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

Upscale South African flavors meet breezy rooftop views. If you're in the mood for bold spices, ocean air, and live music, Mozambique in Laguna Beach should be your next dinner destination. Known for its rooftop lounge, exotic cocktails, and fusion of Portuguese, South African, and American influences, this spot nails both the ambiance and the menu.

What to try:

Where: 1740 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach | Phone: (949) 715-7777

Shopping for a mattress can involve a lot of guesswork, but Sit ’n Sleep’s BedMATCH technology helps narrow down the options based on your body profile and sleep position. The diagnostic fitting system recommends the appropriate level of support, helping shoppers focus on mattresses better suited to their individual needs.

Sit ’n Sleep has six Orange County locations, including its new showroom at The Market Place in Tustin, with brands such as Tempur-Pedic, Purple, Avocado, Sealy, Beautyrest, Helix, Technogel, and Stearns & Foster available to compare in person. Shoppers can also take advantage of experienced sleep consultants and a 120-night comfort trial.

Free outdoor dance classes are back on the Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. This week’s class features Broadway and is open to all ages and skill levels, so you can show up, move around, and enjoy a summer evening without needing any dance experience. 6:30 PM | Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa | Event Info

Old Town Tustin’s Sunset Market brings together a farmers market, local vendors, live music, food trucks, and a beer and wine garden. It’s a laid-back midweek way to shop local, grab dinner, and enjoy the evening in one of OC’s most charming downtown areas. 5:00–8:30 PM | El Camino Real and Third Street, Old Town Tustin | Event Info

The 38th Annual Hoag Summer Fest returns with seasonal dishes from more than 40 local restaurants, handcrafted drinks, and a festive outdoor setting along the Back Bay. The evening brings together farm-to-table flavors, local hospitality, and community support. 6–8:30 PM | Newport Dunes, 1131 Back Bay Dr, Newport Beach | Event Info

Fountain Valley Summerfest fills four days with carnival rides, live concerts, food, drinks, vendors, local performers, and family activities. Saturday night features a free fireworks show presented by Hyundai. Admission is $5, with free entry for children under 5. Parking is free. Thursday 5–10 PM, Friday 5–11 PM, Saturday 3–11 PM, Sunday 2–8 PM | Fountain Valley Sports Park, 16400 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley | Event Info

Taste of Japan celebrates Japanese food, music, performance, and culture with free admission throughout the weekend. Expect ramen, street food, seasonal sweets, J-Pop performances, traditional arts, games, and plenty of photo opportunities. Friday 4–9 PM, Saturday 12–9 PM, Sunday 12–7 PM | Anaheim GardenWalk, Anaheim | Event Info

The OC MENA Festival brings three days of Middle Eastern and North African culture to the OC Fairgrounds. Visitors can explore authentic food, music, art, shopping, performances, rides, and family-friendly experiences celebrating traditions from across the region. Times vary | OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa | Event Info

Lake Forest’s free Multicultural Festival celebrates the community’s diversity through music, dance, food, art, and interactive experiences. Performances include lion and dragon dancing, taiko drumming, Native American hoop dancing, Hawaiian dance, Ballet Folklórico, steel drums, belly dancing, and more. 3–7 PM | Lake Forest Civic Center Campus, 100 Civic Center Dr, Lake Forest | Event Info

The Weekend Night Market is bringing a luau-inspired evening to Mission Viejo with live music, food, a beer garden, local artists, makers, and games. 5–9 PM | North Paseo at Los Osos, 25282 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo | Event Info

The third annual Chili Cook-Off returns to Chapman Crafted Brewery with multiple competition divisions, cash prizes, and plenty of chili. The event also serves as an International Chili Society World Championship qualifier. June 20 | Chapman Crafted Brewery, Orange | Event Info

Treat Dad to a Father’s Day car show featuring some of Southern California’s hottest classic, custom, and specialty vehicles. Downtown Brea will also offer music, exhibits, restaurants, shops, entertainment, and family activities throughout the day. Visitors are encouraged to bring a canned food donation for the Orange County Food Bank. 10 AM–4 PM | Downtown Brea | Event Info

Thousands of firefighters and their families from across California are heading to Newport Beach for a week of athletic competition and community events. The schedule includes soccer, surfing, beach volleyball, golf, basketball, softball, hockey, mountain biking, pickleball, CrossFit, a 15K run, and more. A public beach party is also planned for Wednesday (June 24) evening. June 21–26, times vary | Various locations around Newport Beach | Event Info

Free summer trolley service is back in Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano, making it easier to reach beaches, harbors, downtown areas, restaurants, festivals, and transit stations without fighting for parking.

Dana Point and San Clemente offer some of the most extensive schedules, while Newport Beach and San Juan Capistrano focus mainly on weekends and select holidays. Laguna Niguel runs Thursday through Sunday, and Laguna Beach’s primary summer routes begin June 26, with some Summer Breeze service already operating.

Each city has different routes, schedules, tracking apps, and rules for surfboards, bicycles, pets, and beach gear, so check the full guide before heading out.

A new restaurant and bait-and-tackle shop called Hook & Cook is expected to bring fresh energy to the end of San Clemente Pier. Created by local residents Nicholas and Lauren Rivard, who also operate The Picnic Café on Avenida Del Mar, the concept could open by late June or early July. Proposed menu items include lobster rolls, lobster bisque, tacos, burritos, fish and chips, breakfast sandwiches, açaí bowls, shave ice, and powdered-sugar beignets. The project also calls for locally sourced ingredients, fishing supplies, youth fishing clinics, live acoustic music, marine education, and fundraising for pier preservation.

Elevated surf and powerful rip currents continue to create dangerous conditions along Orange County beaches. According to the information reported June 11, waves were expected to ease briefly before building back into the 6-to-8-foot range Sunday and Monday, with additional strong surf possible afterward. Huntington Beach lifeguards reported hundreds of preventive actions as rip currents pulled some swimmers far offshore, and the annual Huntington Beach Pier Swim was moved from June 13 to August 29. Beachgoers should pay attention to posted signs and lifeguard instructions, swim near a staffed tower, and check current conditions before entering the water.

The Firefighter Summer Games have been bringing California firefighters together since 1972. This year, the long-running tradition heads to Newport Beach for six days of competition, including surfing, beach volleyball, softball, hockey, mountain biking, CrossFit, and more.

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

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