Find the best Orange County things to do for the weekend of March 30-April 2
Edited by Laura Okey
EVENTS
Coastal Country Jam
April 1. See country music mega stars take the stage on the sand for Coastal Country Jam. Along with live country music, enjoy fully stocked beach bars with a wide selection of beer, delicious barbecue, bull riding, line dancing and more. Headliners include Jake Owen, Josh Abbot Band, Morgan Leigh Band, Honkytonk Boom Box and Alexandria Corn. Ages 21+. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $15-$278. Huntington State Beach, Pacific Coast Hwy. and Brookhurst St., Huntington Beach. coastalcountryjam.com
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival
April 1-23. Celebrate the historic berry that put Knott’s Berry Farm on the map—the boysenberry! Knott’s Boysenberry Festival will feature countless one-of-a-kind boysenberry-inspired dishes, drinks and more, plus live entertainment for the entire family. Delicious treats include items such as boysenberry pizza with arugula and goat cheese, corn on the cob with boysenberry butter and mayo, freshly baked boysenberry fry bread. Also eat ribs, grilled chicken, alligator and more, all smothered in Knott’s very own farm-made boysenberry barbecue sauce. See online for ticket pricing and park hours throughout festival. Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. knotts.com
Disney’s California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
Through April 16. Indulge on booze and bites at one of the happiest places on earth—Disney’s California Adventure. The event will feature up to 15 festival booths with everything from California produce to coastal dishes and standalone beer and wine outposts. Many of last year’s popular items will return, like bacon whoopie pies, Meyer lemon macarons and white cheddar ale soup. New items include meatless jackfruit carnitas banh mi nachos at Off the Cob, black garlic and soy-braised pork belly bao at Garlic Kissed and a bay shrimp louie salad at Sweet & Sourdough. Beyond the food and drink, enjoy cooking demonstrations from California chefs as well as Food Network celebrity chefs (celebrity demonstrations at additional cost), wine education and tasting seminars and beer and spirit seminars. See website for more details. Festival is additional cost to park admission. Disneyland, 1313 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.781.4565. disneyland.com
Discovery Cube’s Bubblefest
April 1-16. Learn the science of bubbles at an indoor festival combining bubble artistry, real science and spellbinding lasers for the whole family. This year’s Bubblefest features performances by bubble artist Deni Yang in the Mega Bubblefest Laser Show. The world-famous performance artist combines music, lasers, lighting effects and bubble artistry to create a spectacular show for all ages. Create your own bubble art with wands, participate in science demonstrations, roll around in water spheres and more. Tickets start at $15. Discovery Cube, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.542.2823. discoverycube.org
Re:Imagine Garden Grove
April 1. Experience a vehicle-free, re-envisioned downtown Garden Grove for the third annual open streets festival. Pedestrians and bicyclists can enjoy 2.5 miles of open streets filled with food, art, music, dance, workshops and more. The block-party atmosphere has something for all ages with kid zones, live music and interactive games. Historic Main Street will host an after party. Since the streets will be shut down, please see website for location, directions and parking information. Open streets 3-6 p.m. After party 6-10 p.m. Free. Garden Grove, 714.741.5290. ggopenstreets.com
Spring Break: California Double
April 2. Experience Southern California’s landscape—from surf and sand to snowy mountain tops—all in the same day. Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach invites you to try the legendary California Double, taking you from wetsuit to snowsuit. Your day begins with surf instruction from Toes on the Nose and ends on the slopes of Snow Summit Ski Resort in Big Bear. Following morning surf lessons, jump on board a luxury coach bus and enjoy lunch en route, before getting fitted with equipment for a half day of boarding or skiing. Tickets include lessons, meals, lift tickets and travel, equipment rental pricing additional cost. Register by contacting ben@toesonthenose.com or call. $199. Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, 21500 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.845.4638. toesonthenose.com
The Taste of Dana
March 30. Taste fabulous fare from over 20 local restaurants—Waterman’s Harbor, the Wine Bistro and more—while enjoying live entertainment, raffle prizes and a silent auction. The 20th annual event will include prizes such as a new beach cruiser, three nights at Monarch Beach Resort, a vacation to the Florida Keys and four single day tickets to Six Flags Magic Mountain. 6-9 p.m. Earlybird $15, at the door $20. Dana Hills High School, 33333 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. tasteofdana.com
THE RiDE 7D
April 1. The immersive, interactive motion ride experience is moving to a new spot within the Irvine Spectrum Center. In celebration of its relocation, they are launching a new experience. Werewolves will transport you to the turn of the century. A poisonous gas has been unleashed and it’s turning men and women into ferocious werewolves. You must fight off the beasts as the city is being decimated. Irvine Spectrum Center, between Yard House and Old Navy, 630 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, 949.769.6772. theride7d.com
OC Summer Camp & Activities Fair
April 1. Bring the family for an afternoon of entertainment and summer planning. The 8th annual event features more than 40 local summer camp options for tots through teens. Additionally, enjoy camp exhibits, on-stage performances, giveaways and interactive fun for everyone. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. The Market Place, Edwards Courtyard, 13782 Jamboree Road, Irvine. shopthemarketplace.com
Crystal Cove’s Spring Art Show
April 1-2. See the latest creations from over 50 resident artists in the serene Crystal Cove State Park. Beyond the works of art that celebrate the fun and beauty of the historic village of Crystal Cove, enjoy art and nature workshops, performances and various fun activities. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Crystal Cove State Park, 5 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, 949.376.6200. crystalcovealliance.org
Unsqueezed Music Festival
April 1. Enjoy live music from local bands Sounds, Westpark, Like Adults, The Taco Truck and Sundive. The music fest will showcase the sounds of the local music scene in Orange County. Water and snacks will be available for purchase. All ages welcome. 8 p.m. $5. OC DIY, 22651 Lambert St., Suite 109, Lake Forest. facebook.com/events
FOOD + DRINK
Wine Dinner at Back Bay Bistro
March 30. Join Back Bay Bistro’s executive chef Bruno Massuger and featured guest Hi-Time Wine Cellars for the launch of their wine series dinners. Beginning with a welcoming reception on the Harborside Courtyard, enjoy appetizers of Maine scallops wrapped in smoked bacon and lamb lollipops with prosecco. Following the reception, experience a special five-course menu with highlights including crisp pork belly, white beans, hoisin sauce and frisee garnish; porcini-dusted filet of beef with red wine sauce and roasted root vegetables; and layer chocolate cake with cranberry coulis. Each course will be paired with a wine chosen by Hi-Time Wine Cellars. See website for full menu. 6 p.m. $75. 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 949.729.1144. newportdunes.com
The Beachcomber Spring Menu
The Beachcomber adds eight new dishes to its menu for spring. Inspired by seasonal ingredients, menu highlights include pulled pork Benedict and seared crusted yellow tuna with wasabi potato puree and more. 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, 949.376.6900. thebeachcombercafe.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Ariana Grande: Dangerous Woman Tour
March 30. Performing hits from her latest album, Dangerous Woman, Ariana Grande is in the spotlight at Honda Center yet again. Songs you’ll recognize from the album include “Dangerous Woman,” “Be Alright” and “Into You.” 7 p.m. Tickets start at $29.95. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.778.2583. hondacenter.com
The Wizard of Oz
April 1-9. Based on the Oscar-winning film, the stage production of The Wizard of Oz will lead you and the whole family down the familiar yellow brick road. The musical includes classics such as “Over the Rainbow” and “We’re Off to See the Wizard.” See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $28. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
CONTINUED
Finding Neverland
Through April 2. See the Orange County premiere of the hit Broadway musical. Based on the Academy Award-winning film of the same name and the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan, Finding Neverland follows the relationship between playwright J.M. Barrie and the family that inspired the beloved character Peter Pan. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
