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- 👻 Halloween for Grown-Ups
👻 Halloween for Grown-Ups
Halloween isn’t just for kids. There’s wine by the harbor, a tiki party in San Clemente, rooftop disco dancing in Irvine, a spooky escape room in Lake Forest, and a block party in RSM. Keep scrolling for Día de los Muertos festivals all over OC and even a hike to one of OC’s most haunting spots.
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Hey friend,
Welcome to The Scene… Our motto is: the more you know, the more you 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.
Have fun!
Lorna & Jason
What's Inside...
🗓️ THIS WEEKEND’S PICKS 🗓️
~~ FRIDAY OCT 31st ~~
🧟♀️ Scroll Down For Halloween Haunted Houses!
🍷 Hall-O-Wine at Frisby Cellars
Sip wine or beer, dance to a live DJ, and join the costume fun with prizes and harbor views.
Fri, Oct 31 | 5–9pm | Frisby Cellars, Dana Point Harbor
🕺 Hive & Haunted: Halloween Disco
Dance under the stars, skyline views, and spooky cocktails. Costumes encouraged.
Fri, Oct 31 | 7pm | Hive & Honey Rooftop Bar, Irvine
🍹 The Lost Inferno Costume Party
Tiki cocktails and costumes till midnight. Walk-ins welcome.
Fri, Oct 31 | 7pm–12am | Lost Inferno, San Clemente
🎃 Patsy’s Halloween Party
DJ, dancing, and costume contest.
Fri, Oct 31 | 9pm–1am | The Original Patsy’s Irish Pub, Laguna Niguel
👻 Cook’s Corner Halloween Party
Adults-only bash with cash prizes and live music.
Fri, Oct 31 | 7pm | Cook’s Corner, Trabuco Canyon
🎸 Flashbax Halloween Block Party
Live 80s music from Flashbax, candy, and treats for all ages at this cul-de-sac bash.
Fri, Oct 31 | 6:30 PM | 20 Via Tranquila, Rancho Santa Margarita
👻 Ghost Hunter: Immersive Horror
Enter an abandoned toy factory to uncover what happened to a missing team of ghost hunters. 3,500 sq ft, 20 rooms, and 100 minutes of relentless scares.
Now Open | Escape Room Era, Lake Forest
🪓 Throw Axes at Horror Movie Villains
Hurl axes at horror icons like Michael Myers and Chucky inside a cursed-cabin bar.
Through Oct 31 | Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales, Costa Mesa
Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD…
🎶 🎶 Checkout This Weekend’s Live Music Options
Home insurance rates up by 76% in some states
Over the last 6 years, home insurance rates have increased by up to 76% in some states. Between inflation, costlier repairs, and extreme weather, premiums are climbing fast – but that doesn’t mean you have to overpay. Many homeowners are saving hundreds a year by switching providers. Check out Money’s home insurance tool to compare companies and see if you can save.
~~ SATURDAY NOV 1st ~~
🎬 Coast Film & Music
Nine days of films, live music, and coastal culture.
Nov 1–9 | Various venues | Laguna Beach
🌴 Holo Holo Music Festival
Reggae and aloha vibes with Maoli, J Boog, and Steel Pulse.
Sat, Nov 1 | All Day | Irvine
🏖️ Sunrise Beach Hike & Coffee Social
Scenic 3.7-mile coastal walk from Strands to Salt Creek and a post-hike coffee meetup.
Sat, Nov 1 | 9–11am | Strand Beach, Dana Point
💀 Día de los Muertos in San Clemente
Altars, art, music, and a community art contest.
Sat, Nov 1 | 2–6pm| Max Berg Plaza Park, San Clemente
🧟♀️ Día de los Muertos in Dana Point
Mariachi, ofrendas, crafts, and authentic food.
Sat, Nov 1 | La Plaza Park, Dana Point
💀 Día de los Muertos at Hana Field
Celebrate with live music, Ballet Folklórico, a Selena tribute, shopping, and altar-building to honor loved ones.
Sat, Nov 1 | 10am–5pm | Hana Field, Costa Mesa
👻 Tour the Halloween Home Contest Winners
Cruise through South OC to see this year’s most creative and chilling home displays.
>> Aliso Viejo
>> Ladera Ranch
>> Laguna Niguel
>> Lake Forest
>> Mission VIejo
>> Orange
Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD…
🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options
~~ SUNDAY NOV 2nd ~~
🎭 Beside Myself
Hilarious chaos of modern identity after a medical mix-up.
Through Nov 16 | Laguna Playhouse Laguna Beach
🍂 Family Sundays: Fall Harvest Festival
Free admission to Casa Romantica with fall-themed activities overlooking the ocean. Perfect for all ages.
Sun, Nov 2 | 10am–2pm | Casa Romantica, San Clemente
🐋 Whale & Marine Life Tour
Set sail on a 2.5-hour adventure to spot whales, dolphins, and sea lions with Ocean Institute naturalists.
Sun, Nov 2 | 10am–12:30pm | Ocean Institute, Dana Point
🪨 Stories Carved in Stone Hike
Explore 25 million years of OC history on a 3-mile guided hike through Laguna Coast Wilderness Park OC Park naturalists.
Sun, Nov 2 | 1–4pm | Willow Staging Area, Laguna Beach
🎨 Art + Nature Block Party
Live music, food, and a collaborative art project launch Laguna Art Museum’s Art + Nature celebration. Free and open to all.
Sun, Nov 2 | 10am–2pm | Main Beach, Laguna Beach
🍓 Old Town Farmers Market
Shop local produce, artisan foods, and handmade goods steps from the pier.
Sun, Nov 2nd | 9am–1pm | 200 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente
Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD…
🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options
🤔 Trivia Quiz
Which Orange County landmark did Al Capone visit in 1927, signing the guest book during his stay?
A) Balboa Pavilion, Newport Beach
B) Mission San Juan Capistrano
C) Villa del Sol, Fullerton
D) Hotel Laguna, Laguna Beach
(Scroll to bottom for answer)
🌵 A Glimpse Into The Old West
Step Into Irvine’s Most Haunting Landmark
Long before Irvine’s master-planned communities, the foothills were part of the Old West, a place of outlaws, posses, and swift justice.
Today, hikers can still visit one of Orange County’s most haunting landmarks: the site where two men were lynched in 1857 and left to hang for six months, after a violent crime spree rattled early California.
Known as Hangman’s Tree, the location is marked by a bronze plaque that reads, “Under this tree General Andrés Pico hung two banditos of the Flores Gang.”
For decades, it sat buried under brush until the 2007 Santiago Fire swept through and revealed it once more.
Santa Ana Daily Evening Register in 1920. The caption read…The tree stands in Precito Canyon, a side-canyon of Limestone [Canyon]."The bodies of the two bandits were left strung up to the sycamore for six months when some vaqueros who lived over in the Santa Ana canyon cut them down and buried what was left of them in a shallow grave at the clump of sycamores.
Access is limited to docent-led hikes that climb roughly six miles round trip with 1,800 feet of elevation gain through rugged, exposed terrain and sweeping canyon views.
For those willing to make the climb, Hangman’s Tree offers a rare glimpse into the Old West, a time when vigilante justice ruled California.
📅 Dates: Next hike is 11/2/25
🎟️ Admission: Free (advance reservation required)
💡 Tip: Spots fill fast — reserve early
Learn more about the history or sign up for a the hike!
Halloween Haunted Houses
🎪 Nightmare on Loganberry Haunt
Home haunt with creepy clowns, twisted thrills, and two other haunts nearby, Free.
Fri, Oct 31 | 6–9pm | 25561 Loganberry Ln, Lake Forest
🧟♀️ Amy Way Haunted House
Family-friendly walkthrough filled with glowing decorations, eerie surprises, and just the right amount of chills. FREE to attend.
Fri, Oct 31 | 7-10pm | 64 Amy Way, Ladera Ranch
👻 1st Place Display in Aliso Viejo
Award-winning display with a 6-minute custom light and sound FX show, fog, animatronics. Free.
Thurs-Fri, Oct 30–31 | Dusk–9pm | 18 Cameo Dr, Aliso Viejo
👺 Ladera ‘Area 51’
Ladera’s own ‘Area 51’ home haunt where the residents are out of this world.
Through Halloween | 7-9:30pm | 9 Sutherland Dr, Ladera Ranch
☠️ Mausoleum Maze & Haunted Graveyard
Walk-through haunt with eerie mausoleums, fog, and jump scares at this neighborhood favorite. Free.
Through Nov 1 | 6–9pm | 21906 Cosala St, Mission Viejo
😈 Danz Halloween Maze
Home Haunt with lots of animatronics. Bonus, stop by on Halloween and first 500 kids get comics and candy!
Thru Nov 2 | Sunset - 11 pm | 24142 Roma Drive Mission Viejo
💀 Haunted Mansion Haunt
Movie-quality haunted house based on Disney’s Haunted Mansion
Thru Nov 1 | 28322 Millwood Rd, Trabuco Canyon
🤡 Sinister in San Clemente
The largest free walk-through home haunt in town.
Fri, Oct 31 | 605 Calle Fierros, San Clemente
🎃 Kim Haunted House
Neighborhood walk-through haunt with jump scares and eerie fun. 6–7pm is scare-free for kids.
Fri, Oct 31 | 6–9pm | 15081 Lorenat St, Irvine
🩸 Blood Orange Grove Haunted House
Walk through this Villa Park haunt packed with eerie lights & creepy characters. Free.
Fri, Oct 31 | 7–10pm | 9782 Eastwood Cir, Villa Park
🦄 NICE NEWS !
photo credit: Jason Cerulli
🦆 Mandarin Ducks Dazzle in Santa Ana
Stunning mandarin ducks, famous for their jewel-toned feathers, have been spotted gliding along the Santa Ana River near Centennial Regional Park. Birdwatchers are flocking to catch a glimpse of the rare visitors, whose vivid plumage looks almost too beautiful to be real. One mandarin duck is also said to be at the lake in RSM.
Learn More
🌊 OC’s First Wave Pool Gets the Green Light
Surf’s up in Newport Beach! The city just approved plans for Snug Harbor Surf Park, Orange County’s first-ever man-made wave pool. It’ll take over part of the Newport Beach Golf Course, adding a restaurant, bar, and lounge-style hangout for both surfers and spectators.
Learn More
🐾 Mountain Lion Cubs Spotted in Trabuco Canyon
In a rare feel-good wildlife story, a female mountain lion named Forest, once seen roaming Lake Forest neighborhoods, has been spotted back in the wild with two newborn cubs. The sighting was captured on trail cameras near Trabuco Canyon and is a hopeful sign for conservationists, since only about 20 adult mountain lions remain in the Santa Ana Mountains.
Learn More
🎆 Disney’s Soarin’ Gets an All-American Makeover
Soarin’ Around the World at Disney California Adventure will be transformed into Soarin’ Across America in Summer 2026, just ahead of the U.S. 250th anniversary. The update, part of the “Disney Celebrates America” initiative, will feature more than a dozen iconic American landscapes.
Learn More
🗓️ NEXT WEEK…
✏️ Add these events to your Calendar
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 4th
🎤 Comedy Night at the Playhouse
A fresh lineup of top comedians, drinks, and laughs with free bites and rotating acts each show.
Tues, Nov 4 | 7pm | Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Beach
🎬 Movies & Music on Forest Ave
Free outdoor film night with live bands and Stoker Short Films under the stars.
Thu, Nov 6 | 5:30–9:30 PM | Forest Ave, Laguna Beach
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 6th
🌎 Coast Summit
A day of talks, workshops, and inspiration around wellness and sustainability.
Thurs, Nov 6 | Rivian South Coast Theater, Laguna Beach
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 7th
🌙 Harbor After Dark
Shop late, sip waterfront cocktails, and catch live music at this new First Friday series.
Fri, Nov 7 | 4:30–7:30pm | Dana Point Harbor
🤠 Line Dancing in the Barn
Grab your boots for the final Farmakis Farms line dancing night of 2025. Tickets required.
Fri, Nov 7 | 7–10pm | San Juan Capistrano
🦊 Movie Night: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Outdoor movie night. Complimentary concessions while supplies last.
Fri, Nov 7 | 6pm | San Juan Capistrano Library, San Juan Capistrano
🎬 Old Towne Film Festival
Walk the red carpet for the premiere of The Old Towne Orange Movie inside the historic Masonic Lodge.
Fri, Nov 7 | Evening | Orange
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 8th
🎨 Art in the Wild at Bommer Canyon
Sketch or paint Irvine’s open-space wildlife and views.
Sat, Nov 8 | 8:30am–12pm | Bommer Canyon Preserve, Irvine
🕯️ Candle-Making Workshop for a Cause
Make your own custom-scented candle and support homeless pets.
Sat, Nov 8 | 1–2pm | Animal Services Center, Mission Viejo
🍷 Orange County Wine Fest
Two days of tastings from hundreds of wineries.
Sat-Sun, Nov 8–9 | OC Fair & Event Center | Costa Mesa
📚 Giant Library Book & Holiday Sale
Thousands of books and holiday finds at bargain prices. (.25–.50 for most items)
Sat, Nov 8 | 10am–2pm | Laguna Niguel
🧘 Free Yoga in the Park
Outdoor yoga and community vibes at Grand Park.
Sat, Nov 8 | 9am–12pm | Aliso Viejo
🍷 The Art of Wine
Sip boutique wines and enjoy West Coast art.
Sat, Nov 8 | 5:30–7:30pm | Hilbert Museum of California Art, Orange
🧶 Silverado Canyon Pop-Up Craft Fair
Handmade goods and local makers in a scenic canyon.
Sat, Nov 8 | 10am–2pm | Silverado Canyon
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 9th
📚 Books & Blooms in San Juan Capistrano
Books, plants, author talks, coffee bar and Kindle decorating station!
Sun, Nov 9 | 10am–4pm | Inn at the Mission, San Juan Capistrano
🦖 Dogs & Dinos at Hana Field
Leashed pups, dino fun, and tasty bites. 🎟️ Code: HANA50 for 50% off.
Sat-Sun, Nov 8–9 | 10am–4pm | Hana Field, Costa Mesa
🌿 Nature Meditation Walk
Mindful one-mile walk and tea ceremony in nature.
Sun, Nov 9 | 9–11am | Nix Nature Center, Laguna Beach
🛍️ The Coast Vintage Market
Antiques, treasures, and local finds. Free entry.
Sun, Nov 9 | 8am–3pm | Laguna Hills
🎨 Artisans Market at Aliso Viejo Ranch
Local art, crafts, food, and photo ops. Free.
Sun, Nov 9 | 11am–3pm | Aliso Viejo Ranch
✏️ PLAN AHEAD… 2025 & 2026
To see what’s happening even further ahead, check out our full listing.
New events added daily…
How Did You Like This Newsletter? |
📸
THIS WEEK'S SNAPSHOT...
…takes us to a Pop Warner football game in Yorba Linda. Our daughter’s a cheerleader, so these days most Saturday nights find us somewhere across the Southland cheering on the cheerleader! But in true pre-game spirit we’ve been checking out local breweries each trip... Lone Wolf Brewing Co was certainly worth the visit!
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.
It’s A Wrap..
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📰 Read past newsletters and feature stories here.
🧐 Trivia Answer: ✅ Answer: A) Mission San Juan Capistrano
Al Capone visited the Mission on December 10, 1927, signing its guest register during a trip through Southern California. According to local historians, he was so taken by the area that he later tried to buy the massive Rancho Santa Margarita landholdings, an offer that was wisely declined. His brief stop remains one of the Mission’s most notorious footnotes.
Learn more about Al Capone’s experience in Orange County.
🥱 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.
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