Good morning, Orange County. You’re reading Thrive OC, your weekly guide to the tastiest eats, coolest events, and local news you actually care about. Here’s what’s on deck:

• Newport Fine Dining

• Concerts, Fairs, Food Fests & More

• US Open of Surfing Returns

• Seal Beach’s Police Dog Hero

• I-605 Construction Updates

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: JOEY Newport Beach

Polished but laid-back, JOEY Newport Beach is a modern gem tucked inside Fashion Island. With a global menu, open patio, retractable roof, and a glowing fire pit lounge, this spot is perfect for post-shopping bites or date-night champagne under the stars.

📍 453 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach

📞 (949) 826-5699

📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

🎶 Costa Mesa Concerts in the Park (July 29)

Enjoy live music from the Pacific Symphony, food trucks, a beer garden, and kids’ activities in Fairview Park.

🕔 5 PM Pre-show | 6 PM Music | 📍 2525 Placentia Ave

Event Info

🎸 Brea Concerts in the Park (July 30)

Lawn chairs, tri-tip sandwiches, and live music under the stars at City Hall Park.

🕕 6:30 PM | 📍 401 S. Brea Blvd, Brea

Event Info

🎷 San Clemente Summer Concert (July 31)

Live music by Family Style right on the pier.

🕕 6 PM – 8 PM | 📍 622 Avenida Del Mar

Event Info

🎤 Irvine Concerts in the Park (July 31)

Tribute act Dream Like Taylor lights up Irvine Regional Park.

🕔 5 PM activities | 6 PM music

Event Info

🍜 Irvine Nights Market (July 31)

Food, music, vendors, and mini golf—family-friendly fun under the stars.

🕔 5–9 PM | 📍 Great Park Live

🎟️ Free admission | 🅿️ Free parking

Event Info

🎥 Irvine Movies in the Park (Aug 1)

Catch Twisters (2024) outdoors at Laguna Niguel Regional Park.

🕕 6 PM | Movie at sunset

Event Info

🌮 Huntington Beach Foodie Fest (Aug 1)

Live DJ, food trucks, and artisan vendors at Goldenwest College.

🕔 5–9 PM | 📍 15744 Goldenwest St

Event Info

🏄 US Open of Surfing (Now–Aug 2)

World-class surf competitions, beach events, and sunset concerts return to Huntington Beach. (Don’t miss the Sundown Sets supporting Surfrider Foundation!)

🎟️ usopenofsurfing.com 

📺 Watch live on worldsurfleague.com

🎡 OC Fair: “Find Your Happy” (July 18–Aug 17)

Carnival rides, exhibits, games, and classic fair food.

🕚 11 AM–Midnight (Fri & Sat) | 📍 OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa

🎟️ $13–$15 (Tickets)

🎨 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

Event Info

🏄 Local News You Should Know

🐾 Seal Beach’s Furry Ambassador: Meet Yosa

Forget everything you know about K-9s. Yosa, Seal Beach PD’s facility dog, isn’t chasing suspects, she’s chasing smiles. Trained by Canine Companions to assist in high-stress environments, she comforts victims, bridges community trust, and even has her own collectible cards.

“She just lifts the spirits of everyone she interacts with,” says her handler, Captain Nick Nicholas. Yosa is the heart of a quiet revolution in community policing, and the most beloved four-legged figure in town.

📢 CPUC Public Forum on Gas Decarbonization (Aug 7)

Curious how gas utilities will shift toward clean energy? The CPUC is hosting two remote Public Participation Hearings where residents can share thoughts on new decarbonization zones and energy pilot projects.

🗓️ August 7, 2025 – 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM

🚧 Katella Ave & 605 Interchange Construction Begins

A $32 million project in Los Alamitos is underway to improve ramps, bike lanes, sidewalks, and traffic flow at Katella Ave and I-605. Expect intermittent closures through late 2026.

Closures through July 25:

• Inside lanes on Katella/Willow

• Northbound 605 on-ramp

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

The Sawdust Art Festival began in the late 1960s as a grassroots response to Laguna’s more traditional art scene. What started as an alternative exhibit by local artists evolved into one of California’s most iconic and inclusive art events.

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, August 1:

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

2. San Juan Hills Golf Course (San Juan Capistrano) – Tight Rope, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

3. Mozambique - Ivan'z Room (Laguna Beach) – Adryon de León, 9:00 pm

4. Pub Thirty-Two (Mission Viejo) – Identity Crisis, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

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

6. The Rib Joint (Dana Point) – YellowDog, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

7. Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – Stevie Nicks Illusion - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm

8. La Santa (Santa Ana) – Foo Fighters Tribute Night, 9:00 pm

9. Mile Square Regional Park (Fountain Valley) – Ozomatli, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

10. OC Fair - The Hangar (Costa Mesa) – DSB, 8:15 pm

11. Roscoes Famous Deli Fullerton (Fullerton) – California Soul Tones, 9:00 pm

12. The Harp Inn (Costa Mesa) – SuperDelux, 8:30 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! 🙌

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