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Happy Wednesday!
♥️ First, our hearts go out to our neighbors who were affected by the Norte Fire. We're thinking of the families who lost their homes and are grateful to the first responders who worked tirelessly to protect our communities.
On a happier note, we've got a little something for you!
🎟️ Win 2 Tickets to Don McLean at The Coach House! The legendary singer-songwriter behind “American Pie” and “Vincent” is coming to San Juan Capistrano on November 8, and we're giving three lucky readers each a pair of tickets! Enter to win here.
New to The Scene? Welcome! Our motto is simple: 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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🗓️ THIS WEEKEND’S PICKS 🗓️
~~ FRIDAY OCT 23 ~~
The San Clemente Home Tour benefits public schools in the city.
🏡 San Clemente Home Tour
Step inside a collection of San Clemente’s most beautiful private homes, with locations kept secret until tour day. The day also includes breakfast and lunch at the historic Casino, an artisan market and an after-party at Sonance Studio. Proceeds benefit San Clemente public schools.
Fri, Oct 23 | 9 am–4pm + after-party | Casino San Clemente, San Clemente
🎹 The Voice Behind The Rascals
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Felix Cavaliere performs songs from the blue-eyed soul group behind “Good Lovin’” and “Groovin’.”
Fri, Oct 23 | Doors 6 pm, show 8 pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🎶 Concerts in the Canyon
The Coast Film & Music Festival closes out with three nights of music under the stars at the historic Irvine Bowl, featuring Rainbow Body on Friday, Ben Harper on Saturday and Amos Lee on Sunday.
Fri–Sun, Oct 23–25 | 6:30 pm | Irvine Bowl, Laguna Beach
🤠 Line Dancing in a Real Barn
Dust off your boots for a night of country music and line dancing at the farm. The first hour includes lessons. Ages 16+. Tickets online only.
Fri, Oct 23 | 7–10 pm | Farmakis Farms, San Juan Capistrano
🎭 The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
A funny, fast-moving musical about awkward kids, overzealous adults, and the high-stakes drama of spelling words under pressure.
Fri, Oct 23–Sun, Nov 1 | McKinney Theatre at Saddleback College, Mission Viejo
🎭 The Outsiders Hits OC
Winner of the 2024 Tony for Best Musical, The Outsiders is a gritty, high-energy story of friendship, rivalry and growing up on the wrong side of town.
Through Sun, Nov 1 | Showtimes vary | Segerstrom Hall, Costa Mesa
👻 Ghosts & Legends Tour
Explore the haunted history of San Juan Capistrano’s Los Rios District on a guided walking tour filled with ghost stories and local legends. Fri, Fri, Oct 23 | Multiple times | O’Neill Museum, San Juan Capistrano
➡️ NEXT WEEK
Scroll down to see events happening next week and beyond.
~~ SATURDAY OCT 24 ~~
🔮 Halloween After Dark
The whimsical Laguna Beach museum gets a spooky after-hours makeover with a brand-new invisible ink treasure hunt, magician Alex O’Connor, tarot readings, sweet treats, games and photo ops.
Sat, Oct 24 | 7–10 pm | Museum of Make Believe, Laguna Beach
💀 Día de los Muertos Festival
Celebrate with mariachi music, folklórico dancers, community ofrendas, face painting, crafts, food, artisan vendors and a new live butterfly experience.
Sat, Oct 24 | 2–7 pm | Murray Community Center, Mission Viejo
🌎 Watch the Birth of Planet Earth
Travel back 4.5 billion years in this immersive, full-dome show to discover how our planet formed, how it became habitable, and whether another Earth might be out there.
Sat, Oct 24 | 1 pm | OCC Planetarium, Costa Mesa
🎃 Motel Mini Market’s Halloween Market
A costume contest, mini pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving and painting, local vendors, music, face painting and tarot cards.
Sat, Oct 24 | 4–8 pm | High Tide Coffee, San Clemente
🪔 Ektaa Diwali Fest
Indian music, cultural performances, food, shopping and henna fill Great Park Live. Lamp lighting at 7 pm is followed by a drone show.
Sat, Oct 24 | 1–9 pm | Great Park Live, Irvine
🪴 Plant Swap & Adopt
Swap plants and find something new to bring home during this all-ages gardening event.
Sat, Oct 24 | 2 pm | Dana Point Library, Dana Point
🍭 4th Annual Cotton Candy Night
The Haunted Mansion meets The Nightmare Before Christmas. Enjoy free, freshly spun cotton candy while exploring this elaborate Halloween home display.
Sat, Oct 24 | 6–8 pm | 4 Beechtree St., Ladera Ranch
~~ SUNDAY OCT 25 ~~
🚗 Take a Narrated Halloween House Driving Tour
Go on a GPS-guided audio tour of all 10 award-winning Halloween homes in Mission Viejo. Follow the route and hear stories about each display as you arrive. It's 50 minutes of Halloween sightseeing, best enjoyed after dark.
Self-guided audio tour | Best after dark | Mission Viejo
@thesceneoc 👻 Mission Viejo’s SCARIEST Halloween House! 🎃 And it has the award to prove it! 🏆 21906 Cosala just won 1st Place for Scariest in Mission ... See more
🧘 Nature Meditation Walk & Tea Ceremony
Walk less than a mile on relatively flat terrain, pause for mindfulness exercises and finish with a tea ceremony. Free.
Sun, Oct 25 | 9–11 am | Aliso & Wood Canyons, Laguna Niguel
🎃 Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill
Heritage Hill gets a Halloween makeover with festive decorations, a straw maze, scavenger hunt, photo ops and family-friendly activities. Free event and parking.
Fri–Sun, Oct 23–25 | 4:30–8:30 pm | Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest
🌿 Family Hike to Barbara’s Lake
An easy 2.5-mile naturalist-led hike heads through the preserve to Barbara’s Lake and back. Free.
Sun, Oct 25 | 3–5 pm | James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Beach
🎙️ Sinatra + Nat King Cole by Candlelight
Old-school crooner classics fill the restored Lido Theater with a candlelit tribute to Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Save 10% with code SOUTHOC10.
Sun, Oct 25 | 5:30 pm & 7:45 pm | The Lido Theater, Newport Beach
🥁 Full Moon Drum Circle at Aliso Creek
Community drum circle on the beach—bring a drum (or just listen) and join in under the full moon. All levels welcome.
Sun, Oct 25 | 7–10 pm | Aliso Creek Beach (just south of Montage), Laguna Beach
🎤 Malini Awasthi at Soka
One of India’s celebrated folk voices brings the musical traditions of North India to Soka’s Concert Hall. Free.
Sun, Oct 25 | 6:30 pm | Soka Performing Arts Center, Aliso Viejo
🍷 Sip & Stroll Market at Giracci Vineyards
Sip wine and shop local vendors at this vineyard market featuring live music, dancing, food, beer, cocktails, and plenty of good finds.
Sun, Oct 25 | 12–5 pm | Giracci Vineyards & Farms, Silverado
➡️ NEXT WEEK
Scroll down to see events happening next week and beyond.
🤔 Trivia Time
Which Orange County park holds the distinction of being California's VERY FIRST regional park?
A. O'Neill Regional Park
B. Laguna Niguel Regional Park
C. Mile Square Regional Park
D. Irvine Regional Park
(Scroll to bottom for answer)
| Category | Place | Address |
|---|---|---|
| 👻 Scariest | 1st | 21906 Cosala |
| 2nd | 28456 Munera | |
| 🎭 Best Theme | 1st | 26961 Sandalia Cir. |
| 2nd | 23852 Lagarto | |
| 🎨 Most Creative | 1st | 22661 Labrusca |
| 2nd | 21921 Cosala | |
| 🎃 Pumpkin-Tastic | 1st | 27151 Valia |
| 2nd | 27502 White Fir Ln. | |
| ✨ Best Special Effects | 1st | 25235 Arion Way |
| 2nd | 26542 Fresno Dr. |
🚗 Want to See Them All?
Mission Viejo local Kevin Labianco created a free, GPS-guided audio tour of all 10 award-winning Halloween homes. Follow the free narrated driving tour, complete with directions and stories about each stop.
🗓️ NEXT WEEK…
MONDAY OCT 26
💙 Indigo Shibori Dyeing
Learn the Japanese textile-dyeing technique that creates intricate patterns through folds and resist methods.
Mon, Oct 26 | 5:30–8 pm | Potocki Center for the Arts, Mission Viejo
🎐 Air Plant Jellyfish
Create a hanging jellyfish decoration using an air plant. This workshop is open to all ages, and supplies are provided.
Mon, Oct 26 | 4 pm | San Clemente Library, San Clemente
👻 Wiggly Ghost Candle Workshop
Make delightfully strange ghost-shaped taper candles.
Mon, Oct 26 | 6–8 pm | Potocki Center for the Arts, Mission Viejo
🎨 Tangle a Teal Pumpkin
Use Zentangle patterns to create a seasonal pumpkin design at Potocki’s afternoon workshop.
Mon, Oct 26 | 1–4 pm | Potocki Center for the Arts, Mission Viejo
TUESDAY OCT 27
🎃 A Laser Show With a Halloween Soundtrack
Fright Light II brings a seasonal laser show to OCC’s planetarium dome.
Tue, Oct 27 | 6 pm | OCC Planetarium, Costa Mesa
🎭 The 39 Steps
Alfred Hitchcock gets a comic stage twist in this fast-paced spy thriller packed with mistaken identity, quick changes, clever staging, and nonstop laughs.
Oct 27–Nov 22 | Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Beach
🎃 Pumpkin Decorating Party
Decorate pumpkins with spooky music and light refreshments. Bring your own pumpkin or use one provided while supplies last.
Tue, Oct 27 | 3:30–5 pm | El Toro Library, Lake Forest
WEDNESDAY OCT 28
🎸 Blues Powerhouse Samantha Fish
Grammy-nominated guitarist Samantha Fish brings her fierce mix of blues, rock and soul to San Juan Capistrano.
Wed, Oct 28 | 8 pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🌌 HallowSCREAM at the Planetarium
A Halloween laser show takes over the dome for an early evening outing.
Wed, Oct 28 | 6 pm | OCC Planetarium, Costa Mesa
🌊 Crystal Cove’s California Dream
Rare photographs, documents and artifacts tell the story of Crystal Cove at this exhibition opening.
Wed, Oct 28 | 5:30–7:30 pm | UC Irvine Langson Library, Irvine
🥒 Grow Your Own Luffa
Learn how luffa gourds grow and how the garden crop becomes the familiar natural scrubber during this hands-on workshop.
Wed, Oct 28 | 6 pm | Casa Romantica, San Clemente
☕ Pumpkin Spice Latte Candle Workshop
This one is peak October: make a pumpkin-spice-latte-inspired candle instead of drinking another one.
Wed, Oct 28 | 6–8 pm | Potocki Center for the Arts, Mission Viejo
THURSDAY OCT 29
🎤 Howie Day at The Coach House
The singer-songwriter behind the platinum-selling hit “Collide” brings his intimate live show to The Coach House.
Thu, Oct 29 | 7 pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🍷 Give Wine Corks a Second Life
Turn corks into decorative creations during the library’s evening craft program.
Thu, Oct 29 | 6:30–7:30 pm | Mission Viejo Library, Mission Viejo
🏚️ Haunted Gingerbread House Decorating
Build and decorate an edible haunted house. The demolition phase is dessert. Supplies available while they last.
Thu, Oct 29 | 4–5 pm | Laguna Beach Library, Laguna Beach
🎃 Halloween by Candlelight at the Nixon Library
A string quartet performs haunting favorites from The Exorcist, Psycho, Halloween, Beetlejuice and more inside the candlelit Nixon Library. Save 10% with code SOUTHOC10.
Thu, Oct 29 | 6:15 pm and 8:30 pm | Richard Nixon Library Yorba Linda
FRIDAY OCT 30
🛥️ Sail Into a Night of Yacht Rock
The seven-piece Yacht Groove serves up smooth ’70s and ’80s favorites, yacht soul and plenty of singalong nostalgia. Shades and captain hats encouraged.
Fri, Oct 30 | 8 pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
👻 A Candlelit Night of Halloween Music
A live string quartet performs music from Stranger Things, The Addams Family, Ghostbusters, Psycho and other spooky favorites. Save 10% with code SOUTHOC10
Fri, Oct 30 | 8:30 pm | First United Methodist Church, Costa Mesa
SATURDAY OCT 31
⚡ Spend Halloween Night With David Bowie
David Brighton’s Space Oddity recreates Bowie’s many eras with costumes, theatrical staging and a full live band. Brighton even performed alongside Bowie himself.
Sat, Oct 31 | 8 pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🎪 The Carousel “Freak Show” Halloween Party
Tango transforms into an American Horror Story-inspired circus for Halloween, with live dancers, a four-hour back-to-back DJ set and costumes taking over the two-level venue.
Sat, Oct 31 | 10 pm–2 am | Tango, Laguna Beach
👻 Halloween Party at Patsy’s Irish Pub
Get your ghoul on with a DJ, karaoke, a costume contest, a fall drink menu, and Frankenstein-inspired Jell-O shots. Halloween night also features whiskey tastings.
Sat, Oct 31 | 9 pm–1 am | Patsy’s Irish Pub, Laguna Niguel
SUNDAY NOV 1
🎂 Mission San Juan Capistrano Turns 250
The Mission marks its actual 250th birthday with a special celebration, historic bell ringing and birthday cupcakes on the grounds.
Sun, Nov 1 | 10 am–2 pm | Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
💀 Día de los Muertos at Hana Field
Celebrate with live mariachi, Folklórico dancers, food, crafts, games, wagon rides, the Cow Train and U-pick flowers.
Sun, Nov 1 | 10 am–6 pm | Hana Field by Tanaka Farms, Costa Mesa
🎬 Hans Zimmer by Candlelight at The Ritz-Carlton
Movie scores get the string-quartet treatment overlooking the coast, with music from Hans Zimmer’s blockbuster catalog. Save 10% with code SOUTHOC10
Sun, Nov 1 | 6 pm | The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point
🎸 Hiroshima
The Grammy-nominated jazz-fusion group returns to The Coach House with its blend of jazz, R&B and traditional Japanese instrumentation.
Sun, Nov 1 | Doors 5 pm, show 7 pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🧛 Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Bram Stoker gets the Mel Brooks treatment in this fast, funny vampire romp packed with wordplay, quick changes, and a very dramatic Count Dracula.
FINAL SHOW Nov 1 | Camino Real Playhouse, San Juan Capistrano
🌼 Celebrate Día de los Muertos in Dana Point
La Plaza Park fills with live entertainment and mariachi, ofrendas, street chalk art, face painting, crafts, food and drinks.
Sun, Nov 1 | 2–7 pm | La Plaza Park, Dana Point
🍂 Casa Romantica Fall Harvest Festival
Apple cider, a search for decorated pumpkins and a fall craft fill the historic oceanfront home.
Sun, Nov 1 | 10 am–2 pm | Casa Romantica, San Clemente
In Case You Missed It
AI needs power, and the grid can't keep up. Energy is up around 40% this year. Get the #1 energy stock to watch, free and sent by text.
🏨 Historic San Juan Capistrano Hotel to Reopen with New Lodging and Dining
💎 7 Hidden Gems Every Local Should Know About
🍪 3 South OC Crumbl Cookie Locations Closing This Weekend
🥾 Hike Through a Mini Sedona in South OC
🏚️ Is It Time for Mom to Move Into Assisted Living? An OC Expert Reveals What Families Often Get Wrong
📸 This Week’s Snapshot
Time to get into the spirit of the season !
Last night we all jumped into the car and set off to discover some of the best halloween decorated houses around South OC. All three we visited were amazing.
The production values were INSANE! Professional-level lighting, perfectly synchronized music, animatronics and theatrical effects.
There was a creepy carnival-themed walkthrough delivering jump scares, spooky surprises and live actors on select nights.
One was an incredible tribute to Walt Disney’s Haunted Mansion featuring Madame Leota, singing busts, elaborate special effects and live actors.
If you can do all three then great, or just chose the one closest to you…
Aliso Viejo
📍 18 Cameo Dr.
🗓️ Fridays–Sundays in October
⏰ Dusk–9:30 pm
Mission Viejo
📍 21906 Cosala St.
🗓️ Nightly through Oct 31
🌙 After dark
Trabuco Canyon / Lake Forest
📍 28322 Millwood Rd.
🗓️ Nightly through Nov 1
⏰ 7–9 pm
🎭 Extra scares with live actors Fridays, Saturdays and Halloween
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 in South OC. And we want you to enjoy it too.
Thanks for letting us be a small part of your weekend.
🧐 Trivia Answer:
✅ D. Irvine Regional Park
California's very first regional park is right here in Orange County, and it dates all the way back to 1897, when James Irvine donated 160 acres of oak-covered land to the county for just $1.
Originally called Orange County Park, it was already a popular gathering place known as the "Picnic Grounds," where locals celebrated holidays and escaped the summer heat.
The park was renamed Irvine Park in 1928 to honor its benefactor. Over the years, it expanded to nearly 500 acres and even served as a U.S. Army post during World War II!
Today, it's home to the OC Zoo, a miniature railroad, historic buildings, hiking trails and some of the oldest coast live oak trees in Orange County.
The remarkable part: Irvine Regional Park predates the next county regional park, O'Neill, by 51 years.
And here's something else most locals don't realize: Irvine Regional Park isn't actually in Irvine. It's in the city of Orange!
Explore Irvine Regional Park
Here’s a list of all the regional parks in Orange County with the date they were established.
Tap for an interactive map
See all of the regional parks on a map. Map not to scale.
🌲 South Orange County
O'Neill Regional Park (Trabuco Canyon | 1948) – Known for chaparral-covered hills and oak woodlands.
Laguna Niguel Regional Park (Laguna Niguel | 1973) – Features a large scenic lake popular for fishing.
Mason Regional Park (Irvine | 1973) – A sprawling urban oasis with row after row of shade trees and a peaceful lake.
🌳 Central Orange County
Irvine Regional Park (Orange | 1897) – California's oldest county park, packed with heritage oaks, a historic railroad, and the OC Zoo.
Santiago Oaks Regional Park (Orange | 1974) – A favorite for hikers and equestrians.
Peters Canyon Regional Park (Orange/Tustin | 1992) – Popular trail loops around the reservoir.
Mile Square Regional Park (Fountain Valley | 1970) – Features golf courses, lakes, and recreational facilities.
Talbert Regional Park (Costa Mesa | 1993) – A dedicated nature preserve divided into distinct plant communities.
Wieder Regional Park (Huntington Beach | 2004) – A smaller, linear park offering community green space and habitat viewing.
🍁 North Orange County
Carbon Canyon Regional Park (Brea | 1975) – Home to Orange County's only grove of majestic Coastal Redwood trees.
Clark Regional Park (Buena Park | 1981) – Features an interpretive fossil center and a quiet lake.
Craig Regional Park (Fullerton | 1974) – Rolling hills, creeks, and shaded picnic areas.
Tri-City Regional Park (Placentia/Fullerton | 2013) – A lake-centric park perfect for walking, bird watching, and relaxing.
Yorba Regional Park (Anaheim | 1976) – Runs alongside the Santa Ana River, filled with streams and bike paths.
It’s a Wrap!
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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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©️ 2026 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.