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

• French Steakhouse experience

• Lunar New Year & Valentine’s events across OC

• Live Music, Ghost Walks, Fight Club & more

• Irvine Great Park update

• Dana Point beach closure

• Fullerton Park Upgrades

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Butcher’s House Brasserie (Costa Mesa)

A cozy French brasserie-meets-steakhouse that leans into tradition (dry-aged steaks, chops, Toulouse sausage, duck confit) with a warm, intimate vibe. It’s designed for lingering dinners backed by a curated selection of wines and artisan beers.

Where: 3321 Hyland Ave Suite D, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 | Phone: (714) 714-0662

📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

Lunar New Year Celebration at Nixon Library & Museum (Feb 9)

A cultural night with food stands, a new cultural fair, and performances to celebrate the Year of the Horse. 4:00 PM–8:00 PM | Richard Nixon Library & Museum, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886 | Event Info

Bingo Mixer at Brewhouse SJC (Feb 12)

A casual mixer with networking, appetizers, and bingo. 5:30 PM | 31896 Plaza Dr., Unit D3, San Juan Capistrano | Event Info

Fight Club OC, Costa Mesa (Feb 12)

Live boxing + MMA presented by Roy Englebrecht Promotions—one of the most fun Thursday-night outings in OC. Happy hour 5:30–6:30 PM, doors 6:00 PM, first fight 7:00 PM | OC Fair & Event Center – The Hangar | Event Info

Cupid’s Row at Anaheim Farmers Market (Feb 12)

A Valentine’s-inspired market with sweet treats, gifts, and local vendors. | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM | 350 W Center Street Promenade, Anaheim | Event Info

UVSA Tết Festival, Huntington Beach (Feb 13–15)

The largest Vietnamese New Year festival in the nation with a cultural village, live entertainment, festive games, and lots of food vendors. Fri 4:00–10:00 PM, Sat 11:00 AM–10:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM–9:30 PM | Golden West College, 15744 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 | Event Info

Club 90s at House of Blues Anaheim (Feb 13)

An 18+ dance night with Heated RivalRave bringing the party to HOB Anaheim. | 8:30 PM | House of Blues Anaheim | Event Info

San Juan Capistrano Ghost Walk (Feb 13)

A 1.5-hour guided ghost tour through Old Town SJC featuring local dark history, legends, and eerie stories near the Mission ruins. 7:00 PM | Old Town San Juan Capistrano / Los Rios District area | Event Info

Galentine’s Day at The LAB Anti-Mall (Feb 13)

A free afternoon with candle painting, a flower bouquet bar, local vendors, and live music (plus a mobile romance book truck pop-up). 3:00–7:00 PM | The LAB Anti-Mall, 2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa | Event Info

Valentine’s Courtyard Cinema, Santa Ana (Feb 13)

A family-friendly outdoor movie night with Valentine’s and movie-themed crafts for kids. 5:30–7:30 PM | El Salvador Community Center, 1825 W Civic Center Dr, Santa Ana | Event Info

Tết of Love, Garden Grove (Feb 13–15)

A free community event with flower displays, lion dances, folk games, music, a magic show, and more. Feb 13–15 starts at 11:00 AM | 12936 Main St, Historic Main Street, Garden Grove | Event Info

Love Potions Mixology Experience, Santa Ana (Feb 13)

A Valentine’s-themed mixology class where you’ll craft three cocktails, enjoy gourmet bites, and catch a live DJ—designed for couples, friends, or solo nights out (21+). 8:00–11:00 PM | 132 E Dyer Rd, Santa Ana, CA | Event Info

Heartbreakers Flea Market, Costa Mesa (Feb 15)

A Valentine weekend flea with clothing, bags, tooth gems, jewelry, matcha, tats, and more. 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | 610 W 18th St, Costa Mesa | Event Info

Pixel Perf Pop-Up Market, Irvine (Feb 15)

A free, all-ages market with 30+ local artisans—flowers, permanent jewelry, handmade goods, vintage finds, snacks, treats, and craft beer on-site. 11:00 AM–4:00 PM | Hangar 24, 17877 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614 | Event Info

Valentine’s Day Events for Singles & Couples Across OC (Now–End of Feb)

A countywide guide to Valentine’s Day plans, whether you’re celebrating as a couple, with friends, or solo. From romantic dinners and live music to singles mixers and hands-on experiences, there’s something for every vibe and relationship status. Now through the end of February | All across Orange County | Event Info

🏄 Local News You Should Know

New Connection Coming Between the Great Park and Irvine Spectrum

A new transportation connection is underway in Irvine to improve access and traffic flow between the Great Park and the Irvine Spectrum as the area continues to grow. The project includes a new rail undercrossing at Marine Way, creating a direct route where no rail crossing currently exists—eliminating detours through Sand Canyon or Alton Parkway. Once completed, the connection is expected to shorten trips, improve overall traffic circulation, and support safer walking and biking. Construction is already underway, with utility relocations and major structural work planned over the next couple of years.

Beach Stair Cage Replacement Near Ocean Institute in Dana Point

OC Public Works will replace the chain link stair cage at the beach entrance near the Ocean Institute to maintain safe, secure beach access. The beach stairway will be closed for about two weeks during construction, scheduled for February 17–March 3, 2026 (weekdays, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM), with timing subject to tides and weather. This is a County project (not the City of Dana Point).

Fullerton Independence Park Revitalization Project Begins Next Phase

After reopening Union Pacific Park and completing the new Union Pacific Trail connection, the City of Fullerton is moving into Phase I of the Independence Park Revitalization Project. Backed by roughly $3 million in funding, Phase I focuses on immediate infrastructure and accessibility upgrades—including the city’s first adaptive playground, restroom facilities, landscape/irrigation improvements, and interior gymnasium renovations—with additional phases planned as more funding becomes available. The city is also beginning work on a comprehensive Parks Master Plan to guide long-term investments and incorporate community input.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Dana Point was originally part of what was known as Capistrano Bay and was later named after author Richard Henry Dana Jr., who famously described the anchorage in Two Years Before the Mast. Long before today’s harbor existed, ships anchored offshore here during the California hide-and-tallow trade.

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

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🎶 Live Music This Weekend

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

Friday, Feb 13:

1. Alza Italian Kitchen (Rancho Santa Margarita) – Gabriel Soriano, 6:00 pm

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

3. BeachFire Bar & Grill (San Clemente) – “Valentines’ Blues” w/ Fernando Noronha Band, 8:00 pm

4. Bricco Cucina & Wine Bar (Laguna Niguel) – Henry Oniel, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

5. Carlos Mexican Restaurant (Dana Point) – Randall Winvick Quartet, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

6. The Coach House (San Juan Capistrano) – Mirage: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac, 9:00 pm

7. Bayside (Newport Beach) – Ron Kobayashi & Friends, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

8. Cafe Sevilla (Costa Mesa) – Colombian Latin Soul, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

9. Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – Yachty By Nature, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

10. Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – Save Ferris, 6:00 pm

11. The Twisted Vine (Fullerton) – Kevin French, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

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

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

Valentine’s Mugs Are Here ☕❤️

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be complicated. We made a few OC-inspired mugs for anyone who’s single, caffeinated, obsessed with coffee, or just really loves living here. They’re simple, cozy, and designed to be your new go-to coffee companion. (Thrive OC VIPs get a mug free as a thank-you for supporting the community! If you’ve been thinking about upgrading, this is one of the many perks you’ll unlock.)

Take a look below, pick your favorite design, and enjoy a little extra coffee-time love this Valentine’s season. Free shipping, too.

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