The Weekender
Things to do in San Clemente this Weekend
Summer Jam Concert Series: Vicky Tafoya and the Big Beat
FRIDAY, JULY 7, 6-9 p.m
Join the Ocean Institute and Music Preserves Foundation for a fun-filled summer night, enjoying an outdoor concert with the harbor and the ocean as the backdrop.
The event will feature live music, food trucks, and Station Craft Beer. Enjoy learning more about the musicians with Music Preserves Foundation before the show begins and explore touch tanks with Ocean Institute docents.
Proceeds for the event will support the two foundations. Tickets are $35.
The Ocean Institute
Friday, July 7
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.
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LINE DANCING FRIDAYS
Dorothy Visser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente
10-11 a.m.
Join Age Well Senior Services for line dancing every Friday at San Clemente’s senior center. No partner required. For a $5 donation, learn some easy and fun line dances to get you moving. Carrie Wojo teaches all over South Orange County and makes it easy to stay active and have fun. 949.498.3322.
YOUTH PROGRAMMING AT THE NOBLE PATH FOUNDATION
The Noble Path Foundation, 420 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente
4:30 p.m.
The Noble Path Foundation hosts events multiple times a week to get youth and young adults out and about and participating in safe, productive activities. There will be an improv lesson from 4:30-5:30 p.m., and TGIF Night starting at 6 p.m.—the theme being video games on numerous consoles. 949.234.7259.
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LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER
StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point
9 p.m.
Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. The ’80s cover band Flashback Heart Attack! will perform. 949.661.6003.
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LIVE MUSIC AT TREVOR’S
Trevor’s at the Tracks, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano
7 p.m.
Anesha Rose will perform. Enjoy the entertainment on the outdoor patio while you chow down on food and sip drinks. 949.493.9593.
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Saturday, July 8
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. No cars in before 8:30 a.m. Cars should enter and leave slowly and quietly—no revving, speeding or burnouts.
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DANA POINT 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.
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BERRY U-PICK
The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano
9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Ecology Center is providing a chance to pick fresh berries. While baskets will be provided, participants are also welcome to bring their own. After you finish collecting a harvest, head over to the Farm Stand to pay for what you picked. Cost to attend is $8. 949.443.4223.
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KAYAK HARBOR TOUR AND SAIL AT THE OCEAN INSTITUTE
Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point
10.a.m.-noon.
Join the Ocean Institute for a two-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point Harbor and learn about the history of the harbor and its unique ecosystem. All experience levels are welcome. Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $28. In the afternoon, from 2-5 p.m., set sail aboard the schooner Spirit of Dana Point and experience California from the perspective of an early tall ship explorer. Join the crew to help raise sail, handle lines and steer the ship, or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the majesty of sailing the seas aboard a tall. 949.496.2274.
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DANA POINT PUBLIC LIBRARY: FOREIGN FILM SCREENING
Dana Point Public Library, 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point
2 p.m.
Join the Dana Point Public Library for a screening of the foreign film Schneider vs. Bax from the Netherlands. In the film, hilarity ensues when two inept hitmen, one celebrating his birthday and the other a writer, are unknowingly hired by their boss for the same job. 949.496.5517.
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OUTDOOR THEATER AT LOS RIOS PARK
Los Rios Park, 31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano
2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Enjoy a live performance in one of California’s oldest areas when the Round About Players present The Capistrano Rainmaker in the Los Rios Historic District. The 15-minute play is based on local history. Plays are underwritten by The Alliance for San Juan Arts, with sponsors that include Trevor’s at the Tracks and the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association. The cast comprises Kathryn Fischer, Gary McCarver, Kenneth Phuong, Mark Schwartz, and Rachel Trant. Local fixtures Tom Scott, Beverly Blake, and Gary McCarver are producing, and McCarver also wrote the play. The event is free, so check it out while you’re strolling about. Additional shows will be held throughout July.
GEEKS WHO DRINK TRIVIA NIGHT
Left Coast Tasting Room, 1251 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente
7-9 p.m.
Left Coast Brewing presents trivia modeled after pub quizzes in Ireland and the United Kingdom, covering everything from Hungary to the Hunger Games. Teams can include up to six people. Winning teams earn bar cash and other prizes.
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LIVE MUSIC AT STILLWATER
StillWater Spirits & Sounds, 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point
9 p.m.
Live music is featured at this popular South Orange County venue. Family Style will perform. 949.661.6003.
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Sunday, July 9
SAN CLEMENTE FARMERS MARKET
Avenida Del Mar
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers. 949.361.8200.
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CAR SHOW
Capistrano Volkswagen, 32922 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Buses by the Beach SoCal and Capistrano Volkswagen are presenting a car show with air-cooled Volkswagens on display. Check out vintage vehicles and meet other Volkswagen enthusiasts. A food truck will be on hand from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Relay for Life will also attend to raise funds. 866.557.3599.
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STAND UP TO TRASH BEACH CLEANUP: PLASTIC-FREE JULY
Dana Point Harbor, 24800 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point
9-11 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 “Plastic-Free July,” featuring a pop-up from Pink Recycling and Eco Now Founder Thea Merritt, who will share ways to reduce unnecessary waste. Attendees can also bring in their recyclables for processing with Pink Recycling. Lunch will be provided.
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LOW-COST PET VACCINE CLINIC
Vet Care, 34192 Doheny Park Road, Capistrano Beach
10-11:30 a.m.
The Feed Barn offers low-cost vaccinations for all dogs and cats every month. All veterinary services are provided by Vet Care Vaccination Services, Inc. The low-cost clinic offers vaccination packages, microchips, physical exams, prescription flea control, fecal exams and diagnostic testing on-site. 714.895.8600.
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CONCERTS IN THE PARK
Sea Terrace Park, 33501 Niguel Road, Dana Point
3-6 p.m.
These free family-friendly concerts feature two bands and are held at Sea Terrace Park behind the Dana Point Library area. Journey USA and Jumping Jack Flash will perform. Spirits for those 21 and older and food are available for purchase.
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LIVE MUSIC AT SAN JUAN HILLS GOLF CLUB
San Juan Hills Golf Club, 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano
4-7 p.m.
Local act Dream Brother will perform. Stop in to listen and dance, perhaps after playing a round of golf. 949.565.4855.
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‘ENCANTO’ FILM SCREENING
Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente
8-10 p.m.
Join Casa Romantica Cultural & Gardens for a fun outdoor movie screening under the stars with the whole family. This event has open lawn seating. Guests must bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. 949.498.2139.
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Weekend Spotlight
Spotlight: San Clemente Ocean Games
SATURDAY, JULY 15: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
While the San Clemente Ocean Festival remains on hiatus for 2023 due to staffing issues, those looking for their competitive water sports along the Municipal Pier will get a one-day reprieve in July.
The City of San Clemente announced the creation of the San Clemente Ocean Games, a single-day event on Saturday, July 15, for swimmers, runners, junior lifeguards and multi-sport athletes to compete in a condensed short-term replacement for the annual Ocean Festival.
After pandemic cancellations of the San Clemente Ocean Festival in 2020 and 2021, “The Greatest Show on Surf” returned for its 45th year in July 2022 with the full bevy of swim, surf and boat races and accompanying sand castle competitions, car displays and live music for the two-day event.
However, the effects of the pandemic lingered for the Ocean Festival organizers in the form of limited staff and volunteers. Simply without the manpower to put together its 46th edition, the 2023 Ocean Festival was canceled in February.
Following that cancellation, a group of lifeguards banded together to try and save some sort of mid-July water sport competition, and they did so in the form of the San Clemente Ocean Games, which will be hosted by the City of San Clemente along with a sponsorship of Orange County Professional Firefighters Local 3631.
San Clemente Pier
622 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente
