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:

• Costa Mesa brunch spot

• OC Japan Fair returns

• Weekend OC events lineup

• Surf museum relocation

• Newport theater redevelopment

• New OC concert venue

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Pradera (Costa Mesa)

Looking for a brunch spot that feels a little more elevated? Pradera in Costa Mesa brings vibrant Mexican flavors to brunch, lunch, and dinner in a warm, welcoming setting that feels both polished and approachable.

The concept is rooted in authentic Mexican cuisine, with a focus on fresh, wholesome meals and a dining experience that goes beyond the usual brunch routine. It’s the kind of spot that works just as well for a laid-back weekend meal as it does for a casual date or catch-up with friends.

Where: 2300 Harbor Blvd Ste C, Costa Mesa | Phone: (949) 991-2007

Featured Event: OC Japan Fair (April 3–5)

The largest Japanese festival in SoCal returns—three days of street food, cultural vendors, and live entertainment. Admission includes access to the Freedom LA Japanese Music Festival. From sushi to J-pop, it’s a vibrant showcase of Japanese culture that only comes once a year. Secure your tickets now at oc-japanfair.com!

• When: Fri 4/3 (4–10 PM); Sat 4/4 (12–10 PM); Sun 4/5 (11 AM–7 PM)

• Where: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626

• Admission: $20 (until April 2); $23 (after April 3); Kids 6 & under + Seniors 65+ free

• Parking: $15 (Gate 1; follow event signage)

📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

Surf City Nights, Huntington Beach (March 24)

A longtime Huntington Beach favorite, Surf City Nights turns Main Street into a lively weekly street fair with a certified farmers market, crafters, specialty food vendors, live music, and a fun local crowd. It’s a great excuse to get outside on a Tuesday and soak up the energy downtown. 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Main Street between Pacific Coast Highway and Orange Avenue, Huntington Beach | Event Info

Wine Wednesdays at A+O, Newport Beach (March 25)

Enjoy curated wine specials paired with a charcuterie and cheese board, plus live music to set the vibe right on the waterfront. It’s an easy way to turn an ordinary Wednesday into something worth showing up for. 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Live music 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM) | A+O Restaurant | Bar, 1221 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach | Event Info

Farmers Market OC, Costa Mesa (March 26)

This OC Farm Bureau-certified farmers market is a solid midweek stop for fresh produce, flowers, fish, honey, hummus, hot sauce, and more. Some vendors also serve hot lunch options, so you can turn a quick grocery run into a casual afternoon outing. 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | OC Fair & Event Center, Lot D, Costa Mesa | Event Info

Historic Main Street Friday Night Cruise, Garden Grove (March 27)

Classic cars, customs, hot rods, food, music, and a lively crowd, this long-running Garden Grove tradition is one of OC’s most iconic weekly car events. If you love vintage rides and community energy, this one is worth the stop. 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM | 12911 Main Street, Garden Grove, CA 92840 | Event Info

Springtime in Paris Boutique, Mission Viejo (March 28)

This Mission Viejo shopping event brings together handcrafted goods and giftable finds that are perfect for spring, Easter, Mother’s Day, and beyond. Expect live entertainment, peach Bellinis, and a festive day of browsing local vendors. 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo | Event Info

HotRods ’N Heroes, Huntington Beach (March 28-29)

This Huntington Beach event blends SoCal car culture with a mission to honor military, law enforcement, fire, and first responders. Expect everything from classic muscle and customs to modern exotics, all set against an oceanfront backdrop. 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Huntington City Beach, 400 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | Event Info

Bunny Bonanza, Laguna Niguel (March 28)

Laguna Niguel’s Bunny Bonanza is shaping up to be a fun, free family event with crafts, games, face painting, live entertainment, and special guests. Just note that there will not be an egg hunt, and pets are not allowed. 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Crown Valley Park, 29751 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel | Event Info

Spring Eggstravaganza, Fullerton (March 28)

This free community event packs in spring fun for the whole family with an egg hunt, arts and crafts, food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, and photos with the Spring Bunny. There’s even a dog-friendly village in the mix. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Hunt Branch Library, Fullerton | Event Info

FlutterBy Butterfly Experience, Irvine (March 28)

This interactive butterfly experience at Irvine Great Park is a fun, hands-on stop for families and nature lovers. Guests can learn about the butterfly life cycle, see caterpillars and chrysalises up close, and pick up tips on supporting pollinators. 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Farm + Food Lab, Irvine Great Park | Event Info

Heritage Museum Eggstravaganza, Santa Ana (March 28)

The Heritage Museum of OC is bringing back its free Eggstravaganza with age-based egg hunts, sensory hour access, Easter Bunny meet-and-greets, crafts, food vendors, and more. It’s also pet- and family-friendly, which makes it a nice all-ages weekend option. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Heritage Museum of OC, 3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana, CA 92704 | Event Info

Shop Small Soirée, Anaheim (March 29)

Downtown Anaheim’s Shop Small Soirée is a local vendor market with artisan goods, food, music, family-friendly activities, and a festive atmosphere built around supporting small businesses. It’s an easy Sunday pick if you want to stroll, snack, and shop local. 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | W. Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805 | Event Info

🏄 Local News You Should Know

Huntington Beach’s International Surf Museum is heading to the public library

The museum is set to relocate from its longtime Olive Avenue home into the city’s Main Street library branch, where officials say the move could create more of a cultural hub in the heart of downtown. The new space will give the museum room to show off more of its vintage surfboards and artifacts, including larger boards that the old location simply could not display well. City leaders are also hoping the move strengthens the connection between the museum, the library, and the nearby Huntington Beach Art Center ahead of summer and the US Open of Surfing.

A beloved Newport Beach theater may be on its way out

The Regal Edwards Big Newport, a longtime local landmark near Fashion Island, is slated to be replaced by two 22-story condo towers under newly approved plans. The theater, which opened in 1969 and has hosted everything from major premieres to the Newport Beach Film Festival, has struggled with declining attendance and the long-term fallout from the pandemic. The proposal is already drawing strong reactions, with some seeing it as progress and others mourning the loss of one of Newport’s most recognizable entertainment spaces.

OCVibe just revealed new details about its upcoming 5,000-seat concert hall

The Anaheim development says the new venue, expected to open in early 2027, will be the first of its kind in Orange County at that size, helping the county compete for artists and events that often head to LA instead. The project is designed to feel intimate for fans while also offering a more comfortable, artist-friendly backstage experience. It will be part of OCVibe’s first phase alongside the Urban Park, Katella Commons, and other additions transforming the area around Honda Center.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Huntington Beach’s surf identity runs so deep that the International Surf Museum has been preserving that history since the 1980s. With the museum now preparing for a move into the Main Street library, it’s another reminder that surf culture in HB is not just a vibe, it’s a major part of the city’s story.

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, March 27:

1. Cook’s Corner (Trabuco Canyon) – End On Destroy, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

2. Five Vines Wine Bar (San Juan Capistrano) – Leslie Lowe, 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

3. Sandpiper Lounge (Laguna Beach) – Lady Ivy, 9:30 pm – 1:00 am

4. The Coach House (San Juan Capistrano) – Buckcherry, 9:00 pm

5. The Cellar (San Clemente) – Lacaro Flamenkita

6. Salt Creek Grille (Dana Point) – Matt Duplissey, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

7. Grove of Anaheim (Anaheim) – Stand By Me: The Film & Its Stars 40 Years Later, 7:30 pm

8. House of Blues Anaheim – Music Hall (Anaheim) – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, 7:00 pm

9. Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – Dog n Butterfly: The Heart Experience, 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm

10. Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – Too Short, 5:00 pm

11. Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (Costa Mesa) – Pacific Symphony: Williams, Daugherty & Brahms, 8:00 pm

12. The Observatory (Santa Ana) – Reggaeton Rave (18+), 7:00 pm

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

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