Fall Favorites
Boo Bash ’n’ Splash + Floating Pumpkin Patch
📍 Goldfish Swim School, Ladera Ranch
📅 Saturday, October 19 | 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Free)
You’ve never picked a pumpkin quite like this. Goldfish Swim is turning their pool into a floating pumpkin patch — and the kids (or you, no judgment) get to swim out, grab their favorite pumpkin, and make a splash doing it.
It’s one of those perfectly South OC moments — part family fun, part photo op, part “how is this even a thing?” But that’s what makes it so good.
🎟️ Tickets: Reserve your spot here
Why it’s worth showing up:
It’s local, unique, and totally free.
It turns a basic fall tradition into something your kids will talk about for weeks.
You’ll walk away with a pumpkin and a core memory
San Clemente Outlets: Big Jack & Pumpkin Patch
📍 Outlets at San Clemente | 101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa
📅 Through October 31 | Regular mall hours + event-specific times (outletsatsanclemente.com)
Outlets at San Clemente is turning into fall HQ with Big Jack — a massive 16-foot steel jack-o’-lantern centerpiece — plus a full pumpkin patch setup, petting zoo, photo ops, and community events that give back.
What to expect:
Big Jack & Center Stage — The giant steel pumpkin is the star of the show and the ultimate family photo backdrop.
Pumpkin Patch + Petting Zoo — Classic fall vibes with hay bales, gourds, goats, and alpacas.
Candy Crawl (Oct 26) — Trick-or-treating, balloon artists, face painting, and giveaways.
Good Cause Vibes — “Big Jack Gives Back” supports Family Assistance Ministries with food drive donations.
Why it’s worth the trip:
Local, easy, and packed with kid-friendly fun.
Great balance of festive, charitable, and photogenic.
The kind of event you’ll do once… then add to your yearly list.
Pumpkin City — Laguna Hills Favorite
📍 24203 Avenida de la Carlota, Laguna Hills, CA
📅 Open daily through October | pumpkincity.com
Pumpkin City is South OC’s go-to for families who want the classic fall festival feel — rides, pumpkins, photo ops, and just the right dose of nostalgia. It’s carnival-style fun with a local twist, and yes — dogs on leashes are welcome (perfect excuse for a pup photo shoot among the pumpkins!).
What to expect:
Pumpkin paradise — rows of pumpkins in every shape and size, from tiny to tractor-sized.
Family fun zone — rides, bounce houses, carnival games, and a petting zoo for littles.
Oktoberfest evenings — live music, beer garden, and festive lights for parents who want to stay after dark.
Pet-friendly charm — bring your dog (leashed) for the cutest fall photoshoot ever.
Why it’s worth a visit:
It’s nostalgic, easy to access, and fun for all ages.
Great balance of family-friendly energy and grown-up fun.
A South OC fall tradition — you’ll end up making it an annual thing.
October Feature
👻 Ghosts, Legends & Local Lore
When the sun goes down, San Juan shows a different side. The same streets we stroll by day carry centuries of history — and a few stories that might make you look twice. From haunted adobes to eerie whispers along Los Rios Street, here’s where local history meets a hint of mystery this October.
Ghosts & Legends Tour
📅 October 24–25 | 🕢 Evening Tours | 🎟️ $24.50 adults / $12.50 kids
Walk historic Los Rios Street after dark and hear eerie tales of ghostly visitors, local hauntings, and legends that shaped San Juan.
Pro tip: Spots fill fast — no pets allowed. (sjcghosttour.com)
OC Ghosts & Legends Walk
📅 Ongoing Fridays & Saturdays | 🕣 7:30 PM / 8:00 PM | 🎟️ $26 adults / $17 kids
Year-round tours telling stories of “Tobacco Tom,” shadow figures, and mysterious knocks inside historic adobes. (ocghostsandlegends.com)
Haunted Night Market — Inn at the Mission
📅 October 23 | 🕓 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Spanish-style courtyard market with food, drinks, crafts, live music, mini pumpkin patch, and a costume contest for all ages. (event.marriott.com)
Family Festivities
Local Parks & Fall Color Spots
Boulder Pond & Playground (RMV)
A newer park with walking trails, a pond, and an all-ages playground — perfect for mellow afternoons or playdates. Bring snacks and a blanket, or swing by after your pumpkin splash.
Stroller Strides
📅 Mondays | 🕘 9:00 AM
Great for moms of littles! A parent-and-baby workout that loops through River Street and nearby trails. Perfect for new parents looking to move, connect, and get some fresh fall air.
Fall Leave Spotting:
Irvine Regional Park — subtle autumn tones, creekside trails, and family picnic spots.
Aliso & Wood Canyons (Laguna area) — sycamores and oaks turning golden under that fall sun.
Big Bear Lake — full fall color immersion; take Pine Knot or Castle Rock trails for the best views.
Lake Arrowhead — a weekend-worthy drive for crisp air and postcard-perfect foliage.
Parents Only
Date Night Picks
La Vaquera
📍 River Street Marketplace, San Juan Capistrano
Vibe & Concept:
La Vaquera blends ranchero spirit with California coastal energy. Centered around an 11-foot oak wood grill, the open kitchen creates both a show and a scent that sets the tone. The space mixes high ceilings, warm lighting, and indoor-outdoor flow with touches of fire pits and rustic charm — it feels elevated yet easy, modern but welcoming. Executive Chef Aaron Zimmer brings serious chops from his time at the Culinary Institute of America and high-end resorts, so expect well-crafted flavors and perfect grill marks.
Why it works:
The menu spotlights grilled meats, seafood, and flame-kissed veggies done with precision.
The ambience is immersive — you’ll see, smell, and taste the fire at the heart of it all.
Ideal for date nights that want both atmosphere and conversation.
Coastal Kitchen
📍 34091 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point
Vibe & Concept:
Coastal Kitchen nails that South OC balance — relaxed but polished, modern but welcoming. With soft lighting, white oak interiors, and a menu built around California coastal flavors, it’s date night done right without the pretense.
Why it works:
Fresh, coastal, and seasonal — from their ahi poke bowl to their pan-seared halibut, everything tastes like it came straight from the harbor.
Cocktails that hit the mark — their Lavender Lemon Drop and Old Fashioned are local favorites.
Intimate atmosphere — dim lighting, perfect noise level, and just enough energy for conversation over connection.
Pro tip: Sit outside — the string lights, fire pits, and ocean breeze seal the deal.
Art Night + Paint & Sip — River Street Marketplace
📅 Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 🕒 Art Night 3:00 – 6:00 PM | Paint & Sip 4:00 – 6:00 PM
📍 River Street Marketplace, San Juan Capistrano
Art Night turns River Street into a creative playground — live painters, in-store activations, and happy hour energy all blend into an open-air art stroll. Enjoy music, demos, and shop pop-ups before heading into the featured Paint & Sip event hosted on the Ubuntu patio.
Art Night Highlights:
Live painters creating in real time throughout the Marketplace.
Ceramics demo at Finca with local artist Jeff Girard.
Art-themed retail pop-ups and happy hour specials from River Street’s restaurants.
Paint & Sip (4–6 PM):
Step-by-step painting class led by Katelynn Marchand.
Fall-themed artwork: pumpkins, leaves, and harvest hues.
$60 per person — includes art supplies + one drink from Ubuntu.
Limited seating — RSVP required (riverstreetsjc.com).
Looking Ahead
Turkey Trot
Earn your feast this Thanksgiving.
📅 Thursday, November 27, 2025
📍 Dana Point Harbor
Start Thanksgiving morning right with the 48th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot — choose from a 5K, 10K, Combo 15K, or the Kids’ 1-Mile Gobble Wobble. The course is USA Track & Field certified and views are stunning. Expect festive energy: costume contests, a health & fitness expo, and local vibes. Best part? Your entry supports community charities.
🎟️ Register & details: turkeytrot.co
That wraps up this week’s edition.
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