SO OC Club: March 5th Edition

Can you believe it’s already March? I know I can’t. We’re already 15% of the way through the year. That went by fast.

But here we are, a fresh month, and I always feel like spring has a way of giving us that little push we needed. The days are longer (finally), there's a little more light, and somehow that puts a little more pep in our step.

This month I want to focus on energy. Not doing more, but feeling better. Because when we feel good, everything else gets a little easier. The parenting, the patience (I’m personally working on this one), all of it.

So this week, just ask yourself this: what is one small thing that would make March feel good for you?

I want to know what this is for you. Reply to this email and tell me!

Alright, now let's get into it…

OC Restaurant Week is March 8th - 14th and is honestly one of the best excuses to make a reservation at one of the places you’ve always wanted to try, or somewhere you already love.

Restaurant Week is back for its 18th year with prix-fixe menus, cocktail specials, and dining themes including Date Night, Wine Pairings, and Luxe Menus across restaurants from Brea to San Clemente.

Here are the South OC spots worth going to.

Location: 26871 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano

A three-course dinner for $60 in SJC. This is a genuinely great deal for a spot this good. The menu leans into fresh, seasonal ingredients with that wine country feel, and the setting in San Juan Capistrano is charming in a way that makes dinner feel like a little escape. Perfect date night or a girls night out.

Location: 211 N El Camino Real, San Clemente

The RJB Restaurant Group flagship is participating with their signature wine country menu. Vine has been a San Clemente staple since 2003 for a reason. The food is genuinely good, the wine list is extensive, and the vibe hits that sweet spot where it feels like a real night out without being over the top. The heated patio is a perfect night for a spontaneous date night.

Location: 216 N El Camino Real, San Clemente

From the same RJB Restaurant Group behind Vine, so you already know the quality. Parlor uses local almond and white oak to fire and finish everything from hand-tossed pizzas to fresh pastas, with a sourdough starter that is over 30 years old. The truffle mushroom pizza and burrata are the dishes people keep coming back for, the cocktails are excellent, and there is a speakeasy downstairs for more intimate seating. The patio has peek-a-boo ocean views at sunset. All make for a really fun night out.

A fun day for the whole family!

The 55th Annual Dana Point Festival of Whales is happening March 6th through 8th in Dana Point Harbor. The celebration honors the California gray whales that migrate past our shores every spring. Dana Point is literally called the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World, and this festival is the longest running whale festival in the United States. A full weekend of community, the ocean, and a little reminder of why we live here.

The lineup is packed. Friday kicks off with a sunset Welcoming of the Whales ceremony with the Acjachemen Nation and a Dana Point Surf Club paddle out, followed by a reception at the Ocean Institute with food, live music, and interactive ocean activities.

Saturday brings the parade back at 10am along Dana Point Harbor, plus the beloved Clam Chowder Cook-Off at Baby Beach where you can taste chowder from over a dozen local restaurants and vote for your favorite.

Sunday wraps up with a Concert on the Water and BBQ at Baby Beach, where bands perform from a floating dock while you sit in the sand with your family.

And yes, the whale watching is very much the main event. You can book a whale watching trip through Dana Wharf and might spot California gray whales, humpback whales, fin whales, and three different types of dolphins.

Many of the festival activities are free to attend, making it one of the most accessible and welcoming events of the year. Head to festivalofwhales.com for the full schedule and to book your whale watching trip before they sell out.

If you’re looking for a new workout routine, Sweat House OC is a must.

They're the only Lagree Fitness studio in South OC, with three locations in San Clemente, Dana Point, and Mission Viejo making the commute easy.

Lagree is done on something called a Megaformer, which sounds intense and kind of is, but in the best way. Think high intensity with low impact on your joints. You will feel absolutely amazing afterwards.

Classes are all-levels, so you don't need to know anything walking in. The thing that really sets Sweat House OC apart is how small the classes are. Maximum eight people per session. Their whole thing is inspiration over intimidation, community over competition.

New to Sweat House OC? They have a five-class intro package for $89, which is a low-pressure way to try it and see if it’s for you. Find the location that works best and book your next session at sweathouseoc.com.

Here's what I keep coming back to and is my theme for March: energy is not something you find, it's something you build. And you build it by actually doing the things that fill you up, not just thinking about them.

For me, a fun date, a weekend by the ocean, and moving my body all make me excited to actually get out of the house.

So whatever that looks like for you this March, go do it. Hit reply and let me know if you’ve done any of the above or what is that your doing this month to start getting your energy back.

See you next Thursday!