- The Scene: South OC
- Posts
- Power Couple of South OC
Power Couple of South OC
š“ Meet Lewis Moulton and Nellie Gailāwhose love story shaped 22,000 acres of ranch land and left a legacy you can still explore today. Plus... kombucha flights in San Juan, goats on wildfire patrol in Mission Viejo, and free sunset concerts in Laguna Beach.
.
Hey friend,
Welcome to The Sceneā¦ your weekly roundup of whatās actually worth doing in South Orange County.
Our motto: the more you know, the more you go. Thatās what this newsletter is all about ā sharing ideas big and small to make it easier (and more fun) to get out and enjoy OC.
Soā¦ whatās on your weekend list?
Hit reply and let us know.
Lorna & Jason
What's Inside...
šļø THIS WEEKENDāS PICKS šļø
~~ FRIDAY SEPT. 26th ~~
š¶ Sunset Serenades Free Friday night concerts with Afro Fiesta (Afro-beat/Reggae/Latin).
Sept 26 | 5:30pmāsunset | Heisler Park Amphitheater | Laguna Beach
āļø Sip & Tell: Memoir Writing Night Grab a drink, a snack, and your free Nellie Gail notebook while you kickstart your story. Guest authors Judy R. Cook and Scott T. Barnes will be on hand for inspiration.
Sept 26 | 5ā7pm | Moulton Museum, Laguna Hills
š Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrate the Moon Festival with cultural displays, live entertainment, crafts, food trucks, and family fun at Irvineās fifth annual event in partnership with the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center.
Sept 26 | 5ā9:30pm | Great Park, Irvine
š Woodland Wellness Walk Immerse yourself in nature with a free guided, slow-paced walk inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing, complete with a closing tea ceremony.
Sept 26 | 10amā12pm | Irvine Regional Park, Orange
š¶ Sideways Classic rock anthems and crowd favorites wrap up the September lineup. Grab dinner nearby and make it a full evening.
Sept 26 | 6ā8pm | Laguna Niguel Promenade
š¼ļø Dreamscapes and Dream States ā Opening Reception Explore cinematic nightscapes by OC fine art photographer Christopher Allwine. His dreamlike works have been featured at Laguna Beach art festivals and venues from The Ritz-Carlton to John Wayne Airport. Free.
Sept 26 | 6pm | Casa Romantica, San Clemente
š¤ Line Dancing in the Barn Boot-scoot your way into Friday night fun at Farmakis Farms! Easy-to-follow lessons before the DJ spins all your favorite country hits in the rustic barn. Tickets required in advance.
Sept 26 | 7ā10pm | Farmakis Farms, San Juan Capistrano
Scroll down to see whatās happening next weekend and beyond:
ā”ļø PLAN AHEADā¦
š¶ š¶ Checkout This Weekendās Live Music Options
Buy One Coffee, Get One Free
ā Redshift Coffee Roasters | Lake Forest
šValid through September
šTo redeem, show this email to the barista.
š One free drink per transaction
~~ SATURDAY SEPT. 27th ~~
š¬š· San Juan Capistrano Greek Festival Opa! Two days of gyros, baklava, folk dancing, and ouzo-fueled fun hosted by St. Basilās Greek Orthodox Church.
Sept 27ā28 | San Juan Capistrano
šŗ Oktoberfest at Lake Mission Viejo Raise a stein to fall with traditional German music and dancing, Bavarian bites like brats and pretzels, German beer, contests, and carnival-style games. Must be a Lake Mission Viejo resident or guest.
Sept 27 | 4ā8:30pm | Lake Mission Viejo
š Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Celebrate Hispanic heritage with live DJ music, cultural performances, food, games, and community booths on the lawn at Lions Park. A free, family-friendly afternoon of traditions and fun.
Sept 27 | 10amā2pm | Lions Park Event Lawn, Costa Mesa
š¬ Movies in the Park: Lilo & Stitch Bring the family for games, music, and an outdoor showing of Lilo & Stitch under the stars. Entertainment kicks off at 5pm, movie begins at dusk. Refreshments available for purchase.
Sept 27 | Napoli Park, Mission Viejo
Scroll down to see whatās happening next weekend and beyond:
ā”ļø PLAN AHEADā¦
š¶ š¶ Checkout South OC Live Music Options
~~ SUNDAY SEPT. 28th ~~
š„¾ Family Hike to Barbaraās Lake Take a 2.5-mile free guided hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation naturalists through Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Explore diverse habitats on the way to Barbaraās Lake and back. Ages 6+.
Sept 28 | 8:30ā11am | James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Beach
š OC Car Culture Social Meet Show off your ride or just soak in the sceneāthis meetup welcomes all makes and models, plus photographers and spectators. Family-friendly, with prizes for crowd favorites and an after-show hangout.
Sept 28 | 8:30ā10am | 31791 Del Obispo St, San Juan Capistrano
š¤æ Guided Snorkel Tours Explore Lagunaās kelp forests on a semi-private snorkel with expert guides. Gear includedājust bring your sense of adventure!
Sept 28 | 9ā10:30am | Shawās Cove Laguna Beach
šļø 63rd Annual Sandcastle Contest Watch the beach transform into a gallery of giant sand sculptures at Big Corona. Teams compete with creative builds under the theme āRock the Sand!ā
Sept 28 | 10amā4:30pm | Big Corona State Beach, Newport Beach
Scroll down to see whatās happening next weekend and beyond:
ā”ļø PLAN AHEADā¦
š¶ š¶ Checkout South OC Live Music Options
š¤ Trivia Quiz
Nellie Gail, namesake of Nellie Gail Ranch in Laguna Hills, was married to which South OC rancher and landowner?
A) James Irvine
B) Lewis Moulton
C) Richard OāNeill
D) Dwight Whiting
(Scroll to bottom for answer)
āš¼ OG Influencers !
The Power Couple of South OC
Drive Moulton Parkway. Pass Nellie Gail Ranch. The names are familiar to anyone in South Orange County, but few know the story behind them.
Would you be surprised to learn that Mr. Lewis Moulton and Nellie Gail were married?
In the late 1800s, Lewis Moulton arrived from Boston with little more than ambition, yet he went on to build a 22,000-acre ranching empire called Rancho Niguel.
Nellie Gail Moulton was an heiress who painted the hills before cul-de-sacs covered them. Together they were South OCās original power couple.
Today, you can step into their world four ways:
1. Moulton Museum in Laguna Hills ā this new museum showcases saddles, ranching tools and an art gallery featuring Nellieās artwork paired with modern takes on the same landscapes.
Learn More about the Moulton Museum and local history
2. Tiller House Hotel ā a boutique stay that continues the Moulton legacy with murals, themed guest rooms and a restaurant called The Grange with $5 happy-hour wine.
š§ Culture Shock
18 Kombuchas on Tap
Fermentation Farm in San Juan Capistrano is a kombucha loverās paradise. Their bar boasts 18 taps of rotating flavors, and the barista couldnāt have been more patient, encouraging us to linger and sample as many as we wanted until we found āthe one.ā
Once youāve picked your favorite, a bottle is just $6.
18 Kombuchas on tap at Fermentation Farm in San Juan Capistrano
Plus if you go on Wednesday or Friday between 3 -7pm the deal is even sweeter. Youāll get their happy hour discount up to $3 off.
šRiver Street 31880 Paseo Adelanto, Suite 100, San Juan Capistrano, CA.
š¦ NICE NEWSā¦
āļø John Wayne Airport Tops the Nation
John Wayne Airport just ranked #1 Large Airport in North America for customer satisfaction in J.D. Powerās 2025 studyāfor the second year running. Thank goodness this is our airport and not that other nightmare of an airport to our north! Learn More
š Mission Viejoās Goat Crew Doubles in Size
In the mornings 230 goats roam the Jeronimo Open Space, chomping weeds and brush as Mission Viejoās most adorable wildfire prevention teamāwhile two Anatolian Shepherds stand watch for coyotes. Watch the Goats in Action
š Miracle on the Beach
A man recently went into cardiac arrest at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point. Thanks to quick action by good Samaritans and a lifeguard, he survived against the odds. His doctor said his chances were under 1%. Now heās walking again and recently reunited with those who saved him. Watch the video
ā¹ļø NOT SUCH NICE NEWSā¦
šļø Los Osos Project Still in Limbo
Mission Viejo has been talking about a Village Center revamp for nearly a decade, even buying the Stein Mart site in 2021 for $12M. A vision plan passed in 2023, but with a dozen landlords pushing back, the city is pausing to rethink. Learn More
Want a say? Show up at the Planning & Transportation Commission meeting Oct 13, 6:30pm, City Hall.
š¾ Orphaned on Ortega: Mountain Lion Cubs Lose Their Mother
Two mountain lion cubs were orphaned this month when their small, shy mother, F390, was struck and killed by a vehicle on Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano. Another reminder of how deadly our roads are for wildlife. Scientists say the cubs, just 14 months old, now face a critical fight to survive without her. Learn More
āļø PLAN AHEADā¦
šļø Add these events to your Calendar
(see full listing- new events are added daily)
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29
šø 140 Pico Speakeasy Night Night One-night pop-up speakeasy bar with cocktails and moody vibesāRSVP to 949-289-0700. | The Casino San Clemente
THURSDAY OCTOBER 2
š Frankenstein (San Francisco Ballet) Mary Shelleyās classic reimagined with haunting choreography and live score. | Segerstrom Hall, Costa Mesa
š½ļø Taste of Laguna Food & Music Festival Bites from 30+ restaurants plus live music under the stars. | Festival of Arts Grounds, Laguna Beach
š» Spirits & Legends of the Bowers Museum Haunted tours of the historic galleries with eerie stories of paranormal encounters. | Bowers Museum, Santa Ana
š± Bargain Gardening Free workshop on budget-friendly gardening tips and resources. | Norman Murray Community Center, Mission Viejo
FRIDAY OCTOBER 3
Rancho Family Fest 2025 Two days of live music, food vendors, artisan shopping, beer & wine garden and a Fine Art Fair Fri & Sat, Oct 3 & 4, Rancho Santa Margarita
š Comedy Night at Jojoās Hideaway Stand-up showcase with Matt Balaker & Friends. | Jojoās Hideaway, Tustin
š” Tustin Tiller Days Carnival rides, live music, food booths, and parade fun. | Columbus Tustin Park, Tustin
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4
š Pumpkin Rescue Swim into a floating pumpkin patch, pick your pumpkin, and stay for open swim. | Laguna Niguel Aquatic Center, Laguna Niguel
š· Vintage Wine Walk Sip wine and bites from 16+ local restaurants while strolling historic downtown. | Rancho Capistrano Winery, San Juan Capistrano
šæ Forest Bathing Walk Guided shinrin yoku walk with tea ceremony at the Niguel Botanical Preserve. FREE | Niguel Botanical Preserve, Laguna Niguel
šļø Craft Fair Shop local artisans, enjoy live music, and family-friendly activities at Crown Valley. | Crown Valley Community Center, Laguna Niguel
šø Moonlit Botanic Ball Gala evening of fine dining, cocktails, and dancing in the gardens. ($375) | Sherman Library & Gardens, Corona del Mar
SUNDAY OCTOBER 5
š¶ Neil Diamond & Carly Simon Tribute Sing along to timeless hits in a live tribute show. | Jojoās Hideaway, Tustin
š¼ DĆa de Muertos Celebration Family-friendly artisan market, candle workshop, altar, and free screening of Coco. | 1135 W. Chapman Ave., Orange
To see whatās happening even further ahead, check out our full listing.
New events added dailyā¦
How Did You Like This Newsletter? |
š¢ Want to Advertise?
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, letās chat! [email protected]
Learn more here.
About Us: Lornaās 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.
Jasonās a Brit who swapped pub life for paddleboards and now splits his time between aquascaping and crafting perfect cocktails. We started The Scene because thereās so much to see, do, and savor. Thanks for letting us be a small part of your weekend.
Itās A Wrap
šNot yet a subscriber? Youāll get early access to The Sceneādelivered every Wednesday at 8:45pm! Sign up here.
š° Read past newsletters and feature stories here.
š§ Trivia Answer:
ā
Answer: B) Lewis Moulton ā A sheep herder turned rancher, Moulton built his empire into the 22,000-acre Moulton Ranch, which spanned much of todayās Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, and Aliso Viejo. He and Nellie Gail were a true South OC power couple, blending ranching, art, and philanthropy into the regionās history. Learn more
š„± 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 hasnāt 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!
Ā©ļø 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 āThe Digital Millennium Copyright Act.ā 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