Happy Wednesday!

This weekend starts with one of OC’s strangest traditions: the Mooning of the Amtrak, which has been bringing people to Mugs Away Saloon in Laguna Niguel since 1979 to cheer, wave, and yes, moon passing trains.

On the more fully clothed side of things, Mission Viejo rolls out its hometown parade down Marguerite Parkway on Saturday, while Oso Viejo Park fills up with three days of BBQ, live music and carnival rides.

To all the new readers, welcome to The Scene… Our motto is: the more you know, the more you’ll 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.

See you out there!
Lorna & Jason

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🔥 BBQ Music Fest
Three days of BBQ, live music, carnival rides, magic shows, karaoke, artisan vendors, tastings, and a Sunday amateur BBQ showdown. Tickets required.
Friday–Sunday, July 10–12 | Oso Viejo Community Park, Mission Viejo

🎸 Fast Times: The Ultimate ’80s Concert Experience
Big hair, bigger guitar solos, and wall-to-wall hits. Fast Times brings the sights and sounds of the '80s back to life with a high-energy tribute to bands like Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses, and Depeche Mode.
Fri, July 10 | 8pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano

🪼 Bioluminescence Night Cruise
One of the most unique things you can do in OC, see bioluminescence up close from the water.
July 9–12 | 8:30pm | Ocean Institute, Dana Point

🔥 The Spitfire Grill (The Musical)
A warm, soulful musical about second chances, small towns, and the surprising power of community, set in a struggling Wisconsin diner where hope simmers alongside the coffee.
July 10 – Aug 2 | Cabrillo Playhouse, San Clemente

🎵 Friday Summer Concerts
Ease into the weekend with free outdoor concerts, from Sega Genecide in Ladera Ranch to 90’s Rockshow in Laguna Hills.
Friday, July 10 | 6:30 & 7pm | Ladera Ranch & Laguna Hills

🤠 Boots on the Runway
Beginner-friendly line dancing with lessons, craft beer, cocktails, and food at Hangar 24’s outdoor patio. No cover.
Friday, July 10 | 8:30–11:30pm | Hangar 24, Irvine

🎶 🎶 Checkout all of this weekend’s Live Music Options

➡️ NEXT WEEK
Scroll down to see events happening next week and beyond.

🚂 Mooning of the Amtrak
One of Southern California’s strangest traditions since 1979 returns as people gather outside Mugs Away Saloon to wave, cheer, and moon passing Amtrak trains. 61 Candles band plays at 7 pm.
Sat, July 11 | All Day | Mugs Away Saloon, Laguna Niguel

🏅 Mission Viejo Community Parade (250th Celebration)
A new hometown parade celebrates America’s 250th, rolling down Marguerite Parkway and ending with a BBQ festival at Oso Viejo Park.
Sat, July 11 | 9am | Marguerite Pkwy → Oso Viejo Park, Mission Viejo

🎭 Dana Point Shakespeare Festival
Enjoy a free outdoor performance of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, a fast-paced tale of mistaken identities.
Sat, July 11 | 8pm | Sea Terrace Park, Dana Point

🍺 Beer Day Beer Fest
Five Vines pours featured beers from Phiella Beer and Webbs Grainworks, plus a food buffet. Reservations required.
Saturday, July 11 | 11am–3pm | Five Vines Wine Bar, San Juan Capistrano

🪄 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
A spellbinding stage spectacular packed with jaw-dropping illusions, time-turning twists, and theatrical magic.
July 11 – 25, 2026 | Times vary | Segerstrom Hall, Costa Mesa

🎶 Family Style Live at Salt Creek Grille
Classic soul, rock ’n’ roll, cocktails, coastal cuisine, and sunset views from the patio.
Saturday, July 11 | 6–9pm | Salt Creek Grille, Dana Point

⚕️ Civil War History in Orange County
Explore Civil War-era documents, artifacts, photographs, and local stories at this historic Santa Ana museum.
Saturday, July 11 | 11am–3pm | Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House, Santa Ana

🎸 Dog N' Butterfly: A Tribute to Heart
Relive the hits of Heart with Dog N' Butterfly, a high-energy tribute band known for spot-on musicianship, retro costumes, and an uncanny recreation of classics like Barracuda, Magic Man, and more.
Sun, July 12 | 7pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano

🛍️ Artisans Market at Aliso Viejo Ranch
Shop handmade goods, unique gifts, sweet treats, and local artisan creations from more than 50 vendors.
Sun, July 12 | 11am–3pm | Aliso Viejo Ranch, Aliso Viejo

🛍️ Vintage Market
Browse vintage finds, antiques, handmade goods, retro pieces, and one-of-a-kind treasures at this free outdoor market.
Sunday, July 12 | 8am–3pm | Laguna Hills Mall South Parking Lot, Laguna Hills

🎵 Sunday Summer Concerts
Catch free outdoor music across South OC with The Reflexx in Rancho Santa Margarita, Family Style in Aliso Viejo, and Cassie B plus Yachty by Nature in Dana Point.
Sunday, July 12 | Various Times | South OC

🔥 BBQ Music Fest
Three days of BBQ, live music, carnival rides, magic shows, karaoke, artisan vendors, tastings, and a Sunday amateur BBQ showdown. Tickets required.
Last Day July 12 | 12-8 | Oso Viejo Community Park, Mission Viejo

🍷 Fallbrook Wine Tasting Day Trip
Take a Sunday drive inland for rolling hills, small wineries, and a country-feeling wine trail about an hour from South OC.
Sunday, July 12 | Fallbrook Wine Country

🍷 This Wine Trail Is an Hour From South OC (& It's NOT Temecula)

💿 Vinyl is back. Here’s Where to Experience it in Orange County

🧘 I Tried a Free Yoga Hike & It’s OCs Best Kept Fitness Secret

🍊 Think You know Orange County? Prove it With This Trivia Quiz

🧐 Trivia Answer:

✅ B - 223 steps !

Despite the name, Thousand Steps Beach does not have 1,000 steps. The staircase has about 223 steps, which is still enough to make your calves file a formal complaint.

This South Laguna beach is known for its steep stairway, sea caves, tide pools, and tucked-away feel. At low tide, you can walk through the cave on the south end of the beach to reach the rocky cove beyond it.

That area is also home to the famous “secret pools,” which are man-made saltwater pools built into the rock.

They were created decades ago as private oceanfront pools for nearby homes, but today they’ve become one of Laguna’s more talked-about hidden features.

When the tide is low and conditions line up, ocean water collects in the stone pools, making them swimmable. To reach them from Thousand Steps Beach, you pass through the cave on the south end, which only opens up at the very lowest tide of the day, ideally under 2 feet.

The next daytime low tide appears to be July 19 at 7:31am. Check the tide chart before you go.

📍31972 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

🥱 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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