What's up Laguna! The Promenade is finished and the city is throwing the grand opening Friday night, 6 to 9:30, with a live band and the shops going late. Bushard's turns 80 the same evening. See you there!
Below you'll find this week's events, ways to give back, spots coming soon, the conditions, some local news, and a bit of Laguna lore.
★ = family friendly
Thursday 9/24
The Chamber makes the lounge inside Pearl St. General official with a ribbon cutting, and the live music keeps rolling through the weekend from there. Walk in.
Friday 9/25
The street party for the finished Promenade: ribbon cutting, live music from 133, and the shops and restaurants along Forest rolling out specials all evening. Free, just show up.
Bushard's Pharmacy, on the Promenade Fri, 5 to 7pm
The pharmacy celebrates 80 years with crepes, raffles and treats, and Moulin toasts 10 years alongside. It rolls straight into the grand opening.
Saturday 9/26
The garden's 17th annual potluck afternoon: live music from The Garden Band, kids crafts, and neighbors sharing their best dishes. Bring food for 10 and a beverage, zero waste, everyone welcome.
Sunday 9/27
James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Coast Wilderness Sun, 3 to 5pm
An easy 2.5 mile naturalist walk out to Barbara's Lake and back, ages 6 and up. Free, RSVP at
lagunacanyon.org.
Downtown, meet spot on their Instagram Sun 9am + Tue 6:30pm
The free group run, all paces. Sunday is the last Sunday of the month, which means the trail run edition. Just show up.
All Week
The world premiere musical about two teens who become unlikely friends in wilderness therapy, born right here at the Playhouse. Performances all week, tickets at
lagunaplayhouse.com.
Smalls Smash Club Through Sep 30
The smash burger crew's limited pizza run was September only, so this is the final week to try it.
Thursday 9/24
Training to volunteer with the program that helps Laguna seniors stay in their own homes. Register at
thesusiq.org.
Saturday 9/26
The morning is here: Laguna's edition of the statewide beach cleanup with the Ocean Foundation and LBPD. Register at
lagunaoceanfoundation.org.
Berns Canyon, Aliso and Wood Canyons, Nix Center Sat, three shifts
Habitat restoration for the national day: Berns Canyon 8 to 11am, Aliso and Wood 9 to noon, or the Nix Center 3 to 5pm. Pick a shift and RSVP at
lagunacanyon.org.
Meet behind Greeter's Corner Sat, 8:15am
The church's fourth Saturday beach cleanup, with coffee, donuts and gear on them. Just show up early.
Starting Monday 9/28
The senior center is collecting gently used jewelry, kitchenware, books, games and small household items for its fundraising sales. No clothing, bedding or big furniture.
Kitchen in the Canyon, now serving dinner
The canyon breakfast and lunch spot flipped the lights on at night: a Mexican inspired dinner menu is live. Hours at
kitcheninthecanyon.com.
House of Hudson Day Spa
A boutique spa at The Ranch from the Hudson Salon team, membership based with sauna and treatments.
Truly Bagels
The team behind Truly Pizza is still building out the bagel shop at 31727 Coast Hwy in South Laguna, the old Ti Amo space. No open date yet.
Surf
A south swell builds all week: waist high midweek, chest high and better from Sunday into Tuesday at 11 to 12 seconds. Water is holding warm around 75. The best of it lands early next week.
WED 9/23 2-3ft 11s | THU 9/24 2-3ft 11s | FRI 9/25 3ft 12s | SAT 9/26 3-4ft 12s | SUN 9/27 3-4ft 12s | MON 9/28 4ft 11s | TUE 9/29 4ft 12s |
Weather
A gray, cool Wednesday in the low 70s, then summer snaps back: upper 80s Thursday through the weekend under morning clouds, and 92 by next Tuesday. Nights near 70.
WED 9/23  73° 61° | THU 9/24 88° 67° | FRI 9/25 88° 72° | SAT 9/26 88° 74° | SUN 9/27 86° 73° | MON 9/28 85° 70° | TUE 9/29  92° 73° |
Crowds
| Fall weekdays stay mellow, but the hot weekend pulls beach crowds and Friday night downtown will be packed for the Promenade opening. Park a few blocks out and walk in. | Tourist-O-Meter  |
In Season
Pomegranates are arriving in force at Saturday's market, apples and grapes are peaking, and figs are wrapping up.
Local Wildlife
The Harvest Moon, the closest full moon to the equinox, rises Saturday night. Watch it come up over the hills around sunset, then check the tide line: the El Nino watch continues, the water is still 75 degrees, and warm water winters bring odd tropical visitors to our coves.
• Coast Film postponed two big concerts The Preservation Hall Jazz Band (Oct 3) and Aloe Blacc (Oct 4) shows are postponed over licensing issues at the Festival of Arts property. Refunds are automatic, and the festival says the Oct 23 to 25 Irvine Bowl weekend is still on.
• Free sandbags Friday The city hands out up to 10 sandbags per household at Lot 16 in the canyon, Friday 3 to 6pm, no signup needed. El Nino season prep.
• Laguna Bluebelt's founders get a toast Jinger Wallace and Mike Beanan are honored at OC Coastkeeper's Toast the Coast on Thursday for the Bluebelt Coalition's work protecting sea life in Laguna's marine protected areas.
Chelas Mexican Kitchen
Last week we said Chelas had left Laguna. We got that one wrong, and we're happy to be wrong. Chelas is growing, not going. Chelas has their Laguna Beach location at
412 N Coast Hwy, a sunny umbrella patio right on the highway in North Laguna, open every day 10am to 8pm, and two locations in San Clemente. The family started it in 2011 to honor their parents' recipes, and 15 years later everything is still handmade, in their words "the way our mothers taught us." The beer battered fish tacos have been a Pacific Food and Wine Classic staple for a decade. Go get a plate if you haven't already!
chelasmexkitchen.com
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