Eats & Beverages
Restaurants
Sol Agave (San Clemente) - If its happy hour get the queso! Sugar Cane Steak is available all day (it says it’s an appetizer but I order it as a meal and it’s a lot of food) , if you like tajin they offer a margarita flight. Usually I get the Basil Watermelon Margarita-no tajin
Guichos (San Clemente) - Take out only, Americanized Italian, best enjoyed at San Onofre State Beach
Active Culture (San Clemente & Laguna Beach)- Health conscious casual dining, I get the LB/SC bowl, whole bowl, evolution bowl, kale salad, mint chip shake (free local delivery)
AHBA (Laguna Beach) - European style indoor outdoor in South Laguna, head next door to their speak easy Helen's... walk out and head north into the next building for some drinks on their patio
Maison (Dana Point) - French inspired farm to table- Grains bowl add salmon
Glasspar (Dana Point) - Upscale seafood restaurant by The Dana Point Harbor, I love their Lobster Mac & Cheese + Tuna. Thursday is $2 oyster night
Monarch Beach Market (Dana Point)- Small coastal market where you can order customized sandwiches, grab snacks & a drink perfect stop before a day at the beach
Project Social (Dana Point)- Outdoor family atmosphere with simple food
I Love Bagels (Dana Point) - Traditional bagels made fresh every morning, I love the Spinach Parmesan
Coffee Importers (Dana Point)- Stop by for a simple breakfast (Coffee, Smoothies, bagels, oatmeal) while you sit in the Dana Point Harbor, I love the California Bagel
Mayfeild (San Juan Capistrano) - Middle eastern/ Mediterranean upscale with great cocktails “Turkish delight” or “Spa Water” are my favorites, be sure to join their wine club if you’re local! They offer small batch intriguing wine you wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else. I get the two bottle option for $55, this includes a 8oz tasting- 2oz of each selected wine of the month, then bring two bottles home to share with others or enjoy alone
Heritage Barbecue (San Juan Capistrano)- incredible barbecue, typically a very long line as it is first come first serve, the wait can be hours so get their early or make a day out of it and grab beer at Capistrano Brewing Company while you wait
Ramos House Cafe (San Juan Capistrano) A darling Cafe on the original Los Rios Street in San Juan, this Cafe is not only extremely charming but the food is delightful. Walk around to Zoomars to see the animals, antique barn to shop vintage or meander to the darling homes
JD Flannel (San Juan Capistrano)- Traditional specialty donuts
2145 (Costa Mesa)- Wood-fire pizza, the perfect setting for a casual date night - prosciutto burrata arugula pizza or blue cheese honey
Side Car (Costa Mesa)- Gourmet Donuts made every hour
Javier’s (Newport Coast)- Upscale Mexican, I order the Cabo Azul
Muse Sushi House (Laguna Niguel) - Chirachi Bowl
Thrive Juice Lab (Laguna Niguel)- Organic juice bar, the "tummy tuck" juice is so refreshing, smoothies and bowls are great
Alcoholic Beverages
Jane (San Clemente) - Phenomenal intimate cocktail bar, get the “Girl Grey”
Landers (San Clemente & Costa Mesa) - fun place for casual drinks with a friend + both locations have a selection of curated vintage, for the Costa Mesa location it’s down the street in its own supply house
Artifex Brewing (San Clemente) located on mainstreet Del Mar in San Clemente they have a small tasting room the perfect place to grab a beer
Swallows (San Juan Capistrano)- Traditional western dive-bar
Docent Brewing (San Juan Capistrano/Dana Point) -Traditional brewery with indoor and outdoor seating, if you like stout beer and the "tonic on nitro" is available be sure to grab it, made with coffee from a local coffeeshop
Turks (Dana Point) - You want a dive bar? you get a dive bar. In the harbor on the water a fun place to spice up a wells drink or grab a beer any time of day
Coffee/Tea
Lavender lounge (San Clemente) - pick your freshly brewed loose leaf tea iced or hot, be sure to add choobies (a hard jello and trust me they are incredible, I’m not a sweet gal and it’s the perfect treat)
Sur Coffee (San Clemente) - Iced Coconut milk matcha with one pump lavender, amazing gooey cinnamon rolls they make in house
JC bean (Dana Point) - Get the Dirty Chai, its sweet but worth it + its a drive-through
Hidden House Coffee (San Juan Capistrano)- Small coffee shop in a transformed original San Juan Capistrano Home located on Los Rios, walk around to Zoomars to see the animals, antique barn to shop vintage or meander to the darling homes
Local Practitioners
Injectors
Shawna @thewrinklewarrior at Skin Spirit Newport Beach - mention my name for $50 off of your first service
Massage
Elizabeth at Mizokami Sports Therapy in San Clemente offers a full body lymphatic drainage massage. Not only can you see what drains out of you, but it feels incredible. Book directly by text +1 (401) 365-3379
Microblading
@elaina.sterrett is located in Murrieta, she’s not only welcoming and kind but the most talented permanent brow artist I have seen
Doctor
@connealymd is the founder of @centerfornewmedicine @cancercenterforhealing located in Irvine with a holistic approach to healing she is knowledgeable and a true healer, even if you can’t make it to her in person be sure to follow her on Instagram because she offers many Q&As that I am constantly learning from
Makeup artists
@devynne_mua
@beauty.by.chelsearoach
@courtdappmakeup
@kendallopez
@natpaynemua
@makeupbydpav
Registered Dietician
@sanam.tahan
Personal Trainer
@savco_
@nikki.mostofi
Photographers
@sarahnoelphoto
@valvogt_
@thebelovedphoto
@karishootsfilm
@sydneynoellephoto
@madelineejavier
Microneedeling
Jess at Dana Point Dermatology
Nails
Eden at Pardon My French (Laguna Niguel)
Things to do
Ecology center (San Juan Capistrano)- a local farm that has fresh produce and treats, on Thursday’s and Saturdays at 11am they have fresh wood-fire pizza (first come first serve and they may run out) the perfect place to bring your kids
Antique Barn (San Juan Capistrano)
San Onofre State Beach (San Clemente)- $15 without a State Park Pass, park on the sand and stay all day
Shop Shani (San Clemente)- Small women owned shop full of unique and curated clothes/specialty items
Beach Walk- (San Clemente) Map yourself to Moulin, grab a coffee, find your way to the ocean, head left and follow the beach trail along the coast
Yoga In the Park (Dana Point)- @iheartyoga hosts a donation based yoga class everyday in Lantern Bay Park that has panoramic views of the Dana Point harbor, stop by Coffee Importers after!
- Every Morning 8:30 &10am + sunset yoga Monday - Thursday at 5:30pm