Good morning, Orange County. This is Thrive OC, where we all know the real debate isn’t “In-N-Out or Shake Shack?”—it’s “Is it really winter if you’re still wearing flip-flops?” 🌞❄️

In today’s Thrive OC:

• Restaurant of the Week: A taste of Havana in Costa Mesa

• Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

• Dolphin stampede off the coast—yes, really

• Your weekend live music lineup

• Major landslide closes Thousand Steps Beach

Let’s get into it.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Habana - Costa Mesa

Craving bold flavors, tropical vibes, and killer mojitos? Habana in Costa Mesa is the spot.

🔥 What to order: The Lechón Asado (slow-roasted pork) is melt-in-your-mouth good, and their Mojitos? Easily some of the best in OC.

📍 Where: Habana Costa Mesa, 2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA
🍹 Why you should go: A gorgeous patio, awesome ambience, and a Cuban-inspired menu that never misses.

Go early—this place fills up fast.

🏄 Local News You Should Know

Landslide in Laguna Beach Shuts Down Thousand Steps Beach

🚨 A landslide early Friday morning wiped out part of the iconic stairs at Thousand Steps Beach in Laguna Beach.

• What happened? Around 7:15 AM, part of the cliff collapsed, sending debris and boulders down the cliffside.

• Is the beach closed? Yes, but the 9th Street access point has reopened.

• Is it safe? No immediate threats to homes, but geologists are assessing the stability of the bluff.

This isn’t the first time OC has seen landslides—recent collapses in Newport Beach and San Clemente suggest the coast might need some extra TLC.

Dolphin Stampede Off the OC Coast!

A 5,000-strong megapod of Common Dolphins was spotted racing through the waters off San Clemente, and it’s absolutely breathtaking.

🎥 Video captured by @loriannah & @captdaveswhalewatching (Instagram) shows a massive group of dolphins leaping in sync, stretching as far as the eye can see.

📍 Where? Off the coast of San Clemente
🐳 Why it’s special: Dolphin stampedes are rare, and OC’s waters are home to some of the best marine life encounters in the world.

Seriously, you have to see this video. 🏝️🐬

💕 Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

Still making plans? Whether you're looking for romantic dining or something unique, here’s your OC Valentine’s Guide:

🍽️ Romantic Dinner: AVEO Table + Bar at Waldorf Astoria (Dana Point) – Sunset views, a fireplace-lit patio, and a specialty Valentine’s menu with dishes like crispy-skinned sea bass and cabernet-poached pear salad. Reservations here.

🐋 Something Different: Valentine’s Day Whale Watching with Dana Wharf – Because nothing says romance like watching dolphins and whales glide past your boat at sunset.

🌅 Candlelight Dinner With a View: Orange County Mining Co. (Orange) – Enjoy an exclusive Valentine’s Day dining experience in the Upstairs Ballroom, featuring stunning panoramic views of Orange County and a specially curated menu for two.

🌹 The Ultimate Valentine’s Celebration: Celebrate love in style at Montage Laguna Beach, featuring multiple Valentine’s-themed experiences:

• Afternoon Tea with a View – Sip tea and enjoy light bites at The Lobby Lounge Feb. 14-16 from 12-3 PM.

• Bloom Bar at Paintbox – Create your own rose bouquet at this pop-up flower bar Feb. 14 & 15 from 10 AM - 2 PM.

• Dinner at The Loft – Enjoy an elevated prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu with live music and ocean views. Feb. 14, 5-10 PM. Call 949.715.6420 for reservations.

🎶 Live Music This Weekend

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

🎵 Friday, Feb 7:

• Soka Performing Arts Center (Aliso Viejo) – Aliso Niguel High School Orchestra: Solo & Ensemble Concert, 7:00 PM

• StillWater Spirits & Sounds (Dana Point) – Flock of 80s, 9:00 PM

• Swallow's Inn (San Juan Capistrano) – Barbwire Band, 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM

• Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – Grateful Dead Tribute - Cubensis, 5:00 PM

• Hangar 24 (Irvine) – The 80's and 90's Show, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

• OC Fish Grill (Irvine) – OC Jazz Collective, 7:00 PM

• Off the Hook (Los Alamitos) – Live Music, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

• Pelican Hill Resort (Newport Beach) – Carmel Helene, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

(And that’s just Friday.) 🎸🔥

🍽️ OC Restaurant Week Lineup Revealed!

Foodies, get ready—OC Restaurant Week is back from March 2-9, featuring some of the best restaurants in the county.

🥂 Exclusive VIP Party: Want a first taste? The OC Restaurant Week Launch Party is happening March 1—but tickets are limited.

Check out the full lineup and snag tickets here.

🌟 OC Trivia: Did You Know?

Orange County is home to the world's first theme park—Knott’s Berry Farm, which opened before Disneyland!

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

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

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Know a cool event, restaurant, or business that should be featured? Reply to this email.

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