Hello Back Bay Breezes,

It is time to retire the old rainbow sandals for a fresh pair and relish in the fact that the Birkenstock trend is on it’s last legs. When you see middle schoolers wearing dupes its time to go. Our sources tell us the next big thing in footwear is the approach shoe, but it’s a little too gorp-core for Orange County in the summer. It’s flip flop season, and the tide is high for getting outside and finding adventure up and down the coast.

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:

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Southern California’s premier open-air cultural phenomenon is heading back to Costa Mesa, bringing the electric energy of Taipei’s famous midnight bazaars right to our backyard. What started in 2012 as a hyper-local gathering in a Pasadena parking lot has grown into the largest Asia-inspired night market in the United States, drawing nearly 100,000 visitors over a single weekend.

Stepping onto the fairgrounds is a full sensory experience. The air is thick with the aroma of sizzling cumin lamb skewers, giant deep-fried squid, and authentic stinky tofu, while neon-lit stalls showcase viral fusion hits like sushi-taco hybrids and nostalgic White Rabbit candy ice cream. Beyond the incredible food, the market functions as a massive community block party, featuring live musical acts, K-pop dance battles, and a vibrant marketplace filled with independent local artists and makers. It’s an incubation ground for small businesses and a quintessential SoCal summer night out.

The market runs Friday through Sunday from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM on select weekends from late spring through September (including this weekend May 29–31 and June 5–7). Tickets are just $5 to $6 online, and children three and under are free. If you go, be sure to bring plenty of cash, arrive early to beat the sunset rush, and bring a few friends so you can divide and conquer the lines!

🌊 Water temp = 65º
Suit Rec: Spring suit/Full suit 3/2

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is trying to research what an approach shoe is…

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!