Good morning, neighbors. Last Friday we were dodging a heat advisory. This weekend the forecast says 70 on Friday and high 70s through Sunday, with clear evenings. It's the first weekend that actually feels like October, and it's a full one: marigolds and monarchs in Mission Viejo, a straw maze up the road, and Halloween a week out.
📅 This weekend
Friday
Friday night football (all 7 pm). Santa Margarita vs. JSerra at Saddleback College, a Trinity League home game for the defending state champs. Capistrano Valley hosts Villa Park, and Tesoro hosts Foothill. Mission Viejo plays at Los Alamitos, and Trabuco Hills plays at Aliso Niguel.
Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill, Lake Forest. Its last weekend runs Friday to Sunday, 4:30–8:30 pm, with a straw maze, a scavenger hunt and themed photo spots. Entry and parking are free, costumes are encouraged, and leashed dogs are welcome.
Saturday
Ladera Run for Hope, 7–9 am, Town Green. This is the first year for the run/walk, which benefits Breast Cancer Solutions. Register on Eventbrite through the Ladera page.
RSM Certified Farmers Market, 8–11 am, in the north-side lot by the lake amphitheater. It runs on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays, and this is the 4th.
Mission Viejo Farmers Market, 9 am–1 pm, North Paseo (25282 Marguerite Pkwy).
Free compost workshop, 10 am, Kershaw Garden at MV City Hall. RSVP to 949-470-8458.
Día de los Muertos Festival, 2–7 pm, Murray Center. It's free and open to everyone. New this year is a live butterfly exhibit. There are also classic-car ofrendas, a Catrina contest and an illuminated procession at dusk. Bring a photo for the community altar.
Trunk or Treat at San Francisco Solano, 6–8:30 pm, 22082 Antonio Pkwy, RSM. It's the parish's first one. They haven't posted cost or entry details, but their other community nights this year were free and open to all.
Ladera Teen Movie Night & Haunted Maze, 7–10 pm, grades 6–12. Registration needs a LaderaLife login, so it's effectively residents only, and it sells out every year.
Sunday
Ladera Ranch Farmers Market, 9 am–1 pm, Daisy St. & Avendale Blvd.
Tales, Tails & Treats, 11 am–noon, MV Animal Services (28095 Hillcrest). Storytime, crafts and adoptable kittens. No registration.
Pumpkin City, Laguna Hills, behind Trader Joe's on Avenida de la Carlota. This is its last full weekend. It's open 10 am–10 pm Friday through Sunday, and weekend entry is $14 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Rides cost extra.
🍴 Open & shut
Open: Creekside Restaurant & Bar opened Oct 12 at Sendero Marketplace in Rancho Mission Viejo (30865 Gateway Pl). It serves American comfort food for dinner from 4 pm daily, and it's named for San Juan Creek out back. Last week we said "no date yet." Now it's open.
Coming: Sal's Pizzeria is opening a second Mission Viejo shop at 27680 Marguerite Pkwy. It's in county plan review, with no date yet.
Still waiting: Wholesome Choice (Marguerite) and Pasta Viva (Santa Margarita Pkwy).
💬 Around town: Halloween lands on a Saturday
That doesn't happen often, so it's worth a plan. Here's how the long weekend lines up:
Fri 10/30: the SAMLARC Halloween Family Festival at RSM Central Park. Games, a petting zoo and trick-or-treating run 3:30–6 pm, then The Nightmare Before Christmas in the amphitheater at 6:30. It's free, so bring blankets or low chairs.
Sat 10/31, morning: the MV farmers market is on as usual. At 11 am, kids 6 and up can read to therapy dogs at the MV Library Paw Readathon, no registration needed.
Sat 10/31, after dark: the Haunted Mansion Haunt is a home haunt in Trabuco Canyon, just past RSM, now in its 20th year. It runs nightly 7–9 pm through Nov 1 and needs a reservation. Free standby is an option, or $10 skips the line. There's free candy at the exit on Halloween.
Last week we asked who does Halloween best on your street. The answers are still open. Reply with a block, and we'll build the drive-by list for next Friday.
💎 One good thing: Whiting Ranch
When the weather turns, Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is the hike to do. The hiker-only Red Rock Canyon trail winds through oaks to red sandstone cliffs. From RSM, the Glenn Ranch Rd entrance is the closest. It's open 7 am to sunset, and parking is $3 by machine. No dogs. One catch: trails can close for up to three days after rain, and showers are forecast for Thursday, so check the park page before you lace up.
🗒️ Good to know
Clearing out the medicine cabinet? Prescription Take Back Day is Saturday, 10 am–2 pm, in the RSM City Hall lot (22112 El Paseo).
Hit reply: what's the one fall tradition your family won't skip? Pumpkin patch, haunt, a certain hike? We'll share the best ones.
Know someone who just moved to RSM, Mission Viejo or Ladera? Forward this along. They can subscribe free at osoweekly.com.