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- 👻 Haunted by Your Neighbors!
👻 Haunted by Your Neighbors!
Haunted houses aren’t just for kids! Explore spooky home haunts, live music, fall fests, and creative Halloween fun for grown-ups across South Orange County. Check out the house in the photo at 23852 Lagarto, Mission Viejo.
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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.
This week we’re spotlighting haunted houses that break the “for kids only” myth. These are creative productions built by neighbors who turn their homes into mini theme parks and they’re super fun at any age!
Have fun!
Lorna & Jason
P.S. We have a small favor to ask: if you’ve been enjoying The Scene, hit reply and send us a short review we can share on our site. Just a few words about what you love or how it’s helped would mean the world❣️
What's Inside...
🗓️ THIS WEEKEND’S PICKS 🗓️
~~ FRIDAY OCT 24th ~~
👻 Sinister in San Clemente Haunted House
Free home haunt with family-friendly hours early and full scares after dark.
Fri-Sun, Oct 24–26 & Oct 30–31 | Times vary | San Clemente
🎭 Emma: No One But Herself
A modern musical twist on Jane Austen’s classic where clever Emma Woodhouse plays matchmaker, until love rewrites her own story.
Oct 24–Nov 2 | Saddleback College, Mission Viejo
🍸 140 Pico Speakeasy Night
Craft cocktails, ocean views, and fireside vibes in The Casino’s hidden lounge. 21+ only.
Fri, Oct 24 | 5:30–9pm | San Clemente
🏡 San Clemente Home Tour
Tour gorgeous homes, plus breakfast, lunch, and market.
Oct 24 | 9am–4pm | San Clemente.
🛍️ Community Sample Sale
Shop local brands, enjoy Rivian demo rides, giveaways, and live music by Vinyl Vision.
Fri-Sat, Oct 24–25 | San Clemente
🍂 Nature & Creativity: Fall Glass Jars
Mindful walk plus pressed-flower jar workshop.
Fri, Oct 24 | 9:30–11:30am | Laguna Beach
🎃 Fright Night with MV Nadadores
Trick-or-treating and Jack-O’-Lantern fun.
Fri, Oct 24 | 6:00–7:30pm | Mission Viejo
Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD…
🎶 🎶 Checkout This Weekend’s Live Music Options
🎃 🧟 See list of local Haunted Houses Below…
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~~ SATURDAY OCT 25th ~~
For more information or Ofrenda registration, visit mvactivities.com or call 949-830-7066
💀 Día de Los Muertos Festival
Celebrate life and remembrance with mariachi music, folkloric dancing, face painting, crafts, classic car ofrendas, and a vibrant multicultural marketplace.
Sat, Oct 25 | 2–9pm | Norman Murray Center, Mission Viejo
🎤 Swift Nation
Sing along to every era at this Taylor Swift tribute packed with glitter, guitars, and crowd anthems. Free parking.
Sat, Oct 25 | 6pm | Great Park Live, Irvine
👻 Spooky Seas
Family-friendly frights with laser tag, a mad scientist lab, and haunted tall ship tours. Costumes encouraged.
Sat, Oct 25 | Evening | Ocean Institute, Dana Point
🏡 Stories from the Past
Hear tales from one of Saddleback’s earliest ranching families at this free talk hosted by the Saddleback Area Historical Society. Light refreshments. RSVP required.
Sat, Oct 25 | Silverado
🧟♀️ Halloween Spooktacular & Trunk or Treat
Games, a haunted maze, DJ, and costume contest make this city bash a family favorite.
Sat, Oct 25 | 2–6pm | Community Center, Dana Point
🎃 Lake Forest Spooktacular
Trunk-or-treat, food trucks, crafts, games and live music.
Sat, Oct 25 | 2–6 pm | Sports Park, Lake Forest
🐾 Dogapalooza
Live music, food trucks, vendors, yoga, and a Pack Walk—plus wine & beer for humans.
Sat, Oct 25 | Bump Out Park, Dana Point
🏃♀️ Monster Dash & Creepy Crawl
5k & 1 mile costume runs through downtown San Clemente with pancakes after.
Sat, Oct 25 | San Clemente
🍺 Boo Ha Ha - A Haunted Oktoberfest
Haunted Oktoberfest with unlimited tastings and live music. 21+.
Sat, Oct 25 | Costa Mesa
Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD…
🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options
🎃 🧟 See list of local Haunted Houses Below…
~~ SUNDAY OCT 26th ~~
🎃 Whimsical Halloween
Explore Laguna’s storybook forest filled with potions, mini crafts, fortune-telling, wine and pumpkin cookie.
Select dates in October | Museum of Make Believe, Laguna Beach
🪓 Throw Axes at Horror Movie Villains
Hurl axes at horror icons like Michael Myers and Chucky inside a cursed-cabin bar serving spooky cocktails like the Texas Chainsaw Michelada or Killer Klowns Cocktail.
Through Oct 31 | Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales, Costa Mesa
🍷 Sip & Stroll Harvest Fest
Wine, food, shopping, and live music at Giracci Vineyards’ fall celebration.
Sun, Oct 26 | 11am–4pm | Silverado
🏴☠️ Sea Shanty Sunday
Sing along with Queen Anne’s Blouse aboard the tall ship Spirit of Dana Point.
Sun, Oct 26 | 12:30–2pm | Dana Point
👻 Halloween Family Night
Trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, axe throwing, and a mechanical bull at Whoop Axe. Sun, Oct 26 | Evening | The Kaleidoscope, Mission Viejo
🎨 Art Meets Tech: 25 Years in Motion
Explore installations where art meets science at Beall Center’s anniversary show.
Sun, Oct 26 | 1–3pm reception | Exhibition runs Oct 26–Dec 28 | Great Park Gallery, Irvine
🎃 Pumpkin Paddle Smash: Family Pickleball & Carving Day
Pickleball, pumpkin carving, snacks, and prizes for best costumes and designs.
Sun, Oct 26 | 2–4:30pm | Florence Joyner Sports Park, Mission Viejo
Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD…
🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options
🎃 🧟 See list of local Haunted Houses Below…
🤔 Trivia Quiz
The iconic Endless Summer photo that became the movie’s poster was taken at which Orange County beach?
(left) Poster created by John Van Hamersveld in 1964. (right) The film’s director, Bruce Brown is shown in the photo.
A) Salt Creek Beach
B) Doheny State Beach
C) Trestles Beach
D) Huntington Beach
(Scroll to bottom for answer)
🧟♀️ Spooky DIY Attraction!
OC Home Haunt Like Disney’s Haunted Mansion, But FREE!
WAIT! Before you scroll past thinking this is for kids, I went with three friends, all of us in our 50s, and we had a blast. It’s great for girls’ night out, date night, and for kids.
It’s like Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion but built in someone’s backyard from pure imagination and grit.
You begin inside an elevator, the walls seem to move, portraits elongate, and a haunting voice dares you to “find a way out.”
From there, you wind through a twisting maze packed with jump scares, eerie lighting, and creepy characters around every corner.
The second half is pure Haunted Mansion magic: singing heads, flickering portraits, and a ghostly bride bidding you to “hurry baaack…”
A Labor of (Haunted) Love
The Haunted Mansion Haunt is the creation of Salar Kohnechi, who started building it back in 2006 when he was just 20.
Nearly two decades later, his suburban front yard transforms into one of South OC’s most jaw-dropping DIY haunts, crafted by hand and upgraded every year.
Kohnechi, a lifelong Disney fan, designed the attraction as a tribute to the original Haunted Mansion ride, but with his own eerie twists. Every prop, projection, and ghostly illusion is homemade.
📅 Open: Every night through November 1
🎟️ Admission: Free, or skip the line for $15
📍 Location: 28322 Millwood Rd, Trabuco Canyon
🌐 Website: hmhaunt.com
💡 Get your paid or free ticket in advance!
🎃 Spooky Streets & Haunted Homes
🧟♀️ Amy Way Haunted House
Family-friendly walkthrough filled with glowing decorations, eerie surprises, and just the right amount of chills. FREE to attend.
October 24th, 25th, and 31st | 7-10pm | 64 Amy Way, Ladera Ranch
👻 North Mission Viejo Halloween Frights Tour
Take a spooky quick spin through North Mission Viejo’s most decked-out streets, they’re alll next to each other!
• Cosala St — Mausoleum maze & haunted graveyard
• Sandalia Circle — Día de Los Muertos altar
• Bacalar & Naranja Streets — 4 homes with movie-quality displays
• Salcedo Street — A home becomes a bow of a ship
Evenings through Halloween | Mission Viejo
👺 Ladera ‘Area 51’
Ladera’s own ‘Area 51’ where the residents are out of this world. Come by after dark for your own close encounter!
Through Halloween | 7-9:30pm | 9 Sutherland Dr, Ladera Ranch
🎃 Kim Haunted House
Step into this neighborhood haunt for jump scares and eerie fun. 6–7pm is scare-free for kids, then the terror begins.
Oct 25 & 31 | 6–9pm | 15081 Lorenat St, Irvine
💀 Haunted Mansion Haunt
Movie-quality scares and themed rooms. (See article above)
Thru Nov 1 | 28322 Millwood Rd, Trabuco Canyon
🤡 Sinister in San Clemente
The largest free home haunt in town is back, bigger, scarier, and ready to spook.
Oct 24–26 & Oct 30–31 | 605 Calle Fierros, San Clemente
🎪 Nightmare on Loganberry Haunt
Home haunt with creepy clowns, twisted thrills, and two other haunts nearby, Free.
Oct 31 | 6–9pm | 25561 Loganberry Ln, Lake Forest
🦇 Laguna Niguel Drive-By Haunts
Cruise these festive streets for over-the-top decor.
Cormorant Ln, Jaeger Dr, Kings Rd, Royale Ridge, Via Lido, and La Alcala; Laguna Niguel
🐈⬛ Palmyra Ave, Orange
This neighborhood turns into Halloween heaven with movie-level displays and glowing ghosts.
October | Palmyra Ave & Harwood St, Orange
🕸️ Gershon Dungeon
Home haunts with sprawling maze of monsters and eerie effects.
Oct 24–26 | 7–10pm | 13861 Gershon Pl, Santa Ana
🦄 NICE NEWS !
🎨 Record Crowds for Laguna’s Plein Air Fest
Laguna Beach’s 27th Annual Plein Air Painting Invitational drew its largest turnout ever, with record art sales and packed galleries across town. The nine-day celebration spotlighted local talent and raised funds for youth art programs.
Learn More
🎢 Mini Golf and Immersive Hotel Coming to Irvine Spectrum
Two new attractions are on the way to Irvine Spectrum Center. Holey Moley Golf Club, a mini golf and cocktail venue, and Hijinx Hotel, an interactive experience combining theater, puzzles, and themed rooms, are both slated to open in 2026.
Learn More
🎬 Irvine Hits the Big Screen
The indie film Northwood Pie, written, filmed and produced by a group of local twenty-somethings, is a comedy shot on location at Northwood Pizza, Irvine Valley College, and Quail Hill Park.
Amazon Prime (now streaming)
🗓️ NEXT WEEK…
✏️ Add these events to your Calendar
MONDAY OCTOBER 27
🤠 Line Dancing in Laguna Hills
Beginner and intermediate classes—no partner needed. $10 residents, $15 non-residents.
Mon, Oct 27 | 5:30pm & 6:45pm | Laguna Hills
👻 Horror, True Crime & The Human Mind
Explore the psychology of horror with Morbidly Curious author Dr. Coltan Scrivner. Free books while they last.
Mon, Oct 27 | 6:30pm | Foothill Ranch Library, Foothill Ranch
TUESDAY OCTOBER 28
💃 Salsa Dancing at Kaleidoscope
Free outdoor salsa under the lights—no partner required.
Wednesdays in Oct | 8:30pm | Kaleidoscope, Mission Viejo
🗼 Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Broadway’s boldest spectacle of love, pop hits, and Parisian flair.
Oct 28–Nov 2 | Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29
🎭 Beside Myself
A witty new comedy about identity, mix-ups, and modern chaos.
Oct 29–Nov 16 | Laguna Beach
THURSDAY OCTOBER 30
👻 Haunted Jazz Night at Jojo’s
Halloween jazz with Mina Choi and friends.
Thurs, Oct 30 | 7pm | Jojo’s Hideaway, Tustin
🤠 Country Line Dancing at the Inn
Learn classic steps, sip cocktails, and two-step all night.
Thurs, Oct 30 | 6–9pm | Inn at the Mission, San Juan Capistrano
💀 FREE Día de los Muertos Community Altar & Celebration
Live music, food, crafts, and community altars. Free.
Oct 26 | 5–9pm | Heritage Museum of OC, Santa Ana
FRIDAY OCTOBER 31
🎃 Halloween Morning Fitness Hike with Yoga
Five-mile Bommer Canyon hike plus yoga in the Old West camp.
Oct 31 | 8am | Bommer Canyon, Irvine
🍹 The Lost Inferno Costume Party
Tiki cocktails and costumes till midnight. Walk-ins welcome.
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
🧑🌾 Discovery Day at Centennial Farm
Meet animals and tour gardens at this working farm.
Oct 31 | 9am–12pm | OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
👻 Black Star Canyon Ghost Walk
Three-mile night hike with tales of OC’s haunted past.
Oct 31 | 7pm | Black Star Canyon, Silverado
🎃 Cook’s Corner Halloween Party
Adults-only bash with cash prizes and live music.
Oct 31 | 7pm | Cook’s Corner, Trabuco Canyon
🕺 Hive & Haunted: Halloween Disco
Dance under the stars at Hive & Honey’s rooftop Halloween bash, skyline views, and spooky cocktails. Costumes encouraged, tickets from $50.
Oct 31 | 7pm–Midnight | Hive & Honey Rooftop Bar, Irvine
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1
🌴 Holo Holo Music Festival
Reggae and aloha vibes with Maoli, J Boog, and Steel Pulse.
Nov 1 | All Day | Irvine
🎬 Coast Film & Music
Nine days of films, live music, and coastal culture.
Nov 1–9 | Various venues | Laguna Beach
🌊 Art + Nature Celebration Week
Outdoor art, dance, and ocean-inspired installations. Free
Nov 1–10 | Laguna Beach
💀 Día de los Muertos in San Clemente
Altars, art, music, and a community art contest.
Nov 1 | 2–6pm| Max Berg Plaza Park, San Clemente
💀 Día de los Muertos in Dana Point
Mariachi, ofrendas, crafts, and authentic food.
Nov 1 | La Plaza Park, Dana Point
✏️ PLAN AHEAD… 2025 & 2026
To see what’s happening even further ahead, check out our full listing.
New events added daily…
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THIS WEEK'S SNAPSHOT...
...takes us to Jeronimo Tunnel in Mission Viejo for a Sing-a-Long with Tom Bagley who led us in music from every decade. It was such a fun evening! Were you there? We’ll let you know next time there’s a performance!! Watch video to see what it was like!
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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🧐 Trivia Answer: ✅ Answer: A) Salt Creek Beach
The iconic Endless Summer photo was shot at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point, capturing surfers Bruce Brown, Mike Hynson and Robert August at sunset. The famous poster, designed in Dana Point by artist John Van Hamersveld, transformed that simple silhouette into one of the most recognizable images in surf culture history.
🥱 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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©️ 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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