What's Inside...

• FRI: River Street

• SAT: Gardens & Stargazing

• SUN: Balboa Artwalk

  • Trivia Question?

  • Coffee Flights

  • Around Town

  • Plan Ahead in June

  • Live Music

🗓️ This Weekend’s Picks

»» FRIDAY
River Street, Cowboy Cool

If your Friday night needs a little yeehaw energy (and a great cocktail), head to River Street in San Juan Capistrano. It’s got cowboy-chic charm and more spots to sip, shop, and snack than you can hit in one night.

After strolling around the place, we ended up at La Vaquera, where Jason ordered the Swallow’s Dive - a smoky mezcal cocktail inspired by San Juan’s famous cliff swallows. It was so good he’s now on a mission to recreate it at home!

A few days later, I went back with my friend Patty. We browsed cowboy boots and western gear before landing at The Meat Cellar for a Lemongrass Margarita (bright, refreshing), a rather unusual artichoke-based Cynar Julep cocktail, and some seriously satisfying Poutine.

Pro tip: Wear a cowboy hat and boots to really be part of the scene!

🤔 Trivia

Which indigenous tribe lived and worked at Mission San Juan Capistrano?

A) Tongva
B) Chumash
C) Acjachemen
D) Kumeyaay

(Scroll to bottom for answer)

☕ Espresso Yourself

Coffee Flights Have Landed

We kicked off our Saturday morning at Redshift Coffee Roasters, where coffee flights are a full-on tasting experience. Four beverages, each with its own personality, lined up and ready to be judged.

Jason’s pick? The cold brew - bold, smooth, and made with beans from Papua New Guinea.

I was all about the latte: foam art and just the right balance. The Tanzanian bean pour-over had delicate floral notes that made us feel (briefly) sophisticated and a Colombian espresso that could wake the dead 🧟‍♂️

For $10.99, they’re generous pours and a fun way to caffeinate your morning.

We’re not the only ones on the coffee flight train - Yelp says searches are up 3,255%. So yes, we’re trendy. And a little wired.

Redshift Coffee Roasters, 20771 Lake Forest Dr., Unit A, Lake Forest. redshift.coffee

📍Around Town

Take a Hike! This canyon looks imported from Sedona, but it’s hiding in Foothill Ranch. Tucked into a quiet corner of Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Red Rock Canyon serves up red sandstone cliffs and a pinch-me-this-can’t-be-OC vibe in less than 60 mins. Start at 26701 Portola Pkwy, right next to Ralphs in Foothill Ranch (look far to your left!)

The Real Housewives of Orange County was officially renewed for Season 19, and it's already shaping up to be a hot mess. Tamra Judge reportedly stormed off after a blowout with Gretchen Rossi who’s back in the mix, and Shannon Beador’s DUI drama is flaring up again.

Volunteer … Whether you're into planting gardens, painting schools, assembling care packages, or teaching tech to seniors, LOVE Mission Viejo has a project with your name on it. May 17, Mission Viejo. Sign up here

✏️ Plan Ahead

🧼 Craft fizzy bath bombs and artisan soaps in this 3-part class. Colorful, giftable, and way more fun than store-bought. Starts June 11 at Potocki Center for the Arts, Mission Viejo. Sign up here. 

🎭 There’s a new mystery play opening June 11 at Laguna Playhouse - Peril in the Alps. It’s a funny whodunnit with one detective, a mountain kidnapping, and six actors playing a bunch of over-the-top characters.

🎤 Summer Concert Season Is Nearly Here…

>May 23, Laguna Beach at Heisler Park, Lia Booth (Jazz)
>May 30, Laguna Beach at Heisler Park, Gypsy Beatles (Gypsy Jazz)
>June 5, Laguna Woods at The Clubhouse1; Tom Jones tribute
>June 6, Laguna Beach at Heisler Park, Twanguero (Latin rockabilly)
>June 6, Laguna Niguel at Crown Valley Park, James Kelly Band
>June 7, Irvine at Great Park Live, Swift Nation
>June 8, Aliso Viejo at Grane Park, Tijuana Dogs

🎶🎶 Live Music

Call before you go, just in case.

COTO DE CAZA 
Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club
May 17 - Mike Silvestri, 5pm

DANA POINT 
Aventura Sailing Association
May 17 - Brandon Wildish, 4–9pm
Brio Tuscany Grille
May 17 - 3 Sisters Band, 7pm
Hennessey’s Tavern – Dana Point
May 17 - The Creepers, 1–5pm
May 17 - Live Music, 9pm–1am
StillWater Spirits & Sounds
May 17 - Sega Genecide $10 Cover, 9pm
May 18 - Grateful Jam, 2pm
Luxe Restaurant and Martini Bar
May 17 - Allen Takatsuka, 6–9pm
The Rib Joint
May 17 - Diana Drake Trio, 6:30–9:30pm
May 18 - Terry & Tina and Friends, 5–8pm

FOOTHILL RANCH
Center Bar & Grill
May 17 - Burden of Groove, 6–9pm
May 18 - Eod - End On Destroy, 6:30–10pm

LAGUNA BEACH
Evan’s Gourmet
May 17 - Anesha Rose, 5:30–8:30pm
May 18 - Story Time with Mijo, 11am–2pm
Marine Room
May 17 - Nicolas Fresard, 9pm–1am
May 18 - Leo Vigil, 8pm–12am
McClain Cellars
May 18 - Duke Paul: Live Music and Great Wine, 9:30pm
Mozambique – Ivan'z Room
May 17 - The Brightsiders, 9pm
May 18 - Reggae Sunday: Lesterfari Kings Music, 8pm
The Cliff Restaurant
May 17 - Party Foul, 7–10pm
May 18 - A COUPLE OF HERETICS, 5–8pm
The Drake
May 17 - The Jazz Cartel, 6:30–10:30pm
May 18 - Crystal Clulee, 5:30–9:30pm
The Ranch at Laguna Beach
May 17 - Blind Melody, 11am–3pm
May 17 - Jeff Livingstone, 4–8pm
May 18 - The Battles, 11am–3pm
May 18 - Brian Stodart, 4–8pm
Sandpiper Lounge
May 18 - The Heat, 9:30pm–1am

LAGUNA HILLS
Neighbors Bar & Grille
May 17 - Open Rebellion, 7–10pm
May 18 - School of Rock, 3–5pm

LAGUNA NIGUEL
Bricco Cucina & Wine Bar
May 17 - Anthony Starble, 6–10pm
Knolls Restaurant
May 17 - Pinch Me! Band, 6pm
May 17 - Pinch Me! Band, 6–10pm
May 18 - Eric Torres, 2–6pm

LAKE FOREST
Bigshots Billiards Bar & Grill
May 17 - Big City Hillbillies, 8:30pm
May 18 - Country Sunday Line Dancing, 8pm
Our Place
May 17 - Creedence and Company, 8–11pm
May 18 - Steve Clark, 3–6pm
The Rush Bar and Grill
May 17 - Live Music, 9pm–12am

MISSION VIEJO
Costello's Neighborhood Tavern
May 17 - Soundcake, 8:30pm
Kaleidoscope
May 17 - Steven Shaw, 6–9pm
Mission Viejo Farmers Market
May 17 - Joe Blanchard, 9am
Pub Thirty-Two
May 17 - Dan Forster, 7–10pm

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
Alza Italian Kitchen
May 17 - Vintage Vinyl, 6pm
May 18 - Gabriel Soriano, 11am
Daily’s Sports Grill
May 17 - Typical Gypsys, 8pm
May 17 - Typical Gypsys, 8–11pm

SAN CLEMENTE
Barnoa Wine Company
May 17 - Suitcase Johnnie, 6:30–9:30pm
BeachFire Bar & Grill
May 17 - Charles Fullwood, 2pm
May 17 - REN, 8pm
The Cellar
May 17 - Tiger Smith, 7–10pm
May 18 - Rabbi Blue Brunch, 10am

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
San Juan Hills Golf Course
May 17 - John Fullwood, 6–9pm
Swallow’s Inn
May 17 - Bad Habit, 2–6pm
May 17 - Coyote Rebel, 9pm–1am
May 18 - Soundcake, 2–6pm
Tavern At The Mission
May 18 - Mike Hamilton, 11:30am–3pm
The BrewHouse
May 18 - Rasta Fuego, 3–6pm
The Coach House
May 17 - Through Being Cool, 8pm
May 17 - Dead Man’s Party, 9pm
May 18 - The Day The Music Didn’t Die, 9pm
The Station
May 17 - From The Soul With Anora, Shea Givens & Discount Art, 8pm
Trevor’s at the Tracks
May 17 - Jeff Brinkman, 11am
May 17 - Bruddah Adrian, 3pm
May 17 - Evolution Station, 7pm
May 18 - Paul Lemire, 11am
May 18 - Land of SG, 2pm
May 18 - Poul Pederson Duo, 6pm

TRABUCO CANYON
Cook’s Corner
May 17 - Hempstring Orchestra, 12pm
May 18 - King Camino, 12pm

About us: Lorna’s a rescue dog advocate with four pups at home (yes, the vacuum’s always running). Jason’s a Brit who once windsurfed into a sea urchin reef and fell right on top of it — ask him about the lemon juice and candle wax needed to remove them. We started The Scene because life’s short, and there’s so much to see, do, and savor! Thanks for letting us be part of your weekend!