Well hello {{first name | there}}!

This is a good weekend to get out in South OC. If you’re looking for something better than the usual brunch loop, we mapped out a plan worth stealing: an easy ocean-view hike followed by coffee tucked into a canyon that feels a world away. Keep scrolling.

🎨 Speaking of canyons, last week we recommended “Art in the Canyon” a guided watercolor class with Sawdust artists. We heard that it filled up in minutes. So here’s a another chance to sign up for their April 30th or May 16th classes, but HURRY!

A few other things worth highlighting:

🎹 Bon Jovi Tribute - the nation’s #1 tribute band will be at The Coach House this weekend (but I’ve heard tickets are going fast).

🍷 OC Food & Wine Celebration at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach offers unlimited wine, craft beer and gourmet bites benefiting local kids in need. April 11. Save $10 with code SCENE.

🎭 Who doesn’t love The Sound of Music? It’s at Segerstrom Hall from June 2-14.

To all the new readers, welcome to The Scene… Our motto is: the more you know, the more you’ll go. That’s what this newsletter is all about, sharing ideas big and small to make it easier (and more fun) to get out and enjoy OC.

See you out there!
Lorna & Jason

🌸 Easter Celebration at River Street Marketplace
Scavenger hunt, egg decorating, and a Bunny visit for photos.
Fri, Apr 3 | 11:30am–4pm | River Street, San Juan Capistrano

🌿 Plants Among Us: Red Rock Wilderness Hike
A free guided 2-mile hike to learn native vs. non-native plants and what’s growing around you. Easy hike. Registration required.
Fri, Apr 3 | 9–11:30 am | Red Rock Wilderness, Irvine

🤠 Cowboy Canyon Nights
Line dancing, local vendors, and wine under the stars at one of OC’s most scenic vineyard settings.
Fri, Apr 3 | 6–10 pm | Giracci Vineyards, Silverado

🌅 Sunset Sounds at Doheny
Live music by American Standard right on the sand with ocean views and an easy, end-of-day vibe.
Fri, Apr 3 | 4–6:30 pm | Doho Café at Doheny State Beach, Dana Point

🇯🇵 OC Japan Fair
One of SoCal’s biggest Japanese cultural festivals with food vendors, cosplay, live performances, tuna cutting shows, and plenty to explore.
Apr 3–5, 2026 | OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa

🎶 🎶 Checkout aall of this weekend’s Live Music Options

➡️ NEXT WEEK
Scroll down to see events happening next week and beyond.

🎸 Bon Jovi Fans, This One’s for You
The nation’s top Bon Jovi tribute band brings the arena rock energy with all the sing-along anthems you know and love.
Sat, Apr 4 | 8pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano

🐰 Easter Egg Hunts & Spring Celebrations:
Dana Point Pines Park & Sea Canyon Park 8–10:30am
San Clemente Vista Hermosa Sports Park 9am–12pm
Underwater Egg Hunt San Clemente Aquatics Center 2–4pm
Rancho Mission Viejo The Pavilion 10am–1pm

🏀 March Madness at The Deck
Catch the games on the patio at Montanoso’s with free admission and light refreshments during each matchup.
Apr 4 | 3pm | Montanoso’s The Deck, Mission Viejo

🕊️ Historic Home Tour & Garden Tea
Tour a beautifully preserved historic home, then browse a one-day garden sale filled with antique furniture, books, and vintage finds.
Sat, Apr 4 | 11am–3pm | Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House, Santa Ana

🎨 Downtown Santa Ana Art Walk
Live music, DJs, art shows, vendor pop-ups, and dancing in the streets turn DTSA into one big creative playground for the night.
Sat, Apr 4 | 5–10pm | Downtown Santa Ana, Santa Ana

🥾 Skip the Brunch, Hit the Trail
Before you drop $195 on eggs and pancakes, pack a picnic and get outside. We rounded up 17 easy, scenic walks across South OC’s coastal paths and canyon trails, all with zero reservations required!
Sun, Apr 5 | Anytime | Various Locations, South OC

🐣 Easter Egg Hunt at Hangar 24
Bring the kids, grab a drink, and let them loose on a laid-back egg hunt while you enjoy the patio vibes. Easy, festive, and actually fun for adults too.
Sun, Apr 20 | 11am –6pm | Hangar 24 OC, Irvine

⛪ Easter Sunday Services
Whether it’s a quiet reflection or a full choir and live band, churches across South OC are hosting Easter services all morning. Some well-known churches are:
Mariners Church in Irvine
Saddleback Church in Lake Forest
Saint Timothy’s in Laguna Niguel
Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano

🌼 Sunshine Daydream
A laid-back spring gathering with live music, local brews, vendors, and plenty for kids to roam, craft, and explore, plus Peace Pizza and a full café lineup.
Sun, Apr 5 | 3-8pm | The Ecology Center | San Juan Capistrano

🎶 🎶 Checkout all of this weekend’s Live Music Options

➡️ NEXT WEEK
Scroll down to see events happening next week and beyond.

Easy Ocean Hike +
Hidden Canyon Gem
= Weekend Perfection

If your ideal day includes ocean views, zero parking stress, and ending somewhere that feels like a resort, this one’s for you.

Start with an easy scenic hike above the coastline, then shift gears into canyon views, live music, and a glass of wine, or coffee, depending on the time of day.

Head to Badlands Park in Laguna Niguel for a 2.5-mile easy hike along the Laguna Ridge Trail. It delivers the kind of ocean views people dream about, minus the parking nightmare.

You’re up high, so you get that full sweep of the coastline. It’s quiet, easy and breezy and parking is free along a residential street. It’s also just the right amount of movement for a weekend Just enough to feel like you’ve earned whatever comes next.

📍 Badlands Park: 31671 Isle Vista, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
🗺️ Trail map
🌞 Not a lot of shade on this one, so wear a hat and sunscreen

From there, drive about 5 miles to The Ranch at Laguna Beach. This one is so hidden there’s a good chance you’ll drive right past the entrance (like we did, even with navigation on).

The setting is gorgeous. You’re tucked into a canyon with mountains all around and a golf course view. It seems more Kauai than Orange County.

Two dining options:

Valet parking at The Ranch is complimentary, which is a small miracle in Laguna.

If you’re looking for a plan that feels thoughtful, relaxed, and enjoyable, this one’s hard to beat.

📍The Ranch: 31106 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
🗓️ Reserve a table at Harvest

Vesper is what a thoughtfully crafted cocktail feels like, without the alcohol or the next-day haze.

Pique's adaptogenic aperitif combines L-theanine, lemon balm, gentian root, damiana, and elderflower for a gentle mood lift and a clear, relaxed mind.

Try Vesper and get 10% off for life. 🍵🌿

Get 10% Off for Life

🧐 Trivia Answer:

✅ C — a Sailor and Author

Dana Point is named in honor of Richard Henry Dana Jr., a 19th-century sailor and author who worked along the California coast in the 1830s. During his time here, he labored in the lucrative hide and tallow trade, famously hauling cowhides through the heavy surf to waiting ships offshore.

Dana later chronicled these experiences in his bestselling memoir, Two Years Before the Mast. The book became a national sensation, introducing many Americans to the beauty and potential of California for the first time. The area’s rugged coastline became so synonymous with his story that it was dubbed “Dana’s Point.”

Beyond his literary success, Dana transitioned into a career as a prominent lawyer. He dedicated much of his life to reforming maritime law, successfully advocating for safer working conditions and better treatment for sailors.

🎥 Watch the short video to learn more about the man behind the name.

Want more OC Trivia? Here’s a quiz.

🥱 Boring Stuff

Publication Disclaimer: Everything included here is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. It is always best to double-check links to be sure event information hasn’t changed if you plan on attending something.

*Affiliate Disclaimer: This publication contains affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We only share things we believe in. Anything you buy through our affiliate links supports the ongoing publication of The Scene. We greatly appreciate your trust in us. Thank you!

©️ 2025 The Scene: South OC | All content and information set forth above was created by Lorna Ladd and Jason Ladd and is the intellectual property of this publication. It is protected under US copyright law, including but not limited to “The Digital Millennium Copyright Act.” Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or duplication of any material, in whole or in part, without express written authorization & consent, is strictly prohibited by law and may result in legal action. Violators will be subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.