Hello Back Bay Bunch, Happy Friday!

What a weekend we have in front of us: Valentine’s Day Weekend with a President’s Day chaser. It may be Friday the 13th, but it’s hard to take it seriously as February is the least spooky month of the year. While we may have a rainy week ahead of us, we can certainly rest assured it won’t close the all the beaches like in LA. This weekend, we are also not missing for things to do around town: let’s deep dive into the weeds and circle back after boiling the ocean all week.

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:

• Newport Cracks Down on Spring Breakers

• It’s all about Galentine’s

• Dreamers Market

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Newport Cracks Down Ahead of Spring Break

City leaders aren’t waiting for chaos to show up on the sand. The Newport Beach City Council voted unanimously this week to beef up enforcement for spring break, rolling out expanded “Safety Enhancement Zones,” higher fines and more police patrols during two peak windows: March 14–22 and April 4–12. The focus will be on the usual hotspots—Balboa Peninsula, West Newport and Corona del Mar—after last year’s break brought nearly 500 arrests tied to underage drinking, oversized house parties and beach disruptions. With more than 1,500 short-term rentals in the city (most on the Peninsula), officials say they’re tightening permit rules and adding mandatory revocation for bad actors. Expect clearer rules on beach setups, too, including shade structures to keep emergency access open. As former Mayor Joe Stapleton put it: responsible visitors are welcome—but Newport isn’t signing up to be spring break riot central.

• Galentine’s Week at Habana
  Gal’s Menu, Drink specials
  February 7th-13th
  Info

• Love is Dead Emo Night - Wild Goose Tavern
  Roses are Red, Violets have bled, It’s Emo Night and LOVE IS DEAD.
  Emo Anthems + themed cocktails
  Friday Feb 13th 9am-close
  Info

• Girl Dinner - Helmsman Alehouse
  Friday Feb 13th
  Info

• Romance Book Van Pop-Up - The Lab
  Friday Feb 13th
  3pm-7pm
  Info

• Galentine’s Day at the Lab
  Friday Feb 13th
  3pm-7pm
  Info

• Valentine’s Day Dinner - Semi Tropic Wines (Costa Mesa)
  Saturday Feb 14th
  Info

• Female Maker Market at Lido Marina Village

  Saturday, 14 February

  10:00 am - 4:00 pm
  info

• Dreamers Market - Westcliff Plaza
  Saturday Feb 14th
  10am-3pm
  Info

• Valentine’s Day Dinner ($89/Person) - Tanaka Farms
  Saturday Feb 14th 6-9pm
  Info

• Valentine Book Swap - OC Books and Bows (Mission Viejo)
  Sunday Feb 15th
  12-2pm
  Info

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

• Vintage Pop-Up - 512 31st Street, Newport Beach
  Monday feb 16th
  11am-sold out
  Info

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

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

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

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?

Check out our great partner newsletter:

🌊 Water temp = 62º
Suit Rec: Spring suit/Full suit 3/2

THIS WEEKEND:

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

  Friday, 13 February

  10:00 am - 11:00 am
  info

• Dinosaur Adventures at OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa

  Saturday, 14 February

  9:00 am - 8:00 pm
  Info

• Coastal Discovery Tour in Costa Mesa

  Saturday, 14 February

  7:00 am - 10:00 am
  RSVP

• "Sail"-ebration Family Event At Duffy Boats Rentals in Newport Beach

  Sunday, 15 February

  12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  Info

• Reading in the Redwoods in Newport Beach ($5-$7 - Registration Required)

  Sunday, 15 February

  10:00 am - 11:30 am
  Info

• Great Train Show at OC Fair and Event Center ($15 for adults, kids 11 and under free)

  Sunday, 15 February

  10:00 am - 4:00 pm
  info

Worth The Drive:

• 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

Plan Ahead:

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

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, it’s our editor’s birthday month and he turns into a total diva for the duration.

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!