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Good morning, Orange County. You’re reading Thrive OC, your weekly guide to the best local spots, happenings, and hidden gems across the co

ast and beyond. Here’s what’s on deck:

• Smoky Anaheim taco spot

• Vinyl markets, dog races, trivia nights

• Wine nights, jazz, food festivals

• Major OC arts initiative

• Irvine $9.9B acquisition

• Seal Beach funding win

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Craft by Smoke and Fire (Anaheim)

More than a restaurant, Craft by Smoke and Fire wants to feed your soul with dishes and cocktails that hit differently. Located in the heart of Anaheim’s Center Street Promenade, it's all about craft—craft dishes, craft cocktails, and even craft entertainment.

Insider tip: The short rib or brisket tacos are incredible. And if you're truly taco-obsessed, rep it proudly with our “Will Work for Tacos” tee.

📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

Taco Tuesday at Duke’s, Huntington Beach (April 7)

A solid excuse to head to the coast midweek. Duke’s is serving up a Taco Tuesday special with two tacos, fresh chips, and chipotle salsa, with options like fresh fish, carne asada, kalua pork, grilled chicken, and avocado tacos. 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Duke’s, 317 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | Event Info

Wine Down Wednesdays, Anaheim (April 8)

Midweek wine, bites, and live music is a pretty good formula, and California Vintage Wine Bistro is bringing all three together in Anaheim. It’s an easy pick for a laid-back evening out. 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM | California Vintage Wine Bistro, 1925 S State College Blvd, Anaheim | Event Info

Epic Pub Quiz Trivia at Radiant, Anaheim (April 8)

If your ideal weeknight includes beer and a little competition, Radiant Beer Co. is hosting trivia in the Great Room. It’s free to join, open to all, and seating is first-come, first-served. 7:00 PM | Radiant Beer Co., 1566 West Lincoln Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92801 | Event Info

The Gatsby Gala, Anaheim (April 11)

THE RANCH is going full Roaring Twenties with an over-the-top evening of jazz, cocktails, dinner, dancing, and themed experiences inspired by The Great Gatsby. Expect flapper-era flair, a luxury buffet, live music, and a dressed-up crowd. Tickets required. 6:00 PM | THE RANCH Events Center, Anaheim | Event Info

Redo Vinyl Market, Dana Point (April 11)

Vinyl collectors and crate diggers, this one’s for you. Redo Vinyl Market brings together 20+ vendors, live music, food, and a beer garden for a full evening in Dana Point, with part of the proceeds benefiting Dana Point Youth Baseball. 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Dana Point Community Center | Event Info

Jazz in the Palm Court, Irvine (April 11)

Great Park’s Palm Court Arts Complex is hosting a live jazz evening inspired by the genre’s wide stylistic range, from blues and swing to bebop and contemporary sounds. Bring a blanket or folding chair and settle in. 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM | Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex, Irvine | Event Info

Aloha Fair, Irvine (April 11)

This family-friendly Irvine event brings together Hawaiian and Polynesian dancing, ukulele lessons, shave ice, food, crafts, local vendors, and free admission. A fun pick for anyone looking for something upbeat and community-focused. 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM | LePort Montessori School, 1 Technology Dr Bldg. A, Irvine, CA 92618 | Event Info

Huntington Beach Host Lions Club Crabfest 2026 (April 11)

Crabfest returns with a five-course dinner, all-you-can-eat chilled crab and shrimp, a silent auction, and a community fundraising focus that supports several local organizations. Early tickets are recommended since it’s expected to sell out. 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Huntington Beach Senior Center, 18041 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | Event Info

Old World Wiener Nationals Dachshund Race, Huntington Beach (April 12)

Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like, and yes, it looks amazing. Head to Old World Village to watch dachshunds race down the cobblestone streets in a day built for dog lovers and anyone who enjoys a little chaos with their weekend plans. 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM | Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave #38, Huntington Beach, CA | Event Info

Knott’s Boysenberry Festival, Buena Park (Now–April 12)

One of Knott’s most beloved seasonal traditions is back, bringing limited-time food and drinks, live music, artisan vendors, and family-friendly fun to Buena Park. If you want a classic spring OC outing, this is always a strong one. Now through April 12, times vary | Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park | Event Info

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival (Now–April 27)

Disney’s annual Food & Wine Festival is back with food booths, specialty drinks, cooking demos, live entertainment, and plenty of California-inspired flavors throughout the park. Great for food lovers, Disney fans, or anyone looking for a more built-out day in Anaheim. Daily through April 27, times vary | Disney California Adventure Park, 1313 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92802 | Event Info

🏄 Local News You Should Know

Segerstrom Center launches first-ever Artist in Residence program

Orange County’s arts scene just got a meaningful new addition. Segerstrom Center for the Arts has named GRAMMY-winning composer and bandleader Arturo O’Farrill as its first-ever Artist in Residence, kicking off a broader cultural initiative tied to its 40th anniversary season. Alongside the residency, the Center is launching ¡VIVA! The Spenuzza Series, a new lineup focused on Hispanic and Latino arts across music, dance, theater, family programming, and community events. It’s a notable step toward more inclusive, community-centered arts programming in OC, and one that could bring a deeper cultural presence to the region throughout the year.

Irvine-based Masimo to be acquired in $9.9 billion deal

Major business news out of Irvine: Masimo is set to be acquired by Danaher in a $9.9 billion deal that would expand Danaher’s reach in diagnostics and patient monitoring. Masimo, best known for its non-invasive pulse oximeter technology, has been one of Orange County’s more prominent med-tech companies, and the deal marks a major moment for the local business landscape. If completed in the second half of 2026 as expected, it would become Danaher’s biggest acquisition since 2023 and further cement OC’s role in the health tech and diagnostics world.

Seal Beach secures over $2 million for flooding and coastal protection projects

Seal Beach has been awarded $2 million in federal funding for two major public works efforts aimed at improving infrastructure and protecting the coastline. One project will help reduce trash flowing through the San Gabriel River before it reaches local beaches and the Pacific Ocean, while the other supports early design work for stormwater improvements in College Park East, a neighborhood that has long dealt with flooding during heavy rain. For a small coastal city, this is a meaningful win that could improve water quality, strengthen flood resilience, and help protect one of the area’s most valuable public assets: its shoreline.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Orange County’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts sits on land that was once part of a massive lima bean farm. Before it became one of the premier performing arts venues in Southern California, the area was agricultural land owned by the Segerstrom family—who later helped transform it into the cultural hub we know today.

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

Your Retirement Savings Need to Outlast You

Most retirement plans underestimate two things: how long your savings need to last, and how quietly inflation erodes them along the way.

The 15-Minute Retirement Plan helps you close both gaps with practical guidance on longevity risk, purchasing power, and building a financial plan that doesn't run out before you do.

If you have $1,000,000 or more saved, download your free guide to start.

Download Your Free Guide.

🎶 Live Music This Weekend

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

Friday, April 10:

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

2. ClubSport (Aliso Viejo) – John Scott, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

3. Cook’s Corner (Trabuco Canyon) – Rowland Band & End on Destroy, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

4. Gibroni’s Pizza (San Clemente) – Punk Night: Mad Menace & Murder Dogs, Dinerboy & Castaic, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

5. The Cellar (San Clemente) – Taryn Donath, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

6. Trevor’s at the Tracks (San Juan Capistrano) – Kai Kalama, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

7. Biergarten (Huntington Beach) – Rage Against The Machine & NIN Tributes, 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm

8. Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – B.I.G. (Brothers Igniting a Groove), 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

9. Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – Warren G, 5:00 pm

10. House of Blues Anaheim – Music Hall (Anaheim) – Badfish (Sublime Tribute), 7:00 pm

11. Segerstrom Center for the Arts (Costa Mesa) – American Ballet Theatre: Sylvia, 7:30 pm

12. The Observatory (Santa Ana) – Gary Numan, 7:00 pm

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

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