imagine Nation). Oct 4, 9 AM–2 PM | Crown Valley Community Center | Event Info

Santa Ana Autumn Fest Open House (Oct 4)

Mid-Autumn–themed community night with live music, crafts, lantern giveaway (first 200), and center tours. Oct 4, 5–8 PM | Albert D. Salgado Recreation Center | Event Info

🏄 Local News You Should Know

Mission Viejo’s Firefighting Goats

A very OC scene: a herd of goats is actively clearing non-native brush to cut wildfire risk in Mission Viejo. It’s smart land management, and adorable to watch.

John Wayne Airport: #1 Again

For the second year in a row, John Wayne Airport ranks first among large airports in J.D. Power’s 2025 study—flying high on ease of travel, calm vibes, and quick parking. Expect new dining like Tacos La Piña and Sgt. Pepperoni’s later this year as part of a long-term upgrade plan.

UCI Health’s All-Electric Hospital Opens in December

Irvine is getting a seven-story, 144-bed, all-electric acute-care hospital—the first of its size in the U.S. Private ER rooms, panoramic marsh views, and a massive surgical “megafloor” connect to the cancer center next door. Opening Dec 7 on Jamboree & Birch.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

The Newport Beach Film Festival launched in 1999, growing from a local coastal showcase into a globally recognized, eight-day event that now draws filmmakers and audiences from around the world, without losing its quintessential Newport vibe.

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

🎶 Live Music This Weekend

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

Friday, October 3:

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

2. Bigshots Billiards (Lake Forest) – Soundcake (Rock/Pop Fridays), 8:30 pm

3. Giracci Vineyards & Farms (Silverado) – Christy & the Coastal Cowboys, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

4. The BrewHouse (San Juan Capistrano) – Kids Of Charlemagne: A Steely Dan Experience, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

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

6. The Drake (Laguna Beach) – Mando Cordova, 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm

7. Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – Wild Child: A Jim Morrison Celebration Concert, 8:15 pm - 9:45 pm

8. Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – Not So Warped Tour Tribute Fest (Blink 182, Rancid, NOFX Tributes), 5:00 pm

9. Grove of Anaheim (Anaheim) – Josh Johnson: The Flowers Tour (SOLD OUT), 7:00 pm

10. Rock & Brews (Buena Park) – The Linkin Park Experience, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

11. Spaghettini (Seal Beach) – Doug Allen Nash: Johnny Cash Tribute, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

12. The Observatory (Santa Ana) – The Chameleons: Arctic Moon Tour 2025, 7:00 pm

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

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