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- OC’s August Events, Outdoor Concerts, and a French Dinner Experience
OC’s August Events, Outdoor Concerts, and a French Dinner Experience
PLUS: Laguna Beach’s Affordable Housing Push, SDG&E Bill Changes, and a New Live Music Venue in San Juan
Thrive OC
August 18, 2025
In partnership with
Good morning, Orange County. You’re reading Thrive OC, keeping you in the know so you’re never caught saying, “Wait, that’s happening this weekend?” Here’s what’s on deck:
The OC restaurant that starts your dinner in a wine cellar
Your must-see August events
Laguna Beach launches new affordable housing initiative
OC Utility Bill Changes
A movie theater transforms into a live music and comedy hub
Let’s dive in.
— Dave Berry
🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: The Hobbit (Orange)
Since 1972, The Hobbit has been one of OC’s most unique fine dining experiences. Your evening starts in the wine cellar before moving upstairs for a French-inspired multi-course dinner in an intimate, home-like setting.
Bon appétit!
📍 2932 E Chapman Ave, Orange
📅 Upcoming Events 🎉
🎸 San Juan Summer Nites – Pickleback Shine (Aug 20)
Free concert at Historic Town Center Park with food, drinks, and live country-rock.
🕔 5–8 PM | 📍 San Juan Capistrano
🎨 Newport Beach 3rd Thursdays (Aug 21)
PCH in Corona del Mar comes alive with music, food, art, pet events, and scavenger hunts.
🕔 5–8 PM | 📍 Corona del Mar Village
🎤 OC Concerts in the Park – Boy Band Review (Aug 21)
Relive the hits from your favorite boy bands at Salt Creek Beach.
🕔 5 PM start | Music at 6 PM | 📍 Bluff Park, Dana Point
🎥 OC Movies in the Park – Shrek (Aug 22)
Outdoor screening at Irvine Regional Park. Bring blankets, snacks, and your best donkey impression.
🕕 6 PM | Movie at sunset | 📍 Irvine Regional Park
🎡 Sea Country Festival – Laguna Niguel (Aug 22–24)
Three days of rides, games, food, and themed nights to close out summer. Free entry; small fees for attractions.
📍 Dorine & El Lazo, Laguna Niguel
🚗 Dana Point Classic Car Show (Aug 24)
Hundreds of custom and classic cars, plus food trucks and “spirits on the street.” Free for spectators.
📍 Del Prado Ave, Dana Point
🍷 Taste of Huntington Beach (Aug 24)
Unlimited tastes from local restaurants, plus wine and beer samples from top producers.
📍 HB Sports Complex - 18100 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach
🎸 Brunch with the Beatles (Aug 24)
Beachside Beatles tribute with brunch favorites.
🕙 10 AM | 📍 SeaLegs at the Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington Beach
🎨 Sawdust Art Festival (Now through Aug 31)
185+ artists, live demos, music, food, drinks, and free art classes daily.
🕚 Opens 11 AM | 📍 Sawdust Festival Grounds, Laguna Beach
🏄 Local News You Should Know
🏠 Laguna Beach Recruiting Founding Land Trust Board
Laguna Beach is forming a Community Land Trust to preserve long-term affordable housing for artists, seniors, and the workforce. The city is accepting applications for 5–7 founding board members who will help set strategy and governance. Apply by Aug 25, 2025, at 5 PM → Application Info
⚡ SDG&E Bill Changes Coming This Fall
Starting October, you’ll see a new “Base Services Charge” on your SDG&E bill. This isn’t an extra fee, just a restructuring required by state law. Some fixed costs are moving out of per-kWh pricing, which may lower your energy rate by about 10%, though total bills will vary. More info at sdge.com/BaseServicesCharge.
🎭 San Juan Capistrano Getting New Live Music & Comedy Venue
San Juan’s beloved Regency Theater may have closed its doors, but the historic space is getting a new chapter. Soon to be the Los Rios Theater, it will welcome national and international music and comedy acts to the heart of downtown. While the popcorn and movie nights will be missed, local merchants are hopeful the new venue will bring fresh energy (and plenty of foot traffic) to the area.
🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?
The Hobbit in Orange is one of the longest-running fine dining restaurants in Orange County. Opened in 1972, it’s been serving its signature wine cellar welcome and French-inspired multi-course dinners for over 50 years, making it older than many of the cities in OC that were incorporated in the 1980s.
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—Kathy A.! 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, Aug 22:
Brio Tuscany Grille (Dana Point) – 3 Sister Band, 7:00 pm
Knuckleheads (San Clemente) – Diet Riot with The Lonely Eyes and Burgers from Burger She Wrote, 8:00 PM
The Coach House (San Juan Capistrano) – Super Diamond, 9:00 PM
The Drake (Laguna Beach) – Rain Bissou Band, 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
StillWater Spirits & Sounds (Dana Point) – Family Style $5 Cover, 9:00 PM
Trevor’s at the Tracks (San Juan Capistrano) – Phil Vandermost, 7:00 PM
Bayside Restaurant (Newport Beach) – Ron Kobayashi Band, 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – The Days Music And Skate Festival Presented By Mike V, 4:30 PM
House of Blues Anaheim – Main Room (Anaheim) – Bruce Dickinson, 7:00 PM
Pelican Hill Resort (Newport Beach) – Autumn Melody, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Rock & Brews Buena Park (Buena Park) – Pettybreakers, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Wayfarer (Costa Mesa) – The Devil In Disguise: Tribute To Elvis, 7:00 PM
🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast
As of Sunday 08-17-2025 | (Source: Google Weather)
🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC
Sunrise | 6:14 am, 73° East |
|---|---|
Sunset | 7:34 pm, 286° West |
Total Daylight | 13 hours, 20 minutes |
🙌 Shop Local & Rep OC in Style
Thrive OC is more than your go-to newsletter for events and local news—we're your source for uniquely curated OC-inspired essentials, apparel, and more. Check out our latest arrivals, designed to keep you stylish and comfortable all season long:
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Show your OC pride with this fun retro tee, made for locals who live for beach town vibes, golden hour sunsets, and keeping Orange County authentic.
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