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- 👻 Haunted Trails, Fall-O-Ween & Ghost Walks Await
👻 Haunted Trails, Fall-O-Ween & Ghost Walks Await
If you’re ready to trade beach days for ghost tours and glowing pumpkins, South OC’s serving spooky season in full this year.
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Hey friend,
Welcome to The Scene… your weekly roundup of what’s actually worth doing in South Orange County.
Our motto: 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.
So… what’s on your weekend list?
Hit reply and let us know.
Lorna & Jason
What's Inside...
🗓️ THIS WEEKEND’S PICKS 🗓️
~~ FRIDAY OCT 17th ~~
🎃 Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill
Wander the historic grounds all decked out in Halloween magic. Pets on leashes welcome. Free.
Fri-Sun, Oct 17–19 | 4:30–8:30pm | Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest
🍷 Wine Down Friday
Unwind at Giracci Vineyards with wine, food, and live music in a charming canyon setting.
Fri, Oct 17 | 6–9pm | Giracci Vineyards, Silverado
👻 Haunted Trails at Crown Valley Park
Step into a world of abandoned hospitals, deranged doctors, and chilling experiments.
Thurs–Sun, Oct 16–19 | Trail opens 6:30pm | Crown Valley Park, Laguna Niguel
👗 StyleWeekOC Fashion × Film
Fashion Island turns into a runway-meets-red-carpet experience with fashion shows, designer pop-ups, beauty activations, and celebrity guests in partnership with the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Weds-Sun, Oct 15–19 | Newport Beach
👻 San Juan Capistrano Ghost Walk
Stroll Old Town, Los Rios Street, and the Mission ruins while hearing tales of spirits, bandits, and pirates said to linger.
Fri, Oct 17 at 7pm | 1.5 hrs | San Juan Capistrano
Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD…
🎶 🎶 Checkout This Weekend’s Live Music Options
🎃 🧟 See Full List of Halloween experiences
The Game is Changing
The internet was supposed to make it easier to build and connect. Somewhere along the way, we lost the plot.
beehiiv is changing that once and for all.
On November 13, they’re unveiling what’s next at their first-ever Winter Release Event. For the people shaping the future of content, community, and media, this is an event you can’t miss.
~~ SATURDAY OCT 18th ~~
🎸 Boots In The Park
Bringing country to OC, Boots In The Park features Miranda Lambert, Justin Moore and Ian Munsick for a full day of live music, tequila tastings and line dancing.
Sat, Oct 18 | 1pm-10pm | San Juan Capistrano
☕ Free Cinnamon Rolls & Coffee
Celebrate the opening of Daily Bread Co. with complimentary cinnamon rolls and coffee. While supplies last.
Sat, Oct 18 | 11am–2pm | 111 W. Avenida Palizada, San Clemente
🎃 Fright Night Market
Grab your costume and head to Mission Viejo’s Fright Night Market for food trucks, live music, local vendors, a beer garden.
Sat, Oct 18 | 5–9pm | Mission Viejo
🦇 Boo at the Zoo
Get wild this Halloween with trick-or-treating, spooky decorations, and animal encounters at the Santa Ana Zoo.
Sat-Sun, Oct 18–19 & 25–26 | 5:30–7:30pm | Santa Ana
🍴 San Clemente Sip & Stroll
Enjoy strolling while sampling bites, sips, and specialties while listening to live music along Del Mar.
Sat, Oct 18 | San Clemente
🍂 Harvest in the Hills
Celebrate fall with crafts, games, a business expo, food for purchase, and a movie in the park (Coco).
Sat, Oct 18 | 4pm | Town Green, 25555 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills
🚌 Dana Point Trolley Art & History Tour
Ride through Dana Point’s arts scene and historic landmarks with an Art Ambassador and Historical Society docent as your guides.
Sat, Oct 18 | Tours at 10am & 12pm | Dana Point
👻 Lake Eerie Get spooky lakeside at Mission Viejo’s Halloween bash with crafts, face painting,a haunted house, and new this year, trick-or-treating. Open to members or guest.
Sat, Oct 18 | 6pm | Lake Mission Viejo
🚶♀️ 37th Annual Walk Against Drugs
Rally with neighbors and MV Police Services, then stroll to the Community Fair with booths and family activities.
Sat, Oct 18 | 8am–12pm | Norman P. Murray Center, Mission Viejo
Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD…
🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options
🎃 🧟 See Full List of Halloween experiences
~~ SUNDAY OCT 19th ~~
🎃 U-Pick Pumpkin Patch at South Coast Farms
Head to South Coast Farms’ organic U-Pick patch and pick your perfect pumpkin straight from the vine.
Open weekends in October | 9am–4pm | San Juan Capistrano
🥂 The Sunday Toast: A Brunch Lover’s Market
Sip mimosas, sample brunch-inspired bites, browse artisan vendors, and enjoy live music at this festive community market.
Sun, Oct 19 | 10am–2pm | Farmakis Farms, San Juan Capistrano
👻 Halloween Night Market at the Inn
Stroll the grounds of the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano for a festive evening of local vendors, spooky-good bites, live music, and a costume contest.
Sun, Oct 19 | 4–8pm | Inn at the Mission, San Juan Capistrano
🌌 Bioluminescence Night Cruise
Set sail after dark aboard the R/V Sea Explorer to witness the glowing magic of bioluminescent plankton off the coast of Dana Point.
Oct 19 | 8:30–10:30pm | Ocean Institute, Dana Point
Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD…
🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options
🎃 🧟 See Full List of Halloween experiences
🤔 Trivia Quiz
Which spot in Laguna Beach is said to be haunted by a murdered sea captain?
A) Hotel Laguna
B) Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach
C) Heisler Park Gazebo
D) Main Beach Lifeguard Tower
(Scroll to bottom for answer)
The Oldest House in Saddleback Valley
Got A Halloween Makeover
When the sun sets over Heritage Hill in Lake Forest, history gets a little brighter.
Fall-O-Ween transforms this historic site into a glowing fall wonderland filled with pumpkins, lanterns, and family photo ops tucked between the 1800s buildings, and it’s FREE to enter!
It’s home to four of the oldest buildings in the Saddleback Valley so that creak you hear underfoot? That’s not just part of the setup, it’s history.
The buildings stay closed for the Halloween event, but the lights and atmosphere make it one of the most charming fall stops in Orange County with at least 10 really sweet photo set opportunities.
If you’re interested in the history we recommend NOT going during this event, as the historic stuff is closed and there are LOTS of little ghosts floating around.
📸 When to Go
• For family fun and incredible lighting, visit Fall-O-Ween this weekend.
• For a peaceful experience, stop by on a regular day when tours are open.
📅 Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill
Fri & Sat, Oct 18–19 | 4:30–8:30pm| Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest
🕰 Normal Hours
Tuesday–Sunday | 9 AM–5pm | Free admission
Docent-led tours are offered Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 11am.
🎃 Spooky Streets & Haunted Homes
🪦 Mausoleum Maze & Haunted Graveyard
Walk through a glowing graveyard and eerie maze.
🗓 Oct 19–20 | Sundown | 21906 Cosala, Mission Viejo
🦇 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
💀 Haunted Mansion Haunt
Movie-quality scares and themed rooms.
🗓 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
🩸 Haunted Trails at Crown Valley Park
Step into a world of deranged doctors and chilling experiments in this four-night scare experience.
🗓 Oct 16–19 | Crown Valley Park, Laguna Niguel
👻 Palmyra Ave, Orange
This neighborhood turns into Halloween heaven with movie-level displays and glowing ghosts.
🗓 October | Palmyra Ave & Harwood St, Orange
🦄 NICE NEWS…
🌊 Laguna Tops the Coast for Safety
Laguna Beach was named the safest coastal city in OC, with only 37 violent crimes reported among six million visitors. Officials credit strong policing and community ties for keeping Laguna peaceful.
🍺 OC Breweries Strike Gold
Local breweries scored gold medals at this year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, beating out thousands of entries nationwide. Winners included Left Coast Brewing (Irvine), Unsung Brewing (Tustin), and Pizza Port (San Clemente) and many others.
Learn more
🌱 Laguna Hills Greenlights Senior Housing
Laguna Hills approved 180 new senior apartments to give older residents modern, walkable housing near shops and parks, helping locals stay close to home.
Learn More
🏈 Santa Margarita Snaps 11-Year Streak
Santa Margarita’s varsity football team beat Mater Dei for the first time since 2013, winning 7–6 and moving to the top of the Trinity League standings.
Learn More.
🇳🇱 Mission Viejo Goes Dutch
Mission Viejo signed a deal with the Netherlands Olympic Committee to host pre-2028 training, bringing elite athletes, and tourism dollars, to local hotels and restaurants.
Learn More
🦄 NOT SUCH NICE NEWS…
📰 Disney Raises Park Ticket Prices
Disney just announced new hikes to ticket prices at its U.S. theme parks. Prices at Disneyland will rise by up to 3% for five of its seven ticket tiers, while peak holiday tickets jump to $224!
Learn More
🎤 StillWater Spirits & Sounds to close
One of our favorite venues in Dana Point for live music, weekend brunch and Sunday football is closing for good on November 3rd. Join their Halloween Celebration for an amazing farewell gig.
Learn More
✏️ PLAN AHEAD…
🗓️ Add these events to your Calendar
(see full listing- new events are added daily)
TUESDAY OCTOBER 21
💃 Salsa Dancing at Kaleidoscope
Free outdoor salsa under the lights—no partner needed.
Mission Viejo
THURSDAY OCTOBER 23
🌶️ Chili for Charity
Sample, vote, and support Dana Hills High at this community cook-off.
Dana Point Ale House, Dana Point
👻 San Juan Capistrano Ghost Walk
Hear tales of spirits and outlaws on a guided stroll through Old Town and Los Rios.
San Juan Capistrano
🤠 Country Line Dancing at the Inn
Learn classic moves with a live instructor and cocktails.
Inn at the Mission, San Juan Capistrano
FRIDAY OCTOBER 24
🍂 Nature & Creativity: Fall Glass Jars
Take a mindful walk in nature, then craft a pressed-flower jar.
Laguna Canyon, Laguna Beach
🤠 Line Dancing
Boots, beats, and lessons with a live DJ.
Whoop Axe, Mission Viejo
👻 Sinister in San Clemente Haunted House
Free home haunt—family-friendly early, full scares after dark.
San Clemente
🎃 Fright Night with MV Nadadores
Games, music, treats, and a Jack-O’-Lantern contest for kids.
Mission Viejo
🏡 San Clemente Home Tour
Tour stunning homes and enjoy breakfast, lunch, and local shopping.
San Clemente
SATURDAY OCTOBER 25
💀 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.
Mission Viejo
🍷 Free Cheese & Charcuterie Saturdays
Complimentary bites from Fromage My Heart every Saturday in October.
Wine Experience, Dana Point
🎃 Lake Forest Spooktacular
Trunk-or-treat, food trucks, crafts, games and live music. Lake Forest
🐾 Dogapalooza
Live music, food trucks, vendors, yoga, and a Pack Walk—plus wine & beer for humans. Dana Point
🏃♀️ Monster Dash & Creepy Crawl
Costume run through downtown San Clemente with pancakes after. San Clemente
🍺 Boo Ha Ha - A Haunted Oktoberfest
Haunted Oktoberfest with unlimited tastings and live music. 21+. Costa Mesa
🎃 Patsy’s Halloween Party
Costumes, DJ, and dancing. Patsy’s Irish Pub, Laguna Niguel.
🏡 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. Text 949-403-1657 or email [email protected] Silverado
SUNDAY OCTOBER 26
🎃 U-Pick Pumpkin Patch at South Coast Farms
Pick pumpkins at this hidden gem off Ortega Highway.
South Coast Farms, San Juan Capistrano
🏴☠️ Sea Shanty Sunday
Sing along aboard the tall ship Spirit of Dana Point. Costumes welcome.
Dana Point
🍷 Sip & Stroll Harvest Fest
Wine, food, shopping, and live music. Giracci Vineyards, Silverado
🎃 Halloween Family Night
Trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, axe throwing, and more.
Whoop Axe. Mission Viejo
🎨 Art Meets Tech: 25 Years in Motion
EArt and science collide in this anniversary exhibit.
Irvine
🏓 Pumpkin Paddle Smash: Family Pickleball & Carving Day
Pickleball, carving, snacks, and costume contests.
Mission Viejo
👻 Horror, True Crime & The Human Mind
Dive into the psychology of fear with author Dr. Coltan Scrivner.
Foothill Ranch
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 Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest, all decked out for Fall-O-Ween. Our teen made it clear she was way too cool for this and the eye rolls were practically audible. Still worth it.
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: B) Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach
Built in 1926 as a private staircase for a cliffside mansion, this 60-foot turret later belonged to a retired naval captain who was a true pirate fanatic—he even dressed the part. His obsession with all things swashbuckling gave rise to decades of seaside lore, with locals claiming the tower is haunted by a ghostly sea captain still standing watch over the shore.
🥱 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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