Good morning, Orange County. You're reading Thrive OC, your weekly shortcut to discovering the coolest local happenings, hidden gems, and can't-miss events—without the fluff. Here’s what you need to know this week:

• A beloved San Clemente spot serving cocktails & comfort

• Dana Point’s beach elevator gets a modern upgrade

• Cirque du Soleil comes to town

• Where to sip, dance, and stuff your face with awesome food

• Our first Thrive OC event—get in early

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Nick’s San Clemente

Comfort food, coastal vibes, and cocktails done right. Nick’s in San Clemente delivers every time—whether you’re dropping in for a late lunch, settling in for happy hour, or making it a night out. Tucked along Avenida Del Mar, it’s relaxed, reliable, and always hits the spot.

📍 Location: 213 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente

📞 Reservations: (949) 481-2200

🎪 Featured Event: Cirque du Soleil Returns to OC this Summer!

Cirque du Soleil ECHO – Under the Big Top, At Laguna Hills Mall – Laguna Hills, CA – May 21-June 29

A spectacular performance combining poetry, stagecraft, daring acrobatics, and technology explores the delicate balance between people, animals, and the world we all share.

Special Offer for Thrive OC Staff and Subscribers: Use this link to save up to 20% off select seats/dates. Groups of 10+, save 25% and reduced handling fees, contact [email protected] for details.

Hurry, tickets are selling fast! Don't miss your chance to experience the awe-inspiring acrobatics, dazzling sets, and unforgettable storytelling of the world's most famous circus troupe.

🏄 Local News You Should Know

🌊 Dana Point’s Funicular Gets a Modern Makeover

The city's aging bluff-side beach elevator is getting replaced. The new “Strand Transit System” will offer smoother, more reliable rides to and from the beach, ensuring public access stays protected while ditching the rusty, Euro-sourced parts.

🚧 San Clemente to Build Bluff Wall After Landslides

Following multiple landslides near Mariposa Beach, the city will demolish the damaged pedestrian bridge and construct a 1,360-ft. catchment wall to protect rail lines and restore the coastal trail.

🐾 The Return of “Newport” the Mountain Lion

Remember that mountain lion caught swimming in Lake Mission Viejo and strolling through Newport Beach back in 2022? He’s back—only now he’s exploring the Santa Ana Mountains on wildlife cameras set up by hobbyist conservationists.

📅 Other Upcoming Events 🎉

🍓 Garden Grove Strawberry Festival (Memorial Day Weekend, May 23–26)

Free entry, carnival rides, live music, and all the strawberry-inspired treats you could want—Garden Grove’s sweetest weekend is back.

📍 Village Green Park, 12732 Main St, Garden Grove, CA 92840

🍷 Newport Beach Wine & Spirits Festival (May 23–25)

Balboa Bay Resort kicks off summer with a luxe wine weekend:

• May 23: Winemaker Dinner w/ Jean-Charles Boisset

• May 24: Grand Tasting – wine, spirits, bites & live music

• May 25: Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brunch

🎟 View Schedule and Tickets | 21+ only

📍 Balboa Bay Resort: 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish Fest & Highland Games (May 24–25)

Experience Scottish and Irish culture with traditional games, whisky tastings, and Celtic rock bands at the OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa.

🎷 Newport Beach Jazz Festival (May 30-June 1)

Experience legendary jazz on the water. A SoCal favorite since 1996.

📍Hyatt Regency, Newport Beach

🌙 626 Night Market – OC Edition (May 30-June 1)

Asian night market vibes: food, music, shopping, and a whole lot of energy. One of the most unique weekends of the year.

📍OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

What’s a “Funicular” Anyway? It’s a fancy word for a cable-pulled cliffside railway—like the one Dana Point’s been using to shuttle people to Strand Beach. But don’t worry: if you can’t pronounce it, just say “beach elevator.” You’ll fit right in.

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—Greg! 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, May 23:

• Alza Italian Kitchen (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Trevor Zinn, 6:00 PM

• Barnoa Wine Company (San Clemente) – Mike Silvestri, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

• Bigshots Billiards Bar & Grill (Lake Forest) – Anthem Road, 8:30 PM

• Bricco Cucina & Wine Bar (Laguna Niguel) – OC Elvis - Scott Robertson, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• San Juan Hills Golf Course (San Juan Capistrano) – The James Kelly Band, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

• StillWater Spirits & Sounds (Dana Point) – Tijuana Dogs, 9:00 PM

• Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – Joe Cocker Tribute – Mad Dogs + the Englishman, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM

• Biergarten (Huntington Beach) – The Ultimate Rock Band, 8:30 PM – 11:00 PM

• Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – Rookie Of The Year Emo Night, 6:00 PM

• La Santa (Santa Ana) – Tributes to Morrissey & Mon LaFerte, 9:00 PM

• Perqs Bar (Huntington Beach) – Nico Fresard Trio, 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM

• The Harp Inn (Costa Mesa) – Flashback Heart Attack, 9:00 PM – 12:30 AM

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

Big News for OC Locals: Your New Go-To Guide is Here 📘

We’ve been hard at work and are proud to announce that The Ultimate OC Guide is finally here! This e-book is packed with 150+ pages of curated OC gold—hidden gems, date spots, dog-friendly favorites, annual events, and more.

Normally $40+, we’re giving it away for just $10 for a limited time!

Thrive OC VIPs? It’s yours for FREE. Check your inbox 👀

💛 Want to support but not ready to grab the guide? You can still help keep Thrive OC running strong — Donate here.

Or, take your OC experience to the next level—join Thrive OC VIP for exclusive discounts, VIP event access, and insider perks while supporting local businesses!

Your support means the world—thank you for being part of the Thrive OC community! 🙌

📢 Got a Tip? Want to Advertise?

Know a cool event, restaurant, or business that should be featured? Reply to this email.

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