- The Scene: South OC
- Posts
- ❤️ Most Romantic Patio Is Hiding in....
❤️ Most Romantic Patio Is Hiding in....
Romantic patio dining at Rose Canyon Cantina, the final weekend of Laguna’s Sawdust Art Festival, fireworks over Lake Mission Viejo, and the best paddleboarding spots from Dana Point Harbor to Back Bay.
.
Hey friend, life moves fast, and it’s easy to fall into the same-old routine — same restaurants, same errands, same nights at home.
But here’s what we’ve found: The more you know, the more you go. That’s the heart of this newsletter — giving you ideas big and small that make it easier to get out, and enjoy South OC.
This week marks the season’s last hurrah with Laguna’s Sawdust Art Festival closing out its summer run and the final free concerts lighting up South OC parks. Add in fireworks over Lake Mission Viejo and the Orange International Street Fair, and you’ve got plenty of ways to soak up these last summer nights.
What's Inside...
🗓️ THIS WEEKEND’S PICKS 🗓️
~~ FRIDAY AUGUST 29th ~~
👻 San Juan Capistrano Ghost Walk Wander Old Town’s haunted streets under century-old pepper trees and hear chilling tales of headless spirits, bandits, and even a pirate attack. The 1.5-hour tour ends at the Mission ruins, where 42 parishioners perished in the 1812 quake — and where at least one restless soul remains! Advanced Registration Required.
Friday, August 29 | 7pm | San Juan Capistrano
🎶 Symphony in the Park Bring a blanket and unwind to live orchestral music under the summer sky at Cabot Park.
Friday, August 29 | 6pm | Cabot Park, Laguna Hills
🎶 Tunes at the Dunes - Back Bay Live music, food trucks, and full bars set the stage for laid-back summer nights by the water. From Jimmy Buffett vibes to Journey tributes, expect family-friendly tunes and good times. Admission is free.
Aug 29–31 | 5–8pm | Newport Dunes
🏄♂️ Surfboard Swap & Silent Auction Bring a board, bid on a classic, or just enjoy the music — River Street Marketplace is hosting a one-of-a-kind surfboard swap silent auction to support Charlos in his recovery (a surfer from SJC). Enjoy live music, giveaways (like a 1965 Dodge A100 Surf Van and a $1,000 Toes on the Nose gift card). All proceeds go to the Love for Los Foundation.
Friday, August 29 | River Street Marketplace, San Juan Capistrano
Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD!
🎶 🎶 Checkout This Weekend’s Live Music Options
~~ SATURDAY AUGUST 30th ~~
🌍 Orange International Street Fair Fifteen themed streets, 42 food and drink booths (think Irish nachos, Greek gyros, Brazilian skewers, and German brats), 200+ arts and crafts vendors, plus a kids’ zone and seven stages of live entertainment. From the Sligo Rags on Irish Street to the Sauerkrauts on German Street, there’s music for every taste.
Friday-Sunday, August 29–31 | Old Town Orange
🎨 Painting at the Native Seed Farm Stroll through wildflower meadows for inspiration, then set up your easel and paint alongside Laguna Beach artist Shane McClatchey at this outdoor watercolor workshop. Bring your own supplies and capture the blooms of 50+ native plant species in season.
Saturday, August 30 | 8:30am–12pm | Irvine
🎆 Save Ferris + Fireworks at the Lake Save Ferris takes the stage with their crowd-pleasing cover of Come On Eileen plus other fan favorites, followed by a fireworks show over Lake Mission Viejo. Note: you must be a MV resident or attend with one for entry.
Saturday, August 30 | 7pm | North Beach, Lake Mission Viejo
🎨 Sawdust Art Festival – Final Weekend Stroll through 200+ local artist booths (all artists must be Laguna Beach residents), live glassblowing, music, and bites under the eucalyptus trees as Laguna’s summer art season comes to a close.
Saturday/Sunday, August 30&31 | 11am–10pm | Sawdust Art Festival Grounds, Laguna Beach
🌊 Celebrate San Onofre at This Surf & Beer Fest Los Molinos Beer Co. is throwing a block party to support the San Onofre Parks Foundation, complete with live music, local vendors, and coastal community vibes. Meet surf clubs, enjoy the bands, and learn how to protect the San-O way of life.
Saturday, August 30 | 1–9pm | Los Molinos Beer Co., San Clemente
🎉 Barnyard Birthday Bash at Tanaka Farms Party with the animals at Tanaka Farms! Enjoy cornhole, dancing, BBQ, and sunset photo ops with goats, pigs, and chickens at this family-friendly celebration on the farm.
Saturday, August 30 | 5–9pm | Tanaka Farms, Irvine
Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD!
🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options
~~ SUNDAY AUGUST 31st ~~
🦀 Labor Day Seafood Boil at Station Craft Pile on the crab, sip local brews, and kick back Dana Point–style at this holiday weekend feast. Ticket includes a pint, with a bonus pour for military guests. The band River Jetty will be there to entertain you.
Sunday, August 31 | 12–4pm | Station Craft, Dana Point
🥾 Boots, Beer & BBQ for a Cause Line dancing lessons, a live DJ, and a full dinner from Outback Steakhouse, plus beer and wine for purchase — all to support Mission Viejo’s adopted Marines.
Sunday, August 31 | 4–7pm | Norman P. Murray Center, Mission Viejo
🌾 Sip & Stroll at Giracci Vineyards Wander stalls bursting with farm-fresh offerings, sip local wines, and say hello to the cutest goats and ducklings on site. Perfect for getting lost in good food, good vibes, and actual baby animals.
August 31 | 1am–4pm | Giracci Vineyards & Farms, Silverado
Scroll down to see what’s happening next weekend and beyond:
➡️ PLAN AHEAD!
🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options
🤔 Trivia Quiz
Only two places in OC are ‘National Historic Landmarks’.
Do you know which two?
A) Mission San Juan Capistrano & Balboa Pavilion
B) Crystal Cove Historic District & Lovell Beach House
C) Old Orange County Courthouse & Muckenthaler Cultural Center
D) Modjeska House (Arden) & Richard Nixon Birthplace
(Scroll to bottom for answer)
Dog Sitting with a Difference in South OC
No crowded kennels. No teenagers juggling side gigs.
Just a comfy home where your dog is never left alone.
We’re a responsible couple in our 50s who do this because we love dogs. We only host up to two visiting dogs at a time, so every pup gets personal attention, round-the-clock companionship, and the run of the couch (or the bed, if that’s their style).
Whether it’s for a weekend or a week, you’ll know your dog is safe, comfortable, and cared for like one of our own.
📍 South Orange County | Limited spots available
🐶 Read Reviews & Learn More
📩 First-time guests: Respond to this email for best rates
🦄 NICE NEWS…
🍩 Harry Potter Donuts Land in OC
Krispy Kreme has launched a limited-time Harry Potter collection, complete with Hogwarts house designs, that’s already enchanting fans at local shops. The magical treats are available now while supplies last, and with only three Krispy Kreme locations in all of Orange County (Mission Viejo, Irvine, and Orange), you’ll want to plan your donut run early. Learn More
🐕 San Clemente OKs Trial Dog Beach
San Clemente approved a six-month pilot to allow leashed dogs on a stretch of sand south of T-Street during limited weekday hours. The plan still needs Coastal Commission approval before pups can make their beach debut. Learn more
🥟 Din Tai Fung Coming to Irvine Spectrum
Taiwan’s legendary dumpling house, famous for delicate xiao long bao soup dumplings, Michelin-starred acclaim, and lines that circle the block, is opening at the Spectrum. The exact date is still TBA, but foodies are already sharpening their chopsticks. Learn More
🎢 Disneyland Tickets Drop to $104
For three short stretches in September, Sept 2–4, 9–11, and 16–18, Disneyland will offer its lowest one-day ticket price of the year at $104. That’s more than $100 less than peak dates later this fall. Learn More
🎨 Laguna College of Art and Design Lands $40M Gift
A $40-million donation, by a benefactor whose name won’t be revealed until the project is finished, is being used to unite its campuses currently scattered all around Laguna into one main area. Learn More
🌊 Best Places to Paddleboard in South OC
☀️ Summer’s Not Over Yet
School might be back in session, but in South OC it’s hotter than it’s been all season which makes NOW the perfect time to get on the water.
The best part? You don’t need your own gear. Local rental shops will hand you a board right at the water’s edge, so all you have to do is hop on and go.
Paddleboarding has a super low barrier to entry — if you grab a wide, stable board you’ll be standing in minutes. It’s an easy, fun way to feel like you’re “on vacation” without leaving town.
Here’s where you can go to paddleboard where the board is already at the water’s edge, so no hauling required…
✏️ PLAN AHEAD…
🗓️ Add these events to your Calendar
(see full listing)
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5
🍸 Julius Caesar…Drinkspeare Shakespeare gets a tipsy twist in this outdoor cabaret, where you can buy drinks for the actors mid-performance. History, hilarity, and a little audience mischief guaranteed.
September 5–6 | 7:30pm | Cabrillo Playhouse, San Clemente
🟡 PAC-MAN Fever at Great Park Last month to chomp your way through 45 years of PAC-MAN. Play classic arcade cabinets, check out rare memorabilia, and relive the golden age of gaming before the exhibition closes.
Now–September 28 | Great Park Gallery, Irvine
Saturday September 6
👻 Black Star Canyon Ghost Walk Hike three miles into one of OC’s most infamous canyons after dark, guided by naturalist Joel Robinson. Hear tales of Spanish soldiers, bandits, and restless spirits while watching for owls, tarantulas, and glowworms along the trail.
September 6 | 7pm | Black Star Canyon, Silverado
🎶 Classical Music Concert Enjoy an evening with the Pacific Symphony at Great Park Live, featuring pianist Natasha Paremski in Piano Concerto No. 1, the stormy Francesca da Rimini, and a fireworks-lit 1812 Overture finale. Ticket prices start at $44, and parking is free.
September 6 | 8pm | Great Park Live, Irvine
Sunday September 7
📖 Stories of San Clemente’s Past Step inside Casa Romantica to hear stories of San Clemente’s founding, Ole Hanson’s dream of a “Spanish Village by the Sea,” and the landmark’s one-of-a-kind architecture. Docents will be on hand to guide you through, and kids can try a hands-on archaeology puzzle for a fun way to dig into the past.
September 7 | 10am–2pm | Casa Romantica, San Clemente
Tuesday September 9
✨ & Juliet What if Juliet never picked the poison? This chart-topping pop musical flips Shakespeare on its head with songs from Britney, Katy Perry, and more.
Septemper 9–21 | Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa
👻 Ghost Stories of Old Towne Orange Join Haunted OC founder Ernie Alonzo and longtime docent Valerie Brewster for a free community program on the origins of OC’s oldest ghost tours. Expect personal stories, chilling legends, and a peek into the city’s haunted past.
September 9 | 5:30–7pm | Orange Public Library Community Room
Wednesday September 10
🎻 Symphony in the Park Pacific Symphony brings a free outdoor concert to Lake Forest Sports Park, alongside the weekly Farmers Market with food and local vendors.
September 10 | 6pm | Lake Forest Sports Park
To see what’s happening even further ahead, checkout our full listing…
📢 Want to Advertise?
Are you a local business looking for consistent, community-aligned exposure? We are opening up a limited number of brand partnership spots for the remainder of 2025.
The Scene reaches thousands of engaged locals every week through this letter and our growing social media channels.
If you see the value in authentic, local connection, get on the wait list by emailing [email protected]
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.
🧐 Trivia Answer:
✅ Answer: D) Modjeska House (Arden) & Richard Nixon Birthplace
Orange County’s two National Historic Landmarks highlight very different slices of history.
1. The Nixon Birthplace in Yorba Linda is the modest farmhouse where the 37th U.S. president was born in 1913.
2. Tucked away in Modjeska Canyon, the Modjeska House (Arden) was home to Helena Modjeska, a world-famous Shakespearean actress in the late 1800s who helped shape American theater. Her canyon retreat became a cultural hub for writers and artists, and the house itself remains a rare, intact piece of early OC history.
National Historic Landmarks vs. the National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the nation’s master list of properties worthy of preservation, while National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) are the rare sites recognized for exceptional significance to the entire country (they make up just 3% of the 90,000 NRHP entries) which makes Orange County’s two NHLs especially notable.
The Wrap Up
🎈Not yet a subscriber? You’ll get early access to The Scene—delivered every Wednesday at 8:45pm! Sign up here.
📰 Read past newsletters and feature stories here.
ADVERTISEMENT
Erase brain fog by tomorrow with THIS
Ever wonder why some people stay razor-sharp into old age while others fade?
Harvard researchers put “super-agers” through brutal memory tests while scanning their brains.
The shocking discovery? One key factor that protects the brain like a shield.
Without it, memory slips. With it, you could keep a mind like a steel trap—at any age.
🥱 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.
Reply