Good morning, Orange County. You're reading Thrive OC, the newsletter keeping you in the loop so you're never left wondering, "Wait, what's happening this weekend?"—or "Wait, what time is it again?" (Thanks, daylight savings.)

Here’s what’s on deck:

• A historic eatery worth discovering in San Juan Capistrano

• Beaches to avoid after the recent rains

• Massive improvements finally coming to the 91 Freeway

• Your essential guide to March OC & St. Patrick’s Day festivities

Let’s dive in.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Trevor’s at the Tracks

Nestled inside San Juan Capistrano’s historic 1894 train depot, Trevor’s at the Tracks brings internationally-inspired cuisine to one of OC’s most charming settings. Whether you're soaking in the vibes on their courtyard patio—complete with live music and craft cocktails—or dining indoors on farm-to-table dishes, it’s easy to see why locals love this spot.

What makes it special? Trevor’s commitment to sustainability means locally sourced produce, sustainably caught seafood, grass-fed beef, and cage-free chicken. Here, dining out feels—and tastes—good.

📍Find it: 26701 Verdugo St, San Juan Capistrano, CA

🏄 Local News You Should Know

🌊 Beaches Closed After Rain: Bacteria Levels Spike

Heads up, surfers and swimmers! High bacteria levels have closed Upper Trestles and Aliso Beach. Recent rains have sent stormwater runoff into the ocean, pushing bacteria counts well above safe limits.

The OC Health Care Agency strongly advises avoiding coastal waters for at least 72 hours after rainfall—so maybe skip the surf sesh this weekend.

🚗 Major Upgrade Coming to the 91 Freeway

That dreaded "merge across three lanes" move on the 91 Freeway near Anaheim might soon be history. A $779 million project officially kicked off last Friday, promising to ease congestion between the 55 and 57 freeways.

While this won’t eliminate all your traffic woes (we wish!), expect safer merging, smoother driving, and fewer headaches by the project's completion in 2030—just in time for the 2028 Olympics. Improvements include a new direct ramp at Lakeview Avenue, additional lanes, and upgraded bridges.

Construction might slow things down temporarily, but the long-term payoff could be a game-changer for OC commuters.

📅 Upcoming Events 🎉

🐎 65th Annual Swallows Day Parade

Circle March 22 on your calendar—San Juan Capistrano’s beloved Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Street Fair is back for its 65th year, complete with marching bands, horse-drawn carriages, and for the first time ever, the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales!

Parade starts at 11 AM, but streets close at 10 AM. Parking is limited, so taking the train is highly recommended.

☘️ Your St. Paddy’s Day Plans: Covered

Irish Fest at Old World Huntington Beach: Six days of live Irish music, authentic cuisine, and plenty of good cheer, starting March 12.

Run For The Gold: A festive, family-friendly run at Mile Square Park on March 9, featuring races from a half marathon to a kid-friendly dash.

Newport Beach Bar Crawl: Start your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations early at Baja Sharkeez on March 17, and hop between Newport’s best bars throughout the afternoon.

🏒 Ducks vs. Rangers at Honda Center

Hockey fans, mark March 28—The Ducks take on the New York Rangers at Honda Center. Tickets start at $45, and if you’re a dedicated fan, check out their season ticket memberships (less than $19 per game!).

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Mission San Juan Capistrano is famous for the swallows' annual return each spring. Legend says these birds always come back precisely on March 19 (St. Joseph’s Day), bringing locals and tourists together for nearly a century to celebrate.

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

🎉 VIP Shoutouts!

A big welcome to our newest Thrive OC VIPs—Isabel and Alicia! Thanks for being part of the community—we’ve got some exclusive perks coming your way! 🚀✨

🎶 Live Music This Weekend

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

Friday, March 14:

• Alza Italian Kitchen (Rancho Santa Margarita) – George Fryer, 6:00 PM

• Barnoa Wine Company (San Clemente) – Mike Silvestri, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

• Mozambique - Ivan'z Room (Laguna Beach) – Dustbowl Revival, 8:00 PM

• San Juan Hills Golf Course (San Juan Capistrano) – Family Style, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

• StillWater Spirits & Sounds (Dana Point) – Flashback Heart Attack, 9:00 PM

• The Coach House (San Juan Capistrano) – The Fenians, 9:00 PM

• Campus JAX (Newport Beach) – Tijuana Dogs, 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM

• Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones, Bryan Adams, Bob Dylan Tributes, 5:00 PM

• House of Blues Anaheim - Parish Room (Anaheim) – Bit Brigade Performs "Mega Man II" + "DuckTales" LIVE, 7:00 PM

• La Santa (Santa Ana) – La Union, 9:00 PM

• The Observatory (Santa Ana) – Insomniac Presents - Gorillat (18+), 7:00 PM

• Tiki Bar (Costa Mesa) – King Tide, 7:00 PM

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

🌅 Sunrise & Sunset in OC

🙌 Rep OC & Support Local

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