Good morning, Orange County. This is Thrive OC, where we keep you in the loop with the best local happenings, hidden gems, and must-know news.

In today’s Thrive OC:

• Restaurant of the Week: Wood-fired comfort food in San Clemente

• Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

• Gray Whale Migration off the OC coast

• Surf shops closing & Anaheim’s OC River Walk project

• Your weekend live music lineup

• OC Wine & Spirit Fest – Unlimited tastings & live music

Let’s get into it.

— Dave Berry

🍽️ Restaurant of the Week: Flights & Irons Urban Kitchen

🔥 Wood-fired flavors & rustic comfort in San Clemente!

Flights & Irons Urban Kitchen is all about bold flavors, wood-fired cooking, and next-level comfort food. If you love expertly crafted plates in a laid-back, no-frills setting, this spot is a must-try.

📍 Where: 376 Camino De Estrella, San Clemente, CA 92672

👀 What to order: 

• Appetizers: Bourbon Bacon Meatballs & Fire-Roasted Tomato & Brie

• Main Course: Ribeye, Short Ribs, or Shepherd’s Pie—every bite is perfection.

Have you been there yet? Hit reply and let us know your favorite dish!

🏄 Local News You Should Know

🐋 The Gray Whales Are Here!

It’s that time of year—Gray Whales are making their legendary 10,000-mile migration from Alaska to Baja California, and they’re passing right through Dana Point (aka the Whale Watching Capital of the World).

🎥 See the magic for yourself

🐳 Why it’s special: Gray whale migration is one of the longest of any mammal!
📍 Where to see them: Dana Wharf Whale Watching offers up-close tours—book your adventure at danawharf.com.

Have you spotted any whales this season? Drop a comment and let us know!

🚨 Major Surf Brands Closing Stores in OC

More than 100 Billabong, Quiksilver, and Volcom retail shops will be shutting down across the U.S. in the next 10 weeks following Liberated Brands’ bankruptcy filing. Several Orange County locations are among them.

(Heads up: If you have a gift card, be sure to use it before Feb. 16 while it’s still valid!)

No worries— you can still rep OC surf style! Check out our exclusive surf tee 🏄‍♂️🤙

🌊 Big Plans for the OC River Walk in Anaheim

Local leaders are pushing for a massive transformation of the Santa Ana River into a scenic river walk, complete with deep water, recreation areas, parks, and trails.

🏗️ The vision:

• A new OC River Walk connecting to Angel Stadium and OCVibe (Anaheim’s new $4B entertainment district).

• Inflatable rubber dams to create a lake-like space for outdoor activities and wildlife.

• More federal funding is needed to bring this to life, but local Rep. Lou Correa is lobbying hard.

The long-term goal? To turn the often dry and sandy Santa Ana River into a vibrant, green outdoor destination—think Portland’s or Sacramento’s riverfront parks.

💕 Valentine’s Day in OC – Romantic Plans for Every Style

Still figuring out the perfect Valentine’s date? Whether you’re looking for a romantic gondola ride, a cozy candlelit dinner, or an unforgettable experience, we’ve got you covered.

🚣 A Venetian Gondola Ride in Newport Beach

Nothing says romance like gliding through the canals of Newport Harbor in a private Venetian gondola—complete with a personal gondolier, delicious treats, and breathtaking views.

📍 Where: 200 Bayside Dr, Newport Beach, CA
🎟️ Starts at: $165 | Book Here
⏳ Availability: Daily | Times vary

Choose Your Cruise:

• Amore Cruise – $165 (Includes sparkling cider or Italian mineral water + gourmet chocolates)

• Antipasto Cruise – $219 (Includes a charcuterie board & bottle of wine/champagne)

• Dessert Cruise – $200 (Includes a selection of gourmet desserts & a bottle of wine/champagne)

• Casual Pizza Cruise – $245 (Includes pizza, cheesecake, and drinks)

Why go? A private, intimate escape on the water—because Paris is a little too far for a quick date night.

🍽️ Romantic Dinners with Stunning Views

Looking for a classic dinner date? These spots bring ambiance, ocean views, and unforgettable flavors:

• AVEO Table + Bar (Waldorf Astoria, Dana Point) – Cozy up by the fireplace-lit patio with a specialty Valentine’s menu featuring crispy-skinned sea bass and cabernet-poached pear salad.

• Orange County Mining Co. (Orange) – A candlelit dinner with panoramic views of OC, featuring an exclusive Valentine’s Day dining experience in the Upstairs Ballroom.

• Montage Laguna Beach – The Ultimate Valentine’s Celebration

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

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

  • Dinner at The Loft – A prix fixe menu with live music and ocean views (Feb. 14, 5-10 PM). 📞 Call 949.715.6420 for reservations.

🐋 Something Different: Valentine’s Day Whale Watching

Trade roses for whales & dolphins! A sunset cruise with Dana Wharf Whale Watching is an unexpected but unforgettable way to spend Valentine’s Day.

📍 Where: Dana Wharf, Dana Point
🌅 Why go? Dolphins, whales, and golden-hour views = romance with a twist.

🌟 Luxury Staycation & Unique Experiences

• Staycation at Pelican Hill Resort – Escape for the night at one of OC’s most luxurious resorts.

• Dine & Drive in Style – Upgrade your night with a luxury ride from OC T-REX.

No matter how you celebrate, OC has endless ways to make this Valentine’s Day one to remember. 💘

🎶 Live Music This Weekend

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

Saturday, Feb 15:

• Anaheim Packing House (Anaheim) – Mari Trio (Latin Soul), 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

• Baci Restaurant (Huntington Beach) – Larry Fresh and Friends, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

• Bogart's Coffee House (Seal Beach) – Paul Inman, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

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

• Garden Amp (Garden Grove) – Save Ferris, Left Alone, Chudson, 6:00 PM

• Hangar 24 - Orange County (Irvine) – Motley Crue / Def Leppard Tributes, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

• Hennessey's Tavern (Seal Beach) – Duke Paul, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

• House of Blues Anaheim (Main Room, Anaheim) – Reverend Horton Heat, 7:00 PM

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

• Escape Craft Brewery (Laguna Niguel) – Rust & Dust, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

• Evan's Gourmet (Laguna Beach) – Anesha Rose, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

• Five Vines Wine Bar (San Juan Capistrano) – Wilfax, 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM

• The Cellar (San Clemente) – Wes Bourne, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• The Cliff Restaurant (Laguna Beach) – Party Foul, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

• The Coach House (San Juan Capistrano) – Uptown Funk (Bruno Mars Tribute), 9:00 PM

🍷 Upcoming Event: OC Wine & Spirit Fest – St. Patrick's Celebration 🍀

Sip, Savor, and Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Style!

📅 When: Sunday, March 16, 2025 | 11:00 AM
📍 Where: Giracci Vineyards & Farms, Silverado, CA (just 14 miles from Irvine)

What to expect:

🍷 Unlimited Tastings – Wines, spirits, hard seltzers & brews from around the world
🎶 Live Music & Dancing – Hit the dance floor or just vibe to the tunes
🛍️ Lifestyle Vendors – Explore local vendors while sipping on something special

Tickets available at ocwineandspiritfest.com

🌦️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

👕 Rep OC & Support Local!

Show your Orange County pride with our exclusive Thrive OC merch—from stylish tees to must-have gear. Every purchase helps us keep this newsletter running and continue spotlighting the best of OC! A perfect gift idea. Oh, and FREE Shipping on all orders! (More designs are coming soon, so stay tuned!)

💛 Want to support but don’t see anything you like? You can still help keep Thrive OC going! Donate here.

Your support means the world—thank you for being part of the Thrive OC community! 🙌

📢 Got a Tip? Want to Advertise?

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

And if you loved this newsletter, forward it to a friend 👇

Thanks!

Thanks for reading Thrive OC today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who you think could Thrive in OC.

P.S. We value your thoughts, feedback, and questions - feel free to respond directly to this email!

… and if you enjoyed this email, be sure to thank the person who forwarded it to you and subscribe to get your own copy!