Hello friends and neighbors, happy Tuesday. Did we get a chance to see the full moon last night? We gave our writers the day off on Sunday to enjoy their Mother’s Day, so today’s send is a day later than normal. In other news: We called it, our editor sunburned himself into oblivion over the weekend, so please send your thoughts, prayers and aloe vera jelly. We are on the cusp of the “The Season” here in the sister cities, so things are about to get BUSY. Please plan to valet, ebike, golf cart or bake in an extra 30 minutes to drive around the parking lot asking tourists “are you leaving?”

In today’s Buzz:

• Irvine Gondolas

• Cinq a Sept opens in Fashion Island

• The best coffee in Newport Beach & Costa Mesa, Mapped

• Plan ahead for Dad

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Irvine Is Considering Gondolas

Irvine is exploring a futuristic gondola system—featuring autonomous electric pods—as a way to shuttle visitors across its sprawling 1,300-acre Great Park. The city has voted to enter negotiations with Bay Area startup Swyft Cities to pilot the “Whoosh” system, which offers direct, on-demand rides between stations. The first phase, a $9.4 million donation from Swyft, would connect the park’s balloon ride area to a planned retail hub called The Canopy. Supporters tout its low emissions, lower operating costs than buses, and scalability, while critics raise concerns about transparency, maintenance costs, and the startup’s track record. If approved, the pilot would offer free rides three days a week and help determine if gondolas are the future of park transit. Our main concern is what happens when the Santa Anas blow, because then all bets are off: anything could happen.

Cinq à Sept Opens at Fashion Island

Chic fashion label Cinq à Sept has opened its first West Coast boutique at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Following earlier store launches in SoHo and Miami, this new 1,200-square-foot space marks the brand’s continued expansion into key U.S. markets. Designed to evoke a Parisian apartment, the boutique features pale pink accents, Venetian plaster walls, brass and wood details, and showcases the summer 2025 collection—dresses, suiting, separates, and newly launched footwear. Founded in 2016, Cinq à Sept is known for its refined, feminine pieces, including bestsellers like the Holly jacket and Zelda dress. The Newport Beach store is open daily at 401 Newport Center Drive.

Best Coffee In Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, Mapped

One of the perks of living in/near a highly desirable beach town is that we get to poach some serious culinary talent from LA and the Bay Area. The local coffee scene is no exception. From expertly sourced beans to immaculate interior design, these “third spaces” vie for some of the best hangouts in Orange County, period. We have begun a running list of the most unique coffee hideouts around town. IT IS NOT COMPLETE. It’s a running list, which we will update periodically. Below is the link to the list of our favorites, and one that is less so. Click here for the full map.

THIS WEEK:

• Trivia Night - Crack Shack - Tue 5/13 6:30-830pm - Info

• 32nd Annual Wild & Crazy Taco Night - OC Fairgrounds - Wed 5/14 5:30-7:30pm - Info

UPCOMING:

• Sand Sports Super Swap - OC Fairgrounds - Sat 5/17 8am-2pm - Info

• 30th Annual Balboa Island Artwalk - Balboa Island - Sun 5/18 - 9am-5pm - Info

• Newport Beach Wine & Spirits Festival - Balboa Bay Resort - Fri 5/23 - Sun 5/25 - 1-5pm - Info

• Spring Social Luncheon hosted by the Costa Mesa Historical Society - Costa Mesa Women’s Club - Sat 5/24 11am-1pm - Info

• Beach Cleanup - Tower 71, Newport Beach - Sat 5/24 8-12pm - Info

• 626 Night Market - OC Fairgrounds - May 30-Jun 1 4pm-11pm - Tickets

• Community Dinner - The Camp - Thu 5/29 6-9pm - Tickets

• Newport Beach TV Fest - Jun 5-8 - Info

• 🍕 Half-Off Pizzas - Stag Bar - Every Tuesday - Dine-in Only - Info

Tuesday

59🌡️ 66 I ⛅️ I 12% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️SW 12mph

Wednesday

59🌡️ 69 I ⛅️ I 5% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️SSW 10mph

Thursday

58🌡️ 67 I ⛅️ I 6% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️S 10mph

🌊 Water temp = 62º

This Week:

• Ranch Discovery Day at Centennial Farm in Costa Mesa (Reservations Required) - OC Fairgrounds - Wed 5/14 9am-12pm - Reserve

• Chinese Zither Performance at Costa Mesa Mesa Verde Library - Wed 5/14 5pm-6pm

• Seaside Kids Concert with Magic Steps Studio - Lido Marina Village (Newport Beach) - Thurs 5/15 10:30PM - Info

• Toy Train Thursdays - Balboa Branch Library - Thurs 5/15 10:30pm-11:30pm - Info

PLAN AHEAD:

• Newport Dunes Outdoor Summer Movies (Free Except for Parking) - Fri 5/16 7pm-9pm - Info

• Kids' Entrepreneur Day in Woodbridge Irvine - Sat 5/17 10am-4pm - Info

• Field of Honor at Castaways Park Newport Beach - Sat 5/17-5/26 - Info

• UPDATED LOCATION: Touch A Truck - Peninsula Park Newport Beach - Sat May 17th 9am - 12pm (consider going early to avoid the crowds/parking) - Info

Tuesday

• OCSA Popular Music Senior Showcase - Campus JAX 5pm - Tickets

Wednesday

• Stray Cat Soul Club : Seaside Soul Night - Wayfarer 8pm

• 17th Street Band - Campus JAX 6:30pm - Tickets

Thursday

• Annie Dolan & Joel Paterson - Campus JAX 7pm - Tickets

• The Saint Cecilia with Jameson and Daring Greatly - Wayfarer - 8pm

• Bent Self - Tiki Bar - 7pm - Tickets

Plan Ahead:

• Ellis Bullard - Wayfarer Fri 7/18 7pm - Info

• BECK - Pacific Ampitheatre - Wed 7/30 7:30pm - Tickets

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is burnt to a crisp after the first (actually) warm weekend of the year.

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!