Hello Back Bay Beaus, happy Friday!

If you are new here, The Back Bay Buzz is dedicated to bringing you just the right amount of news and events for locals of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, politics, spam or boring stuff.

We are leaping into the warmer season with great food, festivals and parades. If you are wondering why it suddenly seems more crowded than usual its because it is. Grads are back from college, K-12 school is out for most next week and the tourists have begun flocking to the beaches, bays, harbors and watering holes (see below). This is our friendly reminder to book dad his Father’s Day brunch now before it fills up with Scottsdaliens.

In today’s Buzz:

• Newport 🤝 Costa Mesa: Great for family

• 626 Night Market Takes over Fairgrounds

• Newport Jazz Fest kicks off

• Balboa Parade

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Sgt. Pepperoni’s Named #1 Family Restaurant in California

Newport Beach’s own Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza Store just earned major national kudos—ranked the #1 Family Restaurant in California and #11 in the U.S. by Yelp in its May 2025 roundup of top family-friendly eateries.

Founded in 1976 and known for “peace, love, and pizza,” Sgt. Pepperoni’s won hearts with its welcoming atmosphere, delicious scratch-made pies, and kid-friendly features like arcade games and outdoor patios. With locations in Newport Beach, Aliso Viejo, and Irvine, it’s become a go-to spot for families across Orange County.

Co-owner Jeff Roberts credits the passionate team behind the counter and the community that keeps coming back: “This award is a reflection of the families who continue to share their moments with us.”

The BBB’s controversial favorite? The “Hawaii Five-O” 👇️ 

🍕 sgtpepps.com

Costa Mesa Dubbed “New Family Travel Hotspot”

Costa Mesa is gaining momentum as a top choice for family travelers in 2025, thanks to its affordable accommodations and central location near Disneyland, Newport Beach, and L.A. New data shows vacation rentals in the city average just $93 per night per person—lower than the state average—making it a value-packed home base for exploring Southern California.

Beyond theme parks, visitors are drawn to Costa Mesa’s vibrant arts scene (Segerstrom Center), shopping at South Coast Plaza, great food, and surf-skate roots with brands like Vans and RVCA. In 2023, tourists spent $883 million in the city, with longer stays and bigger group bookings on the rise. With 30 parks, easy freeway access, and growing national interest. While Newport dazzles, Costa Mesa is quietly coming into full bloom.

📺️ WHAT TO WATCH 📺️ 

If you told us that Fountain of Youth was both written and acted by AI, we would be disappointed, but not surprised. It’s a rare thing to see a cast this talented misused so thoroughly. Fortunately, Wes Anderson is here to cleanse our cinematic palette.

Here’s what we’re watching this weekend:

• Bring Her Back. A24’s latest horror. (Theaters)

• The Phoenician Scheme. Mr. Wes Anderson returns. (Theaters)

• Mountainhead - This one looks W E I R D. (HBO Max)

• Karate Kid: Legends. Bow to your Sensei. (Theaters)

• Dept. Q. From the writer and director of The Queen's Gambit. Looks very British (Netflix)

• Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life - One of the great American storytellers in our opinion (Netflix)

• The Mortician. A docu about a funeral empire built on secrets and scandal. (HBO Max)

• Kevin Costner’s The West. Wait didnt he already do this one? (History)

—WHAT TO DO—

• La Funkeria - Semi Tropic Wines - Fri 5/30 6pm
  Live music, Airbrush, Vintage, Candles, Tattoos
  Info

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

• Newport Beach Jazz Festival - Hyatt Regency NB - May 30th -Jun 1st 11am-11pm - Tickets

• Silent Disco at Irvine Spectrum - Sat 5/31 6-9pm - Info

• 9th Annual CASA Pinwheel Project - Fashion Island - Sat 5/31 - Info

• Balboa Island Parade 🎊 - Balboa Island - Sun 6/1 11am - Info

UPCOMING:

• Trivia Night @ Wild Goose Tavern - Every Wednesday 7pm - Directions

• Symphony of Flavors: A Wine & Dine Experience - Thur 6/5, 5:30pm - 9pm - Info

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

• Newps Social Summer Kickoff Party - Helmsman Sat 6/7 12-2p - Info
  

• Hello Summer Market at May Martin - Sun 6/8 11am-3pm - Info
  Free ear piercing, perm jewelry, Swimwear

• Get Lost on Goose Island - Wild Goose Tavern - Sun 6/8
  Drink Specials, Tiki Themed Cocktails, Pig Roast, Hula Girls, LIMBO(!) - Info

• Wooden Boat Festival - Balboa Yacht Club - Jun 13-14th - Info

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

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

Friday
64 🌡️ 74 I ☀️ I 11% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SW 10mph

Saturday
66🌡️ 74 I 🌥️ I 12% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SW 9mph

Sunday
64🌡️ 73 I 🌥️ I 6% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SSW 12mph

🌊 Water temp = 65º
Suit Rec: Summer Suit

This Weekend:

• Little Seedlings Storytime at Sherman Library and Gardens 📗 - CDM
  Friday, 30 May

  10:00 am - 10:30 am
  Info

• Newport Dunes Outdoor Summer Movies (Free Except for Parking)
  Friday, 30 May

  7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  Info

• Rise and Shine Breakfast at Tanaka Farms 🚜 (Free Farm Admission & Tractor Ride w/ Breakfast Purchase)
  Saturday, 31 May

  7:30 am - 9:30 am
  Info

• Free Outdoor Fitness Class at Irvine Spectrum 🧘 (RSVP!) - lululemon (Yoga)
  Saturday, 31 May

  9:00 am - 10:00 am
  Info

• Reptile Show at OC Fair and Event Center 🦎 
  Saturday, 31 May

  9:00 am - 4:00 pm

  Info

PLAN AHEAD

• Down to A Science Camp 🌿 🔬- June 23rd-August 22 - Info

• PlayPie Coming Soon to Irvine - Info

This Weekend:

🎶 Costa Mesa

• SuperDelux – The Harp Inn – Friday, May 30, 2025, 8:30 PM – More Info

• Grateful Dead Tribute Band – Tiki Bar – Friday, May 30, 2025, 7:00 PM – More Info

• 30 Weight – Tiki Bar – Saturday, May 31, 2025, 7:00 PM – More Info

• Grounded – The Harp Inn – Saturday, May 31, 2025, 9:00 PM – More Info

• Golden Butter Revue – The Harp Inn – Sunday, June 1, 2025, 4:00 PM – More Info

🎶 Newport Beach

• The Reflexx – Campus JAX – Friday, May 30, 2025, 8:00 PM – Tickets

• Twisted Gypsy (Fleetwood Mac Tribute) – Campus JAX – Saturday, May 31, 2025, 8:30 PM – Tickets

🎵 ⏩️ PLAN AHEAD:

• Phantogram - Time Nightclub - June 7th - 10pm - Tickets

• Jimmys Buffet - The Hangar (OC FAIR) - July 20th 7:15 - Tickets

• Fitz and The Tantrums + Aloe Blacc - Pacific Ampitheater - July 25th - 6:30pm - Tickets

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

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

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor has PTSD from trying to cross Balboa Blvd last weekend.

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!