🥤 Why Costa Mesa Wins 7/11 (and Newport Doesn’t)

Hello Back Bay Bebes, happy Friday!

Today is the eleventh of July, which means that all 7-Eleven stores will be giving out free slurpies to all patrons to celebrate its 98th birthday. We will be taking our cheat day one day early to accomodate. The full moon always makes us hungry. Maybe we need a shot of moon-jaro (see what we did there?).

To the 100ish readers that joined us since last send, welcome! 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 comb through newspapers, blogs, social media, google alerts and business journals for the best and latest so you don’t have to.

In today’s Buzz:

• The Wave Pool has Enemies

• Free Slurpies

• Flight of Newport takes off Sunday

• Insta Celebs host a Pop-up

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

🔗 Not Everyone is Stoked About the New Wave Pool

Hundreds of people, including families, first responders and veterans gathered July 3 to rally to save the Newport Beach Golf Course, where proposed surf lagoons and buildings would take up an approximately 15.38-acre portion of the public course, which opened on July 4, 1976.

🔗 Flight Of Newport Takes Off on Sunday

Newport Harbor will be packed with sailboats on Sunday, July 13, for the 89th annual Flight of Newport. The community regatta kicks off near the Balboa Pavilion and features ILCA, Harbor 20, and RS Terra boats racing around the bay. First race starts at 12:45 p.m., and entry is free (just bring your own boat). A Newport tradition since 1936, the event draws everyone from young skippers to local legends.

From The Map Room: In Honor of 7-11 Day: All the 7-Elevens in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, Mapped.

In our research for 7-11 day, and our latest addition to The Map Room, we made an important discovery. Costa Mesa is stacked with 7-Elevens—eight, to be exact—while Newport Beach makes do with just two. On 7-Eleven Day, when free Slurpees flow and kids go feral with excitement, this is a key stat to know. Still, Newport’s two locations—on Balboa and Superior—hold their own, reliable as ever and ready to deliver the goods. Click here for the full map.

WEEKEND REC:
The Basil “Margherita” at OSPI Costa Mesa

—WHAT TO DO—

• Sunset Sessions: Avalon - Milligram Costa Mesa
  Live Music, coffee, cocktails
  Fri July 11th 5:30-7:30pm
  Info

• Western Movie Night - The Swanner House (SJC)
  Not exactly local but sounds fun for a day trip:
  Line Dancing, Movie, Hat Bar, Tattoo lounge
  Friday July 11th 6pm
  Info

• Sunday Sundown Party - RUIN Bar
  Live DJ, $2 off cocktails, sponsored by Nosotros Tequila
  Sun July 13th 6-11pm
  Info

• Makers Hive Market - The Camp
  Sat July 12 11am-4pm
  Info

• Better Days Co Pop-Up - Stoney Clover, Lido Village
  Free BetterDays mocktails to keep you cool, bandana DIY charm bracelets, Shop @stoneyclover IRL with exclusive in-store discounts
  3505 Via Oporto, Sat 7/12 | 10 AM – 3 PM
  Info

• Island Paradise Picnic - Sherman Gardens
  🌺 “Bring the family and join us for shave ice, palm tree crafts, lawn games, limbo contests, and plenty of space for your favorite picnic setups.”
  Sun July 13th 5-7pm
  Info

UPCOMING:

• Makers Hive Market - The Camp
  Sat July 12 11am-4pm
  Info

• Sake & Tapas - Hi-Time Wine Cellars
  “Join us for an evening of curated Sake and Tapas pairings by world-famous artisanal sake producer, Tedorigawa.
  Wednesday July 16th Seatings 5pm and 7pm
  Info

• Shakes & Giggles Comedy Show - The Straw (1215 Baker St A, Costa Mesa)
  Thurs July 17th 9:30pm
  Info

• ModRef Sample Sale - The Lab
  Vintage, baked goods, accessories
  Sat-Sun July 19th-20th
  Info
  

• OC Fair Begins - OC Fairgrounds
  July 18th-Aug 17th
  Info

• Meals on Wheels Pickleball Bash Tournament - The Tennis & Pickleball Club
  Proceeds will support Meals on Wheels Orange County’s nutrition, socialization, and wrap-around services
  Sat July 19th 1-4pm
  Info

• Paint Night - Wild Goose Tavern
  Tues July 22nd 6-8pm

• Good Boy’s Social Club Wine Event - Third Place Wine Bar
  “Entry for you, and one well-behaved pup– A free glass of wine, beer, or non-alcoholic beverage– Access to a laid-back, dog-friendly community”
  Wed July 23rd 6-9pm
  RSVP

• Native Newport Classic Annual Volleyball Tourny - Newport Beach (tower TBD)
  Sat July 26th
  Info

• Sterling Silver Ring Making Workshop - Methra (Costa Mesa)
  Sat July 26th - Info

• Calling All Artists 🎨 : Apply to Costa Mesa’s annual juried art exhibition - Deadline: July 28th - Info

• Summer Garden Party - Sherman Gardens
  Sat Aug 9th 4-7pm
  Info

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

• Pacific Wine and Food Classic - Newport Dunes
  Sat Sep 20th 1pm-5pm
  Tickets

Friday
64🌡️ 70 I 🌤️ I 9% Rain I 🌬️ ⬆️ S 12mph

Saturday
64🌡️ 71 I 🌤️ I 14% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SSW 10mph

Sunday
64🌡️ 71 I 🌤️ I 7% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SW 10mph

🌊 Water temp = 64º
Suit Rec: Summer suit

THIS WEEKEND:

• Now Showing: The Little Mermaid - Lido Theater
  Ariel will also be making a live appearance!
  Fri July 11th, doors open 6:15pm
  Info

• Strategic Kids: Lego Engineering at Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library
  Friday, 11 July

  11:00 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

• Summer Art Club at the Orange County Museum of Art ($10)
  Friday, 11 July

  11:30 am - 4:00 pm
  Info

• Barnes and Noble Storytime at Fashion Island
  Saturday, 12 July

  11:30 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

• Outdoor Movie in Costa Mesa (Moana 2) - Balearic Park
  Saturday, 12 July

  7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
  Info

• Island Paradise Picnic - Sherman Gardens
  🌺 “Bring the family and join us for shave ice, palm tree crafts, lawn games, limbo contests, and plenty of space for your favorite picnic setups.”
  Sun July 13th 5-7pm
  Info

PLAN AHEAD:

• Concerts in The Park - Flashback Heart Attack - Fairview Park Costa Mesa
  Tuesday July 15th 6pm-7pm
  Info

• Kids Paddle Camp - Pirate Coast Paddle Board Rentals
  Campers will learn the basics of stand up paddle boarding, learn new skills and participate in water activities.
  July 14-18th
  Sign Up

• Little Lido Kids Club: Music Class with Magic Steps
  Thurs July 17th 10:30-11:15
  RSVP

• Barnes and Noble Storytime at Fashion Island
  Saturday, 19 July

  11:30 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

• Kyle Tiernan's Draw Along Art Workshop in Corona Del Mar
  Saturday, 26 July

  11:00 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

🎶 Costa Mesa – July 11–13, 2025

• Futurebirds (Acoustic Trio) with Patton Magee - Wayfarer - 7pm

• Flashback Heart Attack – The Harp Inn – Friday, July 11, 9:00 PM – 12:30 AM

• Stay Out – Tiki Bar – Friday, July 11, 7:00 PM

• Songwriter Showcase – The Harp Inn – Saturday, July 12, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• Borrachoobama – The Harp Inn – Saturday, July 12, 9:00 PM

• Velicious – Tiki Bar – Saturday, July 12, 7:00 PM

• Benefit Concert – The Harp Inn – Sunday, July 13, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

🎶 Newport Beach – July 11–13, 2025

• Willie “Fly” Johnson (smooth jazz) - Campus JAX - Sat July 12th 8pm

• Alex Maes (Lido Deck live music) – Lido Marina Village – Sunday, July 13, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

🎵 ⏩️ PLAN AHEAD:

• 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 did not sleep well due to the full moon.

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!