Happy Wednesday!
Before we get into this weekend, a few quick hits worth putting on your calendar now:
🎸 The Wailers tickets just went on sale! The Coach House opened ticket sales yesterday for the legendary reggae band that helped bring Bob Marley's music to the world. This one's likely to sell out, so grab your tickets while they're still available.
😂 Rita Rudner is coming to The Lido. Her take on marriage, aging and getting lucky hits a little differently once you’ve been married long enough to know exactly what she means. Get your tickets.
🎨 Make art in Laguna Canyon for free. Join Sawdust Festival artists for a beginner-friendly watercolor landscape workshop surrounded by nature. Registration required.
👻 We also have our guide to fall and Halloween ready with local home haunts and other fun fall events.
New to The Scene? Welcome! Our motto is simple: 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
Choosing care for a parent or loved one is one of the biggest decisions a family can make, and it rarely comes with a roadmap.
Assisted Living Locators helps South Orange County families find their way with local expertise, personal guidance, and access to trusted senior care options.
Jay, a Ladera Ranch resident, gets to know your loved one first: their needs, their preferences, and what matters most to them. From there, he helps you compare options and make a confident decision you can feel good about.
🗓️ THIS WEEKEND’S PICKS 🗓️
~~ FRIDAY OCT 16 ~~
🧛 Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
What happens when you mix Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale with Mel Brooks and Monty Python? A hilarious 90 minutes packed with clever wordplay and one dangerously sexy Count Dracula.
Fri, Oct 16–Sun, Nov 1 | Camino Real Playhouse, San Juan Capistrano
🎬 Coast Film Festival
Ten days of adventure films, documentaries, filmmaker events and outdoor storytelling take over Laguna Beach.
Fri, Oct 16–Sun, Oct 25 | Various venues, Laguna Beach
💃 Salsa Night at River Street
River Street Marketplace swaps shopping bags for dancing shoes with an evening of salsa music and dancing.
Fri, Oct 16 | From 6 pm | River Street Marketplace, San Juan Capistrano
☕ Coffee & Acoustic Concert at Casa Romantica
Corey Angeli performs an acoustic set inside San Clemente’s historic oceanfront home, with High Tide Coffee supplying the morning caffeine.
Fri, Oct 16 | 10–11 am | Casa Romantica, San Clemente
⚡ Whole Lotta Led Zepagain
Get the full Zeppelin treatment, from thunderous riffs and soaring vocals to the swagger of a classic ’70s arena show.
Fri, Oct 16 | 8 pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🎺 The Jazz Room
A live band travels back to 1920s New Orleans with hot jazz, ragtime, brass, blues and spontaneous improvisation.
Fri, Oct 16 | 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm | The Charleston, Fullerton
🩰 Shanghai Ballet Brings the Chinese Romeo + Juliet
Shanghai Ballet returns with The Butterfly Lovers, blending classical ballet with Chinese theatrical traditions.
Fri, Oct 16 | 8 pm | Irvine Barclay Theatre, Irvine
➡️ NEXT WEEK
Scroll down to see events happening next week and beyond.
~~ SATURDAY OCT 17 ~~
🎃 Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill
Heritage Hill gets a Halloween makeover with festive decorations, a straw maze, scavenger hunt and photo ops. Free event and parking.
Fri–Sun, Oct 16–18 & Oct 23–25 | 4:30–8:30 pm | Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest
🤠 Country Hitmaker David Nail
Grammy-nominated country singer David Nail brings “Whatever She’s Got,” “Red Light” and more to the Coach House.
Sat, Oct 17 | 8 pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🍜 Mega Night Market Takes Over Great Park Live
Asian street food, live music, DJs and traditional dance fill Great Park Live for a two-day celebration of Lao, Khmer, Hmong, Iu Mien, Thai, Vietnamese and other Asian cultures.
Sat–Sun, Oct 17–18 | 11 am–10 pm | Great Park Live, Irvine
💀 Día de los Muertos Night Market
Celebrate with food, local vendors, a beer garden, games and a kids play area at this family-friendly night market.
Sat, Oct 17 | 5–9 pm | North Paseo at Los Osos, Mission Viejo
🀄 Beginning Mahjong
Learn the game from scratch. No prior knowledge needed.
Sat, Oct 17 | 2–4 pm | Ladera Ranch Library, Ladera Ranch
🎃 Lake Eerie
Lake Mission Viejo’s annual Halloween event returns to the waterfront with a scary haunted house and lots of spooky-ish things for little kids. LMVA members and guests.
Sat, Oct 17 | 5–8:30 pm | Lake Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo
🎬 The Best of Hans Zimmer by Candlelight
The blockbuster scores of Interstellar, Gladiator, The Lion King and more get a candlelit string-quartet makeover. Save 10% with code SOUTHOC10.
Sat, Oct 17 | 6:15 pm | Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, Newport Beach
🧙 Witch & Warlock Ball
Dress for the occasion and party inside an 1889 Victorian mansion with dinner, a fortune teller, games, raffles, and prizes.
Sat, Oct 17 | 6–10 pm | Howe-Waffle House, Santa Ana
🐕 Dog Yoga at Dogapalooza
Downward dog meets actual dogs at this 45-minute outdoor flow. All levels welcome, with Dogapalooza’s vendors, music and pup pampering afterward.
Sat, Oct 17 | 10:30–11:15 am | Bump Out Park, Dana Point Harbor
🎃 Fall Harvest Festival
Bring the kids for bounce houses, community booths, and a costume parade at this family-friendly Halloween celebration.
Sat, Oct 17 | 4 pm | Grand Park, Aliso Viejo
~~ SUNDAY OCT 18 ~~
🎃 Haunted Halloween at the Inn
The Inn at the Mission goes spooky with trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, a makers market, live music, a costume contest and a Spookeasy Bar for the grown-ups.
Sun, Oct 18 | 4–8 pm | Inn at the Mission, San Juan Capistrano
🌿 Take an Aromatic Plant Walk Through Crown Valley
Follow a guided walk through Crown Valley Park focusing on fragrant plants and the scents hiding in the landscape.
Sun, Oct 18 | 1–2:30 pm | Crown Valley Park, Laguna Niguel
🥾 Outdoor Book Club: Read, Hike & Connect
This monthly book club takes reading outside with an easy hike to discuss Secrets of the Oak Woodlands, explore plants and wildlife from the book, then finish with guided meditation.
Sun, Oct 18 | 4–6 pm | Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange
🐦 Anaheim Coves Bird Walk
Explore this surprisingly bird-rich park along the Santa Ana River, home to shorebirds, waterfowl, wading birds, migrant songbirds and one of the county’s few inland tern colonies.
Sun, Oct 18 | 8 am–12 pm | Anaheim Coves, Anaheim
☕ Coffee Talks at Jedidiah Coffee
Grab a coffee and start your Sunday with artists, athletes, environmentalists and storytellers sharing interesting ideas and stories as part of the Coast Film Festival.
Sun, Oct 18 | 9–10 am | Jedidiah Coffee, Laguna Beach
🔧 Bring Your Broken Stuff to Repair Café OC
Bring a wobbly bike, broken lamp, torn jeans or other fixable casualty and volunteers will help you repair it instead of tossing it.
Sun, Oct 18 | 1–5 pm | Community Center, Mission Viejo
➡️ NEXT WEEK
Scroll down to see events happening next week and beyond.
A Quick Favor
Click the sponsor ad below. It’s an easy way to support The Scene at no cost to you (We get paid when you click, even if you don’t buy).
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Executive Order #14330 Could Impact Your Retirement Account |
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Your 401(k) may be about to change in a way most Americans haven’t heard about. |
|
President Trump's
Executive Order#14330
is pushing a major shift in how retirement plans can invest. |
| Read the Full Story |
Executive Order #14330 Could Impact Your Retirement Account |
|
|
|
Your 401(k) may be about to change in a way most Americans haven’t heard about. |
|
President Trump's
Executive Order#14330
is pushing a major shift in how retirement plans can invest. |
| Read the Full Story |
🤔 Trivia Time
🎬 Which Hollywood movie featured one of Crystal Cove’s historic beach cottages?
A. Summer Rental
B. The Beach House
C. Beaches
D. The Last Summer
(Scroll to bottom for answer)
🗓️ NEXT WEEK…
MONDAY OCT 19
🧠 Fact Up Trivia Night
Bring a team or sign up solo and get matched with fellow trivia players. Register at the service desk.
Mon, Oct 19 | 5–6:30 pm | San Clemente Library, San Clemente
🌸 Botanical Natural Dyeing Workshop
Use flowers, plants and natural materials to create wearable works of art.
Mon, Oct 19 | 5:30–8 pm | Potocki Center for the Arts, Mission Viejo
TUESDAY OCT 20
🎭 The Outsiders Hits OC
Winner of the 2024 Tony for Best Musical, The Outsiders is a gritty, high-energy story of friendship, rivalry and growing up on the wrong side of town.
Tue, Oct 20–Sun, Nov 1 | Showtimes vary | Segerstrom Hall, Costa Mesa
🌿 Fall Terrarium Workshop
Adults create a miniature fall landscape to take home. No registration required; space is limited.
Tue, Oct 20 | 5–6 pm | Dana Point Library, Dana Point
WEDNESDAY OCT 21
🍰 Pumpkin Tres Leches Cooking Demo
Learn how to give a classic Mexican cake an autumn twist at this adult cooking demonstration. No registration required.
Wed, Oct 21 | 5–6:30 pm | San Juan Capistrano Library, San Juan Capistrano
🐦 Sage Scrub Bird Walk
Stroll through Peters Canyon with an OC Parks volunteer looking for birds in the trees, scrub and around the reservoir. Bring binoculars; beginners are welcome.
Wed, Oct 21 | 7:30–9:30 am | Peters Canyon Regional Park, Orange
💀 Día de los Muertos at the Library
Make a sugar-skull piñata, learn about traditional altars and enjoy face painting and a family photo booth.
Wed, Oct 21 | 3:30–4:30 pm | Ladera Ranch Library, Ladera Ranch
🔔 Vibratorium Cosmic Sound Bath
Settle into a sound-and-color session with pillows, cushions and blankets provided. RSVP required.
Wed, Oct 21 | 7–8 pm | MATIZ Vibratorium, Mission Viejo
THURSDAY OCT 22
🎃 Halloween by Candlelight at the Nixon Library
A string quartet performs haunting favorites from The Exorcist, Psycho, Halloween, Beetlejuice and more inside the candlelit Nixon Library. Save 10% with code SOUTHOC10.
Thu, Oct 22 & 29 | 6:15 pm & 8:30 pm | Richard Nixon Library, Yorba Linda
👻 Dare to Walk Laguna Niguel’s Haunted Trails
Crown Valley Park turns seriously spooky after dark with elaborate haunted scenes, live actors and plenty of jump scares. Recommended for ages 10+.
Thu–Sun, Oct 22–25 | 6:30–9 pm | Crown Valley Park, Laguna Niguel
📖 Turn a Book into a Pumpkin
Fold book pages into a fall decoration, then add a stem and seasonal details. Supplies provided; registration required.
Thu, Oct 22 | 11 am–12:30 pm | San Juan Capistrano Library, San Juan Capistrano
🕯️ Candlelight: Bach to Beatles
Bach meets The Beatles, performed by a string quartet surrounded by thousands of candles. Save 10% with code SOUTHOC10.
Thu, Oct 22 | Times vary | The Ritz-Carlton, Dana Point
🕯️ Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay
A candlelit string tribute to Coldplay surrounded by thousands of candles. Save 10% with code SOUTHOC10.
Thu, Oct 22 | Times vary | The Ritz-Carlton, Dana Point
FRIDAY OCT 23
🏡 San Clemente Home Tour
Step inside a collection of San Clemente’s most beautiful private homes, with locations kept secret until tour day. The day also includes breakfast and lunch at the historic Casino, an artisan market and an after-party at Sonance Studio. Proceeds benefit San Clemente public schools.
Fri, Oct 23 | 9 am–4 pm + after-party | Casino San Clemente, San Clemente
🎭 The Outsiders Hits OC
Winner of the 2024 Tony for Best Musical, The Outsiders is a gritty, high-energy story of friendship, rivalry and growing up on the wrong side of town.
Through Sun, Nov 1 | Showtimes vary | Segerstrom Hall, Costa Mesa
🕯️ Halloween Classics by Candlelight
Hear eerie movie themes and Halloween favorites performed by a string quartet surrounded by thousands of candles. Save 10% with code SOUTHOC10.
Fri–Sat, Oct 23–24 | Times vary | Neighborhood Congregational Church, Laguna Beach
🎶 Concerts in the Canyon
The Coast Film & Music Festival closes out with three nights of music under the stars at the historic Irvine Bowl, featuring Rainbow Body on Friday, Ben Harper on Saturday and Amos Lee on Sunday, with Donavon Frankenreiter, G. Love and Lily Meola joining the weekend lineup.
Fri–Sun, Oct 23–25 | 6:30 pm | Irvine Bowl, Laguna Beach
🎭 The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
A funny, fast-moving musical about awkward kids, overzealous adults, and the high-stakes drama of spelling words under pressure.
Fri, Oct 23–Sun, Nov 1 | McKinney Theatre, Mission Viejo
🎹 The Voice Behind The Rascals
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Felix Cavaliere performs songs from the blue-eyed soul group behind “Good Lovin’” and “Groovin’.”
Fri, Oct 23 | Doors 6 pm, show 8 pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
SATURDAY OCT 24
🔮 Halloween After Dark at the Museum of Make Believe
The whimsical Laguna Beach museum gets a spooky after-hours makeover with a brand-new invisible ink treasure hunt, magician Alex O’Connor, tarot readings, sweet treats, games and photo ops.
Sat, Oct 24 | 7–10 pm | Museum of Make Believe, Laguna Beach
🕯️ Halloween Classics by Candlelight
Hear eerie movie themes and Halloween favorites performed by a string quartet surrounded by thousands of candles. Save 10% with code SOUTHOC10.
Sat, Oct 24 | Times vary | Neighborhood Congregational Church, Laguna Beach
🎃 Motel Mini Market’s Halloween Market
A costume contest, mini pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving and painting, local vendors, music, face painting and tarot turn High Tide into a Halloween hangout.
Sat, Oct 24 | 4–8 pm | High Tide Coffee, San Clemente
🪔 Ektaa Diwali Fest
Indian music, cultural performances, food, shopping and henna fill Great Park Live. Lamp lighting at 7 pm is followed by a drone show.
Sat, Oct 24 | 1–9 pm | Great Park Live, Irvine
💀 Día de los Muertos Festival
Celebrate with mariachi music, folklórico dancers, community ofrendas, face painting, crafts, food, artisan vendors and a new live butterfly experience.
Sat, Oct 24 | 2–7 pm | Murray Community Center, Mission Viejo
🎸 Gregg Allman’s Music Lives On
A full ensemble celebrates Gregg Allman’s Southern rock, blues and soul catalog at the Coach House.
Sat, Oct 24 | 8 pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🪴 Plant Swap & Adopt
Swap plants and find something new to bring home during this all-ages gardening event.
Sat, Oct 24 | 2 pm | Dana Point Library, Dana Point
SUNDAY OCT 25
🎃 Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill
Heritage Hill gets a Halloween makeover with festive decorations, a straw maze, scavenger hunt, photo ops and family-friendly activities. Free event and parking.
Fri–Sun, Oct 23–25 | 4:30–8:30 pm | Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest
🧘 Nature Meditation Walk & Tea Ceremony
Walk less than a mile on relatively flat terrain, pause for mindfulness exercises and finish with a tea ceremony. Ages 10+.
Sun, Oct 25 | 9–11 am | Aliso & Wood Canyons Visitor Center, Laguna Niguel
🌿 Family Hike to Barbara’s Lake
An easy 2.5-mile naturalist-led hike heads through the preserve to Barbara’s Lake and back. Ages 6+.
Sun, Oct 25 | 3–5 pm | James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Beach
🎙️ Sinatra + Nat King Cole by Candlelight
Old-school crooner classics fill the restored Lido Theater with a candlelit tribute to Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.
Sun, Oct 25 | 5:30 pm & 7:45 pm | The Lido Theater, Newport Beach
🥁 Full Moon Drum Circle at Aliso Creek
Community drum circle on the beach—bring a drum (or just listen) and join in under the full moon. All levels welcome.
Sun, Oct 25 | 7–10 pm | Aliso Creek Beach (just south of Montage), Laguna Beach
🎤 Malini Awasthi at Soka
One of India’s celebrated folk voices brings the musical traditions of North India to Soka’s Concert Hall.
Sun, Oct 25 | 6:30 pm | Soka Performing Arts Center, Aliso Viejo
📸 This Week’s Snapshot
Halloween Family Photo Ops !
We love Halloween: all the decorations, the costumes, the haunted houses.
A cute place we found last year that had plenty of lights and lots of history was Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill.
They have so many places set up for photoshoots. Arrive just as it’s getting dark so that you can quickly move around from set to set, but still get all that eery ambiance!
It’s an ideal place to take young kids as it’s not too much walking and not too scary. Plus there’s a little straw maze, scavenger hunt, and some crafting stations to try.
Insider tip: If you’re interested in the history the park offers, we recommend NOT going during this time as it gets quite busy. But if you want to take kids/grandkids or need a great spot for a photo, this is your place.
And… it’s a free event with parking at the adjacent shopping area.
🎃 Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill
Fri–Sun, Oct 16–18 & Oct 23–25 | 4:30–8:30 pm
📍 Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest
PS. It’s also a fascinating park to visit when it’s not Halloween. Lot’s of interesting facts to learn about early life in Orange County.
About Us:
Lorna’s an OC native who has lived in Spain, France and New Zealand but always returns home for the tacos, the trails, and the beautiful tree-lined streets of Mission Viejo.
Jason’s a Brit who swapped pub life for paddleboards and now splits his time between aquascaping and crafting perfect cocktails. We started The Scene because there’s so much to see, do, and savor in South OC. And we want you to enjoy it too.
Thanks for letting us be a small part of your weekend.
In Case You Missed It
🍝 Bring your own bowl and your pasta is free Oct 17 at Eat Pasta Viva
🧟 Haunted Houses and Halloween Events in South OC
☕ Black Rock Coffee, a 200+ chain, will take over a former Sonic location in Mission Viejo
🗳️ Election reminder: Oct 19 is the deadline to register
🧐 Trivia Answer:
✅ C. Beaches (1988) 🎬
Long before Crystal Cove became one of OC’s favorite beach escapes, it was Hollywood’s tropical backlot.
In the 1920s, studios trucked in palm trees and built thatched huts to make the coastline look like Hawaii or Tahiti. Some of those movie sets eventually became vacation cottages.
Photo Credit: Orange County Insiders
Over the decades, Crystal Cove appeared in films including Treasure Island (1918), Rain (1932), To Have and Have Not (1944) starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Herbie Rides Again (1974), and A Few Good Men (1992) with Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.
But its most famous starring role came in Beaches (1988), when Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey filmed at Cottage #13.
Today, Crystal Cove State Park is home to 46 historic beachfront cottages, with 24 available for overnight rentals. Cottage #13 is now the Beaches Film & Media Center, and you can still visit its famous front porch.
🏖️ Tips for Booking a Crystal Cove Cottage
Create an account at Reserve California.
Search for Crystal Cove SP Beach Cottages.
Log in just before 8 am, when new reservations are released.
Book 6 months ahead: New dates open daily at 8 am, six months out.
Watch for cancellations: Check the reservation calendar frequently for last-minute openings.
Insider trick: Stop by Cottage #35 at 11 am to ask about same-day cancellations that aren't available online.
It’s a Wrap!
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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.
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©️ 2026 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.