Hello Back Bay Bries, Happy Monday.

We are proud to announce the newest addition to The Map Room: The Best Vinyl Stores in Orange County. In collaboration with our partner publication, The Scene OC, which did a deep dive into the best record shops and listening rooms across Orange County, 4 of which are in Costa Mesa (Newport Beach is notably absent, business idea?). With 2026 being the Year of Analog, it’s time to kick off your Spring with a new vinyl obsession. Also, you should probably screenshot the “Plan Ahead” section because it is getting out of hand.

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:

• All of OCs Record Stores, Mapped

• Events added for March

• FullTimers Live at The Shamrock

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

The Best Record Shops in OC, Mapped

2026 is the year of Analog. With the oppressive weight of constant scrolling, manipulative algorithms and AI slop, the collective public yearns for the tactile sensation of a real life object, something that is theirs, that cannot be deleted or banned. Although far from the popularity of it’s glory days, vinyl records have enjoyed a modest resurgence in the past 10 years, spurred mostly (and somewhat ironically) by the rediscovery of the medium by Millenials and Gen Z. The rise of record stores, listening rooms, and the irreplaceable sound of a needle on vinyl in a screen free setting, is something to be celebrated and enjoyed by all. Thanks to our friends at The Scene OC, we bring you the best record stores in Orange County.

UPCOMING:

• Newport Needlepoint Club Meetup - Newport Needlepoint
  “2026 is the year for Grandma hobbies”
  Tuesdays 6-8pm
  Info

• Trivia Night - Bootlegger’s Brewery
  Tuesdays 7-9pm
  Directions

• Free Yoga Class - Seed Peoples Market
  Wednesdays @ 10am
  Info

• Baby Goat Yoga - Tanaka Farms
  Saturdays 10am (Hana Field)
  Info

• Fall Into Books Fest Tickets Go on Sale - Hilton Costa Mesa
  Monday Feb 23rd (Event is Nov 12-14 2026)
  Info

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

• Intro to Mahjong - Shop Prairie (Newport)
  Thursday Feb 26th
  5:30-8pm
  Info

• Emo Nite Speed Dating - Ruin Bar (Costa Mesa)
  Ages 30-44yo
  Thursday Feb 26th
  6:30pm-9pm
  Info

• Latte Art Throwdown Showdown - Day Dream Surfshop
  Friday Feb 27th
  6pm
  Info

• Beach & River Cleanup in Newport Beach

  Saturday Feb 28th

  9:00 am - 11:30 am
  Info

• Back Bay Cleanup and Maintenance - Upper Newport Bay
  Saturday Feb 28th
  9am-11am
  Info

• ABBA Tribute Live - Lido Theater
  Sunday March 8th
  Info

• Live Music, Free Yoga On the Green - The Camp
  Saturday Mar 14th
  10am-4pm
  Info

• Free Fitness Class: Intro to MELT Method - Newport Coast Community Center
  Saturday Mar 14th
  9am and 9:45am
  Register (class code: NCC276 or NCC277)
  
  

  Overland Expo 2026 - OC Fairgrounds
  March 14-15, Sat 9-5, Sun 9-4
  Info

• Record Store Day - Various Locations
  Saturday Apr 18th
  Check out all locations in The Back Bay Map Room
  

• Songs in the Canyon - Canyon Park (Costa Mesa)
  June 12-14
  Info
  
  

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?

Check out our great partner newsletter:

🌊 Water temp = 61º
Suit Rec: Spring suit/Full suit 3/2, maybe booties

Trigger Warning: Planned protests of Raising Canes grand opening on February 24th (Newport Blvd) may use graphic imagery and simulated violence. This may cause distress in young children. Please be aware as you plan your family outings.
More Info

THIS WEEK:

• PJ Storytime at Mariners Library Newport Beach

  Monday, 23 February

  6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
  Info

• Fuse Bead Party at Newport Beach Central Library

  Tuesday, 24 February

  4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  info
  

• The Craft Lab at Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

  Wednesday, 25 February

  4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
  Info

• FREE Mermaid Storytime (SOLD OUT) at Once Upon and Island (Registration Required)

  Wednesday, 25 February

  10:30 am - 11:00 am
  RSVP

• Discovery Day at Centennial Farm in Costa Mesa

  Thursday, 26 February

  9:00 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

• Wild Tales Storytime, Hike, and Craft in Newport Beach (RSVP!)

  Friday, 27 February

  10:00 am - 11:00 am
  Info

Worth The Drive:

• Tell a Fairy Tale Day - River St Kids Club (SJC)
  Tuesday Feb 24th
  10:30am-11:30am
  Info

• Monarch Butterfly Habitat Workdays - Lantern Bay Park (Dana Point)
  Saturday Feb 28th
  9am-12pm
  Info

• Tiny Tots, Little Sprouts at the Ocean Institute - Dana Point
  Spring Session March 2nd-April 23rd
  Info

• Festival of Whales - Dana Point
  Saturday March 7th-8th
  10am-4pm
  Info

Plan Ahead:

• Beach & River Cleanup in Newport Beach

  Saturday, 28 February

  9:00 am - 11:30 am
  Info

• Lunar New Year Celebration at Fashion Island

  Saturday, 28 February

  12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  Info

• Upper Newport Bay Habitat Stewards

  Saturday, 28 February

  9:00 am - 11:00 am
  Info

• Toddler Tea Party with a Princess ($37) - Once Upon an Island (Balboa Island)

  Monday, 02 March

  10:30 am - 11:30 am
  Info

• Stem Workshop - Carters x Kiwi Co. (Tustin Market Place)
  Second Saturday of Every Month
  10am -12pm
  RSVP

• OC Uke Fest - Campus Jax
  Sunday Mar 22nd
  Info
  

Friday Feb 27th: The FullTimers Live at The Shamrock

The FullTimers (Pop - Rock - Covers) - The Shamrock Bar & Grill – Newport Beach
Friday, February 27
9:30PM- 1:00AM
Venue Info

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is still waiting to make the light at 17th and Newport Blvd.

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!