Vintage Finds & Starry Nights

Bargain hunting on San Clemente’s Thrift Row, jazz under the stars in Laguna, and line dancing in Mission Viejo lead the weekend lineup. Plus: a chili cook-off, Memorial Day festivities, and a guided hike through the “Grand Canyon of OC.”

AuthorAuthor

Jason Ladd & Lorna Ladd
May 21, 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
Sunset Serenades in Laguna Beach

Jazz... Start your weekend with ocean breezes and live jazz. Lia Booth, a velvet-voiced jazz vocalist, takes the stage at Heisler Park’s amphitheater in Laguna Beach. Bring a blanket, a bottle, and someone you want to slow dance with.

🗓️ May 23, 6:30 PM | Free | Details

Line Dancing.. If country music is more your vibe, head to Whoop Axe in Mission Viejo where you can line dance and axe throw (just not at the same time)

🗓️ May 23, 8 PM | $15 | Details

»» SATURDAY
🍳 Farm-Fresh Morning,
🍲 Chili-Fueled Afternoon

Morning…

🍳 Breakfast on the Farm. Start your day with a true farm-to-fork breakfast at Tanaka Farms in Irvine. Their weekend Rise ‘n’ Shine menu is served right on the farm and features fluffy pancakes, eggs your way, and just-picked produce straight from the fields.

🍓Then stick around for a berry sweet bonus—Strawberry Picking Tours include a scenic wagon ride, veggie picking, and a box of berries to take home (plus all the juicy samples you can sneak while picking).

🗓️ May 24 | Breakfast: 7:30–10 AM, Tours: various times | Tanaka Farms, Irvine | Book Berry Tour

Afternoon…

🌶️ Mission Viejo Chili Cook-Off  For just $10, you get five tastings at this sizzling showdown. Expect everything from classic beef-and-bean to smoky brisket blends and spicy veggie surprises. Proceeds benefit Mission Viejo high schools, college scholarships, and local charities. 🎉 Good luck to The Scene reader Erik York who is a contestant!

🗓️ May 24, 11 AM–3 PM | Normal P Murray Center: 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo

»» SUNDAY
Mindfulness Walk & Brunch

Morning…

🧘 This 2-mile guided hike in Casper Wilderness Park in SJC winds through quiet meadows, oak groves, and up to panoramic ridge views. Along the way, there will be gentle Qi Gong, and insight into native plants—all led by experts who make it feel like a moving meditation. Meet at the red windmill by 8:55 AM.
📍 Details & RSVP

Noon…

🍹Post-hike, head straight to Trevor’s at the Tracks in San Juan Capistrano. The Babylon Rockers hit the patio at 11 AM, serving up live reggae while you refuel with a mimosa and something brunchy. Outdoor tables go fast, so don’t dilly-dally.
🗓️ May 25, 11 AM | Trevor’s at the Tracks, SJC

»» MONDAY (Memorial Day)
🇺🇸 Red, White & Country

Memorial Day plans? Head to The Station in San Juan Capistrano for Beach Country Fest featuring Toby—A Tribute to Toby Keith, plus live sets from The Sea Monks, Ted Z and the Wranglers. Proceeds support Tunnel to Towers and US Vets.

🗓️ May 26, 3–9 PM | The Station, San Juan Capistrano | Tickets & Info

⭐ Pay tribute to our fallen heroes at various Memorial Day ceremonies throughout South Orange County.

🤔 Trivia

Which Olympic Diving Champion Trained with the Mission Viejo Nadadores?

A) Tom Daley
B) Greg Louganis
C) David Boudia
D) Fu Mingxia

(Scroll to bottom for answer)

🛍️ Local Finds

San Clemente’s Thrift Store Row

Thrifters Paradise in San Clemente

Right along El Camino Real between Marquita and Avenida Palizada, you’ll find a lineup of 7 thrift stores right in a row. It’s an easy 10-minute walk from the boutique charm of Del Mar, but with way better prices.

Kaia (my teen thrifting sidekick) and I hit every spot. These shops felt curated and way easier to browse than Goodwill. Plus, many support local causes.

🌟 Our Favorite Stop: Coral Thrift Shop
Open since 1967, this gem donates to organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and the Ocean Institute. But the heart of the shop? Sandy—the lovely woman at the counter who’s been there for 22 years. She’s reason enough to swing by. (Grab a glimpse of her here).

👜 Our loot? Cowboy boots that'd make Willie Nelson jealous, a jean jacket, a vintage Guess top, and SPY goggles cool enough to wear without snow.

Your mission: Hit Thrift Row, save money, save planet, feel virtuous. Then celebrate with tacos.

Start at: 514 N El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672. Learn More

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🚶‍♀️Take A Hike!

The Sinks, Limestone Canyon in Silverado

🌄 Grand Canyon of OC! Tucked inside Limestone Canyon is one of SoCal’s best-kept secrets: The Sinks, known as the Grand Canyon of Orange County. Towering cliffs, dramatic formations—and most locals have no idea it’s there even though the trail head is in Silverado.

Access is limited to free docent-led hikes through OC Parks where they’ll point out hidden fossils, rare plants, and fun facts you’d miss on your own. Go before it gets too hot! Next one’s on May 28th (but there’s many other dates to choose from)

🚨 Speakeasy Alert!

Poe meets pour decisions at the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy, June 5–7 in Santa Ana—and yes, it’s as hauntingly perfect as it sounds.

Picture this: actors dramatically performing The Tell-Tale Heart or The Raven inside a candlelit chapel in a cemetery, with a custom cocktail paired to each story.

Last year’s Pale Blue Eye drink came with a blueberry eyeball. It's eerie, elegant, and almost sold out—so if you’re even thinking of going, snag your ticket before it vanishes like Lenore. Most times are already sold out so go, you won’t be disappointed. We’re going again this year! Get your ticket!

📰 Nice News

🏄 Premier Surf Museum The world’s premier surf museum is moving into downtown Laguna. Home to Olympic boards, legendary Hobies, and 500,000+ pieces of surf history, the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center is finally landing where the culture began. No official opening date yet.

🐐 San Clemente’s goat experiment is getting a major upgrade. After a five-month pilot, the city’s 20-goat crew has proven they’re an effective line of defense against wildfires.

With dried brush vanishing and residents fully on board, the city’s ready to scale up: 200 goats, more hillsides, and fewer fire risks. The goats came, they munched, they conquered.

And over in Laguna Beach, the goats are ba-aaack —200 strong and grazing their way through Three Arch Bay. 🐐 See the goats in action.

✏️ Plan Ahead

🧑‍🎨 Collaborative Painting Unleash your creativity by painting on your own canvas—then swap with a neighbor to create one-of-a-kind shared art! All ages welcome. Call to register:
>Thu, May 29 at 4 PM (Laguna Niguel Library, 949-249-5252)
>Sat, May 31 at 2 PM (Ladera Ranch Library, 949-234-5940).

🍷Grapes & Grains is an evening wine and beer tasting event with live music on the terrace at Norman P. Murray Center in Mission Viejo. It’s happening May 30, includes 8 tastings.

🎪 Cirque du Soleil, ECHO, Laguna Hills May 21-June 29

🐟 Grunions at Doheny! These little silvery fish moonwalk onto the sand to lay eggs—catch the magical grunion run at Doheny Beach on select nights this summer.

🕺A Silent Disco Under the Stars—grab your headphones (first come, first serve), pick your DJ, and dance your heart out at Irvine Spectrum, May 31, 6-9 PM; free

🎹 Newport Beach Jazz Festival - May 30th -Jun 1st 11am-11pm

🌃 626 Night Market - OC Fairgrounds - May 30-Jun 1 4pm-11pm

🎨 The Sawdust Art Festival  Laguna Beach June 27–Aug 31

🎤 Summer Concert Season Is Here…
>May 30, Mission Viejo at Pavion Park, Chamber music from Pacific Symphony
>May 30, Laguna Beach at Heisler Park, Gypsy Beatles (Gypsy Jazz)
>June 5, Laguna Woods at The Clubhouse1; Tom Jones tribute
>June 6, Laguna Beach at Heisler Park, Twanguero (Latin rockabilly)
>June 6, Laguna Niguel at Crown Valley Park, James Kelly Band
>June 7, Irvine at Great Park Live, Swift Nation
>June 8, Aliso Viejo at Grane Park, Tijuana Dogs

The scene last year at Laguna Beach, Heisler Park Amphitheater

🎶🎶 Live Music

To see the full list of live music playing around South OC this week, check out the detailed listing on The Scene website.

Here’s a few of our favorites that we might try and check out this week…

1️⃣ On The Porch they typically have artists who play between 11am-3pm, and often a different artist 4-8pm. This week we’re hoping to catch Kim Johnson’s acoustic guitar and her poppy folk tunes on Saturday afternoon. See you there!

We both love the porch at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, such a cool vibe at lunchtime and during the afternoon/evening session too.

2️⃣ Enjoy the Jazz Jam on Sunday 6-9pm with some 1940’s style jazz (albeit with a modern twist) from Janet Orsi & Allen Takatsuka as you wander through the Kaleidoscope in Mission Viejo. These days, there’s some great shops, restaurants and boutiques to browse!

3️⃣ Looking for something a little more upbeat? Try Fernando Noronha’s rocking blues on Monday evening at the BeachFire Bar & Grille in San Clemente at 7pm.

Full list of live music…

About us: Lorna’s an OC native who dreams of joining the Peace Corps one day and heading to Central or South America—she already speaks pretty good Spanish. Jason’s a former semi-pro squash player who now competes in cocktail craftsmanship… and not entirely sold on the Peace Corps plan. 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.

🧐 Trivia Answer:  B) Greg Louganis
Greg Louganis won back-to-back double golds in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics—and he trained right here in South OC.

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