Mayor's Welcome

Garden Grove residents graduating from a college or university this year are invited to submit their information for the annual Garden Grove College Graduates’ Reception this summer. Graduates who attend will be entered into opportunity drawings for cash prizes. The deadline to submit information online for the free event is Monday, May 18 at www.ggcity.org/grads.

Due to high temperatures, the City of Garden Grove will open a public cooling center on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cooling center is located at the Garden Grove Sports and Recreation Center, 13641 Deodara Drive, in Garden Grove Park.

All ages are welcome to enjoy the center’s air-conditioned accommodations. Visitors will have access to the center’s lobby and restrooms. Food will not be available. No pets are allowed except for service animals.

The City of Garden Grove and the Garden Grove Tourism Improvement District (GGTID) will launch a new shuttle service ensuring continued connection from Garden Grove hotels to the Disneyland Resort. Shuttle service will begin the last week of March and will cost a small fee per guest from participating hotels.

“Garden Grove is proud to welcome visitors from across the region and around the world,” said Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein. “This new shuttle service keeps our hotels connected to the Disneyland Resort while inviting visitors to explore everything Garden Grove has to offer.”

The City of Garden Grove reminds homeowners to spruce up their home’s front yards for Garden Grove Gems, a home beautification program that recognizes residents for their home’s outstanding curb appeal. Residents can nominate their homes online from Wednesday, April 1 through Friday, April 24 at www.ggcity.org/gems. From all the nominations received four will be selected at random to receive $100 Home Depot gift cards. Gift card winners will be announced the week of Monday, April 27.

The City of Garden Grove’s Community Services Department is accepting online applications for part-time seasonal positions at a variety of city facilities and programs. The application deadline is Monday, March 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. To apply, visit ggcity.org/recjobs.

Get ready, Garden Grove! Garden Grove Gems is on its way! Gnorman the Gnome has a special message inviting you to brighten up your front yard, snap a photo, and join the fun. The 2026 Home Beautification Program is virtual, making it easy to participate. Whether you decide to enter or simply cheer on your neighbors, you can browse the stunning homes online and cast your vote for your favorites. Be sure to watch Gnorman as he introduces the program and highlights a few important dates. Then grab your gardening gloves, plant some flowers, and show off your Garden Grove pride!

The City of Garden Grove and Garden Grove Sanitary District, in collaboration with Republic Services, will host a community cleanup day, offering residents the opportunity to dispose of bulky items, recycle household batteries, and obtain paper shredding services for free. The event takes place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Skylark Pre-School, located at 11250 Mac Murray Street.

Hop into the spring season with a search for colorful treasures at Garden Grove’s annual “Eggscavation” event on Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Atlantis Play Center, located at 13630 Atlantis Way in Garden Grove Park. Ticket sales begin Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and continue until quantities run out. Tickets may be purchased at ggcity.org/eggscavation or by calling (714) 741-5200. There will be no ticket sales at the door.

The City of Garden Grove invites homeowners to start sprucing up their home’s front yards for Garden Grove Gems, a home beautification program that recognizes residents for their home’s outstanding curb appeal. Residents can nominate their homes online from Wednesday, April 1 through Friday, April 24. Online voting will take place from Monday, May 4 through Monday, May 18. Winning homes will receive citywide recognition with homeowners invited to an awards reception hosted by the Garden Grove City Council.

Sponsorship opportunities are now available for local businesses and organizations to support the Garden Grove College Graduates’ Reception in Summer 2026. Sponsors have a unique opportunity to gain valuable exposure to local and regional audiences while supporting higher education and a professional workforce in Garden Grove. Sponsorships begin at $300.