Hello Back Bay Blessings, Happy New Year!

This post marks exactly 1 year of the Back Bay Buzz! We want to thank all of you for being here, giving feedback and sharing the newsletter with all of your family and friends (you are sharing it, right?). Lots of change happening in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa this year, and we are going to explore all of it together. Also: How are we feeling about Dry January?

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:

• New Burger Spot on the Peninsula

• New Year PSAs

• Fitness Classes to get your beach body back

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Burts Burgers Opening on the Peninsula

Burt’s Burgers is rolling into Newport Beach as part of a broader expansion, starting with a seasonal pop-up at the Balboa Fun Zone (600 E. Bay Ave.) before a full-time location opens in 2026. The bay-facing space near the ferry will host a test run and several pop-up dates over the next few months, including during the Holiday Boat Parade (Dec. 17–21), with a permanent launch slated for April, founder Ryan Van Tuyl said. Van Tuyl is also drawing a line in the sand on technique, saying “we never smash our beef” because, in his view, smashburgers can be used to “overcharge customers for a tiny portion of beef.” The SoCal newcomer, known for gourmet sliders, street dogs, Wagyu ribeye beef, beef-tallow waffle fries, plus house-made sauces and shakes, started as a catering operation last year and opened its Huntington Beach flagship in April; the Newport menu will begin limited and expand over time.

PSAs:

• King Tides Warning: Extremely high "King Tides" are predicted to hit the coast this Friday and Saturday (Jan 2–3). Residents in low-lying areas like Balboa Island should be prepared for potential localized flooding during high tide hours.

• Tree Recycling: Curbside Christmas tree pickup continues this week. Residents are reminded to remove all ornaments and stands before placing trees on the curb on their regular trash day.

  • Costa Mesa Info

  • Newport Beach Info
    

• City Hall Reopens: Both Newport Beach and Costa Mesa City Halls will reopen for regular business on Monday, January 5, after the holiday closure.

• Check out Costa Mesa’s Most Aesthetic Coffee Shop - General Store by The Pour Kids
  ☕️ @generalstorebythepourkids

  📍2967 Randolph Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

• Elton Johnson (Elton John Cover) - Campus JAX
  Sat 1/3 6:30pm
  Info

• OC Card Show - OC Fairgrounds
  Sat-Sun Jan 3-4
  10am
  Info
  

UPCOMING:

• EarlyBird Breakfast Burritos Grand Opening - The Lab
  Saturday Jan 17th
  10:30am
  Info

• Raising Canes Grand Opening - Newport Blvd Location
  February 24th
  
  

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?

Check out our great partner newsletter:

🌊 Water temp = 62º
Suit Rec: Spring suit

THIS WEEKEND:

• Little Seedlings Storytime at Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona Del Mar

  Friday, 02 January
  10:00 am - 10:30 am
  Info

• Free Farm w/ Animals - OC Fairgrounds Centennial Farm

  Friday, 02 January
  1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  Info

• Earth, Moon, & Sun at the OCC Planetarium ($8-$10)

  Saturday, 03 January
  2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  Tickets

• Aquatic Community Day at Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach

  Sunday, 04 January

  10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  

FAMILY PLAN AHEAD:

• PJ Storytime at Mariners Library Newport Beach

  Monday, 05 January @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
  Info

• Read to a Dog at Newport Beach Central Library

  Tuesday, 06 January, 2026

  4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  Info

• Nature Walk & Book Club for Littles at Turtle Rock Nature Center in Irvine ($10)

  Wednesday, 07 January, 2026

  10:00 am - 11:00 am
  Info

• Storytime by the Beach at Marina Park in Newport Beach

  Wednesday, 07 January, 2026

  10:30 am - 11:00 am
  Info

• Art Workshop at Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa

  Saturday, 17 January

  11:30 am - 4:30 pm
  Info

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is still drying out (from the rain. And also the BBB NYE Party)

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!