Fool Me Once, Tsunamyou. Fool Me Twice, Tsunami 🌊

Hello Back Bay Buzzingtons, happy Friday!

Apparently there was a tsunami. While no doubt getting the hopes up for local surfers, and not without fanfare on the local Ring and Nextdoor community groups, the Russian-spawned mega wave turned out to be a bit of a nothing burger. We’re just glad our headline doesn’t read “Life After Lido”…

To the 105-ish new readers since our last send—welcome! The Back Bay Buzz delivers just the right amount of news and events for locals in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, no politics, no spam—just the good stuff. We scan newspapers, blogs, social media, business journals, and Google alerts so you don’t have to.

In today’s Buzz:

• Tsunami Aftermath (or lack thereof)

• Moon Goat Opening 5th Store

• PickleBall For Wishes Benefit Tournament

• New events added to Plan Ahead

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

How’d We Do After the Tsunami?

Well, unless you’re a dock in Crescent City—pretty great, actually. After an 8.7 earthquake off the coast of Russia triggered tsunami alerts up and down the West Coast, Newport Beach braced for impact... and got waves barely taller than a boogie board. The biggest splash in California hit Crescent City at about 4 feet, while SoCal saw a mellow 1–2 foot rise—quite grom-friendly actually. The Trader Joe’s parking lot on 17th saw more turbulence.

The alerts may have jolted some nerves, but officials were quick to respond, and ultimately, we dodged anything close to disaster. Our beaches stayed calm, our boats stayed put, and the only waves worth noting were in Half Moon Bay or, you know, Hawaii. For now, all tsunami warnings have been lifted—so you can put the emergency granola bars back in the pantry.

MoonGoat Coffee Expands with Stunning New Costa Mesa Location

MoonGoat Coffee Roasters is bringing its fifth—and largest—location to Costa Mesa, opening soon at 3210 Park Center Dr. in Pacific Arts Plaza. Dubbed the "MoonGoat Greenhouse," the new café will feature a lush, plant-filled interior, a patio that opens onto the iconic Noguchi Gardens, and an expanded menu of coffee, matcha, breakfast, and lunch. Founded in 2018, MoonGoat has quickly become a local favorite with locations across OC, and this new outpost cements its place in the region’s specialty coffee scene. Expect daily hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a vibrant setting right next to South Coast Plaza and Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Grand Opening August 6th.

• Live Custom Illustration Event at Sugar Paper - Sugar Paper, Lido Village ”We got our family portrait drawn from an old photo at their last pop-up. HIGHLY recommend.” -BBB reader
  Friday Aug 1 - 12-3pm
  Info

• Summer Luau - Downtown Aquatic Center
  Aloha games, snacks and open swim
  Fri Aug 1 5:30-7:30
  Info

• Volunteer with Stewards of the Back Bay - Upper Newport Back Bay Activities may include non-native plant removal, planting natives, watering, trash cleanup, and Butterfly Garden maintenance.
  Saturday Aug 2nd - 9-11am
  Register

• Pickleball for Wishes - Tennis & Pickleball Club Newport Beach Pickleball tournament benefiting the Make A Wish Foundation
  Sat Aug 2 - 2-6pm
  Tickets

• Dine in the Westend - Westend Costa Mesa Now Re-open! Good music, good drinks, good times. Kitchen coming soon.
  Info

• Jazz Summer Series – Greg Vail - Bayview Marriot Sun Aug 3rd 11:30-2:30 Info

UPCOMING:

• Summer Garden Party - Sherman Gardens

  Sat Aug 9th 4-7pm

  Info

• Summer Back to School Send-off Halecrest Park, Costa Mesa

  “Obstacle course, bounce house, Magic Steps Music, Princess characters, balloon art, more…”

  Sun Aug 10th

  Info

• Fun Run 5k 🏃 - OC Fairgrounds
  Sun Aug 10th 8am
  Register

• Community Open House - Oasis Senior Center
  Share your thoughts on the CDM Commercial Corridor Study
  Tuesday Aug 12th 5:30pm
  Info

• Summer Concert Series: Brian Culbertson - Hyatt Regency NB
  Sun Aug 17th 7pm
  Tickets

• Summer Concert Series: Coriander - Vea Newport Beach
  Sun Aug 24th 4-6pm
  Tickets

• Bar Tinto Opens at WIP Goods

  “Expect fresh Mexico City inspired flavors, a well curated music selection, and a fun ever-changing lineup of natural wines. See you after dark”

  Thursday, Aug 31

  Info

• REDO Vintage Market - OC Fairgrounds Sep 12-13th
  Info

• Pacific Wine and Food Classic - Newport Dunes

  Sat Sep 20th 1pm-5pm

  Tickets

Friday
63🌡️ 71 I 🌤️ I 9% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SSW 9mph

Saturday
64🌡️ 73 I 🌤️ I 12% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SSW 9mph

Sunday
64🌡️ 72 I 🌤️ I 7% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SSW 10mph

🌊 Water temp = 65º
Suit Rec: Summer suit

THIS WEEKEND:

• Wild Tales Storytime, Hike, and Craft in Newport Beach (RSVP!) 
  Friday, 01 August 10:00 am - 11:00 am
  Info

• Corona Del Mar Family Storytime - CDM Branch Library
  Saturday, August 2nd
  10:30-11am
  Info

• Family Bingo at Mariners Library Newport Beach
  Saturday Aug 2nd
  11am-12pm
  Info

• Kids Concert with Imagine Nation Newport Beach Central Library
  Saturday, 02 August
  2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  Info

• Surf Club Playdate for Littles in Newport Beach
  First Sundays Every Month, May-Aug ages 0-12
  Info

Farmers Markets🥬🥕

Costa Mesa - SOCO (Saturdays 9-2)

Corona Del Mar - PCH & Marguerite (Saturdays 9-1)

Newport Beach - Balboa Pier (Sunday 9-1)

FAMILY PLAN AHEAD:

• Little Lido Storytime at Lido Village Books 
  Thurs Aug 7th
  10am-10:45am
  Info

• Popsicles & Games in the Park in Costa Mesa - Balearic Park
  Thursday Aug 7th
  6-7:30pm
  Info

• Summer Back to School Send-off Halecrest Park, Costa Mesa

  “Obstacle course, bounce house, Magic Steps Music, Princess characters, balloon art, more…”

  Sun Aug 10th

  Info

• Toy Train Tuesdays at Corona Del Mar Library in Newport Beach
  Tuesday Aug 12th
  10:30am-11:30am
  Info

• Baby Steps at Pretend City ($12 per adult, babies free) Registration Required Sun Aug 10th
  8-9:30pm
  Info

• Kids Club Craft at IKEA Costa Mesa
  Wed Aug 13th
  5-7pm
  Info
  

Other Bands in Town:

🎶 Costa Mesa – August 1–3, 2025

• GrooveSession with Zoo People – The Wayfarer – Friday, August 1, 6:00 PM

• SEGA Genecide – The Wayfarer – Friday, August 1, 10:00 PM

• SuperDelux – The Harp Inn – Friday, August 1, 8:30 PM

• Wight Litening Band – The Harp Inn – Saturday, August 2, 9:00 PM – 12:30 AM

• Golden Butter Revue – The Harp Inn – Sunday, August 3, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

🎶 Newport Beach – August 1–3, 2025

• Stevie Nicks Illusion (Fleetwood Mac Tribute) – Campus JAX – Friday, August 1, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM

• Carl Verheyen Band – Campus JAX – Sunday, August 3, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM

🎵 ⏩️ PLAN AHEAD:

• Ludacris, Ying Yang Twins - Pacific Amphitheatre
  Thurs August 7th Doors 6:30pm - Tickets

• Mickey Avalon (yes That Mickey Avalon)- Wayfarer
  Sat October 18th

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor skipped town to avoid the Tsunami.

PS: Feel free to let me know any feedback or inside scoops you have for the newsletter. Just reply to this email, I read every one. Thanks!