Jason Ladd

This Famous Chef Built the Best Bakery in Orange County

How one local baker turned social media fame into the best pastry shop in Orange County. Plus, lanterns floating at sunset, beers poured by the harbor and walking in nature.

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Bacon Cotton Candy & Frog Legs?! 🐸

The OC Fair is back—with the wildest menu yet. Also secret comedy in Laguna Hills and vineyard jazz in Silverado Canyon. Plus: Costco's opening its first-ever stand-alone gas station in Mission Viejo

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ChatGPT Roasts South OC

From Shakespeare in the park to a hidden spring in Silverado, this weekend’s guide has your South OC plans covered. Plus: the surprisingly hilarious trend of letting ChatGPT roast your hometown.

Fireworks Guide: South OC

Celebrate July 4th weekend in South OC with fireworks by the beach, water wars in the harbor, drone shows, live concerts, garden strolls, kayak tours, candle workshops, and more.

OC's Coolest Brewery?

Sip bold beer beneath a vintage Model T, then line dance at Dana Point Harbor, plant a salad bowl garden, stroll a pup-packed trail, and catch Symphony under the stars.

Secret Garden

Crunch into OC’s best artisan sourdough, snag an invite to a hidden-garden picnic, float through a crystal-bowl solstice sound bath, scan the skies on an Aliso Creek bird walk, and ride the vibe at Doheny’s Surf & Art Fest.

Poe Me A Drink...

Drink a raven-blue cocktail at the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy (yes, in a cemetery chapel), then breathe deep on a mindfulness hike, wander Books & Blooms, sing along to “Rocket Man” lakeside, and choose Dad’s day: bourbon-smoked BBQ, a dad-joke trail, or a soul-soothing sound bath.

Try Something New!

Try something new this weekend - tap into your inner dancer, chef, sailor, or artist. Then stroll an art festival under the oaks, or dive into a hidden swim cove in Laguna. Plus: moonlit hikes, live music, and pints at a reimagined Irish pub.

Speakeasy Does It

Sip wine under canyon oaks, catch classical strings in the park and wrap the night with moody cocktails behind a speakeasy hidden door. AND... South OC's most popular donut shops!

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Vintage Finds & Starry Nights

Bargain hunting on San Clemente’s Thrift Row, jazz under the stars in Laguna, and line dancing in Mission Viejo lead the weekend lineup. Plus: a chili cook-off, Memorial Day festivities, and a guided hike through the “Grand Canyon of OC.”

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Coffee Flights Have Landed

We finally checked out River Street in San Juan Capistrano - it was all 'Western charm' and a smoky mezcal cocktail we’re still thinking about. We also sipped our way through a four-drink coffee flight in Lake Forest and rounded up weekend plans that include secret gardens, stargazing, and a Balboa art walk. Plus: Housewives of OC drama, live music, and local events worth changing out of sweats for.

Best Choc Chip Cookies in South OC

This week in The Scene: we ranked South OC’s best chocolate chip cookies (yes, we tried them all), scoped out Mother’s Day plans from harbor cruises to lakeside picnics, and found a secret swing with a view. Plus: city drama, live music, and local events worth changing out of sweats for.

This Weekend = Muy Bueno

Cinco de Mayo takes over with taco fiestas, tequila tastings, and margaritas worth the salt rim, and free pickleball! Plus: a pop-up café at the iconic Lido Theater, a gorgeous art walk in Laguna Beach and a 'May the Fourth be With You' celebration in Mission Viejo.

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Tahini Latte - what's that ?

Your weekly roundup of what’s actually worth doing in South OC. Think hidden gardens, live music, rooftop bars, and great happy hours with people that don't make you feel old. And yes, all within a short drive. Each week features something different - so it’s never the same. Just a quick read, in and out in 3 minutes.

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Jason Ladd

This Famous Chef Built the Best Bakery in Orange County

Bacon Cotton Candy & Frog Legs?! 🐸

ChatGPT Roasts South OC

Fireworks Guide: South OC

OC's Coolest Brewery?

Secret Garden

Poe Me A Drink...

Try Something New!

Speakeasy Does It

Vintage Finds & Starry Nights

Coffee Flights Have Landed

Best Choc Chip Cookies in South OC

This Weekend = Muy Bueno

Tahini Latte - what's that ?

THE SCENE: South OC

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