Events
Drive-Thru Halloween Haunt
Begins Oct. 1. Enter (if you dare) the “Urban Legends of Southern California” drive-thru Halloween Haunt experience at the OC Fair & Event Center—brought to you from the producers of Winter Fest O.C. and the original creators of Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor. The drive-thru offers unique immersive scenes, coordinated lighting and sound effects, live performances, and special effects work together to give guests a terrifyingly fun Halloween experience through November 1. W-Su 7-11 p.m. See website for ticket prices. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. urbanlegendshaunt.com
Stride x StretchLab x AKT Mash-Up Class
Oct. 3. Work up a sweat during this ultimate fitness collaboration workout class between Stride, StretchLab and AKT in the California Pizza Kitchen Courtyard. Sign up for one of two 30-minute classes which start with a warm up with AKT followed by a combo bootcamp-style workout led by Stride. StretchLab closes out the session with a cool down. Afterwards, enjoy fresh green juice samples from De Terra Juices. Bring your own mat, towel and water. All fitness levels are welcome. Book now, max. of 15 people per session. 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. 2937 El Camino Real, Tustin. Tickets
Designer Tag Sale at SOCO and the OC Mix
Oct. 3-4. Don’t miss this spectacular event (and seasonal launch) featuring your favorite SOCO home and interior design showrooms! This weekend, find discounts on the best brands in home furnishings, accessories and decor at O.C.’s designation design center. Also, enjoy special offers from award-winning eateries and restaurants; shop exclusive discounts at participating boutiques and retailers; and listen to live music entertainment in the outdoor dining garden. 3303-3323 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, 949.760.9150. socoandtheocmix.com
Taste of Japan in Anaheim
Oct. 4. Get ready for the return of the ultimate Japanese street food pop-up … in Anaheim! Pre-order, pick-up and indulge in yakitori, ramen and other delicious street foods from eateries including Shin-Sen-Gumi, Tsujita Artisan Noodle, Tanota Takoyaki, Drinking Buddy Japanese Artisan Snacks, and Kagura Tokyo Tonkatsu & Sake Bar. Paired your food with cold craft beer from Orion Beer or L.A.’s Nankai Shochu. Pre-order instructions online; masks required during pick-up. Noon-4 p.m. 185 W. Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, 714.505.9202. tasteofjpn.com
The Escape Game
Now Open. Put your skills to the test at the newest Escape Game location at Irvine Spectrum Center. Players start by picking a theme—from a 1950s prison to deep space, or even a classic art heist—then team up to follow clues, solve puzzles and complete the mission in under 60 minutes. See website to book and to learn more about its safety and sanitation measures. 655 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, 949.541.9165. theescapegame.com
Food + Drink
National Taco Day at Las Brisas
Oct. 4. What better way to celebrate this tasty holiday than with a new taco from the iconic Laguna Beach eatery? For those seeking delicious tacos, Las Brisas now has a new crispy chicken taco, featuring pea hummus, white sesame and housemade salsa made by chef “Salsa Christopher”—as the kitchen calls him. Las Brisas also offers eight different kinds of tacos throughout the day, all which can be enjoyed at its all-day outdoor patio or available for pick up. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. 361 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, 949.497.5434. lasbrisaslagunabeach.com
National Taco Day at Sol Mexican Cocina
Oct. 4. Inspired by the best of coastal Baja California, Sol Mexican Cocina welcomes taco fans to savor its award-winning carne asada vampiro taco on this foodie-festive day. This appetizing taco starts with double corn tortillas stuffed with serrano peppers and melted Mexican cheese, and topped with carne asada, guacamole, pico de gallo, cotija cheese and a generous drizzle of chipotle sauce—delish! 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 251 Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.675.9800. solcocina.com
Fall Menu at Outpost Kitchen
Now Available. Kick off the season with a collection of fall menu items at Outpost Kitchen’s newest location on Bristol Street in Costa Mesa. Dine alfresco or inside the reopened dining room to enjoy the Aussie-inspired menu featuring savory seasonal options such as the Glitter & Gold Skillet with plant-based sausage, fried eggs, potato and spinach mash, roasted tomato, goat cheese and country toast; and sweeter fall fare including gluten-free pumpkin pancakes with rum glazed bananas. Open daily 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 3420 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.852.3044. outpostkitchen.com
Oktoberfest Menu at Bayside
Now Available. Fall is back and so is Bayside restaurant’s popular Oktoberfest menu! Through the end of the month, Bayside is highlighting Käsekrainer Bratwurst—an upscale twist on a classic street food featuring two smoked pork sausage infused with emmenthal cheese, sauerkraut and roasted potatoes, served with sweet and spicy mustard—and Hangar24 Brewing’s Oktoberfest brew. Guests can order for takeout or to enjoy on Bayside’s extended outdoor patio or terrace overlooking Newport Harbor. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, 949.721.1222. baysiderestaurant.com
National Pumpkin Month at Patty’s Cakes
All month. Calling all pumpkin lovers! It’s officially National Pumpkin Month, and you can get your fix at Patty’s Cakes and Desserts! The Fullerton-based bakery is celebrating with the return of its famous pumpkin flavors such as the pumpkin cupcake with cream cheese mousse and the pumpkin chocolate chip with cream cheese mousse. Store hours: T-Sa 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 825 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, 714.525.8350. pattys-cakes.com
Arts + Culture
Jazztoberfest Drive-In Series
Begins Oct. 1. Sit back and relax (in the comfort of your car) during the Muckenthaler Cultural Center’s drive-in jazz series every Thursday evening in October. Kick starting the series is the Joshua White Trio featuring Rob Thorsen on bass, Tyler Kreutel on drums and Joshua White (pictured) on piano who will mix Jazz with gospel and classical elements. Gates open at 6 p.m., concert starts at 7:30 p.m. $30 per car. 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714.738.6595. themuck.org
OCMA’s Virtual Topping Out Ceremony
Upcoming | Oct. 6. Celebrate the Orange County Museum of Art’s (OCMA) progress on building its future home at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts during a special event commemorating a construction milestone—the placement of the final structural beam. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne and his firm Morphosis, OCMA’s state-of-the-art museum will be an architectural icon and vital cultural hub and gathering space for the community. Watch on OCMA’s Instagram; the full video will be published on IGTV following the live broadcast. 11 a.m. ocmaexpand.org | Info
Photo credits: The Escape Room courtesy Irvine Management Company. Outpost Kitchen by Mike Carreiro. Patty’s Cakes courtesy Outshine PR. Joshua White by E. Contreras. All other images are courtesy of the venues.
