Orange County's hottest arrivals in shopping, nightlife, dining, entertainment, attractions, museums, theater, culture, sports and recreation. MAPS of Orange County

CULTURAL ART
Well Cast
The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana presents Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor, the largest loan of terra cotta figures ever to travel to the U.S. from the tomb complex of China's first emperor, Shi Huangdi (259–210 B.C.). Considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the first emperor's mausoleum features thousands of terra cotta warriors that were intended to protect him throughout eternity. The show takes on added significance in that it coincides with the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.567.3600. Map G13

EVENT
All's Fair
The Orange County Fair, July 11–Aug. 3 in Costa Mesa, offers everything from wine tasting to pig races, from fine-art photography to freestyle motocross, from livestock competitions to Lucha Libre, from carnival rides to a concert series at the Pacific Amphitheater kicking off with B.B. King. The theme this year is "Say Cheese!" Numerous promotions include $1 carnival rides during the day on Thursdays and Fridays. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.FAIR. Map K12

SHOPPING
The R Word
Recession? What recession? Business is brisk at Rolex, which opened its first boutique in the U.S. at South Coast Plaza; never mind price tags venturing well into six figures (714.241.8088). Also new at the center are Italian luxury menswear line Canali, worn by George Clooney in Michael Clayton (714.662.1800); AG Adriano Goldschmied (714.427.0055), inspired by vintage jeans; and Calvin Klein, which offers the Calvin Klein White Label line (714.662.1901). 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.435.2000. Map J13

ART
EYE-OPENER
In the Land of Retinal Delights: The Juxtapoz School, opening June 22 at Laguna Art Museum in Laguna Beach, presents the lowbrow, surrealistic, pop, figurative and narrative work of 150 artists who have found a voice in Juxtapoz, the most widely read art magazine in the U.S. The Juxtapoz aesthetic, or lowbrow art, is almost always figurative, inspired by movies, television, advertising, black-velvet paintings, psychedelic posters, science fiction, horror, carnival art and comic books. 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, 949.494.8971. Map H15

DINING
ANAHEIM BLOOMING
A half-dozen restaurants have opened at new Anaheim GardenWalk, which also includes about 80 retail and entertainment destinations amid its manicured gardens. Within walking distance from the Anaheim Convention Center and Disneyland Resort are McCormick & Schmick's Grille, Roy's, The Cheesecake Factory, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., P.F. Chang's and California Pizza Kitchen. The hip mix also includes Heat Ultra Lounge as well as retailer Harley-Davidson and an IMAX theater. 321 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim. www.anaheimgardenwalk.com

MUSICALS
I Could Have Danced All Summer
The 50th-anniversary production of Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady comes from London, with direction by Trevor Nunn and choreography by Matthew Bourne, to the Orange County Performing Artscenter June 4–15. The score includes "The Rain in Spain" and "I Could Have Danced All Night." For 17 dancers in A Chorus Line, auditions for a Broadway musical are the chance of a lifetime—the chance to dance. The Tony Award– and Pulitzer Prize–winning show is at the center Aug. 19–31. Orange County Performing Artscenter, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. Map J13

SHOPPING
GOT YOU COVERED
Here are some of the specialty stores and boutiques with the best selection of swimwear and coverups:
Barely There Swimwear 2117 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, 949.675.9066 • Bikini Corona del Mar Plaza, 932 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach, 949.640.7855 • Diane's 370 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.376.9194; 118 Main St., Huntington Beach, 714.536.7803 • Everything But Water 1113 Brea Mall, Brea, 714.529.2485; 904 The Shops at Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, 949.347.7056; South Coast Plaza, 3333 S. Bear St., Costa Mesa, 714.540.8523 • Huntington Surf and Sport 300 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.841.4000 • Killer Dana Surf Shop 24621 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.489.8380 • Laguna Beachwear 490 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.494.5737 • Lilikoi 1344 Bison Ave., Newport Beach, 949.644.2330 • Molly Brown's Swim 2116 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, 949.673.9004 • Roxy South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.540.4555.

EVENTS
OPEN WAVE
The U.S. Open of Surfing and Beach Games, July 18–27 on the south side of Huntington Beach Pier, attracts the world's superstars of surf, skate, BMX and freestyle motocross; among them are three-time U.S. Open winner Rob Machado. Also on the schedule are concerts by top bands such as Fall Out Boy, a sports lifestyle expo and activities including Honda Beach Camp, with a drum circle and airbrush tattooing. Along Pacific Coast Highway between Santa Ana River and Beach Boulevard, Huntington Beach, 714.536.1454. Map N10

DINING
Dive Bars With Killer Food
These joints aren't dive bars in the unsavory sense. They're saloons with unexpectedly tasty chow, usually for cheap. And they ooze with local color.

Blue Beet Café Newport's oldest watering hole (established in 1912) lures a local crowd to its back alley digs by the pier for chilling by day, live music every night. Drinks can be strong; the American fare is well-prepared and cheap to boot. Go high-end with the Prime Angus Filet or spare your wallet with Tuesday's Special Sirloin Tips for $6. There's a fat, commendable burger for $8. We always order Sid's Famous Garlic Cheese Bread. 107 21st Place, Newport Beach, 949.675.2338. www.thebluebeet.com

Brian's Hiding on the edge of a ho-hum Albertsons center near Cal State Fullerton, this beer barn gets extra points for notable barbecued baby-back ribs, immense housemade onion rings and an ultra-fresh chicken-salad sandwich you'll remember for days. No humble hang should have food this good, but Brian's does because Brian also owns the BBQ joint next door—and simply passes the food through a connecting window. There are big screens and the sports fans who love them. Some even multitask by dashing back and forth to the adjacent laundromat. 1944 N. Placentia Ave., Fullerton 714.993.1401.

Kelly's Korner Tavern Famous for one-buck beers on Wednesdays, Kelly's pours 30-plus draft brews to a mixed crowd of low-key North County suburbanites. You expect pool tables, plasma screens and the greedy jukebox, but the kitchen surprises. Top-notch cold sandwiches (try the club) and very good burgers come with standard or seasoned curly fries and a kayak-size pickle spear. On weekends, a bargain steak-and-eggs breakfast packs them in, but it's served midweek for less until 11 a.m. 909 E. Yorba Linda Blvd., Placentia, 714.961.9396.

Mutt Lynch's Long popular for sun-baked partying by the pier, Newport's enduring pizza-and-beer canteen serves a megaroster of breakfast and bar food. Think custom omelets and huevos rancheros before noon, garlic fries and Cubano sandwiches until closing. Combined with huge schooners of beer, it's a sandy, salty good time. 2300 W. Oceanfront, Newport Beach, 949.675.1556. www.muttlynchs.com

The Shamrock Bar & Grill In a perfect world, an Irish bar would have an Irish bartender, Irish beer on tap, soccer on the telly and darn good corned beef and cabbage or decent fish and chips. This is that world, in a shabby blue box of a site in a neighborhood where the well-heeled and the flip-flopped gather in seeming harmony. Nights can get rowdy, so first-timers might consider a presunset visit. 2633 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.631.5633.

Silky Sullivan's OK, so most dive bars aren't located across the street from the police department and owned by a friendly family, so we'll call this a neighborhood pub. With a kids menu. And $2 tequila shots on Taco Tuesdays. The house special is the Irish Sundae—a baked potato stuffed with prime rib, sour cream, cheese and mushrooms. 10201 Slater Ave., Fountain Valley, 714.963.2718.
—Gretchen Kurz