Things to do in San Clemente this Weekend

10th Annual Santa Paws

Saturday, Dec. 17 & Sunday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Bring your favorite furry friend to the Clock Courtyard in the Dana Point Harbor and have his/her picture taken with Santa for Pet Project Foundation’s 10th annual Santa Paws.

The cost is $15 for a picture, and you'll receive the photo immediately. Additional photos can be purchased for $10. Start a family tradition with these keepsake photos of your beloved pets.

All proceeds benefit the homeless animals at the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter.  Well-behaved dogs/pets welcome. Pet Project Foundation asks that all dogs be on leashes.

Clock Courtyard at the Dana Point Harbor
34521 Golden Lantern, Dana Point
949.492.1617
info@petprojectfoundation.org

Friday, December 16

FARMERS MARKET IN SAN JUAN
Farmakis Farms, 29932 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Enjoy the farmers market in town every Friday. Check out the produce, breads, cheeses, artisan craft vendors, and more.
949.364.1270
More info.

LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S
Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano
7 p.m. 
Eat some food, grab a drink and unwind while listening to live music at Trevor’s at the Tracks. Selly & the Stray will perform. 949.493.9593.
More Info

Saturday, December 17

FARMERS MARKET IN DANA POINT
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.
More info.

SANTA PADDLE
Baby Beach, 34551 Puerto Place, Dana Point
9 a.m.
Celebrate a California Christmas by dressing up like a reindeer, snowman, elf or Santa for this family-fun Santa Paddle. The paddle group will meet at Baby Beach in the Dana Point Harbor.
More Info

UNCONDITIONAL’S SENIOR & SPECIAL DOG MEETUP
Heritage Park, 34400 Old Golden Lantern, Dana Point
9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Unconditional will host this event to gather like-minded passionate individuals and families in the community to celebrate these special members of the family. The nonprofit’s mission is to help people see the value of senior and special-needs dogs, the companion dog population most at-risk of getting euthanized. The free event will feature goodies for the dogs, snacks and refreshments for families and picture opportunities with Surfer Santa. RSVPs are required. 
More Info

PHOTOS WITH SANTA AT THE OUTLETS
Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente
Noon-6 p.m.
Take advantage of an opportunity to get photos with Santa Claus this holiday season during select weekends. 949.535.2323.
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‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ AT CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE
Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano
2 p.m.
Watch a live performance of this holiday classic at San Juan Capistrano’s local theater. Another showing will be held later in the day at 7 p.m. Performances will run through Dec. 18. 949.489.8082.
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COMEDY NIGHT AT CABRILLO PLAYHOUSE
202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente
8 p.m.
Standup comedians Matt Balaker, Andrew Norelli and Jenna Perry will perform, all of whom have made appearances on popular national television programs. There will also be an onstage Q&A session. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, if still available.
More info.

SUNSETS WITH SANTA
San Clemente Pier, 622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente
3-5 p.m.
Enjoy Santa’s weekend visits to the San Clemente Municipal Pier with a beautiful sunset as the backdrop. Visitors are recommended to bring their own cameras. 949.361.8264.

‘BREAKING EVEN’ MOVIE PREMIERE
San Clemente Community Center, 100 North Calle Seville, San Clemente
7-9 p.m.
Dana Point filmmaker Craig Whetter will premiere his new 40-minute film, Breaking Even, which follows Whetter and fellow bodyboarders Tanner McDaniel and Tristan Ray around the world for 12 months. The movie—for upcoming generations of bodyboarders and the boogie community overall—is the curation of footage shot in California, Hawaii, Mexico, Chile and Gran Canaria. During the exclusive premiere, there will be shirts, stickers and posters available for purchase. Tickets are $10.
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CONCERT AT CABRILLO PLAYHOUSE
Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente
7:30 p.m.
Hop into the way-back machine and experience festive songs during “Holiday Music Through the Decades.” Mike Chamberlin will sing records from the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, and will bring on special guest Frosty the Snowman for sing-alongs. Tickets are $20. 949.492.0465.
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CONCERT AT THE COACH HOUSE
The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
8 p.m.
Blues musician Walter Trout will perform at this popular South Orange County venue. Tickets are $35. Doors open at 6 p.m. Trout will also perform on Sunday, Dec. 18. 949.496.8930.
More Info

Sunday, December 18

FARMERS MARKET IN SAN CLEMENTE
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.

CHANUKAH ON THE PIER
San Clemente Municipal Pier, 622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente
4 p.m.
The Chabad Jewish Center of San Clemente invites the community to participate the lighting of its 10-foot menorah, as well as enjoy music, a Dreidel Man, sufganiot donuts and latkes, dreidels and gelt, and more. There will also be a Build-a-Dreidel Workshop. 949.489.0723.
More Info

CAPISTRANO LIGHTS
Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano
4-6 p.m.
The annual holiday program features festive lights, music and audio tours. There will also be Christmas trees, a nativity scene, carolers, photo opportunities and nightly tree lightings. Capistrano Lights will be open on select dates through Dec. 30. 949.234.1300.
More Info

Weekend Spotlight

Bloom Restaurant & Bar Opens in Downtown San Juan Capistrano

Downtown San Juan Capistrano visitors looking to try a new restaurant now have another option. Bloom Restaurant & Bar opened earlier this month across from Mission San Juan Capistrano at the former Starbucks site. 

Starter menu items include a barbecue Texas ranch quail with celery leaf coleslaw, apple cider and mustard barbecue sauce, and a farmers market vegetable panzanella salad that includes cucumber and goat cheese.

For entrees, customers can order an applewood bacon-wrapped meatloaf, herb-marinated pork porterhouse chop or crispy Pacific Sand Dab po-boy fish sandwich. Bloom patrons can also try the numerous craft cocktails, such as the Procrastinator (gin, Campari and other ingredients) or the Airstream (which includes vodka, grapefruit and basil).

Bloom Restaurant & Bar
31760 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano
949.503.2654
bloomsanjuancapistrano.com

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