Blog

OCEAN INSTITUTE PRESENTS ITS INAUGURAL VIRTUAL MARITIME FESTIVAL
08.14.20
The Ocean Institute will host its first Virtual Maritime Festival, a multi-layered interactive and educational event, beginning on Saturday, August 15, and culminating with a three-day global stream marathon September 11 to 13.
Replacing the annual Tall Ships Festival, Ocean Institute’s president and CEO Wendy Marshall sees the new virtual event as an annual festival moving forward. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with maritime museums and vessels from around the world to present this exciting streaming event during such extraordinary times. As they say, ‘a rising tide lifts all boats.’” The inaugural virtual event will be complimentary to all participants, with the goal to further education in all things maritime.
Ocean Institute Virtual Maritime Festival Challenges
Saturday, August 15, to Thursday, September 10
The Virtual Maritime Festival kicks off Saturday, August 15, with a Move Your Booty Challenge. This virtual challenge encourages individuals, families, groups and corporate teams to get outdoors and get moving in a fun way. Runners, walkers, paddleboarders, and more are invited to sign up and get moving. Prizes will encourage creativity and fun, while creating excitement for the Ocean Institute Virtual Maritime Festival. Proceeds from this event will support Ocean Institute’s programs at CHOC Children’s (Children’s Hospital Orange County).
A second challenge beginning Saturday, August 15, is Art Aboard, co-presented by Blick Art Materials. Participants will select a challenge from a “Sea Chest of Projects” to express their creativity through art. From sand sketching to sculpting an urchin, participants post their masterpieces online in a competition that highlights the beauty of the sea with prizes given for various categories.
To take part in the Maritime Festival challenges, participants can visit maritimefest2020.com.
Blog

La Vida Cantina Open for Lunch Daily
08.13.20
The popular Mexican restaurant and bar La Vida Cantina is under new ownership as it celebrates its sixth anniversary at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa. Serving authentic yet modern Mexican cuisine on a spacious open-air patio, La Vida Cantina now offers lunch daily, in addition to Happy Hour all day on Mondays.
Alex Petrosian, who founded and formerly co-owned Cruisers Pizza Bar Grill in Newport Beach for five years, now owns and manages La Vida Cantina. Petrosian began in the restaurant business at 17 years old as a busboy. Through the years, he worked his way up to a barback, bartender, manager, and eventually general manager, before opening Cruisers.
In addition to offering socially distanced tables on its expansive patio, La Vida Cantina employees and guests have their temperature taken upon entry, and the restaurant has contactless menus that guests can scan from a QR code with their phone. Masks are also mandated by the city of Costa Mesa until guests are seated.
La Vida now serves lunch Monday through Friday at 11 a.m., as well as offers brunch starting at 10 a.m. on the weekends. Happy Hour is available all day on Monday, and Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. The restaurant is continuing its popular Late-Night Happy Hour Sunday through Thursday from 10 p.m. to midnight.
Taco Tuesday features tacos for $2.50 each (beef or chicken, with Mahi for $5.50), while select beer is $4, and House Margaritas are $6. Wednesday offers $1 wings and half-off glasses and bottles of wine; and Thursday is now Taco Thursday with the same taco and drink specials as Tuesday. Saturday and Sunday bring bottomless Champagne brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a menu of sweet and savory brunch classics.
La Vida serves a menu of fresh, high-quality ingredients where traditional recipes are presented with a modern twist, along with a full bar including hand-crafted margaritas and signature cocktails.
La Vida Cantina is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight. Food service ends one hour before closing, nightly. Happy Hour is offered 3 to 6:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday, and Late-Night Happy Hour Sunday thru Thursday from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.
La Vida Cantina is located on the upper level of Triangle Square at 1870 Harbor Blvd., where the 55 Fwy. meets Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa. Reservations are recommended by calling 949.612.2349.
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 07.02.25 – Bardega to Open in Laguna Hills with Bodega-Style Market and Custom Cocktails
- 07.02.25 – Fit Bodies by Amanda Marks 15th Anniversary With Pop-Up Celebration
- 07.02.25 – ABT’s ‘Giselle’ Returns to Segerstrom Center This Summer
- 06.30.25 – Puesto Debuts Protein-Packed Bowls and Summer Specials
- 06.29.25 – Celebrate the Fourth from Offshore 9’s Rooftop in Huntington Beach
- 06.27.25 – Luciana’s Ristorante in Dana Point Wins 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
- 06.24.25 – Luxury Designer Pop-Up in Tustin: Up to 90% Off Now Through June 29
- 06.24.25 – Where to Celebrate the Fourth of July in Orange County
- 06.23.25 – New Chapter for Sushi Ii: Acclaimed Chefs Join MICHELIN-Recognized Kitchen
- 06.18.25 – Tender Greens Unveils Seasonal Summer Menu Inspired by Local Harvests
- 06.17.25 – Strickland’s Ice Cream Marks One Year in Costa Mesa
- 06.15.25 – Catalina Museum for Art & History Presents Work by Sonia Romero
- 06.14.25 – RJB Restaurant Group Expands Parlor and Olea Footprints
- 06.14.25 – Jan’s Health Bar Expands to San Diego, Introduces New Smoothies and Summer Menu Favorites
- 06.11.25 – Taste of Japan Brings Food, Culture and Entertainment to Anaheim GardenWalk
- 06.09.25 – Topside Roof Deck Launches Sunday Brunch Club
- 06.09.25 – Ninth Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival to Celebrate Stories of the Sea
- 06.09.25 – Anaheim Hills Festival to Host Bubble Poppin’ Fun Event June 14
- 06.08.25 – Father’s Day Weekend at The Ranch: Steak, Lobster, Bourbon
- 06.03.25 – VEA Newport Beach Partners with Orlebar Brown for Stylish June Pop-Up
More Daily Doses
- 06.30.25 – Sip Into Summer at The District Tustin’s Cocktail Tour
- 06.25.25 – Where to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in Orange County
- 06.22.25 – Surf & Sand, Laguna Beach Unveils Property-wide Transformation
- 06.17.25 – RELISH Food, Wine and Spirits Experience Debuts in Newport Beach June 27-29
- 06.15.25 – Sweetgreen Welcomes 5th O.C. Restaurant To Laguna Niguel
- 06.15.25 – Casa de Onda Brings Modern Mexican Fusion and Coastal Cool to Triangle Square
- 06.10.25 – Step inside California Kinship at Langson IMCA
- 06.09.25 – E-Commerce Favorite Dressin Launches First OC Store
- 06.03.25 – Hilbert Museum and Pageant of the Masters Partner for 2025 Celebration of California Art
- 06.02.25 – Anaheim’s World Taste Serves Up Culture and Cuisine
- 06.02.25 – Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO in Laguna Hills – Free Kids Tickets This Week
- 05.26.25 – Chef Jason Yamaguchi to Debut Konpa Nikkei in Corona del Mar This Summer
- 05.25.25 – Lido House Launches ‘La Dolce Vita’ – A Taste of Europe in Newport Beach
- 05.21.25 – A Catalina Day Trip: Ocean Views, Island History, and Memorable Stops
- 05.20.25 – Pendry Newport Beach Kicks Off Summer with New Experiences
- 05.15.25 – Cinq à Sept Opens First California Boutique at Fashion Island
- 05.14.25 – Meet Atome Bakery: Sourdough Without the Stress
- 05.14.25 – Newport Beach TV Fest Launches June 5-8, 2025
- 05.11.25 – Cozy Earth Opens Flagship Store in Corona del Mar
- 05.09.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day at Wild Strawberry Café in Newport Beach