Hello Back Baylians, welcome to (almost) April. It is a a light week headline-wise in the sister cities, however, it is the calm before the storm of a flurry of events and activities to do as Spring heats up Easter approaches. There are dozens of social media accounts, forums, events calendars and publications that we scour each and every day to find you the best and latest to see and do in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. This newsletter is designed to take all of that and put it in an easy to read twice-weekly dispatch that you can bookmark and save at your leisure. We can’t wait to share with you all that is to come in the best place to live in California!

In today’s Buzz:

• Chick-fil-a Announces Grand Opening

• Newport Releases updated fire maps

• Did you know Crack Shack has a trivia night?

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

The Chick-fil-a on Newport Blvd Will Open Thursday 4/3

It appears that the powers that be heard our cry and finally responded with a final grand opening date for the newest chicken shop in town. After careful investigation, it appears the ☝️ 🖐️ refers to the grand opening occurring 6 days from the above Instagram post on Friday. What a relief. Our editor voiced genuine concern over if we should be posting gang signs in the newsletter. Prepare for March Madness to spill over into April as hungry patrons mob the busiest intersection on the East side just in time for Spring Break. We will be hoarding Polynesian sauce in our beach totes for when the weather looks particularly good on a Sunday.

Newport Beach Releases Updated Fire Maps

Before you panic, rest assured that Costa Mesa and Newport Beach rest in relatively low-risk fire zones. Nevertheless, it is comforting to know that the local government is taking fire safety and public awareness seriously as we approach hotter, drier weather in southern California.

The City of Newport Beach has received newly updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps from the State of California, and residents are invited to review and comment on these maps.

Developed by CAL FIRE, these maps highlight areas with varying fire hazard levels, considering factors like vegetation, weather, and landscape. The maps help guide the city’s fire prevention strategies and building safety rules. This update is particularly important, as it's the first for Orange County in 14 years.

Fire Chief Jeff Boyles encourages residents to engage with this important resource, review the updated zones, and share their feedback during the 30-day comment period. After public review, the City Council will officially adopt the maps, aligning Newport Beach with the upcoming California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, effective January 2026.

Please note, these maps show potential fire hazards based on long-term environmental conditions, not immediate fire risks or insurance evaluations. However, property owners in designated high or very-high hazard zones must adhere to state guidelines, including building codes, landscaping rules, and real estate disclosure requirements. Perhaps now is a good time to remind dear uncle to leave the illegal fireworks at home this 4th of July.

THIS WEEK:

• Farmers Market and Goodwill donations - OC Fairgrounds - Thursdays 9-1 - Info

• 🐓 Trivia Night - Crack Shack (Costa Mesa) - Thu 4/3 6:30-8:30pm - Info

• Live Music - Cowboys & Poodles (The Camp) - Thu 7pm - Info

• Pop Ups at Purre - The Camp - Friday 4/4 12pm - Sunday 4/6 5pm - Info

• Take a Walk on Costa Mesa’s Best Walking Trails - Info

UPCOMING:

• Easter Egg-vent - Anthill (Westcliff Plaza) - 360 Photo Booth, Balloon Twisting, Face painting, Easter Basket Raffle - Sat 4/5 10am-2pm - Directions

• 🐰 Easter Bunny @ the Atrium Lawn - Fashion Island - 3/21-4/19 Mo-Sun 11am - Info

• Farmers Market Pop-up - The Lab - Fri 4/4 10-2pm - Info

• 🎧️ Silent Disco(chella) - Seagerstrom - Sat 4/4 7pm - Info

• Soldaze Studio Ring Making Workshop - The Lab - Sun 4/6 1-3:30pm - Info

•  Japanese Food and Culture Fest - OC Fairgrounds - April 4-6 - Tickets

• 🍷 OC Wine Fest (21+) - OC Fairgrounds (The Hangar) - Sat 4/12-Sun 4/13 - Tickets

• WOODEN EASTER EGG CRAFTING WORKSHOP - The Lab - Sat 4/12 11am-2pm - Info

• 🗝️ All-Island Garage Sale - Balboa Island - Saturday April 12th 7:30a-1p - Info

• South Coast Plaza Garden Show - South Coast Plaza - Fri 4/25-4/28 - Info

• Air | Water Porsche Experience - OC Fairgrounds - Sat 4/26

• 🌎️ Earth Day Festival - Costa Mesa City Hall - Sat 4/26 10am-2pm - Info

• 🛥️ Newport Beach International Boat Show - Want to hobnob with some bajillionaires? Check out the Newport Beach International Boat Show (NBIBS, s’cyute) and be sure to invite us out for a sunset cruise once you lock down a sugar zaddy - May 2nd-4th - Tickets

• 🏃 OC Marathon - OC Fairgrounds - Sat-Sun 5/3-5/4

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

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

Monday

54🌡️ 63 I ⛅️ I 57% Rain I 11mph 🌬️ 

Tuesday

50🌡️ 64 I ⛅️ I 6% Rain I 22mph 🌬️ 

Wednesday

52🌡️ 62 I ⛅️ I 1% Rain I 15mph 🌬️ 

Thursday

51🌡️ 61 I ⛅️ I 12% Rain I 11mph 🌬️ 

🌊 Water temp = 57º

This Week:

• Discovery Day at the Farm - OC Fair - Tuesday 4/1 9-12pm - Info

• Balboa Branch Preschool Storytime - Newport Beach Public Library - Tue 4/1 10:30-11am - Info

• Dino Dig Playdate at Poppi Seed Market in Irvine ($25) - Poppi Seed Market (Irvine) - Tue 4/1 10-11:30am - RSVP

• Tustin Music and Movement Storytime - Tustin Public Library - Thu 4/3 11-11:30am - Info

PLAN AHEAD:

• Egg-a-pool-looza at the Irvine William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center ($12- Registration Required) - Sat 4/5 1-5pm - RSVP

• Bike Skills Workshop w/ Bike Course & Free Helmets - Sat 4/5 10am-2pm - Info

• Spring Camp Costa Mesa - Balearic Community Center - 4/7-4/11 - Info

• Imaginology - OC Fairgrounds - Sat April 12-13 - Info

• Spring Hootenanny (Fundraiser for Little Folk House) - Saturday 4/12 10-11am - Info

• Springfest 2025 (A (Easter?) Pirate Adventure) - Lions Park - Sat 4/19 10a-2p - Info

Monday

• Casey Conley - Wayfarer - 7:30pm - Tickets

Tuesday

• Singer Songwriter Night - The Harp Inn - 7pm

• Tuesday Night Dance: Latin Rhythms - Seagerstrom - 6:30pm - Tickets

Wednesday

• No Named - Tiki Bar - 7pm - Info

• Reverend Baron with Duff Thompson and Leeann Skoda - Wayfarer - 8pm - Tickets

Thursday

• Lilly Hiatt with Phillip Michael Scales - Wayfarer - 8pm

Plan Ahead:

• Chelsey Sanchez (Acoustic) - The Camp (courtyard) - Wed 4/16 11am-1pm

• Ben Folds (That Ben Folds?) - Seagerstrom - 4/25-4/26 8pm - Tickets

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor’s ill conceived April Fool’s prank back fired and is now trapped in his office with 900 balloon animals.