What's Inside...

• FRI: Crystal Bowls or Cornhole

• SAT: The Birds, The Birds

• SUN: A Day in Dana Point

  • Trivia Question?

  • Secret Garden

  • Best Artisan Bread !!

  • Summer Concert Season

  • Live Music - our pick

  • Plan Ahead...

🗓️ THIS WEEKEND’S PICKS:

»» FRIDAY
Crystal Bowls or Cornhole?

🧘‍♀️ Summer Solstice Sound Bath. Celebrate the longest day of the year with an immersive sound journey at sunset. This rejuvenating session blends gentle yoga and traditional Tibetan singing bowls in a stunning glass venue with 30 foot windows.
🗓️ Friday June 20, 7:30–8:45pm | Method Collective, Irvine

~or~

🍻 Brewfest. Enjoy craft beer and wine tastings, live music, and smoky BBQ while watching a cornhole tournament... Supports Project Youth OC’s programs for underserved teens.
🗓️ Friday June 20, 5:30–8:30pm | The MET in Costa Mesa

🤔 Trivia

Which South OC city is home to the largest free public skatepark in California?

A. Dana Point
B. Lake Forest
C. San Clemente
D. Laguna Niguel

(Scroll to bottom for answer)

The Best Garden in OC…
You Can’t Visit !

Tucked away in South OC is the most magical secret garden you’ve never heard of.

It’s private. It’s peaceful. And honestly? It might be the best garden in all of Orange County but it’s not on Google Maps and it’s invite only.

We came here for my birthday (for the second year) and had lunch in the most charming little nook.

The garden is maintained by the community and you can actually feel the love in every detail—hidden benches, winding paths, a surprise trellis here, a Japanese garden there. And when the wind hits the chimes? Instant sound bath.

But here’s the secret within the secret: Heritage Garden is tucked inside the private gates of Casta del Sol in Mission Viejo. You’ll need a friend on the inside to let you in so you can experience it for yourself. (With nearly 2,000 homes, someone you know probably knows someone.)

To the neighbors who plant, prune, and pour their hearts into every bloom—thank you. You’ve created something magical. See what it’s like.

Refer THE SCENE, Get Cool Stuff…

1 Referral - Get a Birthday shoutout in The Scene.

7 Referrals - Cookies On Us! (a $10 gift card to Milk & Cookies)

35 Referrals - Picnic For 2 in a Secret Garden

Copy & paste this to a text message to refer a friend: https://www.sceneoc.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

💸 OC’s Priciest Pad: $125 MILLION !!!

I had to read the listing twice to make sure it wasn’t a resort. We’re talking 137 acres, a main house the size of a hotel, three guesthouses, a helipad, and—my personal favorite—a 24,000-sq-ft car museum with its own gas station. If it sells near asking, it’ll be the most expensive home sale in OC history. Take a look-see here.

🍞 The Yummiest Artisan Bread !!

Crust Us, These Bakers Rose to the Occasion

Eight incredible bakers brought their best sourdough to a panel of six tasters. Same basic ingredients—wildly different flavors, crusts, and personality. There was no loafing around when it came to judging which loaves truly rose to the top. Here’s who stood out:

🥇 1st Place: Diane’s Sourdough – Laguna Hills
The crust? Crackly perfection. The crumb? Light, chewy, and subtly tangy. Judges loved how soft it was. Order here

🥈 2nd Place: Jesse Mo’s – Rancho Santa Margarita
Rustic, hearty, and with a deep flavor that lingers. Order here

🥉 3rd Place: Parchment & Twine – Ladera Ranch
In this loaf you can really taste the sourdough (which is what we wanted), it also has a tender interior and just enough chew.
Follow: @parchment.n.twine

🔥 Best Flavored Sourdough: Lucy’s Jalapeño Cheddar – Mission Viejo
Cheddar and spicy jalapeño baked right in—this loaf was big, bold, and worth every calorie. Rich, savory, and perfectly crusty, it’s the kind of sourdough you plan an entire meal around.

Find Lucy at the Mission Viejo Farmers Market (Saturdays 9am–1pm) or order here for Friday porch pickup in Lake Forest.

🍪 Best Chocolate Chip Cookie

Did you see our article on the Best chocolate chip cookie in South OC? Check out the top 3

🎤 Summer Concerts This Weekend

Thursday June 19. Matt Koerner  
Dana Point at The Harbor 4pm

Friday June 20. Funky Hippeez
Laguna Niguel at Crown Valley Park 6:30pm

Friday June 20. Uncanny Valley 
Laguna Beach at Heisler Park 6:30pm

Friday June 20. Sydney Haik 
San Clemente at Casa Romantica 10am

Saturday June 21. Act Your Age
Silverado at Community Center 6pm

Wednesday June 25. Symphony in the Park
Aliso Viejo at Soka University

See all the concerts happening around South OC…

🎶🎶 Live Music in South OC

Relax into the weekend with some country bluegrass and rocking blues…

Trisha Freeman is playing at one of our favorite local venues… sit outside on the patio and let the week wash away. Arrive early and grab a beverage and something from the special music night menu. Feel the sun go down and enjoy some mellow tunes like Everyone Can See and Blind Man Wanderin’. Reservations are not required and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

🗓️ Friday June 20, 6-8pm | Free | Oso Creek Golf Club - Atrium in the Garden | Mission Viejo

Check out the full listing on The Scene website.

✏️ Plan Ahead…

 🎶 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. Don’t miss the music, the memories, and the moves.
July 29–Aug 10 | Segerstrom Center for the Arts

➡️ Explore more South OC theater options

🤠 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

🧘‍♀️ Sound Bath Fundraiser. De-stress and unwind with a meditative crystal singing bowl session—an immersive experience in calming vibrations for a good cause.
Saturday, June 28, 3–5pm | Laguna Niguel Woman’s Club

🎶 Redo Vinyl Market The best vinyl show in SoCal spins back into Dana Point June 28. Dig through crates, sip something cold, and vibe to live music with fellow vintage lovers.
Saturday, June 28 | 4–9pm | Dana Point Community Center

🌍 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

🎉 RSM Turns 25. 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

🎶 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

🛹 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

🧑‍🎨 Summer Art Show & Festival Laguna’s summer art scene officially kicks off June 27 with Art-A-Fair’s opening day. Explore juried works from 120 artists, live music, and hands-on workshops in a lush garden setting just off the canyon. It’s creative inspo, alfresco.
June 27 - Aug 31 | 10am–9pm | Laguna Beach

(note: Art-A-Fair is a separate event from the Sawdust Art Festival, but they’re neighbors)

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

🌊 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

About Us: Lorna’s an OC native who’s lived in France, Spain, and New Zealand—but still thinks Mission Viejo has the best trees, tacos, and trails. She’s got four rescue dogs, a thing for Kristin Hannah novels, and a journalism degree she’s finally putting to use. Jason’s a Brit who left London for sun and surf, and now splits his time between aquascaping, cocktail crafting, and trying to keep the dogs off the couch.

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.