South Coast Metro Alliance

09/03/2026

📚 Barnes & Noble is back in Costa Mesa!

The bookseller has officially opened its new flagship location at South Coast Plaza, bringing 27,000 square feet of books, gifts, toys and games, vinyl, and more to South Coast Metro. The new store also features a Barnes & Noble Café with an outdoor patio overlooking the area.

The opening marks a homecoming for Barnes & Noble nearly a decade after its former Metro Pointe location closed across the street. The new South Coast Plaza store is one of 60 locations the company plans to open nationwide this year.

Another exciting addition to the neighborhood and a new destination for Orange County book lovers! 📖

Read more from the Orange County Register: https://heyor.ca/JGP6rb

09/03/2026

Like art and culture? Then check out the free tours of the sprawling Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

These 10 a.m. walking tours, available from Sept. 5 to Oct. 17, are led by trained docents who’ll guide you through the different venues that make up this theatrical and concert complex.

Reserve online in advance here: https://heyor.ca/ibOpOW.

09/01/2026

RELISH: A Food, W**e, and Spirits Experience brings three days of standout culinary experiences to Orange County from October 2 to October 4.

Featuring celebrity chefs, master sommeliers, and exclusive tastings, it's a treat for your taste buds.

This year, Costa Mesa joins the festival for the first time with special events at South Coast Plaza and The Park Club.

Learn more: https://heyor.ca/AhZAcf

Relish the weekend in Costa Mesa, CA with an elevated and curated gastronomic Food, W**e, and Spirits Experience from October 2-4, 2026.

08/24/2026

What comes after “live, work, play”?

As mixed-use districts evolve, staying competitive requires more than a strong location. Walkability, arts and culture, hospitality, technology, public-private partnerships, and a shared sense of place all play a role in what comes next.

South Coast Metro’s continued evolution shows how established districts can adapt to changing expectations while building stronger connections among businesses, residents, employees, and visitors.

Read more about the lessons South Coast Metro can offer other mixed-use communities: https://heyor.ca/861Bkf

08/21/2026

Wednesday nights are glowing a little brighter. 🕯️✨

Habana at The LAB has introduced La Candela, a weekly candlelight dinner experience featuring more than 600 candles throughout the dining room and garden patio.

Every Wednesday starting at 4 p.m., guests can enjoy Habana’s full Cuban-inspired menu, plus special La Candela dishes and cocktails.

From date night to dinner with friends, it’s a beautiful new way to spend a midweek evening right here in South Coast Metro.

Learn more: https://heyor.ca/nSeAwu

Scores of flickering candles provide a warm, moody glow at the 31-year-old Cuban restaurant.

08/20/2026

Exciting news! The YMCA of Orange County is opening a new health and wellness center in South Coast Metro on September 1.

Located near South Coast Plaza, the new South Coast Metro YMCA will offer 65 group classes, an indoor three-lane pool, a whirlpool and sauna, personal training, dedicated workout zones, and community programming.

We’re excited to welcome the YMCA to South Coast Metro and see another new resource for health, wellness, and connection join our community.

Read more from the Orange County Register: https://heyor.ca/Ua1ioZ

In other news, UCI Health has opened an acute rehabilitation hospital in Irvine aimed at patients recovering from brain and spinal cord injuries.

08/14/2026

Make plans to cool off, explore inspiring exhibitions, and get creative with two free events happening next weekend at UC Irvine Langson Museum. 🎨

✨ Friday, August 21 | 5 to 8 p.m.
Kick off the weekend at Art Happy Hour: Summer Fridays with extended museum hours, a 30-minute gallery talk beginning at 5:30 p.m., drinks, free art making, and time to explore the galleries.

📚 Sunday, August 23 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Return for MAKE: Share Your Story, a free, all-ages drop-in activity inspired by *The House America Built*. Create your own zine and celebrate the stories that connect your family and community.

Both events are free and a great way to spend time with friends and family while experiencing one of South Coast Metro's cultural gems.

Learn more and see the full calendar of events: https://heyor.ca/GoEJyp

08/11/2026

✨ Be our guest! ✨

South Coast Metro Alliance is offering special orchestra seating for Disney's Beauty and the Beast at a discounted price of $122.

🗓 Thursday, October 8, 2026
🕢 7:30 PM

Experience Disney's first North American touring production of this beloved musical in more than 25 years. Featuring breathtaking new sets, dazzling costumes, and the unforgettable songs you know and love, Beauty and the Beast is a magical evening for audiences of all ages.

To reserve your tickets or learn more, contact Diane Pritchett at 714.435.2109 or [email protected].

08/07/2026

The City of Santa Ana and the South Coast Metro Alliance have built a strong partnership focused on supporting local businesses and driving economic growth.

Through ongoing collaboration, this relationship continues to create opportunities that benefit residents, businesses, and the South Coast Metro community alike.

Recently, a grand opening event was held at 4 Hutton Centre for a Santa Ana Police Department substation built there to support the officers in the southeast quadrant of the City.

We’re proud to work together to help shape a vibrant future for one of Orange County’s premier business and cultural destinations.

Read more about the partnership: https://bit.ly/3Sghc8E

07/31/2026

🎭 Celebrating 40 years of arts and culture in Orange County!

Join Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Sunday, September 13, for a FREE campus-wide 40th Anniversary Celebration. Explore the Center with live performances, music, dance, artmaking, behind-the-scenes experiences and family-friendly activities throughout the day.

The celebration also marks the 20th anniversary of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Here’s to four decades of unforgettable performances and community connections! 🎶✨

📅 Sunday, September 13
📍 Segerstrom Center for the Arts
🎟️ Free and open to the community

Learn more: https://www.scfta.org/events/2026/40th-anniversary-celebration

07/30/2026

Get ready to travel back in time! 🚗⚡️

This Saturday, experience Back to the Future like never before as Pacific Symphony performs Alan Silvestri’s unforgettable score live alongside the full film at Great Park Live in Irvine.

Watch the DeLorean race through time on the big screen while the orchestra brings every iconic moment to life with the energy and emotion of a live performance. This special one-night-only presentation also includes additional music composed exclusively for the live concert experience.

📍Great Park Live, 250 Corsair, Irvine
📆 Saturday, August 1
⏰ 8:00 p.m.

Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of film, music, and nostalgia. Grab your tickets before they’re gone! https:// bit.ly/4vYNQtg

07/29/2026

Travel Santa Ana’s Culinary Passport invites food lovers to explore the city’s vibrant dining scene through a curated collection of locally owned restaurants and signature dishes. Participants savor authentic flavors, share their culinary discoveries on Instagram with
, and earn a chance to win a quarterly foodie giveaway—no app required.

What are you most excited to try?