The Scene: South OC

The Scene: South OC A weekly roundup of what’s actually worth doing in South OC.
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Think hidden gardens, live music, rooftop bars, and great happy hours with people that don't make you feel old.

12/28/2025

Have you walked this mosaic-lined stretch of the Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo?

After the rain, the water running through the creek makes it especially peaceful.

Subscribe to The Scene, a newsletter packed with fun things to do in OC. Info in 1st comment.





If you saw elves hopping bar to bar last night, this is why. The San Juan Capistrano Elf Crawl sends participants to vis...
12/27/2025

If you saw elves hopping bar to bar last night, this is why.

The San Juan Capistrano Elf Crawl sends participants to visit multiple spots for themed drinks, bites, and merrymaking.

This was our first crawl and loved it. We are definitely adding it to our Christmas traditions!

We went to








12/23/2025

These are the best lights in Mission Viejo!

Get the full South OC map in comments)ts

Hall of fame:
26166 Buscador
23912 Bough Ave
21921 Cosala

Showstopper
1st Place 25022 Spadra
2nd Place 4 Amato Street

New kids on the Block
1st Place 21906 Cosala (scroll to bottom to see list of special events they are hosting)
2nd Place 25235 Arion Way

Most Creative Lights
1st Place26892 Preciados Dr
2nd Place 26526 Vía Lara

Most Creative Theme
1st Place 25213 Terreno Dr
2nd Place 25392 Helena Cir

Most Traditional
1st Place 27146 Ayamonte
2nd Place 26001 via del Norte

Best Neighborhood
1st Place Amato
2nd Place Buscador




12/11/2025

Free holiday light displays in Mission Viejo

Featured in video
📍21906 Cosala
📍21921 Cosala
📍25022 Spadra
📍26166 Buscador
📍18 Hollyhock Lane

Other amazing displays
📍23912 Bough Ave
📍26522 Saddleback Dr
📍4 Amato Street
📍27146 Ayamonte

Get our full list and interactive map (link in first comment)





12/06/2025

The Best FREE Light Displays…�in South Orange County !
If you want big sparkle without spending a dime, these are the can’t-miss spots lighting up South OC this season.

Here are our favorites:
📍26166 Buscador Mission Viejo

📍Historical Hill Lake Forest (open Dec5-7 and 12-14)
25151 Serrano Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630

📍51 Calle Cabrillo, Lake Forest

📍 23912 Bough Ave. Mission Viejo

📍Civic Center Mission Viejo 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo

📍 15 Bainbridge Ave, Ladera Ranch

📍 10 Hammond Road, Ladera

📍17 Shively Road Ladera Ranch

📍 7 Sugarcane Lane Ladera Ranch

12/04/2025

🗓️ THIS WEEKEND’S PICKS 🗓️


~~ FRIDAY DEC 5th ~~

🕯️ Candlelight Walk
Stroll Heritage Hill’s historic grounds lit with holiday décor, live music, kids crafts, and a visit from Santa. Free entry!
Dec 5–7 | 5–9pm | Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest

🎸Mugs Away Saloon
Dec 5 → James Kelly and others, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

🎄 Christmas Chalk Walk
Walk through glowing light tunnels and giant chalk art displays, live music, free hot chocolate, cinnamon rolls. Free to attend.
Dec 5–7 | 5–8pm | 22851 Aliso Creek Rd, Aliso Viejo

🎄 Kaleidoscope Tree Lighting
A festive night with Santa, cookies, hot cocoa, crafts, live snow globe, petting zoo, and music.
Fri, Dec 5 | 6–9pm | Kaleidoscope, Mission Viejo

🎅 Dana Marina Plaza Christmas Fest
Free event.
Fri, Dec 5 | 4–9pm | Dana Point

~~ SAT DEC 6th ~~

🎄 Laguna Niguel Christmas Tree Lighting
A festive night with cookie decorating, crafts, games, live entertainment,
Sat, Dec 6 | 5–8pm | Laguna Niguel

🧑‍🎄 Hops and Holly Lounge
Sip seasonal brews and enjoy festive cheer inside the Hops and Holly Lounge during Santa’s Village by the Sea.
Sat, Dec 6 | 4–8pm | Community Center Courtyard, San Clemente

🎄 Holidayz at the Park: Tree Lighting
Winter-wonderland activities, holiday music, and the lighting of the Holiday Tree and Palm Court Arts Complex.
Sat, Dec 6 | 3–8pm | Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex, Irvine

🎁 Christmas Boutique & Craft Faire
Shop 75+ local artists and crafters for one of a kind, handmade holiday gifts. It’s rain or shine.
Sat, Dec 6 | 10am–3pm | South Shores Church, Dana Point

🛥️ Light the Lake & Boat Parade
Holiday lights, music, kids activities, Santa photos, a festive boat parade at Lake Mission Viejo. (Members and guests only.)
Sat, Dec 6 | 5–8:30pm | Lake Mission Viejo

🎄 Laguna Niguel Christmas Tree Lighting
A festive night with cookie decorating, crafts, games, live entertainment, and a visit from Santa before the big tree lights up.
Sat, Dec 6 | 5–8pm | Laguna Niguel

Get the full listing! Link in bio




11/29/2025

🎨 Free at Laguna Art Museum This Weekend so you can wander three floors of California art, ocean views, and Art + Nature installations without buying a ticket.

🕕Open 10am to 5pm,
📍307 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach.

Subscribe to The Scene a newsletter packed with fun things to do in Orange County (link in bio)



11/29/2025

Just saw Beautifica at the Planetarium in Costa Mesa and… wow. A 45 minute full 360° kaleidoscope universe.

If you want to go, they’re still running shows at the planetarium at Orange Coast College.

📍 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa

Subscribe to The Scene, a newsletter packed with fun things to do in Orange County (link in bio and first comment)







Coast College

11/25/2025

Tucked away in an old business park in Laguna Niguel you hit Mugs Away Saloon, a true ’70s-era dive bar sitting right along the train tracks.

Inside it’s as real as it gets: The James Kelly Band singing under glowing Coors Light signs, people playing pool or darts, the kind of crowd that laughs loud and doesn’t care who’s watching. No pretension, no $19 cocktails, no “curated OC aesthetic”

And yes… this is the spot behind the legendary “Mooning of the Amtrak the July tradition where thousands gather to cheer, party, and keep a very OC ritual alive !

📍 27324 Camino Capistrano, Ste 101, Laguna Niguel, CA





11/17/2025

Come with me on a colorful art adventure through a hidden stretch of Mission Viejo’s Oso Creek Trail.

Start at the Potocki Center and hop onto the Upper Oso Creek Trail from the parking area, where you’ll spot several mosaic bears along the landscaped walkway, including one right in front of the Norman P. Murray Community Center.

Keep heading toward Oso Creek Golf Course and you’ll pass mosaic pillars by the bridge, the whimsical tree filled with 100 birdhouses, and the Peace Obelisk.

Wrap things up at Terrace on the Green. Order a glass of wine and enjoy the final mosaic bear, the Rainforest Bear, sitting just off the patio.









11/15/2025

Art walk in Mission Viejo

📍 Start at Potocki Center for the Arts
Kick things off at the Potocki Center and pick up the Upper Oso Creek Trail from the parking lot.

🐻 Find most of the mosaic bears along the Upper Trail
Stroll the upper pathway and you’ll spot several of the mosaic bears along the landscaped walkway. One is right in front of the Norman P. Murray Community Center.

➡️ Continue toward Oso Creek Golf Course
Keep following the upper trail as it winds toward the golf course.

🍷 End at Terrace on the Green
Finish your walk at Terrace on the Green, order a glass of wine, and you’ll see the final mosaic bear (Rainforest Bear) right off the patio.

🎨 About the project
These mosaic bears were created by Mission Viejo community volunteers, guided by artists Aileen May and Joy Aldrich, as part of the city’s “Bears About Town” public art series celebrating local creativity.









11/11/2025

Hike to Cave Rock on your way to Dripping Cave in Aliso Viejo

Know Before You Go

📍Trailhead: Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, 28373 Alicia Pkwy, Aliso Viejo

🗺️ Route: Wood Canyon Trail to Dripping Cave Trail

🔴Distance: ~5 miles round-trip

👷Difficulty: Easy

🚗Parking: $3 at the trailhead lot (There’s also street parking)

⏰ Hours: 7am–sunset

🐶 Dogs: Not permitted

👀 Read the full article www.sceneoc.com






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Mission Viejo, CA
92691–92692, 92694

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