It has the look of many farmers markets, but the Farm Store in San Juan Capistrano is a permanent fixture of the Ecology Center, open every day year-round. All the produce sold there comes from the fields just yards away on the longest continuously running farm in Orange County.

“For thousands of years, the Acjachemen tribal members farmed this land, and we feel that we are just stewards caring for it,” said Jonathan Zaidman, the center’s vice president of community.

Executive Director Evan Marks, who had created ecological projects in Central America and Africa, brought his passion for the land to this area when he founded the Ecology Center in 2008.

Six years later, Zaidman joined him to create “our version of a community relationship with the land,” he said.

The pair sought to build and harness a population of people passionate about health and nourishment and zealous about respecting and caring for the land.

“What does that (passion and commitment) look and taste like?” Zaidman asked. “We try to show people what that is like.”

The ecological oasis is filled with trees, drought-tolerant plants, fruits, vegetables and flowers. Since 2019, it has encompassed a 28-acre regenerative organic-certified farm. The land is owned by the city of San Juan Capistrano and leased to the center.

Located on the premises, besides the country store, are a café, a permanent school plus a play area for visiting children, a special events dome, a picnic and eating area, and the working fields beyond. The farm became part of the center when a commercial organic grower whose land surrounded the original center went belly-up and it was offered to the center for lease by the city.

Also on the grounds sits the 1878 Congdon House, the oldest wooden structure in the city.

The city does not provide funds for the nonprofit center, which relies on donations, admission to special events, and proceeds from the sale of produce and branded merchandise sold in the store,

“Everything we grow is sold in the Farm Store, used in the café or reinvested in the center,” Zaidman said.

Many local chefs and restaurants source ingredients from the farm, which has grown foodstuffs requested by area chefs for special preparations.

“The farm is the beating heart of our operation,” he said.

On any given day, the center is bustling with shoppers, visiting families, hungry guests, and workers running to and fro servicing the various activities. The café is open for breakfast and lunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, with a farm brunch offered Saturdays and Sundays. Wednesday dinners from 5 to 9 p.m. feature pizza, while on Thursday and Friday nights, farm dinners are served. Outdoor tables offer an inviting place to chow down.

Newly opened on the grounds is Zaidman’s favorite locale, the Peace Dome, designed to house special events, lectures, and happenings like movies and concerts.

From inside the meditative space, you can gaze through clear wall panels toward the colorful fields of flowers and food.

“The surroundings are vibrant, dynamic and beautiful,” Zaidman said with a large dose of pride.

On the Wednesday I visited, I asked Zaidman if the bustling crowd represented a particularly busy day. His answer was that it was “a slow day.” Weekends see the most visitors, he added.

The center boasts a staff of 125, many of whom work there full-time. It prides itself on offering employees a living wage, including the field workers.

“We develop a relationship between the food and the grower,” Zaidman said.

More than 100 plantings, such as strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes, eggplant and fava beans, are grown. Crops are rotated seasonally, with fields allowed to regenerate in turn. Tree plantings encompass Mediterranean, stone fruits, apples and pears, and citrus in appropriate quadrants of the land.

Much of the center’s core beliefs were inspired by the farm-to-table movement spearheaded by Berkeley chef Alice Waters in the 1970s. The center operates with care for the food and reverence for the land, Zaidman said.

“Our goal was to bring the space to life and offer a model of community,” he said.

Programming includes specialty dinners, educational offerings, school field trips and field demonstrations.

Among the premiere offerings at the center are its Community Table dinners set outdoors on Saturday nights through November. Area chefs with particular strengths cook their specially themed dinners using ingredients from the farm or foraged within a distance of 25 miles.

“The chef will bring 75 people together to tell his or her story and celebrate the local culture,” Zaidman said.

Featured chefs are listed on the center’s website.

“Our values are driven by the ingredients, and we believe in wrapping our arms around our value system,” he said. “Our hope and goal is to bring back the agricultural atmosphere that the O.C. once had and to bring healing to the community and the culture.”

The Ecology Center is located at 32701 Alipaz St. in San Juan Capistrano. It is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For information, call 949-443-4223 or visit theecologycenter.org.

Starting Saturday, July 12, the registrar is hosting several workshops to hear from Orange County voters on polling and ballot drop box locations, accessibility of polling stations, language access, voting outreach programs and safety procedures.

The workshops — several of which offer other languages, including Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese — run through the rest of the month and into August.

They are an effort to solicit feedback on how the county can update and improve its Election Administration Plan, which governs how the voting process works in Orange County, said Bob Page, the registrar of voters.

Workshops, which can last between one and one and a half hours, will be split into two categories: general public workshops and accessibility language workshops.

General public workshops are opportunities for anyone to provide feedback. Accessibility language workshops — in addition to having translators for various languages — will focus on how polling centers can better accommodate those whose first language is not English.

Rooms will be divided into five sections — voting and ballot drop box locations, accessibility of voting facilities, language assistance and accessibility services, voter education and outreach programs and safety and security of the election process — where attendees can provide verbal or written feedback, said Page.

Attendees can participate in one or all of the categories. There will also be a packet for attendees who would rather write down all of their feedback instead of visiting each station separately.

“We wanted to give them an opportunity to be comfortable providing feedback in the method they want in the areas they want,” said Page.

The Voters Choice Act, a state law that lays out how counties administer an all-mail ballot election system with ballot drop-off locations and vote centers, requires the registrar to hold a public feedback forum after initial changes are made to the election plan. But Page said his office is hosting the series of workshops — before the plan is edited — to give local voters more involvement in the process.

“We don’t want to just do the minimum required,” Page said. “We want to make sure that we’re getting feedback from as many different people as we can.”

Other factors the registrar is considering for updates include federal and state law, data from previous elections, best practices determined by the registrar and the county budget, Page said.

“The community input and feedback is a very important part of any update we make, but that has to be balanced with those other four elements in terms of what is actually in the plan,” Page said.

Aside from the 15 scheduled workshops, the registrar has invited more than 250 organizations to schedule small group meetings. Many of these organizations are involved in voter outreach and the voting process by lending their facilities for polling locations and drop-off boxes, Page said.

The registrar plans to complete the initial feedback process in the first week of August, Page said. The registrar’s office will then compile summaries of the feedback to be published online and create the first draft of the new 2026-2030 EAP.

“I’ve got a deadline to meet and I’m trying to do my best to give people as much time as possible and as many different formats to provide input,” Page said.

The secretary of state has requested the final draft of the EAP by Dec. 1, although by law it is due 120 days before the June 2026 primary election, which would be in February 2026, Page said.

After the first draft of the EAP is published, there will be a 14-day public review period during which people can provide additional comments on the plan. The registrar’s office has also scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 25 at the Irvine City Hall for in-person feedback.

The registrar will make necessary changes based on feedback received online and at the hearing, Page said. The office will then post a final draft that receives the same 14-day review before final changes are made and the EAP is sent to the secretary of state.

The election plan spanning 2021-2025 is available in 10 languages on the registrar of voters’ website. More information about the workshops or how to submit a feedback form online can also be found on the registrar’s website.

Workshops are scheduled for:

• Saturday, July 12: San Juan Capistrano Community Center (25925 Camino Del Avion), 10-11:30 a.m.

• Monday, July 14: Buena Park Community Center (6688 Beach Blvd.), 6-7 p.m.; Korean language meeting

• Wednesday, July 16: Los Olivos Community Center in Irvine (101 Alfonso), 6-7 p.m.; Farsi interpretation available

• Thursday, July 17: Delhi Center in Santa Ana (505 E. Central Ave.), 6-7 p.m.; Spanish language meeting

• Saturday, July 19: Fountain Valley Recreation Center (16400 Brookhurst St.), 10-11 a.m.; Vietnamese language meeting

• Monday, July 21: South Coast Chinese Cultural Center in Irvine (9 Truman St.), 6-7 p.m.; Chinese language meeting

• Tuesday, July 22: Southwest Senior Center in Santa Ana (2201 W. McFadden Ave.), 6-7:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, July 23: Zoom meeting with ASL interpretation available, 6-7 p.m.

• Thursday, July 24: West Anaheim Youth Center (320 S. Beach Blvd.), 6-7 p.m., Tagalog interpretation available

• Saturday, July 26: Huntington Beach Central Library (7111 Talbert Ave.), 10-11:30 a.m.

• Monday, July 28: Northwood Community Center in Irvine (4531 Bryan Ave.), 6-7 p.m., Japanese interpretation available

• Tuesday, July 29: Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo (24932 Veterans Way), 6-7:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, July 30: Buena Park Library (7150 La Palma Ave.), 6-7 p.m.; Hindi interpretation available

• Thursday, July 31: East Anaheim Community Center (8201 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd.), 6-7 p.m.; Gujarati interpretation available

• Saturday, Aug. 2: Brea Community Center (695 Madison Way), 10-11:30 a.m.

Christened Peace Pizza, this weekly event fires up in the farm’s outdoor oven every Wednesday. The pizzas feature a naturally fermented sourdough crust, with sundry toppings that are plucked fresh from the farm’s soil just a few feet away, ensuring maximum seasonal flavor.

ALSO READ: Chicago deli that inspired ‘The Bear’ will serve its famous sandwich in LA

Beyond the pizzas, guests can also enjoy bowls of greens, some sweet treats and a selection of wine and beer, all accompanied by live music. Kids are, as always, welcome, making it the ideal mid-week outing for the entire family.

Since the summertime pizza series has become so popular, reservations via Resy are encouraged. Peace Pizza happens every Wednesday throughout the summer from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

In related Ecology Center news, the San Juan Capistrano farm will also host a rhythm and roots dance party on July 27 called Electric on the Farm. The Jerry Garcia Band–inspired gathering will feature a roster of live bands playing “for the free spirits, the open-hearted wanderers, the ones who know how to follow the sun and dance into the dusk,” according to the Ecology Center.

Find it: The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949-443 4223

This summer, six Orange County cities from Laguna Beach to San Clemente, have again launched their free trolleys to shuttle residents to beaches, popular shopping and dining areas and community events.

The Dana Point trolley serves more than 80,000 people each summer and connects to four other neighboring cities’ trolley routes. Summer trolleys can also be found in Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach on the Balboa Peninsula, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

You can use the network of trolleys to get between several coastal South Orange County cities without needing a car.

Dana Point City Manager Mike Killebrew said he makes use of the city’s transportation service at least twice a week, and is even licensed to drive the trolleys for special events.

The trolleys help reduce traffic and parking congestion by simply getting people out of cars, Killebrew said. They also provide chances for tourists to explore the city and for local residents to get around town during the popular season.

One recent rider, Lena Karlsmyr, who was visiting from Sweden, hopped aboard with her three granddaughters. Stopping for lunch at a local restaurant, she said it was the perfect activity for the day.

Local middle and high school students, who can’t yet drive, also use the trolley to get around in the summer. Some load their surfboards into racks on the back to head to Dana Point’s famous surf spots on the route.

One local high school student said he rides the trolley three times a week from his home to Salt Creek Beach to surf with his friends. Usually, he straps his surfboard to the back of the trolley, but recently, he has been bringing his blue-and-white-checkered Boogie Board onboard with him.

Visitors such as Flor Reyes also use the shuttles to get around the beaches. Reyes drives in from Riverside on the weekends, parks and then rides the trolley. This past week, she rode the whole route with her sister and four friends, she said.

Reyes appreciates the sightseeing on the trolleys, and said she can “actually look around” because she’s not focused on driving. The atmosphere of the trolley, with its music, open windows and sea breeze sparks a connection among riders, she said.

“On a bus, everyone is doing their own thing. But people on the trolley are open to having a conversation,” she said.” You get to meet a lot of people from all over.”

This year, Dana Point added four new stops to serve additional areas, going past Sunset Park to reach more neighborhoods. And, Killebrew said the news stops are now some of the busiest, bringing more residents into the city center.

The city also introduced a new app, Passio Go, which riders can use to track the trolleys.

The cities’ trolleys are mostly funded by the Orange County Transportation Authority, which supports local community-based transportation projects with grants. Last year, the OCTA recorded more than 400,000 boardings throughout the summer on all the summer routes.

“It’s a great way to connect people even from our regular OC bus routes or Metrolink train services, to fill in that last-mile gap,” OCTA spokesperson Megan Abba said.

Laguna Beach Councilmember Mark Orgill said the trolleys help manage traffic and the influx of visitors who come to see Laguna Beach’s natural sites. He called them a symbol of the city’s commitment to the environment.

“We have our tide pools and our rock formations on the cliffs. We have our open space and the marine protected area, and we’re committed to nurturing and taking care of those elements,” Orgill said. “There’s a big picture here, and we’re always trying to find ways to manage the people who come into town, and look at ways to protect our environmental resources.”

He said the city is also looking into an electric vehicle fleet for its trolleys and buses.

Hazel Aguilar has been a bus driver for more than 30 years, but this summer is her first time driving the Dana Point trolleys. She said she enjoys handing out the toy trolleys to kids who get excited to ride the shuttle. One parent said the trolley is her son’s favorite toy.

Aguilar said the atmosphere of the open-air and beach-viewing trolley is a change from her previous bus routes and she loves it. She often runs into regulars, she said, and hopes to drive the route again next summer.

“Sometimes I have like a party bus in here,” she said.

The trolleys allow tourists and residents alike to better experience the city, Killebrew added. When he and his wife take the trolley to visit Salt Creek Beach, he said he often finds himself asking fellow riders, “Where you from?”

“It’s like a community table at a restaurant. Everybody is enjoying an experience together,” Killebrew said. “People stay longer than if you just had your car right there next to you. They tend to walk around more and enjoy what we have to offer.”

Trolleys arrive around every 15 to 20 minutes and each city runs routes for special events such as free concerts and movie screenings. Most have service on holidays such as Labor Day.

“Honestly, I’ve never seen someone on a trolley upset. They’re always happy and enjoying life. I don’t know what it is, there’s some magic to them that people just enjoy the ride,” Killebrew said. “And it doesn’t hurt that they’re free.”

Our reporters are back at it again with a round-up of our favorite eats from June. This month’s guide includes ice cream recommendations for when you’re in need of a sweet treat, sandwich spots for dining in or grabbing to go to, Indian food packed with spices, Japanese staples like ramen and sushi, and other nearby bites if you’re looking to try something new.

• Also see: The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in May

Here’s a look from reporters at nearby eateries to try around Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.

Related: See the best things we ate in Southern California in 2024.

Tri-tip fries – SeaSalt Honky Tonk, Huntington Beach

While covering Alicia Cox’s SeaSalt Honky Tonk, the “queen of concessions” latest seaside venture on Bolsa Chica State Beach, I simply had to investigate her new partnership with Heritage Barbecue. Daniel and Brenda Castillo’s acclaimed San Juan Capistrano barbecue joint is running a summer-long pop-up at SeaSalt Honky Tonk, featuring a condensed menu. Among their offerings are fries topped with smoked tri-tip, shredded cheddar, pickled jalapenos and onions. The tri-tip was generously portioned and cooked to tender perfection, smoked on-site, of course. However, the true standout, much to my delight, was the exceedingly crisp and well-seasoned fries. Though I’m far from a beach enthusiast, with the sun god and his punishing rays being my lifelong nemesis, this quintessentially Orange County collaboration between Cox and Castillo might just compel me to brave the sands and sun-kissed throngs with SPF 50 and an oversized hat, all for another taste.

— Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter

• RELATED: OC’s ‘queen of concessions’ brings two new beachfront restaurants to Huntington Beach

Eggplant Parm – Ggiata, Studio City

This bread is some of the best sandwich bread I’ve had in my life, and that’s coming from a Bay Area girl who makes dutch crunch her whole personality when she hears you went to Ike’s. If I can grab your attention for one thing about this sandwich, let it be how good the bread was. Ggiata is a name that might ring a bell if you’ve spent recent downtime scrolling on TikTok. The sandwich shop has gained social media fame thanks to a few viral videos, which made me curious to stop by. I ended up going with the eggplant parm, which was one out of a handful of vegetarian options. After opening the to-go box, all I could say was “wow, this smells so good.” And the first bite lived up to every expectation. My parents raised me on eggplant parmesan. They’re big fans of the one from Buca di Beppo, but that’s a whole other story. The flavors, combined with the texture, made it clear that this is where I’ll take them the next time they’re in town. The cheese, sauce and eggplant all felt perfectly portioned, not only to taste, but so you’re not left with parts of the sandwich awkwardly falling out with each bite.

— Carolyn Burt, Audience Engagement Producer

Achari Chicken Tikki – Daddy Ji, Claremont

Daddy Ji, nestled on the west side of Indian Hill in the Claremont Village, is a local favorite. Whether you were planning to grab some Indian street food or not, walking down the block, the spices wafting from the small eatery pull you in, and that’s how my girls and I find ourselves there time after time. Across multiple trips, we haven’t ordered a thing off the menu that we didn’t rave about, but the Achari Chicken Tikki has become a staple dish no matter how much we mix it up from visit to visit. Served on a sizzling hot plate alongside bell peppers and onions, the boneless dark chicken dish is marinated in a blend of spices and light sauce that coats your taste buds like butter. Enjoy alongside some basmati rice or garlic naan, and don’t sleep on the mango lassi to drink.

— Emily St. Martin, Digital Features Editor

Tonkatsu Ramen, USA Roll and Spider Roll – Jikan Japanese Restaurant, Ontario

As the weather takes a warmer turn, there was one thing I was craving…Ramen. A bit wild, I know, but stay with me as I also wanted sushi. Jikan’s Japanese Restaurant in Ontario had everything I was looking for. I shared a bowl of the very large and delicious tonkatsu ramen, which was enough in itself. I also ordered two rolls: the Spider Roll and the USA Roll, both of which were fresh and had large portions. An unexpected star of my meal, though, was the garlic edamame. It was loaded with fresh garlic, and honestly, I couldn’t get enough. For both price and quality, this is a solid choice for Japanese.

— Mercedes Cannon-Tran, Local Reporter

“Anthony’s Special” – McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, San Juan Capistrano

During a visit to San Juan Capistrano’s River Street Marketplace, I stopped at McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, hoping to conclude my trip with a frozen fruit-and-cream combination, my second-favorite flavor profile. Anthony, the store’s manager, had different plans for me, subtly guiding me towards an inspired choice: his namesake creation. His clever construction featured two flavors. The first scoop was the double peanut butter chip, a peanut butter-infused ice cream with creamy peanut butter veins and slightly melty bittersweet chocolate shards. This sat atop a scoop of sea salt cream and cookies, a vanilla ice cream spiked with said sea salt and McConnell’s own Guittard chocolate chunk cookies. Anthony’s Special, as he christened it, proved to be the managerial interference I didn’t know I needed. Chocolate and peanut butter, especially with a pop of salt, remains my god-tier flavor combination. Thank you, Anthony.

— Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter

• RELATED: Santa Barbara’s McConnell’s opening first OC scoop shop

Chile Colorado Bowl – Miguel’s Jr., Corona

To mark the 50th anniversary of Miguel’s Jr., I visited the chain’s original restaurant at 1039 1039 W. Sixth St, Corona. I ordered Chile Colorado, an exclusive to that location. There were layers of goodness in the bowl, with sour cream and melted cheese on top of shredded stew meat and chunks of potatoes. Try it with house-made strawberry lemonade. Incidentally, I was in line behind the chain’s founder, Mary Vasquez, who ordered a salad to go. At age 82, she recently picked up her high school equivalency diploma at the nearby high school.

— Fielding Buck, Restaurant Reporter

• ALSO SEE: 82-year-old Miguel’s Jr. cofounder earns her high school diploma as her restaurant chain turns 50

The Greyhound – Stray Dog’s Coffee, Riverside

Stray Dogs Coffee was a delightful recent find. Located conveniently in downtown Riverside, parking wasn’t too bad. It was just what I needed for an afternoon pick-me-up. I ordered the Greyhound and it was delicious. An espresso-based iced drink with Earl Grey honey and topped with a vanilla cold foam made all my coffee dreams come true. I rounded out the drink with an Earl Grey crumb cake, and if you can’t tell by now, I am obsessed with Earl Grey. Did I also mention that they are dog-friendly and help local strays find homes? We love a good coffee with an even greater cause.

— Mercedes Cannon-Tran, Local Reporter

Thrifty Chocolate Malted Krunch Ice Cream – Killer Dana Surf Shop, Dana Point

On the other end of the ice cream spectrum, a visit to Killer Dana Surf Shop led to a stop at their Thrifty Ice Cream counter. The surf and clothing retailer wisely retained the beloved sweet-treat pitstop after moving into the former Rite-Aid location in 2024. I chose Chocolate Malted Krunch, the flavor I grew up with, known for its malted-chocolate ice cream, chocolate flecks, and especially its crisped rice balls. While this mass-produced brand doesn’t have the same cachet as McConnell’s or other small-batch ice creams, it’s rich with memories of yore. As a small child, honing my comedic routine, I’d always pick out the rice balls, clean them with my tongue, and then, with my lips covering my teeth, present them in a dish to weary family members, announcing, “Look, my teeth fell outta my mouth.” Thud. Even though the recurring bit never landed with my blood kin (tough crowd), this ice cream remains a personal favorite. And despite what lauded gastronomes might think of the archaic ice cream brand today, some youthful quirks and tastes are better left unexamined by such sophisticated palates.

— Brock Keeling, Restaurant Reporter

• SEE MORE: An ice cream parlor tucked inside a surf shop? Check out OC’s hidden food spots

The Kate – Something About Her, West Hollywood

Anyone who has watched Vanderpump Rules knows that the bars and restaurants owned and operated by the cast play a huge role in the series. It all kicked off with S.U.R., the restaurant owned by former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump and her husband, Ken Todd, where a group of friends worked as servers, hosts and bartenders while also pursuing their Hollywood dreams. In the 10 years since the series first aired, the cast has made quite a name for themselves as not only Bravolebs and reality TV icons, but also opening up their own local spots. Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney decided to approach things a little differently when it came to opening Something About Her, opting for a chic, feminine sandwich shop rather than a bar. The names of the dishes are all inspired by leading ladies from RomComs (my favorite genre, so already we were off to a good start). The establishment lives up to its tagline of “romanticizing lunch” with its clear attention to detail when it comes to decor and the dining experience. I decided to go with the Kate, a staff favorite that resembles a caprese. The sauces alone live up to the hype, with the pesto aioli being the standout. Each bite was a blend of flavor from the burrata, tomatoes, balsamic glaze and onion marmalade. The ciabatta roll made for some messy pieces at the end, but each one was so tasty that I couldn’t complain. Additional tip: You can forgo the bread on any of their sandwiches and opt for it as a salad instead, which I’m looking forward to trying during my next visit.

— Carolyn Burt, Audience Engagement Producer

Cheesy Garlic Knots – The 4th Horseman in Long Beach

The 4th horseman has long been a favorite little hideaway of mine since my college days in Long Beach. The funky decor, music, and pizza have always kept me coming back for more. I was in the area on Friday the 13th and thought, what better way to end the night? I opted for a slice of pepperoni pizza, but the real star of the show this visit was the cheesy garlic knots. Not only were they piping hot, fresh from the oven, but they were also delectably soft and cheesy. No need to worry about any vampire attacks after these bad boys, as they were loaded with garlic. The portion is also so large that it could be a meal itself!

— Mercedes Cannon-Tran, Local Reporter

See more of our monthly round-ups of the best things we ate in Southern California

The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in May

The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in April

The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in March

The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in February

The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in January

The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in 2024

The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in November

The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants this October

The best thing we ate at Southern California restaurants in September

The best thing we ate at Southern California restaurants in August

A ceremony was held Monday, June 30, to celebrate a new, 20,000-square-foot skate park in San Juan Capistrano, a much-awaited project that drew hundreds of skaters, young and old, to try it out.

“It’s like opening a present on Christmas,” said skater Mo Henderson, who for a decade lobbied alongside the San Juan Capistrano Skate Park Coalition to see the project to completion.

The opening was made official with a ribbon cutting, San Juan Capistrano Mayor Troy Bourne clutching oversized scissors to cut the bright red ribbon to mark the occasion. Music blared over the sound of screeching wheels and clanking boards, balloons and sponsor booths welcoming guests.

“As soon as the ribbon drops, you drop in,” he said to the crowd. “Try not to hit each other.”

Bourne talked about additions planned in the future, including a shade structure and a multi-use trail.

“The nice thing is, every skater at every level, even your City Council, could probably do something in this park starting today,” he said. “Just get better as you practice, that’s what it’s all about.”

The project cost upward of $6.8 million and sits on about 1 acre of the southwest corner of the former Kinoshita Farm property, near a new public trail and the city’s sports park and community center.

Plans for the skate park go back to 2007, identified by the city as a priority among recreational needs in the community, but the project was repeatedly stalled through the years until it was officially approved in 2022.  

The City Council picked Grindline Skateparks to design the park. The plan called for a mix of features that would be usable by scooters and BMX riders as well.

The project also included restrooms and a playground for younger children.

The concrete skatepark has a blend of street features, emulating what can be found in urban environments, such as curbs and railings. An expert bowl inspired by an iconic backyard pool called “Haunted Hole” was built, as was a smaller pool for intermediate riders.

Skater Ruben Villasenor, from San Juan Capistrano, took a break between laps, watching others test themselves on the features.

“Really, really stoked,” said Villasenor, who remembers when they first started floating around the idea decades ago, back when he first started skating as a kid.

“Sick as hell,” he described the park’s features.

Bike shop owner Jim Curwood said his son Brodie, now 30, was a teenager when talk of the skatepark started.

“It has taken forever. At least it’s done right. At first, they were just hiring some concrete guy – all the skate kids were saying, ‘No no no, you need a real skate company to do this,’” Curwood said. “I’d like to see them do a pump track and more stuff, but we’ll take baby steps.”

He attributes skateboarding to keeping his son out of trouble in his youth, steering him away from drugs because of the athleticism it takes.

Now part of the Olympics, much has changed about the perception of the sport spawned from a counterculture.

Brodie Curwood recently opened a nearby skate shop, Hidden Gem, following his dream to open a skate business once the park opened up.

For Henderson, skateboarding got her through a tough cancer fight. Now, four years following her diagnosis, she’s excited to finally have a place close enough to rollerskate to, then roll around on her skateboard. While she still has to take it slow following surgery, she’s looking forward to the day she can drop into the pool.

She marveled as skaters of all ages — and some on bikes and scooters — navigated the transitions and boxes, the drop-ins and the steep, massive pool.

“The kids that were trying to get it before, they’re all adults with their own kids now,” she said. “Everybody’s here, everybody’s happy.”

As a father of two skateboarding teens, Dana Point Councilmember Mike Frost said he could see the need for the park in the area. Dana Point is a partner in the project, with San Juan Capistrano footing the bill for the park and nearby Dana Point covering $25,000 in annual maintenance costs.

“You can just see from everybody here how important it is, and it’s fantastic,” he said. “It gives the kids a place to go. Too often, communities are not willing to give an outlet to kids … I give kudos to the San Juan Capistrano councilmembers who were strong enough to push this through. People want to say no to everything and they were strong enough to not give in — and they came up with something that betters the entire community.”

It’s a perfect fit for Southern California, where the surf and skate cultures were born, he added.

“We like our kids to be outside playing around and surfing, skateboarding,” he said. “It is part of the culture here.”

JSerra Catholic High School handed diplomas to the members of its graduating Class of 2025 on Saturday, May 31.

In a commencement ceremony at the campus, families and friends cheered as the graduates walked across the stage, marking the end of their high school careers and the beginning of their bright futures.

Graduations in the county continue next week, check the schedule here.

The section of track has been closed since late April so work could be done to add and repair a wall of rock that lines the tracks, one of four sections the Orange County Transportation Authority has identified as needing urgent repair to avoid further disruption to service.

Metrolinks and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner plan to resume normal schedules with the reopening of the link in San Clemente.

The construction – led by the Orange County Transportation Authority in partnership with Metrolink – is finishing ahead of the anticipated six weeks initially announced.

Crews finished strategically placing large boulders, also known as riprap, throughout the project areas, officials said, totaling approximately 5,900 tons added.

The rock was sorted and placed primarily within the area where riprap previously existed to protect against coastal erosion, officials said.

OCTA  officials have said an estimated 240,000 cubic yards of sand will also be placed on the beach between Mariposa Point and North Beach, though much is still unknown about that part of the plan, such a where it will come from, how long it will take and how much it will cost.

In coming days, crews will demobilize equipment, clear construction staging areas, test rail signals, and resurface and inspect the track. Work will happen from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., though some nighttime work may also occur prior to the June 7 reopening, according to the OCTA.

“Pedestrians and others traveling through the area near the rail line are asked to remember that trains will be running again soon and to be extra cautious around the tracks, crossing only at designated pedestrian and road crossings – always stay off the tracks,” officials said.

The project team is also finishing the placement of large temporary concrete barriers between the track and the inland bluff near where the Mariposa Bridge once was. A 1,400-foot-long catchment wall is to be built in the coming months.

The wall construction schedule is still being determined, but is anticipated to occur mostly behind those barriers to limit further disruption to passenger rail service, OCTA officials said. A beach path to replace the Mariposa Bridge will be created following the wall construction.

Over the past four years, San Clemente’s eroding bluffs — on both city and private property — have repeatedly forced the closure of the rail line.

While OCTA was given the green light to secure three spots along San Clemente’s coastline, a fourth project further south where a 2021 landslide halted service for months still needs to go through the California Coastal Commission permitting process. It would add 1,400 tons of riprap and a 1,200-foot-long “shoreline protection structure.”

The county offers a handful of choice rooftop restaurants that come with jaw-dropping views and al fresco eats. While skyscraper-studded metropolises like Los Angeles and San Francisco have the lion’s share of top-floor options, Orange County boasts a few standouts that compete with the best.

For this article, I’ve primarily selected truly high-elevation venues. This means that some of your favorite rooftop eateries and lounges, like the Ruby’s in Corona del Mar or The Rooftop in Yorba Linda — both absolutely worth a visit — won’t be found on this list. Save for a couple of exceptions, most of these dining experiences will be of the towering variety.

The Fifth Rooftop Restaurant and Bar

1650 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim; 714-772-0899; thefifthoc.com

Found atop the Grand Legacy at the Park Hotel, this rooftop spot features views of Disneyland Resort and the theme park’s nighttime fireworks spectacular, making it an ideal venue for day or night. Menu highlights include pork belly flat bread, fifth and chips (aka fish and chips). cheeseburger with chopped bacon on a brioche bun, chorizo mac and cheese, surf and turf tacos, rib-eye steak, bread pudding bites, craft cocktails and more. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the venue hosts “Tiki Tuesdays” and “Whiskey Wednesdays,” featuring a bevy of tiki-themed and rye-based cocktails, respectively, for $16 a pop.

Mozambique

1740 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach; 949-715-7777, mozambiqueoc.com

This Coast Highway spot, owned by restauranteur Ivan Spiers, who hails from South Africa, offers guests not only open-air dining with its spacious rooftop space with a dedicated bar, but also a reprieve from the congested downtown Laguna area that sees a swell in tourists come summertime. Table umbrellas provide shade during sunny days while heat lamps give diners warmth during chilly nights. The menu here focuses on wood-fired steaks, fish and other seafood, in addition to weekend brunches and daily happy hours. Halal lunch and dinner menus are also available.

ALSO SEE: 5 rooftop bars and restaurants to experience in Los Angeles

Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge

21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach; 714-845-8409, instagram.com/offshore9rooftoplounge

This luxe spot overlooking the Pacific bills itself as “Orange County’s highest, coastal, rooftop experience.” In addition to its regular menu of shared plates (like oysters, cheese and charcuterie board, beef sliders with truffle aioli, seafood chowder tots, carrot cake, creme brulee and more), craft cocktails, wines and champagne, Offshore 9 also hosts tony viewing parties during Independence Day and the annual Pacific Airshow, offering table buyouts for watching the pyrotechnics and aerial acrobatics in the sky.

Rise Rooftop Lounge

1030 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim; 657-279-9786, rise-rooftop.com

Offering views of Disney California Adventure, with the Pixar Pal-A-Round and the Incredicoaster seemingly within arms reach, Rise Rooftop Lounge at the Westin Anaheim Resort, is ideal for a night out in Anaheim. When night falls, diners can also check out Disneyland’s fireworks display (guests 21 years or older only after 10 p.m.). Comfy lounge couches and fire pits help give this sky-high venue a lounge-y feel, while umbrellas and glass panels shield patrons from the elements. Rise has a weekend brunch from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and dinner and cocktails from 5:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. Menu highlights include chicken tinga tacos, Thai “popcorn chicken” wings, queso fundido, oysters spiked with Michelada sauce, pizza, sushi, an ube tres leche cake and coconut and melon panna cotta.

ALSO SEE: 5 places to enjoy rooftop dining in the Inland Empire

The Rooftop Lounge

1289 Coast Highway, 4th floor, Laguna Beach; 949-497-2446, rooftoplagunabeach.com

Perched on the top floor of La Casa del Camino Hotel along Coast Highway, this lunch, brunch and dinner destination boasts 360-degree panoramic views of the ocean and hills. Truly, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Beyond an impressive list of cocktails and wine (including six champagnes), menu items include whipped feta, crab cakes, prosciutto, fig and goat cheese bruschetta, empanadas, sliders, tacos, salads and more. And if a sparkling wine -infused brunch leaves you feeling a bit too high on life, a leisurely one-minute stroll to the beach below is the perfect remedy.

Rosewood Social

31781 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano; 949-503-2693, rosewoodsocial.com

Orange County’s rooftop dining experiences aren’t limited to ocean locales. Take Rosewood Social, for instance, with its expansive rooftop dining terrace (smack dab above Selma’s Chicago Pizzeria) overlooking Verdugo Street and Camino Capistrano. This Fransican Plaza gem offers a unique vantage point of the weathered 1776 Mission San Juan Capistrano, proving a glimpse into California’s Mission-system history. The South County eatery serves American and Asian-inspired fare. Notable dishes include Wagyu dumplings, papaya salad, adobo pork ribs, miso cod, chicken karaage and filet mignon.

Top of The V

1601 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim; 657-439-3289, topoftheviv.com

The 12th-floor rooftop setting features a sleek, contemporary setting with lounge seating galore, a dedicated bar and Spanish fare. The menu includes Ibérico cured meats, pan cristal (toasted bread slathered with tomato), charred cabbage with a honey-chile glaze, sea bass with brown butter and marcona almond, rack of lamb with tximitxurri (Basque chimichurri), shrimp al ajillo, charred octopus, bomba rice, chocolate flan and more. And as with the aforementioned Anaheim digs, guests can view Disneyland from afar as well as the Anaheim cityscape and busy freeway below.

Compass Energy Storage, a subsidiary of Engie North America, filed its application more than a year ago, and after review, the commission deemed it complete in late April, kicking off a 270-day certification process.

Proposed is a 250-megawatt battery energy storage system, or BESS, that could collect excess energy from the power grid, store it, and then discharge it back to the grid during periods of peak demand. There are more than 100 facilities of this kind in Southern California, including a few in Orange County.

On Thursday, May 29, the energy commission hosts its first meeting for the public, during which the plans for the project and its environmental impacts will be discussed to provide more information. A decision on the project would come later in the year, following the completion of the environmental review and public comment process, commission officials said.

This project is one of three being considered under a 2022 law that broadened the energy commission’s authority to facilitate renewable energy projects in support of California’s goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2045.

In February, the commission approved a 2,300-megawatt solar and battery storage project proposed on retired agricultural land in Fresno County, but in March, it denied a proposal in Shasta County. There, the CEC cited concerns over environmental impacts, including wildfire risks, damage to forests and wildlife habitats, and conflicts with local land use laws.

A group of concerned South Orange County residents and lawmakers have been raising some of the same safety concerns with the Engie project and are trying to convince the CEC that it should not be allowed in its current proposed location in the San Juan Capistrano hills near homes. Hoping to gain public traction, they have scheduled a press conference on Wednesday, May 28, on the Laguna Niguel ridge that overlooks the proposed site that once belonged to Saddleback Church.

Several local officials, including Laguna Niguel Mayor Ray Gennawey, San Juan Capistrano Mayor Troy Bourne and San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond are expected to appear at the press conference.

The public outreach efforts follow the formation of a resident group, BLESSIN, short for Ban Lithium Energy Storage Systems in Neighborhoods, last year by Laguna Niguel realtor and resident Kathleen Pryor.

“There is so much community unrest and opposition to this project because of concern for public safety,” said Theresa Ford, another BLESSIN member. “Lithium is volatile and even the ‘safer’ technology has had failures. Safer is just not good enough in an area so close to residents and schools. “

Engie officials said they considered 17 other sites in Orange County and the San Juan Capistrano location is safe and the best option.

In addition to moving through the CEC process and completing an EIR, Engie officials said they will “prioritize community engagement to ensure residents have an opportunity to have their concerns addressed with factual and accurate information.”

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, sent a letter to the CEC in opposition to the location of the battery storage site.

“The project would be situated near sensitive areas – relatively close to homes and adjacent to Trabuco Creek – and alongside critical infrastructure – primarily, Interstate 5,” he wrote. “Should there be any kind of disaster at the project, nearby residents may be severely impacted, as could the water quality of the creek. Any extended shutdown of I-5 would hurt the commerce of our region.

Additionally, the Association of California Cities-Orange County also sent in a letter penned by the group’s president, Dana Point Councilmember Jamey Federico, opposing the location, while underscoring the group’s understanding and support of the state’s need to transition to cleaner energy.

Federico included concerns about extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires, pointing to an incident in Monterey County in January that required evacuating residents as a “stark and deeply troubling example.”

Federico suggested that until the results of that fire and other recent incidents are “transparently investigated and shared with the public,” the commission should impose a moratorium on new BESS projects, especially those located near dense urban populations and wildland areas.

The discussion at this week’s commission meeting will include a presentation from Engie officials, who will describe the project’s safety features and their collaboration with the Orange County Fire Authority on the plan, said Renee Robin, the energy company’s director of permitting and planning.

“We have implemented all requested safety and site design modifications,” she said in a statement, adding that among the project’s safety features are a non-combustible perimeter wall, vegetation management, a landscaping buffer, infrared cameras, air quality monitors and a 24/7 battery management system.

“An additional plume analysis was conducted at the request of the CEC, which further demonstrated that even in the most extreme and unlikely hypothetical conditions, contaminant levels would be lower than current background conditions,” Robin also said.

OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy said that, as with all development projects in OCFA’s service region, his agency will review the buildings against the most up-to-date fire codes.

“We only recently received these plans for review, and as always, we will be diligent in our analysis, collaborative in addressing any potential issues that fall under our fire code purview, and transparent throughout the process,” Fennessey said.

If approved, the BESS would connect to the existing San Diego Gas & Electric transmission system to transfer power to and from the battery system to help when the state’s grid is most stressed, especially from 4 to 9 p.m., Engie officials said. Batteries can help reduce the risk of rolling power outages and replace the use of natural gas to generate electricity during those critical hours when power use is at its highest.

Engie officials said the project’s strong safety measures, location and local benefits have also drawn a diverse and growing collection of favorable nods in support, including the Orange County Business Council and the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

“As the region’s population and energy demands grow, this 250-megawatt battery energy storage systemproposed by ENGIE North America is essential for maintaining grid reliability and supporting Orange County’s $240 billion economy,” the Orange County Business Council said in its letter of support.

Thursday’s meeting will be open to the public starting at 10 a.m. in the board room of the Capistrano Unified School District, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. Find more information and how to watch online at energy.ca.gov.