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Go Full Tiki with a Flaming Lapu Lapu!
Laguna Beach has its tiki magic back. Step inside the Royal Hawaiian and you’re surrounded by walls of bamboo and thatch, carved totems in every corner, glowing starfish lamps overhead, and cocktails are the perfect balance of strong and smooth.
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Hey friend, South OC’s serving up a little bit of everything this weekend—art under the stars, BBQ smoke shows, tequila tastings, and even a floating obstacle course if you’re feeling brave.
As for me, I’ll be elbows-deep in rum and pineapple juice. My sister’s in town, and we’re going on a tiki bar tour—mapping out every spot in Orange County and hitting as many as we can.
Last week’s visit to the Royal Hawaiian lit the spark for more tropical cocktails, bamboo walls, and maybe a few questionable souvenirs—updates next week!
What's Inside...
🗓️ THIS WEEKEND’S PICKS 🗓️
~~ FRIDAY AUGUST 15th ~~
🖼️ Pageant of the Masters One of South OC’s signature summer arts rituals wraps up in just two weeks. Wander the fine art show, try your hand at a workshop, or catch the twilight illusion spectacle, Gold Coast: Treasures of California. | Get 20% off select tickets here or hunt for last-chance tickets up to 50% off here.
Ends August 29th | 8:30pm nightly | Laguna Beach
🍴 Taste of Lake Forest Sample bites from your favorite local spots, sip from the beer and wine garden, and sway to live music by The Trip; all set against the charming backdrop of Heritage Hill Historical Park.
Friday, August 15 | 4–7:30pm | Heritage Hill Historical Park | Lake Forest
🌵 Agave Fest Tequila lovers, rejoice! The 2nd Annual Agave Festival is back at Laguna Cliffs Marriott featuring tastings from top tequila and mezcal brands like Don Julio, LALO, and 400 Conejos.
Friday, August 15 | 5–9pm | Dana Point
🎸 Rock on Broadway Feel the energy as Broadway meets rock in this high-voltage cabaret at the historic Casino in San Clemente. Expect dynamic tunes from Rent, Hair, Rock of Ages, Jagged Little Pill, all performed with flair in a cozy, reimagined theater setting.
Thursday–Saturday, August 14–16 | 7:30pm nightly | The Casino | San Clemente
🎹 Checkout South OC Live Music Options
~~ SATURDAY AUGUST 16th ~~
🛥️ Dockside Drafts in Dana Point An open-air seafront event where you’ll sip craft beers from local breweries and enjoy bites from Delanya’s Texas BBQ—all while taking in harbor views. No RSVP needed.
Saturday, August 16 | 11am–5pm | Ocean Institute | Dana Point
🔥 OC Smoke Show Dig into top-tier BBQ from SoCal pitmasters, sample 100+ whiskeys at the Barrel Saloon, and hit the line dancing tent between bites. Chris Young to headline.
Saturday, August 16, 1–10pm | San Juan Capistrano
🎨 San Clemente Arts & Crafts Fair Stroll more than 50 booths featuring fine art, handmade jewelry, and beachy treasures—plus live music and food trucks all weekend long.
Saturday & Sunday, August 16–17 | 9am–4pm | Free | San Clemente
🍽️ Summer Night Cookout at Tanaka Farms Enjoy a breezy summer evening with a buffet-style dinner, sunset tractor rides, and visits with barnyard animals. Reservations required.
Saturday, August 16 | 6–9pm | Tanaka Farms | Irvine
🛹 Ramps & Amps Skateboarding & BMX demonstration from X Games pros, a street course open to public, live bands, and beer-plus-food trucks—hosted by legendary pro skateboarder Christian Hosoi.
Saturday, August 16 | 3–8pm | Free | Dana Point
🎹 Checkout South OC Live Music Options
~~ SUNDAY AUGUST 17th ~~
Bridges of Buck Gully Hike in Newport Beach’s hidden Coastal Canyon
🥾 Bridges of Buck Gully Hike Enjoy an easy, 4-mile guided hike through Newport Beach’s hidden coastal canyon, crossing all four scenic bridges of Buck Gully Reserve.
Sunday, August 17 | 8–10:30am | Free with registration | Buck Gully Reserve | Newport Beach
🌊 Floating Obstacle Course Challenge Run, slip, and splash your way across a giant inflatable course at Sierra Rec Center. Free for members; $10 guest pass.
Sunday, August 17, 12–4pm | Mission Viejo
👗 Clothing Swap + Mini Donuts Clear out your closet and score some new-to-you finds while snacking on gourmet mini donuts. Bring gently used women’s and children’s clothes and shoes to swap; leftovers benefit Laura’s House.
Sunday, August 17 | Drop-off 9am, shopping 10am | Free | High Tide Coffee | San Clemente
🎹 Checkout South OC Live Music Options
🤔 Trivia Quiz
Which tiki cocktail made Laguna Beach’s Royal Hawaiian famous when it first opened in the 1940s?
A) Mai Tai
B) Lapu Lapu
C) Zombie
D) Navy Grog
(Scroll to bottom for answer)
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Over 4 million people start their day with Morning Brew, and once you try it, you’ll see why.
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This Laguna Beach Tiki Bar Got Its Soul Back
Laguna Beach has its tiki magic back. Step inside the Royal Hawaiian and you’re surrounded by walls of bamboo and thatch, carved totems in every corner, glowing starfish lamps overhead, and cocktails that hit the perfect balance of strong and smooth.
I’ll be honest: when I visited in 2018, it was a dud. The vibe was flat, the décor uninspired. But after a massive 2023 overhaul, this Laguna legend has returned to its Polynesian roots—and it’s spectacular. (See what it’s like in this short video)
First opened in 1947, the Royal Hawaiian was once the go-to for locals and visitors craving island escapism. People came for the famous flaming Lapu Lapu cocktails, lush bamboo décor, and a taste of the tropics without leaving town. Over the years, a revolving door of owners and design concepts sent it off course. By the late 2010s, it had lost its way entirely.
Enter tiki designer Ignacio “Notch” Gonzalez and cocktail guru Dushan Zaric. They ditched the “Fire Grill” look and layered in bamboo, thatch, hand-woven mat walls, Polynesian-style lamps, and carved wood at every turn. Even the ceiling, criss-crossed with bamboo, adds to the immersive vibe.
The cocktail list leans classic tiki with modern twists. The Lapu Lapu is still the showstopper, served flaming in a goblet of rum and citrus swagger. I went with a classic mai tail and Jason had the Nui Nui.
Pro Tip #1: Grab a $30 coupon on their website before you go.
Pro Tip #2: There’s a hidden Star Wars Boba Fett figurine tucked somewhere inside. Spot it, tell the staff, and you might score a little something extra.
After nearly 80 years, the Royal Hawaiian isn’t just back… it’s proof that the best comebacks happen when you return to what made you great in the first place.
📍The Royal Hawaiian 331 N. Coast Hwy Laguna Beach
🦄 NICE NEWS…
🚲 Laguna Could Get Pumped
Laguna Beach is considering adding a pump track, similar to San Clemente’s new 18,000-sq-ft course, for mountain bikers to practice their skills, possibly at Moulton Meadows Park. Learn More
⭐ RHOC Star Moves to Mission Viejo
Real Housewives’ fan-favorite Gina Kirschenheiter (and her large blended family) has moved into a sleek $1.7M modern farmhouse in Mission Viejo. It’s stylish, spacious, and officially in our backyard. Learn More
💰 Costa Mesa’s Anduril Lands $2.5B Funding Round
Costa Mesa–based defense tech company Anduril, founded by entrepreneur Palmer Luckey, just closed a $2.5 billion funding round, the largest in the region last quarter; bringing its valuation to $30.5 billion and employing over 6,000 people. Learn More
🎯 Borrow a Ukulele, Bocce Set, or GoPro
from the Library!
OC Public Libraries now lets you check out more than books. Cardholders can borrow everything from ukuleles and banjos to sewing machines, karaoke machines, cornhole and bocce ball sets to sewing kits, cake pans, power drills, and even GoPro cameras.
The program, funded in part by a $75,000 sustainability grant, is designed to help you try, learn, and create without having to buy.
The Library of Things is available at all OC Public Libraries (Mission Viejo and Newport Beach are not part of the OC Library system) Learn More
🎤 Summer Concerts This Weekend
Friday August 15
Laguna Niguel: Flashback Heart Attack, Crown Valley Park Amphitheater – 6:30pm
Saturday August 16
Irvine: OC Summer Slam, Great Park Live
Silverado: Hillbilly Krunch, Community Center – 6pm
Sunday August 17
Dana Point: Sega Genocide & Tijuana Dogs, Sea Terrace Park – 2:30pm & 4:30pm
See all the concerts happening around South OC…
Soka University is an unexpected place to go for a walk or just sit and listen to the fountains.
Overlooking sweeping canyon views, Soka University blends Buddhist principles with serene spaces that feel a world away from everyday life.
Fountains bubble like an accidental sound bath, and the quiet pathways make it easy to slow down.
Walk the Millennium Trail: a free, 1-mile loop open to the public by simply telling the gate guard you’re there for the trail. The trail is dog friendly.
Then wander into the Founders Hall Art Gallery (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) for a creative break before heading back to reality.
Watch this short video to see what it’s like.
📍 1 University Dr Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Newport & Costa Mesa…
Subscribe to Back Bay Buzz. It’s a newsletter like The Scene but focusing on another area in OC. Plus, Jonathan the publisher is a really nice guy!
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✏️ PLAN AHEAD…
🗓️ Add these events to your Calendar
(see full listing)
⚓️ Maritime Festival Tall-ship tours, live cannon battles, mermaid encounters, carnival games, food trucks, a beer garden, and Friday-night Sails N’ Ales.
Friday–Sunday, September 12–14 | Ocean Institute, Dana Point
🎉 Fiesta Latina Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, food trucks, crafts, cultural demos, and a pop-up art show honoring Latin American history and traditions. Free and family-friendly.
Sunday, September 14 | Great Park, Irvine
🍷 Pacific Wine & Food Classic Sip, savor, and dizzy in culinary bliss on the shores of Newport Beach. More than 30 top OC restaurants, 100+ wines, craft cocktails, a Dessert Garden, Mixology Lounge, charcuterie art, and silent disco. Tickets required (21+ only).
Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 1–5pm |Newport Beach
🖼️ Dreamscapes and Dream States – Opening Reception Explore cinematic nightscapes by OC fine art photographer Christopher Allwine, created entirely in-camera using painted light—no post-production.
Thursday, September 26 | 6pm | Free | Casa Romantica, San Clemente,
🎸 Ohana Festival Three days of ocean views and live music featuring Eddie Vedder, Green Day, Hozier & more. Food, art, and storytelling panels round out this beachside weekend.
September 26–28 | All day | Doheny State Beach, Dana Point
📢 Want to Advertise?
If you’ve got a business, event, or brand that belongs in Inboxes across South OC, let’s talk.
Learn more here.
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. Thanks for letting us be a small part of your weekend.
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🧐 Trivia Answer:
Answer: B) Lapu Lapu
This over-the-top rum punch was served in a hollowed-out pineapple, loaded with tropical juices, and garnished like a vacation in a glass. It became a must-order for Hollywood stars and locals alike, helping cement the Royal Hawaiian as one of Southern California’s most famous tiki bars.
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