Good morning, Orange County. You’re reading Thrive OC, your weekly guide to the best local spots, happenings, and hidden gems across the coast and beyond. Here’s what’s on deck:

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

Hidden below Fullerton’s historic Villa del Sol, The Cellar pairs classic French and contemporary American cooking with a candlelit, old-world dining room and a serious cocktail program. It’s a polished date-night or special-occasion stop before the Downtown Fullerton Art Walk. Allow a little extra time to find the entrance below street level.

Where: 305 N. Harbor Blvd., #001, Fullerton | Phone: (714) 525-5682

You’ve saved $1.5 million. Now comes the real test.

Can it produce $10,000 a month, or will that pace drain your portfolio?

Most retirees do not get a clear answer until it is too late.

The issue is not just how much you have. It is whether your portfolio was built to pay you, not just grow.

That difference can determine whether your money lasts decades or starts breaking down early.

Sequence of returns, taxes on withdrawals, healthcare costs, and whether the 4% rule still applies all play a role.

Fiduciary advisors created a breakdown showing what drives sustainable income and why the same $1.5M can produce very different outcomes.

If you have $1M or more invested, do not guess.

See How Long My Money Lasts

Learn More

The OC Fair fills its 23-day run with carnival rides, fair food, entertainment, exhibits, animals, games, and concerts. Advance admission is required, and the fair is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Times vary | OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa | Event Info

This year’s production, The Greatest of All Time, turns works by Michelangelo, Vermeer, Monet, Van Gogh, Norman Rockwell, and other major artists into living pictures with narration and a live orchestra. 8:30 PM nightly | Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach | Event Info

Meet Irvine police officers and Orange County firefighters, see public-safety vehicles and equipment, and stop by community booths, food trucks, and giveaways. Free parking is available in Lot 2. 5 PM | Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex, 8000 Great Park Boulevard, Irvine | Event Info

Enjoy unlimited tastings from local restaurants and beverage makers, plus live music from the 80’s All Stars. Advance tickets are $45 through August 5 and $55 at the door; discounted children’s tickets are available. 5–9 PM | Tri-City Park, 2301 N. Kraemer Boulevard, Placentia | Event Info

Tours are offered only when weather and ocean conditions allow. Ocean Institute guides lead small groups through the kelp forest at Shaw’s Cove, with gear included and beginners welcome. Reservations are $64 per person with a two-person minimum; recommended for ages 6 and up. 9–10:30 AM | Shaw’s Cove, Laguna Beach | Event Info

OC Parks closes its first summer-concert run with Mariachi Divas, an opening performance by The Duo, food trucks, and beer and wine concessions for guests 21 and older. Admission and parking are free. Event at 5 PM; music at 6 PM | Craig Regional Park, 3300 N. State College Boulevard, Fullerton | Event Info

Downtown Fullerton turns into a walkable art night as galleries, boutiques, coffee shops, salons, comic stores, and other creative spaces open their doors. Admission is free, and hours vary by venue. 5–10 PM | Downtown Fullerton | Event Info

Brea’s food-and-arts fundraiser brings restaurant tastings, live music, gallery exhibits, theater, demonstrations, a vendor marketplace, and Kidsville to the Civic & Cultural Center. Admission, parking, and entertainment are free; food and drink samples use $4 tickets. 6:30–10 PM | Brea Civic & Cultural Center, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea | Event Info

OC Parks screens the 1999 teen comedy, “10 Things I Hate About You”, after sundown, with pre-movie activities, food trucks, and beer and wine concessions for guests 21 and older. Admission and parking are free. Event at 6 PM; movie after sundown | Laguna Niguel Regional Park, 28241 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel | Event Info

Irvine celebrates its 55th anniversary with a free school-themed dance party spanning the city’s eras. Arrive for food and drinks during happy hour, then stay for live music, a DJ, and a silent-disco set; lawn chairs and favorite-era outfits are welcome. 5:30 PM | Great Park Live, 8000 Great Park Boulevard, Irvine | Event Info

Avenida Del Mar closes to traffic for two stages of live music, food and beverage booths, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, games, and community exhibits. Admission is free, with complimentary shuttles from San Clemente High School. 11 AM–6 PM | 100 and 200 blocks of Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente | Event Info

Browse 55-plus handmade vendors, hear live music, make a themed craft, and meet a mermaid from 4 to 6 PM both days. Admission and parking are free, and the event is pet-friendly. 3–8:30 PM | Woodbury Town Center, 6460 Irvine Boulevard, Irvine | Event Info

Old World’s Derby Day features two rounds of dachshund racing and a pet expo. Standing-room tickets are $10, seated VIP tickets are $18, and children 5 and younger are free. 10 AM–2 PM | Old World Village, 7561 Center Avenue, Huntington Beach | Event Info

The city’s inaugural Art Week opens Sunday with a free Pacific Symphony concert at Civic Center Green and a dance workshop at Sherman Library & Gardens; more classes, exhibitions, and performances continue through August 15. Times vary | Locations across Newport Beach | Event Info

The City of Irvine and Innovation Baseball Partners announced plans for a professional club that expects to begin play in summer 2027 as part of the Pioneer Baseball League, an MLB Partner League. The team plans to play at Great Park Baseball Stadium, but final venue agreements, branding, and player signings remain forthcoming. Organizers are pitching a family-friendly ballpark experience with global fan-culture influences and more accessible pricing. Fans can follow updates and join the priority ticket waitlist at OCbaseballclub.com.

Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District has confirmed West Nile-positive mosquito samples in multiple cities, including Buena Park, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, and Seal Beach. Detection in mosquitoes does not mean every bite carries the virus, but the district is urging residents to take routine precautions. Dump standing water, repair screens, and use EPA-registered repellent, especially around dawn and dusk. The district also accepts reports of dead birds, neglected pools, and unusually high mosquito activity through its West Nile information page.

Orange County and the Orange County Fire Authority are opening public comment August 3–17 on the draft 2026 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Updated every five years, the plan addresses wildfire, earthquake, flooding, and other risks in unincorporated communities while preserving eligibility for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants. Public information meetings are scheduled August 5 from 1 to 2 PM in Santa Ana and 6 to 7 PM in Silverado. Residents can review the draft online and submit feedback through the county’s project page.

Brea Fest has spotlighted local dining and the arts since 1986, and this year marks the event’s 40th annual edition. Proceeds support Brea’s cultural arts programs.

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

Most men don't think about their skin until eye bags, dark spots, and wrinkles show up at once. Particle Face Cream is a groundbreaking men's formula that fights all three, while also restoring firmness and hydrating deeply. No complicated routine. Trusted by over a million men. 30-day money-back guarantee. 20% off with code BH20.

Get 20% Off Today

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

Friday, August 7:

Do you have a business, product, service, brand, or event that you want to promote or feature? Contact us!

And if you loved this newsletter, forward it to a friend 👇

Thanks for reading Thrive OC today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who you think could Thrive in OC.

P.S. We value your thoughts, feedback, and questions - feel free to respond directly to this email!

… and if you enjoyed this email, be sure to thank the person who forwarded it to you and subscribe to get your own copy!