What's Inside...

• FRIDAY JULY 11th

• SATURDAY July 12th

• SUNDAY JULY 13th

  • Trivia

    • ChatGPT Roasts South OC

      • Dripping Springs

      • Join a Book Club

      • Summer Concerts

      • Plan Ahead...

🗓️ THIS WEEKEND’S PICKS 🗓️

~~ FRIDAY JULY 11th ~~

🎭 Mission Viejo Shakespeare in the Park A free outdoor performance of As You Like It, perfect for a summer night picnic. July 11, 7–9 PM | Newhart Middle School, Mission Viejo

🎸 Zac Harmon – Mississippi Blues Guitar A Grammy-winning bluesman brings his soulful Southern sound to Laguna’s intimate cultural stage. Friday, July 11, 8–10 PM | Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center

🎹Checkout All South OC Live Music Options

🤔 Trivia

What’s the name of the paleo-Indian skull unearthed in Laguna Beach in 1933?
A) Laguna Man
B) Laguna Woman
C) St. Ann’s Skull
D) Cañada de las Lagunas Fossil

Hit reply with your guess -1st correct response will get a shoutout next week
(Scroll to bottom for answer)

🌿 Explore Silverado’s Hidden Spring

There’s a spring hidden deep in Limestone Canyon that’s so sensitive, you can’t visit it without a guide.

Dripping Springs is a natural seep tucked into the hills of Silverado, and it’s a lifeline for local wildlife. Getting there requires a 7-mile docent-led hike through one of the most pristine preserves in Orange County.

It’s a beautiful hike in open grasslands, coastal sage scrub, and shady oak woodlands. As you near the spring, the landscape shifts—greener, lusher, cooler.

The spring itself is peaceful, quiet, and fully protected. No splashing here—it’s habitat first.

It was already close to 80° by the time we wrapped at 11 AM, so if you’re heat-sensitive, avoid midsummer tours.

There’s a shorter and easier hike out to Dripping Springs on July 28. It’s only 5 miles and slower-paced (& free). Register now, it will fill up.

I made a short video of what it was like. Check it out.

🛻 Want the views without the hike?
See OC’s “Mini Grand Canyon” without breaking a sweat. This rare backcountry tour takes you into Limestone Canyon by 4WD vehicle with stops at The Sinks for golden hour photos. July 27 4-8. Reserve early, this books up fast.

📚 Join a Book Club

Looking for smart conversation and a reason to actually finish a book?

OC Public LIbraries host free book clubs across South OC. No pressure, just good reads and great company.

Genres vary by location, from thrillers to historical fiction
Multiple South OC Locations | MIssion Viejo

🎤 Summer Concerts This Weekend

Thurs July 10. Flashback Heart Attack
Irvine at Mason Regional Park 6pm

Thurs July 10. Anthony Small
Dana Point at the Harbor 6 PM

Thurs July 10. Tunnel Vision
San Clemente at the Pier 6 PM

Fri July 11 Billy Nation
Ladera Ranch at Town Green 6:30 pm

Fri July 11 – Redneck Rodeo
Nellie Gail at Gallup Park · 7 PM

Sat July 12 – The Original Wailers
Lake Mission Viejo at North Beach · 7 PM

Sat July 13 – Britain’s Finest & Mick Adams and the Stones
Dana Point at Sea Terrace Park · 2:30 PM & 4:30 PM

Sun July 13 – Family Style
Aliso Viejo at Grand Park · Time TBD

Sun July 13 – Flock of 80s
Rancho Santa Margarita at Central Park · 6–8 PM

See all the concerts happening around South OC…

✏️ Plan Ahead…

🧘 Sunset Yoga + Cocktails Stretch and sip at Dana Point’s hip El Caminante Hotel. Enjoy a 60-minute sunset yoga session by the fountain, followed by a post-flow cocktail, DJ set, and happy hour patio hang. Thursday, July 17, 5:45–8pm | Dana Point

🎨 Natural Color Bandana Workshop Start with a guided walk to observe color in the landscape, then use live plants and hammering techniques to create your own botanical bandana. You’ll leave with wearable art! Friday, July 18, 9:30–11:30am | Ages 12+ | Laguna Beach

🎡 OC Fair  Deep-fried everything, mini donuts, giant Ferris wheels, and pig races you didn’t know you needed to see. Plus concerts, rodeos, farm animals, and people-watching. July 18–Aug 17 | OC Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa

🌊 San Clemente Ocean Festival. Lifeguard relays, surf comps, sand sculpting, and a one-mile ocean swim—this beach bash packs it in. Add a kids' zone, car show, and live music, and you’ve got San Clemente summer at full send.
July 19–20 | San Clemente Pier

🍷 Winedown Friday at the Vineyard  Tucked in Silverado Canyon, Giracci Vineyards hosts a dreamy Friday night with pours by the glass and a live jazz-pop set by Midnight Martini. Saturday, July 19, 6–9pm | Giracci Vineyards, Silverado Canyon

🛥️ 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 or ticket needed—just show up! Sunday, July 19 | 11 AM–5 PM | Ocean Institute, Dana Point Harbor

🌿 Growing Herbs Workshop Learn how to grow fresh herbs in containers, on your patio, windowsill, or even in a pumpkin. UC Master Gardeners will guide you through the basics, from classic basil to more exotic picks. Saturday, July 19, 11am–12pm | Free | Laguna Beach

🧘‍♀️ Yoga & Hiking Start your morning with a 5-mile hike featuring sweeping 360° views, followed by a gentle outdoor yoga session focused on breath, balance, and recovery. Advanced registration required. This fills up.
July 25, 8–11 AM | FREE | Irvine

🏞️ Limestone Canyon 4WD Photo Tour See OC’s “Mini Grand Canyon” without breaking a sweat. This rare backcountry tour takes you deep into Limestone Canyon by 4WD vehicle. Snap photos of The Sinks and sketch sweeping sandstone cliffs. Sunday, July 27, 4–8pm | Free with RSVP | Silverado

🎶 Honky Tonk Angels – A feel-good, boot-stompin' musical featuring country classics. July 30 – August 17. Laguna Playhouse

➡️ Explore more South OC theater options

🎨 Clay Handbuilding Series Learn the fundamentals of handbuilt ceramics—pinch pots, coiling, and slab construction—while creating a kiln-fired project each week. Tuesdays, Aug 5–26, 6–8 PM | Potocki Center for the Arts, Mission Viejo

🍷 OC Wine & Spirit Fest  Sip, dance, and soak in the magic of Silverado Canyon at this luxe tasting event under the stars. Enjoy unlimited pours of wine, spirits, and brews, live music, dancing—all set against the lush charm of Giracci Vineyards. Saturday, August 9, 6:30–9:30pm | Silverado |

🐎 Capistrano Polo Classic The First Annual Capistrano Polo Classic brings horses, live music, food trucks, and cocktails to the Ortega Equestrian Center. August 10 | 11–3 PM | San Juan Capistrano

About Us: Lorna’s an OC native who still shows up for swim practice with the Mission Viejo Nadadores Masters team, even if her high school speed is long gone. Jason’s a Brit who’s new obsession is aquascaping —think underwater gardens with fish, snails, and plants. We started The Scene because life’s short, and there’s so much to see, do, and savor! Thanks for letting us be part of your weekend!