Good morning, Orange County. You’re reading Thrive OC, your insider guide to the best places to eat, events to catch, and local news that matters. Here’s what’s on deck:

• Newport Beach Film Festival Returns

• Haunted Trails & Must-See OC Festivals

• A Luxe Steakhouse for Date Night

• Anaheim Turns 168

• $70M Ocean-View Homes in Huntington Beach

• Garden Grove’s $11M Park Expansion

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Bourbon Steak (Dana Point)

Housed inside the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, Bourbon Steak is peak date-night energy: perfectly aged steaks, pristine seafood, and a serious wine & bourbon program — all in an elegant, warm setting. Expect crisp service, great cocktails, outdoor seating, and vegetarian options.

Where: 1 Monarch Beach Resort N, Dana Point | Phone: (949) 234-3900

🎬 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 (Now–Oct 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 (Now–Oct 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

Charity’s Readers for Tomorrow Fundraiser, Orange (Oct 14)

Dine for a cause — 15% of net sales benefit local kids’ literacy. Mention the fundraiser or use code RCFUND96 for online/app orders. 12–9 PM | Raising Cane’s, 2249 N. Tustin St., Orange | Event Info

OC Japan Fair, Costa Mesa (Oct 17–19)

SoCal’s largest Japanese festival: street food, cultural vendors, live entertainment, and access to Freedom LA Japanese Music Festival. Fri 4–10 PM; Sat 12–10 PM; Sun 11 AM–7 PM | OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa | Event Info

California Wine Festival, Huntington Beach (Oct 17–18)

VIP Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting (Fri) + Beachside Wine Festival (Sat) at Paséa Hotel & Spa — hundreds of California wines, craft brews, bites, and live music. Fri 6:30–9 PM; Sat 1–4 PM (VIP 12 PM) | Paséa Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach | Event Info

Laguna Hills: Harvest in the Hills (Oct 18)

First-ever evening community fest with family-friendly activities and fall vibes. 4pm | 25555 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills | Event Info

Dana Point Trolley & Art History Tour (Oct 18)

Guided loop of public art and historic sites with an Art Ambassador + Historical Society docent. 10:00 AM & 12:00 PM | Starts at Dana Bay Gallery, Del Prado | Event Info

Waymakers OC: Barn Bash (Oct 18)

Family night with live music, games, food, and fall magic — supports programs that build safer communities. Tickets include food, parking, and kids’ activities; costumes encouraged. 4pm | 11 Strawberry Farms Road, Irvine, CA 92612 | Event Info

Newport Beach 3rd Thursdays, Corona del Mar Village (Oct 16)

Businesses along PCH open late with live music, food, pop-ups, pet events, scavenger hunts, and more. Thu, 5–8 PM | Corona del Mar Village (along PCH) | Event Info

Laguna Niguel Haunted Trails (Oct 16–19)

25th year of pure nightmare fuel. Not recommended for kids under 10. Thu 6:30–9:30 PM; Fri–Sat 6:30–10 PM; Sun 6:30–9:30 PM | Crown Valley Park, 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy | Event Info

Buena Park Silverado Days (Oct 17–19)

69 years strong: free three-day festival with rides, food vendors, contests, and community fun. Fri–Sun | 7225 El Dorado Dr, Buena Park | Event Info

🏄 Local News You Should Know

Happy 168th birthday, Anaheim

Founded by 50 German-American settlers as a wine colony on a 1.8-mile square in what’s now downtown, Anaheim grew from riverfront agriculture to a global destination — home to Disneyland, Angel Stadium, Honda Center, and the Convention Center. Today: ~350,000 residents, 20,000 businesses, and 25M+ yearly visitors.

$70M ocean-view homes moving forward in Huntington Beach

Ten luxury homes (3,800–4,100 sq ft) are slated for a stretch of PCH ~1 mile north of the HB Pier. After a Coastal Commission appeal was denied, grading is expected to begin in October; completion could come before Q1 2026. The project is being developed by WJK Development, with homes expected to sell for $7–$8 million each.

Garden Grove breaks ground on Woodbury Park revitalization

A $11M upgrade expands Woodbury Park to 3.8 acres with a walking trail, outdoor fitness equipment, two playgrounds, a recreational pool & pool house, a skate plaza, basketball courts, lighting, and more. It’s a community-driven design with partial funding from the 2018 Park Bond Act. Target completion: Spring 2026.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Despite the name, Thousand Steps Beach in Laguna Beach actually has just around 200-230 steps — though your legs might tell you otherwise on the way back up.

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 17:

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

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

3. Giracci Vineyards & Farms (Silverado) – The Shenanigans, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

4. San Juan Hills Golf Course (San Juan Capistrano) – Family Style, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

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

6. The Drake (Laguna Beach) – The Jazz Cartel, 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) – The PettyBreakers, 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

9. Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – Judge, Integrity, Earth Crisis, 6:00 pm

10. Great Park Live (Irvine) – Rebelution, 5:00 pm

11. Spaghettini (Seal Beach) – Pretzel Logic: A Steely Dan Revue, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

12. The Observatory (Santa Ana) – Poison Girl Friend, 7:00 pm

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

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