Hello Back Bay Bunch,

Well, it’s official: we can all now wear white. We hope you had a restorative long weekend, It is now time for graduations, bbqs and rooftop raves on top of Ruby’s diner on the pier.

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 trolley just dropped

  • House Music on the Roof at the Pier

  • Spritz & Brunch Club

Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Summer Trolleys are Now Rolling

The free Balboa Peninsula Trolley is back for the summer, running every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., as well as on Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.

To score 100% free parking, skip the peninsula traffic and head straight to the Avon Street Parking Lot on Mariners' Mile. Just use the ParkMobile app and enter the promo code TROLLEY26 before you leave your car.

From there, you can hop on a trolley roughly every 15 minutes. The route features 22 stops hitting all the local favorites, including Lido Marina Village, Marina Park, the Balboa Pier, and the Fun Zone. The vehicles are fully wheelchair accessible and equipped to carry your beach gear, bags, bikes, and surfboards (under 6 feet).

It’s completely free, stress-free, and trackable in real-time on the Passio GO app. See you on the sand!

Check out this quick video to see exactly how easy it is to park, hop on, and explore the peninsula.

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“There’s no crying on the Duffy”


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

  • Devil Wears Prada Trivia - Wild Goose Tavern
    Tuesday 5/27
    7pm
    Info

  • Spring Warehouse Sales + Makers Mart - Moongoat Coffee x Pixel Perf
    Sunday May 31
    10-3pm
    Info

  • Spritz & Brunch Club - Milligram
    DJs, Mimosas and a sunlit patio…
    Sunday May 31st
    11am-3pm
    Info

  • 31st Annual Balboa Island Parade - Balboa Island
    Sunday May 31st
    Info

  • Improv Comedy Experience - VEA Newport
    Friday June 12th
    6:45-8pm
    Info

  • Compost Giveaway and Shredding Event - OCC
    Saturday Jun 13th
    8am-12pm
    Info

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

  • Summer Concert Series: Kayln & The New Frontier (Country) - VEA Newport
    Thursday June 18th
    5:30-7:30pm
    Info

  • House Party on the Rooftop (at the pier) - Ruby’s Diner
    Friday June 12th 26th
    4-10pm
    Tickets


Worth the Drive:

  • Trolley Hop Honkey Tonk - Dana Point
    Sunday May 24th
    12-5pm
    Info

  • Adventure Van Expo - San Juan Capistrano
    Sat-Sun May 30-31st
    10am-3pm
    Tickets

WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?

Check out our great partner newsletter:
The Scene: South OC

The Scene: South OC

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67 is notably absent…

🌊 Water temp = 66º
Suit Rec: Spring suit/Full suit 3/2

THIS WEEK:

  • Toy Train Tuesdays at Corona Del Mar Library in Newport Beach

    Tuesday, 26 May

    10:30 am - 11:30 am
    Info

  • Open Indoor Playtime at Generations OC

    Wednesday, 27 May

    9:30 am - 11:30 am
    Info

  • Slime Night at Chick-Fil-A at The District in Tustin

    Wednesday, 27 May

    5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
    Info

  • Coffee & Playground Meetup in Newport Beach

    Friday, 29 May

    10:00 am - 11:00 am
    Info


Plan Ahead:

  • Critter investigations - Upper Newport Bay
    3rd Wednesday of each month
    10-11am
    Info

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

  • Sensory Play Soft Opening - Kid CanDo Studio (Balboa Funzone)
    Saturday May 30th
    10:30am-1pm
    Info

  • Kid’s Master Gardener Program - CDM Farmer’s Market
    Saturday May 30
    Info

  • “Galaxy” (Star Wars) Day at the OC Zoo

    Saturday, 06 June

    10:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Info

  • Movie 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)

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is still sheltering in place. He doesn’t know the situation in Garden Grove has been resolved and won’t return our calls.

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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