Logo
Live Music
Plan Ahead
Farmers Markets
Holiday
Advertise
SUBSCRIBE
Search
Holiday Lights: South OC

Holiday Lights: South OC

Here’s the rundown of the best home light displays along with public venues that really shine.

The Dive Bar Behind Orange County's Wildest Tradition

The Dive Bar Behind Orange County's Wildest Tradition

Behind the walls of this longtime Laguna Niguel bar is a history of loyal locals, live music, and t"The Mooning of the Amtrak" police still prepare for every July.

Holiday Light Tour in South OC

Holiday Light Tour in South OC

Looking for a fun, free night out? Take a self-guided spin through South OC’s most dazzling holiday home light displays.

17 EASY Walks in South Orange County

17 EASY Walks in South Orange County

These beginner-friendly favorites are perfect for clearing your head and enjoying the outdoors at your own pace.

The Cheapest Waterfront Dining You’ll Find in South OC

The Cheapest Waterfront Dining You’ll Find in South OC

Sip your latte with front-row harbor views, no reservation required. If you’re hunting for a coffee spot that brings the harbor view and great food, look no further than Coffee Importers in Dana Point.

MOST POPULAR


The Power Couple of South OC

The Power Couple of South OC

They built a ranching empire. She painted the hills. Today, their legacy lives on at a local museum and a brand-new hotel where history checks in with happy hour.

Brunch at the End of the Oso Creek Trail

Brunch at the End of the Oso Creek Trail

Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo is one of our favorite ways to start a weekend—not because it’s a cardio challenge, but because it’s a peaceful, flower-lined walk that just so happens to end with one of the best brunch patios in all of Orange County.

This OC Canyon Is Named After a World-Famous Actress

This OC Canyon Is Named After a World-Famous Actress

South Orange County’s Modjeska Canyon holds the story of a Major Celebrity, and one of the county’s only National Historic Landmarks.

MOST POPULAR FEATURES


The Power Couple of South OC

The Power Couple of South OC

They built a ranching empire. She painted the hills. Today, their legacy lives on at a local museum and a brand-new hotel where history checks in with happy hour.

Brunch at the End of the Oso Creek Trail

Brunch at the End of the Oso Creek Trail

Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo is one of our favorite ways to start a weekend—not because it’s a cardio challenge, but because it’s a peaceful, flower-lined walk that just so happens to end with one of the best brunch patios in all of Orange County.

This OC Canyon Is Named After a World-Famous Actress

This OC Canyon Is Named After a World-Famous Actress

South Orange County’s Modjeska Canyon holds the story of a Major Celebrity, and one of the county’s only National Historic Landmarks.

BARS & SPEAKEASIES

We Hit Every Tiki Bar in OC — Here’s the Best (and the Worst)

We Hit Every Tiki Bar in OC — Here’s the Best (and the Worst)

From Polynesian escapes to nautical speakeasies and retro mid-century hideouts, here’s what makes each Orange County tiki bar unique.

A Japanese Speakeasy in San Clemente!

A Japanese Speakeasy in San Clemente!

You’ll walk into a very unassuming building, check-in by ‘the bookcase’, before being ushered up a hidden staircase...

1920s Speakeasy in San Clemente

1920s Speakeasy in San Clemente

Last night, we walked through a hidden door, rang a mysterious bell, and got sized up through a peephole - and suddenly, we were transported to the 1920’s.

Restaurants

Hikes & Trails

Coffee & Bakeries

Sip Your Latte in a National Historic Landmark Steeped in Legend

Sip Your Latte in a National Historic Landmark Steeped in Legend

Ellie’s Table: A Café Inside San Juan Capistrano’s Egan House Just Down From The Mission

Coffee for the Indecisive

Coffee for the Indecisive

Coffee Flights have landed at Redshift Coffee Roasters in Lake Forest

This Chef Went Viral on Instagram—Then Opened The Best Bakery in Orange County

This Chef Went Viral on Instagram—Then Opened The Best Bakery in Orange County

Instagram Made Him Famous—But the Pastries Made Him a Legend. Welcome to Diotima Bakehouse in Mission Viejo.

THE SCENE: South OC

Sign up for a curated roundup of hidden patio bars, best happy hours, secret gardens, local trails and everything worth doing in South Orange County.

📬 Join the list for weekly picks.
The more you know, the more you’ll go!

Home

Archive

Subscribe

Live Music

Plan Ahead

Farmers Market

Volunteer

Advertise

Subscribe!

© 2025 The Scene: South OC.

Privacy policy

Terms of use

Powered by beehiiv