The Weekender
Things to do in San Clemente this Weekend
Stand Up to Trash Beach Cleanup and Lunch & Learn
Sunday, Jan. 8, 9 a.m.
Join Stand Up to Trash at Baby Beach and the Ocean Institute for a beach cleanup followed by a Lunch and Learn at the Ocean institute. This month’s theme is “Protecting Our Natural Resources,” featuring speaker Josh Liebowitz. Lunch will be provided.
Dana Point Harbor
24800 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point
standuptotrash.com
Friday, January 6
SHOWOFF! PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL
Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano
7:30 p.m.
Camino Real Playhouse’s annual showcase for playwrights returns. There will be various 10-minute plays from different playwrights covering numerous genres—and the audience gets to vote for the winner. The festival runs through Jan. 15.
949.489.8082
More Info
FRIDAY NIGHT AT SWALLOW’S
31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Put on your cowboy hat and boots and get ready to enjoy all the Western-style fun at one of San Juan Capistrano’s best-known dive bars and country music spots. Rayford Brothers Band will perform. Happy hour is from 4-7 p.m.
949.493.3188
More Info
Saturday, January 7
VILLAGE ART FAIRE
San Clemente Library, 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Hosted by the San Clemente Downtown Business Association on the lawn of the SC Library, the Village Art Faire offers a variety of work, including photography, fine art, jewelry, ceramics, fused glass, home decor, botanicals, textile art, and more. Visitors can expect to find many of their favorite artists, as well as some new faces.
949.218.5378
More info.
INTRO COURSE TO FERMENTATION AND MISO
The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano
10 a.m.-noon.
Learn about fermentation and miso, a bean paste used to flavor soups and ramen dishes, during this hands-on class. Workshop participants will get to take home their own miso jar to age bean seeds. The event will conclude with a miso soup tasting.
949.443.4223.
More info.
LIVE MUSIC AT SAN JUAN HILLS GOLF CLUB
32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano
6-9 p.m.
Poul & Richaard will perform. Stop in to listen and dance, perhaps after playing a round of golf.
949.565.4855
More info.
LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER
24701 Del Prado, Dana Point
9 p.m.
Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Tom Petty cover band So Petty will perform with Sean Amato.
949.661.6003
More info.
FARMERS MARKET
La Plaza Park, 3411 La Plaza, Dana Point
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
California farmers bring fresh produce to sell at the Dana Point Farmers Market, and craft vendors provide a large selection of art, jewelry, clothing, handbags, candles, handmade soaps and unique, one-of-a-kind gifts. It is strongly recommended that customers bring their own reusable bags.
More info.
SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE
The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente
9-11 a.m.
South OC Cars and Coffee, dubbed the world’s biggest weekly car meet, attracts a mix of 500-1,000 hypercars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat rods, pickups, 4x4s and motorcycles. Those attending are encouraged to practice responsible social distancing. Face masks are not mandatory but are recommended. No cars in before 8:30 a.m. Cars should enter and leave slowly and quietly—no revving, speeding or burnouts.
More info.
Sunday, January 8
D. YODER FAMILY SUNDAY
Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Enjoy free admission to the Casa Romantica Cultural Center & Gardens with creative activities and performances based thematically on the Casa’s programming. D. Yoder Family Sundays are underwritten by June Yoder.
949.498.2139
More info.
FARMERS MARKET
100 North Calle Seville, San Clemente
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers at the Community Center/San Clemente Public Library parking lot.
949.361.8200
More info.
Weekend Spotlight
Weekend Trolley Service to Operate from January to March
Weekend trolley service is returning to San Clemente from January to March 2023, per a unanimous vote from the San Clemente City Council at its meeting on Dec. 20.
Operating the trolley on weekends for the next three months is estimated to cost $93,230, which also covers service on the Martin Luther King Jr. (Jan. 16) and Presidents’ Day (Feb. 20) holidays.
As part of the council’s vote, it also directed staff to come back at a future meeting to present options for pilot routes, potentially adding services to other areas around town. The two current routes largely cover the downtown, Pier Bowl and North Beach corridors.
Some potential routes suggested on Dec. 20 include a service that would travel up and down Avenida Pico, and one that would connect southern San Clemente to downtown.
Read more about the trolley service and its potential routes in the San Clemente Times feature below: