OC's Coolest Brewery?

Sip bold beer beneath a vintage Model T, then line dance at Dana Point Harbor, plant a salad bowl garden, stroll a pup-packed trail, and catch Symphony under the stars.

AuthorAuthor

Jason Ladd & Lorna Ladd
June 25, 2025

Welcome to The Scene… your weekly round-up of what’s actually worth doing in South Orange County. Think hidden gardens, live music, rooftop bars, and great happy hours worth changing out of your sweatpants for. (Was this email forwarded to you? You can get your own weekly copy by subscribing here.)

🗓️ THIS WEEKEND’S PICKS 🗓️

~~~~~ FRIDAY JUNE 27 ~~~~~

Art & Culture

🎨 The Sawdust Art Festival  185 artists, live music, and immersive creativity under the trees - the iconic summer tradition for the whole family.
🗓️ Opens Friday! June 27 - Aug 31 | Pre-order tickets and save | Laguna Beach

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🎻 Symphony on the Go Enjoy a free outdoor chamber music concert with Pacific Symphony at charming Napoli Park—bring a picnic, a blanket, and let the music do the rest.
🗓️ Friday, June 27, 6:30pm | Free | Mission Viejo – Napoli Park

~~~~~ SATURDAY JUNE 28 ~~~~~

Pups, Pools & Planting

🐾 Evening Pack Walk Stroll, sniff, and socialize on this pack walk through Laguna Niguel Regional Park. It’s a fun way to connect—with your pup and fellow dog lovers. Led by behaviorists Emily Haley & Tommy Stark.
🗓️ Saturday, June 28 | 5pm | Laguna Niguel Regional Park

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🎶 Live Music on the Pool Deck. Soak up the sun and sounds as Haley Copello and Ashley Ventri serve up funk and pop classics poolside + grab a bite from Xclusive Food Truck, guest passes available if you're not a member.
🗓️ Saturday, June 28, 1–4pm | Montanoso Recreation Center | Mission Viejo

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🌱 Plant a Salad Bowl Garden  Lettuce turn your backyard into a salad! This free hands-on workshop teaches you how to grow your own greens, herbs, and veggies in a compact garden setup perfect for summer harvesting. Hosted by UC Master Gardeners.
🗓️ Saturday, June 28 | 10–11:30 AM | Free | Irvine

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🌍 Lake Forest Multicultural Festival Experience a vibrant afternoon of music, art, food, and entertainment from diverse cultures.
🗓️ Saturday, June 28 | 3–7pm | Civic Center Campus, Lake Forest

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🤠 Coastal Cowgirl at Dana Point Harbor. Line dancing, coastal-chic vendors, sun-drenched photo ops, and summer sips—this beach-meets-western bash is where your boots meet the boardwalk.
🗓️ Saturday, June 28, 11am–4pm | Bump Out Park | Dana Point Harbor

~~~~~ SUNDAY JUNE 29 ~~~~~

Breathe-In, Rock-Out !

~ day time ~

🧘‍♀️ Nature Meditation Walk Unplug and reconnect on this mindful walk through Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Led by Laguna Canyon Foundation, the experience includes playful reflection stops, less than a mile of easy trail, and a closing tea ceremony with native plants.
🗓️ Sunday, June 29 | 9–11am | Free with RSVP | Laguna Niguel

~ night time ~

🎉 RSM Turns 25, Throwing Big Party. Rancho Santa Margarita’s throwing a city-sized birthday bash with live music, food trucks, splash pad fun, bounce houses, a beer & wine garden, and vendors galore. Two bands—Franklin Wall and Those Guys—keep the party going from late afternoon to sundown.
🗓️ Sunday, June 29, 4–8pm | Central Park | Rancho Santa Margarita

🤔 Trivia

Which South OC canyon was once home to a 19th-century mining operation and is now rumored to be haunted?

A) Trabuco Canyon
B) Bell Canyon
C) Aliso Canyon
D) Black Star Canyon

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

Aliso Viejo’s Best-Kept Secret?

A Brewery with Bold Beer, Brisket, and a Vintage Twist

Tucked inside a nondescript business park in Aliso Viejo is one of the most memorable dining and drinking spots in South OC. Webb’s Distillery and Brewery might not look like much from the outside, but step inside and you’ll find a warm space pouring 14 housemade beers and serving up seriously good food.

The Blackest Crow, a 14% ABV Beer… I ordered the The Coconut Vanilla Cream Ale which I loved; Jason went for the Blackest Crow, a 14% bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout, drinks more like a port, smoothed out with Madagascar vanilla bean.

And the food? Brisket tacos, burgers, fries and chilli executed flawlessly.

It’s not just the beer list that makes this place stand out—it’s the atmosphere and attention to detail. Like the Model T car hanging from the ceiling. That’s not decor for the sake of novelty…

A Nod to the Past… Before it became a distillery, this space was Lew Webb’s private car museum. Lew owned car dealerships across LA and OC, and after he passed, his son Jeremy turned the museum into something new—without erasing the past. Much of the original wood paneling is still intact.

It’s a love letter to craftsmanship—whether in cars, beer, or food—and the kind of place where your server (shoutout to Alex) feels like an old friend by the end of the night.

Best Deal In Town… 🍔 🍺 Their lunch menu is hard to beat! A burger & large pour beer for $20. Monday-Friday till 3pm.

📍 Webbs Distillery & Brewery, 7 Journey, Aliso Viejo, CA

🎤 Summer Concerts This Weekend

Thurs June 26. Ava August  
Dana Point at The Harbor 4pm

Fri June 27. Yachty by Nature
Nellie Gail at Gallup Park Park 7pm

Fri June 27. Symphony on the Go 
Mission Viejo at Napoli Park 6:30pm

Sat June 28. Blood, Sweat & Tears
Lake Mission Viejo at North Beach 7pm

Sun June 29. Swift National
Lake Forest at Sports Park 5:30pm

Sun June 29. Franklin Wall, Those Guys
Rancho Santa Margarita at Central Park 4pm

See all the concerts happening around South OC…

🎶🎶 Live Music in South OC

Take advantage of our warm evenings, sipping some delicious summer wines, relaxing with some amazing tunes on the patio…

Wilfax is a super-talented singer/songwriter who also incorporates a host of ‘reinvented’ cover songs into his mix. Take a listen to his live acoustic version of Facebook Time.

Barnoa Wine Bar is a hidden gem with fresh food and a long, thoughtful wine list. Craving beer instead? They’ve got a rotating selection of unique brews on tap.

🗓️ Friday June 27, 6:30-9:30pm | Free | Barnoa Wine & Beer Bistro | San Clemente

Check out the full listing on The Scene website.

✏️ Plan Ahead…

🇺🇸 4th of July celebrations are planned all over South OC. See full listing.

🛹 San Juan Capistrano Skate Park Grand Opening. Music, food, giveaways, and skate demos mark the launch of this long-awaited park—bring your board and your best tricks.
Monday, June 30, 2–4pm | 26091 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano

🧘 Sunset Yoga + Cocktails Stretch and sip at Dana Point’s chic 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. Come for the movement, stay for the ocean views and community energy.
Thursday, July 17, 5:45–8pm | Dana Point

🎨 Natural Color Bandana Workshop Explore the vibrant hues hidden in nature during this hands-on 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

🐦 Birding by the Creek Join OC Parks for a peaceful morning hike along Aliso Creek—one of OC’s top riparian birding spots. This easy 3-mile loop features creekside trails, birdwatching, and a return stroll on paved roads. Binoculars encouraged!
Saturday, July 19, 8–10:30am | Laguna Niguel

🌿 Growing Herbs Workshop Dreaming of fresh herbs just steps from your kitchen? Learn how to grow them 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

🏞️ 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, sketch sweeping sandstone cliffs, and take in golden hour views from Loma Ridge. Optional short hikes available, or just enjoy the ride.
Sunday, July 27, 4–8pm | Free with RSVP | Silverado

🎶 A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical. From “Sweet Caroline” to “Cracklin’ Rosie,” this Broadway hit brings Neil Diamond’s story—and songs—to life.
July 29–Aug 10 | Segerstrom Center for the Arts

🍷 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 | 🎟️ Save 60% with code EARLYEARLY

About Us: We’re Lorna and Jason—local explorers, weekend wanderers, and South OC residents who got tired of hearing “there’s nothing to do around here” (spoiler: there’s plenty).

Lorna’s a journalist at heart with a love of hiking, swimming and dog-friendly spots. Jason’s a Brit, always up for a pint, and has strong opinions about fish & chips!

Together, we’ve made it our mission to uncover the hidden gems, off-the-radar events, and fun things happening in South Orange County.
If it’s worth changing out of our sweats for, we’re probably there.

🧐 Trivia Answer:  D) Black Star Canyon
💡 It was the site of the Black Star Coal Mining Company, established around 1879. They extracted tons of coal daily from a 900-foot tunnel. The ghost stories originate from a massacre between fur trappers and native Americans and other murders during the gold rush era. Urban legends suggest the mine is haunted to this day. Hikers have reported experiencing paranormal activity, including hearing screams and seeing apparitions.

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