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

Chef Gabbi Patrick draws on her Yucatecan roots at CHAAK Kitchen, where smoke, recados, and pibil anchor the menu. For dinner, start with the CHUUK Trio of guacamole, sikil p’ak, and salsa, then consider the cochinita pibil: achiote-smoked pork shoulder with house tortillas. It’s a good pick for a meal built around sharing and exploring another side of Mexican cooking.

Where: 215 El Camino Real, Tustin | Phone: (657) 699-3019

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Explore five decades of Relámpago del Cielo’s folklórico history through photographs, costumes, and stories. Admission is free, with paid parking; this week’s viewing days are Monday through Friday. 8 AM–4:30 PM daily | Old Orange County Courthouse, 211 W. Santa Ana Boulevard | Event Info

Bring the little ones for stories, songs, and games inside the museum’s Capturing Life, Creating Character exhibition. Admission is $2 per family; reserve a spot through the museum. 9:30–11:30 AM | Muzeo Main Gallery, 241 S. Anaheim Boulevard | Event Info

Get to know Laguna Coast Wilderness Park on an easy-paced, roughly three-mile guided hike to Barbara’s Lake and an overlook. Ages 12 and up; minors need an accompanying adult, every participant needs advance registration, and parking is $3. 8–10 AM | Nix Nature Center, 18751 Laguna Canyon Road | Event Info

Add a free live dance performance to your gallery evening. Laguna Dance brings its Art Walk series to Dawson Cole Fine Art, a gallery with sculptures of dancers. 6:30 PM | Dawson Cole Fine Art, 326 Glenneyre Street | Event Info

Watch military and civilian aircraft perform above the coast during three days of flying. Buy event tickets online in advance; gates open at 9 AM. Approximately 10 AM–4:30 PM daily | Huntington City Beach, south of the pier between 1st and Huntington streets | Event Info

Make a fall-festival stop for carnival rides, food booths, and live music. Admission is free; rides and food cost extra. Times vary | Columbus Tustin Park, 14712 Prospect Avenue | Event Info

Start with Friday’s 21+ cocktail party, or choose a chef dinner, tasting, or Sunday brunch with guests including Geoffrey Zakarian, Scott Conant, and Sherry Yard. Experiences are ticketed separately, and some sessions have sold out. Times vary | VEA Newport Beach, The Park Club, and ANQI at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza | Event Info

Native plants, hands-on nature activities, and live mariachis fill Los Rios Park, while Historic Town Center Park adds dance performances, local makers, and a beer-and-wine garden. Admission is free for all ages; nearby parking is limited. 10 AM–5 PM | Los Rios Park and Historic Town Center Park, downtown San Juan Capistrano | Event Info

Browse handmade gifts, jewelry, and seasonal décor, with Kids Imagine Nation bringing music and dancing for younger visitors. Admission is free. 9 AM–2 PM | Crown Valley Community Center, 29751 Crown Valley Parkway | Event Info

Head out aboard the Spirit of Dana Point with live sea shanties from Queen Anne’s Blouse. Advance tickets are required for this two-hour sail. 10 AM–noon | Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive | Event Info

Pick a pumpkin from the pool, then decorate it and try the carnival games. Admission is free; pumpkins cost $5 with advance registration or $10 at the door while supplies last, and ABLE participants may arrive at 1 PM. 2–5 PM | Montanoso Recreation and Fitness Center, 25800 Montanoso Drive | Event Info

Hear author Jamie Della recount Pío Pico’s historic midnight ride and how California’s last Mexican governor evaded capture at his friend Bernardo Yorba’s rancho. Explore this chapter of local history inside an 1871 adobe, with musician Kobe Wood performing and teaching “El Capotín,” a song from 1840s California. Admission is free. 11:30 AM–noon | Ramon Peralta Adobe, 6398 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road | Event Info

Make an afternoon of Persian food and sweets, folk dance, live music, and a stop at the festival tearoom. Browse the art and cultural exhibits while younger visitors explore the children’s activities; general admission is free for ages 12 and under, with adult tickets sold separately. Doors open at 2 PM daily | Great Park Live, 300 Corsair | Event Info

The Surfing Heritage and Culture Center, better known as SHACC, is now open at 239 Broadway in Laguna Beach, near Main Beach. Inside, more than 20 boards ridden by world champions offer a close look at surfing history. Check the museum’s weekly lineup before visiting, since hours vary and private events can shorten visiting days.

Irvine is seeking feedback on possible Yale Avenue improvements north of I-405, including protected bikeways, pedestrian crossings, and intersection changes. Drop into the open house Monday, September 28, from 5–7 PM at Northwood Community Center, where the Venta Spur Trail crossings project will also be discussed. These are options under study, so this is a chance to weigh in before the plans take shape. A second upcoming workshop will be held online October 14 from 5–6:30 PM.

OC Public Works plans vegetation maintenance along the San Juan and Trabuco creek channels from September 30 into November. Work is scheduled Monday through Saturday, 7 AM–5 PM, with the bikeway remaining open except for intermittent closures to move equipment and materials. Look for posted detours near the work areas, and check the county notice before heading out because the schedule may change.

Tustin Tiller Days has been part of the city’s calendar since 1957, celebrating Orange County’s agricultural heritage while helping local nonprofits raise funds.

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