Good afternoon! As summer 2025 comes to a close, South OC is just starting to heat up. From seasonal bites and block parties to tips for safer trail walks with your pup, we’ve got you covered for the week & Labor Day weekend.
This weeks lineup:
Rattlesnake season is here in OC, and we’ve got tips to keep your pups safe.
Don’t miss our featured event of the week at a favorite local brewery this weekend.
This stretch of a popular San Clemente beach will soon allow dogs (as a trial)
Apparently it’s Hatch chile season, and this local favorite has a whole menu dedicated to the delicious New Mexican peppers.
PET SAFETY
Last week, a resident posted in a popular local Facebook group that her lab was bitten by a rattlesnake on the Roller Coaster trail in San Clemente. The post generated a flood of comments from local residents; mostly well-wishes for the poor guy (sounds like he’s on the mend thankfully), similar stories of other rattlesnake incidents all over South OC, and tips on how to train your pup to avoid encounters.
Needless to say, rattlesnakes seem to be everywhere this time of year in South OC and can pose a real danger to us, and our pets.
So we’ve gathered some resources on how to avoid encounters and train your dogs to stay away if they come close to one.
1. Stick to the path
Keep your dog on a short leash (4–6 ft).
Avoid tall grass, brush, or rocky areas where snakes like to hide.
2. Train with “Leave It”
A solid “leave it” or recall command can prevent your dog from rushing toward a rattling sound.
3. Avoid peak snake times
Hike early morning in summer when snakes are less active.
Be extra cautious in late afternoons when they bask on warm paths.
4. Watch where you stop
Don’t let your dog poke its nose in holes, under rocks, or into bushes.
If you rest, choose open, clear areas.
5. Consider rattlesnake aversion training
Many residents commented that they had enrolled their dogs in rattlesnake aversion training and the training has been crucial to their dogs avoiding several snake encounters.
The training conditions dogs to associate the sights, sounds and smells of rattlesnakes with an unpleasant experience, so the dog is trained to avoid a rattlesnake in the wild.
Consider re-enrolling your dog in the training every annually as a refresher.
We found a trainer that is holding upcoming rattlesnake avoidance training on September 13th in Rancho Mission Viejo. Details here.
If your dog does get bitten, immediately take him or her to your nearest 24 hour animal hospital.
Be safe out there, South OC!
WHAT’S UP, BACK BAY?
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ACTIVITIES FOR THE FAM
August 26th
Stroller strides @ River Street Marketplace from 9am-10am.
Free kids activities @ River Street Marketplace from 10am-12pm.
August 27th
Mom walk & juice @ Clean Juice in Dana Point from 9:30am-11am: Sign up here.
August 29th
Moana 2 screening @ Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach @ 6pm. Deets here.
WE’RE JAMMIN’
August 28th
Seaside Sessions at The Wharf in Dana Point Harbor: Lauren Black @ 4pm-6pm.
Free sunset symphony concert @ Ole Hanson Beach Club from 6pm-sunset. Learn more here.
August 31st
Frisby Uncorked @ Frisby Cellars in Dana Point from 1pm-4pm featuring Phil Vandermost.
Judy Collins @ The Coach House in SJC. Purchase tickets here.
FITNESS, ARTS & LEISURE
August 27th
River Street Run Club: Meet outside Hobie at River Street Marketplace at 6:30pm for a 3-5 mile run.
August 28th
San Clemente Art Crawl at Los Molinos @ 7pm.
Bark in the park happy hour @ 4pm @ Lantern’s Edge in Dana Point. RSVP here.
August 29th
Yoga in the park @ 8:30am at Lantern Bay Park. Register here.
Love for Los Charity event @ River Street Marketplace from 5pm-8pm. Support a local family in need with live music, a silent auction and surfboard raffle. Info here.
August 30th
Dana Point Farmer’s Market @ La Plaza Park from 9am-1pm.
Featured event of the week: San O’ Days Block Party @ Los Molinos from 1pm-9pm in support of San O Surfing Club, San O Surf Team and San Onofre Parks Foundation.
August 31st
San Clemente Farmers Market at Del Mar @ 9am-1pm.
BEACH DOGS
San Clemente pooches will have a new beach to enjoy (at least for a little while).
Last week, the City Council agreed to try a 6 month pilot of allowing dogs on one section of the T-Street beach (from Tower 7 to Boca del Canon). The dogs will only be allowed during limited hours: from 6am-8am & after 6pm on Mondays-Thursdays, 6am-8am only on Fridays, and restricted during the weekends.
The 6 month pilot will start following approval from the state commission.
HATCH CHILE WEEK
Is it just me, or are Hatch chiles literally everywhere lately?
Every August–September, Hatch chiles from Hatch, New Mexico hit their short annual harvest window. They’ve become a late-summer food trend in Southern California—especially Orange County. They’re only harvested for 6 weeks, so local stores and restaurants jump on the hype.
Dana Point’s Craft House is one of those restaurants. They’ve got a whole speciality menu dedicated to the smoky, earthy tasting peppers.
Take a look at their Hatch chile menu here (we’ve got our eye on the mac n’ cheese).
Get them while they’re hot! 🔥
Thanks for reading & catch ya out there
— Hannah B
