Hey friend, life moves fast, and it’s easy to fall into the same-old routine… same restaurants, same errands, same nights at home.

But here’s what we’ve found: The more you know, the more you go. That’s the heart of this newsletter — giving you ideas big and small that make it easier to get out, and enjoy South OC.

Now that it’s September, Halloween season is officially on. Start with the Black Star Canyon Ghost Walk, then keep it going with Drinkspeare in San Clemente and a Corn Moon hike in Laguna. We’re brewing up a special section with haunted houses and other spooky picks—coming soon.

~~ SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6th ~~

👻 Black Star Canyon Ghost Walk Hike three miles into one of OC’s most infamous canyons after dark, guided by naturalist Joel Robinson. Hear tales of Spanish soldiers, bandits, and restless spirits while watching for owls, tarantulas, and glowworms along the trail.
September 6 | 7pm | Black Star Canyon, Silverado

🎶 Tchaikovsky Spectacular Enjoy an evening with the Pacific Symphony at Great Park Live, featuring pianist Natasha Paremski in Piano Concerto No. 1, the stormy Francesca da Rimini, and a fireworks-lit 1812 Overture finale. Ticket prices start at $44.
September 6 | 8pm | Great Park Live, Irvine

⛵ Dana Point Charity Regatta The harbor comes alive as Dana Point Yacht Club hosts its annual weekend of sails, cornhole, and community fun—raising funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley.
September 6–7 | Dana Point

😂 Secret Comedy A secret pop-up comedy show lands in Irvine — location revealed day of event. Expect a killer lineup of comics in an unexpected venue.
Saturday, September 6 | 8pm | Secret Location, Irvine

🌝 Corn Moon Sunset Hike Catch golden-hour ocean views that feel straight out of Hawaii on this guided sunset hike in Laguna Coast Wilderness. A moderate climb (5–8 miles, 800+ ft gain) rewards you with sweeping cliffs and a rising full moon over the ridge. Space is limited—RSVP required.
September 6 | 5pm | Boat Canyon, Laguna Beach

🌽 Mission Viejo Farmers Market A Saturday staple with fresh produce, live music, and handmade finds—easy to wander with coffee in hand.
Saturdays | 9am–1pm | 25282 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo

Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD!

🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options

~~ SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7th ~~

📖 Stories of San Clemente’s Past Step inside Casa Romantica to hear stories of San Clemente’s founding, Ole Hanson’s dream of a “Spanish Village by the Sea,” and the landmark’s one-of-a-kind architecture.
September 7 | 10am–2pm | Casa Romantica, San Clemente

🎃 Roger’s Gardens Midnight Market Step into a spellbinding Halloween boutique where smoldering pumpkins, gleaming cauldrons, and eerie treasures set the mood for spooky season. OC’s most famous fall tradition returns with a marketplace of magic, mystery, and décor you won’t find anywhere else.
Through October 31st | 9am–6pm daily | Roger’s Gardens, Corona del Mar

🎶 Greek Blues at the Museum Immerse yourself in the stirring sounds of Rebetiko—often called “The Greek Blues”—as the acclaimed trio performs a blend of Greek, Byzantine, European, and Ottoman traditions inside the Laguna Art Museum.
September 7 | 1–2pm | Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach

🐾 Unleashed at Montage Laguna Beach Celebrate senior and special-needs pups with Unconditional Rescue’s oceanfront fundraiser. Expect gourmet bites, cocktails, and sunset views on the Montage lawn—dogs welcome.
September 7 | 5–10pm | Montage Laguna Beach

👵👴 Grandparents Day Celebration Celebrate Grandparents Day with crafts, a photo booth, and a special visit from the Orange County Bird of Prey Center. Designed for kids 2.5–9 and their grandparents; pre-registration required.
September 7 | 10–11:30am | Crown Valley Community Center, Laguna Niguel

Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD!

🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options

🦄 NICE NEWS…

🎆 Disney Honors Its Longest Serving Employee
At 92, Henry “Hank” Ameen was honored this week as Disneyland’s longest-serving Cast Member. First hired in 1958 as a Jungle Cruise skipper, he now works as a Resort firefighter overseeing the nightly fireworks—still keeping the magic alive after six decades.

🏄 USA Surfing Eyes 2028 Olympics
San Clemente–based USA Surfing is aiming to run the Olympic surfing competition at Lower Trestles in 2028—a hometown dream for the sport’s biggest stage but there’s competition. Backing the bid, San Clemente City Council passed a resolution of support as the U.S. Olympic Committee weighs its decision later this year.

📚 Fresh Chapters for OC Libraries
 Dana Point Library reopens Sept 4 after a $6.2M renovation—the first since 1977—with new study rooms, a teen space, and a program hall. Meanwhile, Irvine has launched its own library system, debuting refreshed Heritage Park and University Park branches stocked with a “Library of Things,” from telescopes to bike-repair kits.

🐬Pod of 100 Dolphins Dazzle Boat Passengers
A pod of about 100 dolphins delighted boaters just off the Newport Beach coast coast—nature’s gentle reminder of our coastal magic. Check them out.

🌊 Access for All at The Wedge
Newport Beach’s iconic surf spot, The Wedge, is set to become accessible for people with disabilities thanks to a newly approved project. A 200-foot concrete pathway and 10-foot viewing pad will soon let everyone take in the action.

💧 Laguna Beach Taps Into Its Own Water
Laguna Beach just scored a big win for the future—new wells in Fountain Valley and a desal project in Dana Point mean the city will soon get most of its water locally instead of relying on far-off sources. The shift could save about $1 million a year.

✏️ PLAN AHEAD…

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🧐 Trivia Answer:
✅ Answer: A) Dana Point
Dana Point has a special place in surf history—it’s where Hobie Alter opened Southern California’s first surf shop in 1954. From shaping the modern foam surfboard to popularizing catamarans, Hobie helped put Dana Point on the map as a hub of surf culture. Today the city still celebrates that legacy with the Ocean Institute, tall ships festival, and the harbor.

🥱 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.

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