Hello Back Bay Bedouins,
The long weekend that kicks off the summer is upon us. The sun is high and the time is nigh to remember our veterans, fire up the bbq, ice down the coolers and explore all that the coast has to offer.
To our new readers—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:
Whole Foods Comes to Westcliff
Taco Mesita to replace Carls Jr. in CM
Spelling Bee at the Wine Bar
— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz
Whole Foods Comes to Westcliff, Taco Mesita to Replace West Side Carls Jr.
East or West, home’s best…
Out with the old, in with the new. We knew that something was replacing the Ralph’s on Irvine Ave in Westcliff village, but Irvine Company was not forthcoming on the anchor location’s new tenant. They officially announced that Whole Foods Market has signed a lease to take over the space currently occupied by Ralphs at the corner of Westcliff Drive and Irvine Avenue. This will mark the upscale grocer's second Newport Beach location, joining its bustling outpost at Fashion Island. While a specific opening timeline hasn’t been released yet, the landlord confirmed that Ralphs will exit the shopping center when its lease expires this fall. The announcement also puts a definitive end to the persistent neighborhood rumors that trendy luxury grocer Erewhon was eyeing the Westcliff spot.
In other news, Taco Mesita (whom you may have seen at their booth at the Dover Drive farmer’s market) is taking over the old Carl’s Jr. at Adams & Royal Palm in Westside Costa Mesa. The seed-oil free venue is known for their (actually) fresh hand-pressed masa tortillas and and chef driven plates. The taco shop is a step above the usual fare in Westside and should be a welcome addition to the Costa Mesa foodie scene.
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“There’s no crying on the Duffy”
Spelling Bee (& wine) - Third Place
Friday May 22
7pm
InfoField of Honor at Castaways Park Newport Beach
Saturday, 16 May - Monday May 26th
InfoNewport Beach Wine Festival - Balboa Bay Club
Friday May 22-24
InfoRedneck Rodeo - Newport Dunes
Friday May 22
InfoFlashpants (80s Cover Band) - The Blue Beet
Saturday May 23rd
10pm
InfoScottish Fest at OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa ($45+)
Saturday, 23 May
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
InfoMemorial Day BBQ - Balboa Island Park
Monday May 25th
12pm-2pm
InfoMemorial Day BBQ - Pendry
Monday May 25th
11am-6pm
Info
UPCOMING:
Newport Needlepoint Club Meetup - Newport Needlepoint
“2026 is the year for Grandma hobbies”
Tuesdays 6-8pm
InfoTrivia Night - Bootlegger’s Brewery
Tuesdays 7-9pm
DirectionsFree Yoga Class - Seed Peoples Market
Wednesdays @ 10am
InfoField of Honor at Castaways Park Newport Beach
Saturday, 16 May - Monday May 26th
InfoDevil Wears Prada Trivia - Wild Goose Tavern
Tuesday 5/27
7pm
InfoSpring Warehouse Sales + Makers Mart - Moongoat Coffee x Pixel Perf
Sunday May 31
10-3pm
Info31st Annual Balboa Island Parade - Balboa Island
Sunday May 31st
InfoImprov Comedy Experience - VEA Newport
Friday June 12th
6:45-8pm
InfoCompost Giveaway and Shredding Event - OCC
Saturday Jun 13th
8am-12pm
InfoSongs in the Canyon - Canyon Park (Costa Mesa)
June 12-14
InfoSummer Concert Series: Kayln & The New Frontier (Country) - VEA Newport
Thursday June 18th
5:30-7:30pm
Info
Worth the Drive:
WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?
Check out our great partner newsletter:
Muggy.
🌊 Water temp = 60º
Suit Rec: Spring suit/Full suit 3/2
THIS WEEKEND:
Field of Honor at Castaways Park Newport Beach
Saturday, 16 May - Monday May 26th
InfoWild Tales Storytime, Hike, and Craft in Newport Beach (RSVP!)
Friday, 22 May
10:00 am - 11:00 am
InfoScottish Fest at OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa ($45+)
Saturday, 23 May
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
InfoBeach & River Cleanup in Newport Beach
Saturday, 23 May
9:00 am - 11:30 am
RSVPFamily Art Workshop: Collage Bouquets at OCMA Costa Mesa
Saturday, 23 May
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
InfoMemorial Day BBQ - Balboa Island Park
Monday May 25th
12pm-2pm
Info
Plan Ahead:
Critter investigations - Upper Newport Bay
3rd Wednesday of each month
10-11am
InfoStem Workshop - Carters x Kiwi Co. (Tustin Market Place)
Second Saturday of Every Month
10am -12pm
RSVPSensory Play Soft Opening - Kid CanDo Studio (Balboa Funzone)
Saturday May 30th
10:30am-1pm
InfoKid’s Master Gardener Program - CDM Farmer’s Market
Saturday May 30
InfoMovie Mondays: The Parent Trap - Segerstrom Center
Monday July 6th
Info
Farmers Markets 🥬🥕:
Newport Pier Farmer’s Market
Costa Mesa - SOCO (Saturdays 9-2)
Corona Del Mar - PCH & Marguerite (Saturdays 9-1)
Newport Beach - Newport Pier (Sundays 9-1)
Newport Harbor - Dover Dr & 16th St (Saturdays 9am-1pm)
Mesa Verde - 1525 Mesa Verde Dr E, Costa Mesa (Sundays 10-2pm)
🌴 Costa Mesa
Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is MIA prepping for a spelling bee.
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!
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