TLDR: Pageant of the Masters is a California vibe and unique event. Yes you should experience it at…read moreleast once and I'm a fan for life after seeing it for the first time. You can find street parking, it does cost money, there's a kiosk to pay, there's also a lot across the street. I went twice this year and got tickets at a significantly discounted price at the box office and they stop selling tickets at 8 pm. The closer to the front the better, but there's not a bad seat in the house. Finally went to Pageant of the Masters after years of hearing about it but still not understanding what it is. This year's theme was Gold Coast: Treasures of California which featured different types of artwork from local California artists as well as the many art museums throughout California and some of the famous pieces stored at those museums. I really enjoyed it because I love art museums and seeing some of these art works come to life and learn the history behind them was neat but I also absorbed all of the info. about it. I met up with a friend here who was a Pageant fan. We got here an hour and a half before they opened the amphitheater up and go to see the art exhibits outside. I'd compare it to going to the Hollywood Bowl to hang out and eat and drink outside the gates before you go in to see a show. There was tons of art and artists with their work on display and for sale and outdoor seating with a small stage with some amazing bands playing. The artwork here is not your typical artwork you'd see at an art walk, these artists and their works are for serious and REAL buyers. Art gallery type work that featured paintings, sculptures, photography that was bold, unique and of a a variety of tastes. Once inside, there's an orchestra playing music underneath the stage. It is recreations of paintings on a large scale, using humans and with a live orchestra. They use not only the stage, but also the smaller stages to the right and left and the hillside a bit to execute the vision. Bring binoculars to get a more detailed view and to see who is a human and who is just a cutout of a human. Production is very cool! Defiinitely a vibe and something fun to see with the whole family.

I am an Orange County guy. I have been to the Pageant of the Masters in virtually every decade of…read moremy life. I guess at 70 I am finally in the sweet spot for this truly wonderful evening. We arrived early and strolled down to PCH and had a fabulous beach front dinner before we strolled back to the Pageant grounds. The parking was easy and right across the street from the entrance. There isn't a bad seat in the house and it was a warm August evening. The orchestra played amazing music to accompany the performance. The theme of this year's Pageant is California and the Arts. We enjoyed every tableau. We had an amazing enjoyable evening and I can't wait to come back next year!

Watched the Eddie Akiau documentary / biopic at the Rivian theater in downtown Laguna beach with…read moremy buddy and his wife. Interesting set up, some traditional theater type seats, some sofas, a bar type sub wall with metal stools. Seating is first come first served. We sat on the bar stools. There were also 2 Rivian vehicles on display inside. 1 pick up truck and 1 suv. Comfortable space, I wish we had shown up a little earlier and had seats in the more traditional movie theater style than the stools without back rests, but that was % on us for taking too long at dinner before the movie. Nice set up with a new screen that made for great viewing. I'll definitely return. Pro tip: show up early and secure a good seat. Your back and bottom will appreciate it.

We've been here twice, with today being our 2nd time. The first time - it was on 11/20 when they…read morehad an owner's night gathering. There were some small bites, music, and fun little Rivian pin giveaways. Today there was a kids event where they can record their sound into a little heart, make a valentines craft and put a tiny flower bouquet together. People hung out and socialized but no food. Parking is difficult to find and costs $3 per hour in the nearby lots.

Wow, this was bad. I read these reviews on fb, with people…read moregoing on and on how amazing, great, exquisite, unbelievable this show is, the greatest ever! Seriously? What was I missing? There was a stage with some tiny something in the middle that supposed to be a painting made of humans. Couldn't tell, couldn't see anything, there was no moving, way too small to impress in any way. Some computer images projected on a screen above and a fashion history reading from some Google search website. The greatest show ever? Are orange county people so desperately trying to appear cultivated and into arts that they would overly praise an embarrassingly mediocre show? People were leaving at intermission because of how boring and uninteresting this performance was.

We too left at the intermission for the 1st time after 10+ times attending…read more In the past I have really liked the show, some more than others. I am sure they are always looking for ways to be creative, but this time it was a complete miss. If it was my first time I would never go again, but I am hoping they get the message since there were many others leaving when we did. I am not sure that a show that starts us off at a runway fashion show has broad appeal. We are going to see about the great artists and their work. I get the idea you were going with, but it did not work! Themes are good, but this just wasn't!

Live in Theater is an amazing Murder Mystery company that made our Halloween Party a HUGE success!…read moreThey cater to small intimate gatherings as well as large corporate parties like ours and they did a stellar job. We had many new guests attend and raved about their experience. It was not cheesy and the actors were superb! Live in Theater is a necessity for anyone who wants to try the Murder Mystery experience.

Thank you Live in Theater. The actors were so in character the whole time! Great stuff!!read more

My fiancé and I live walking distance from Soka and multiple times a week we walk to Soka because…read morethe ground are beautiful and we love taking photos there. We saw on line that they have events and we came to check it out. We bought our tickets on line for a jazz trio. We both love Jazz. The theater is big and beautiful. The seats in the theater are plush and comfortable. The best part is the aucustics. The sound is amazing. I would highly recommend this performing arts theater. The people are really friendly and the grounds are beyond breath taking.

We attended a terrific charity concert at the Soka Performing Arts Center. Cancer Teamwork…read moreResponse hosted an event headlined by Mike Garson (former piano player for David Bowie). Joe Sumner (Sting's son) and Veronica Swift were both featured signers. They performed a number of David Bowie songs, and they all sounded great. The event raised money for the charity and the audience truly enjoyed the evening. The staff at the Center were all friendly. I would not hesitate going to another event at the Center.

We had a wonderful time at the after walk Christmas party in the Newport theater…read more The band was amazing ! They played all the old classics , rock 'n' roll.... Unlimited beef, pork and chicken yummy tacos ! The cocktails were flowing , However, the wine that they offered was definitely a no Bueno for me . It was from Lodi. Festive night , Christmas cheer

New Port Theater is worth all the hype. The staff is amazing and so accommodating, Celina…read moreespecially is an absolute sweetheart. Additionally, Marty is the kindest person I've met in a long time. The Christmas after-party was filled with only good vibes and everyone was having the time of their lives and enjoying the music and ambiance! Food was to die for! Five stars all the way.

Very fun, creative, and inventive it reminds of the ride the calico mine train but a walk-through…read moreof the ride

The Museum of Make Believe in Laguna Beach is an absolute gem! I visited this week with my…read more21-year-old twin daughters, and it was a truly magical, interactive experience for all of us. Both of my daughters loved it so much they called it the absolute best part of their entire Southern California trip. A few things that made our visit extra special:The Atmosphere: Entirely immersive, interactive, and enchanting for all ages. The Host: Incredibly welcoming and amazing. He checked in on us throughout our visit to ensure we had a wonderful time. The Gift Shop: Filled with unique items that were very reasonably priced. The Extras: An added surprise during our visit completely made our day! I cannot recommend this museum enough. Whether you are traveling with young kids, young adults, or just looking for a bit of wonder, this place is perfect for everyone.

Experience: Wow please, please make sure to stop by here between June and August when they have…read moretheir summer festival! They have so many local artists and jewelry makers at stalls, and the person selling it to you is often the artist themselves! Every artist is so kind and asks you how you are doing as you walk by their stall! There is also a QR code where you can vote for your favorite artist. There's also live music and many food options. Pricing: You can buy a ticket before (https://tickets.sawdustartfestival.org/), and tickets are $12.50 a day and $49.50 for an annual pass. I recommend adding the ticket to your Apple/phone wallet, so you can easily scan the QR code when you enter. Some of the art and jewelry is slightly expensive, but you can also find more inexpensive pieces, and considering it is all handmade, this is understandable. Parking: A great parking option is to park at Lot 16, which is $5 a day on weekdays and $10 on weekends and holidays. You can pay for this on the Laguna Beach parking app (https://towne.com/lagunabeachparking/). Then, you can take the free trolley (and enjoy the amazing breeze!) to the Sawdust Art Festival (There will be a sign, so you will know where to get down). The trolley runs till around 10:30 PM (as the festival closes at 10 PM).

I've been to the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach probably three or four times now between the…read moresummer and winter festivals and despite the crowds, the traffic, and the absurd lines... I keep going back! I usually attend with a close friend and while she's more of the purchaser, I tend to be a window shopper and craft admirer soaking it all in while seeing what surprises the booths contain. Though last monthI did pick up a few Christmas gifts for friends and family even though there wasn't much holiday specific merchandise. It felt great to support local artists and find some unique pieces. The winter festival decor is especially great with the cozy lights, festive touches, and plenty of spots that are great photo ops for both adults and families. The whole place is whimsical and creative and part of the fun is simply wandering without a plan and seeing what you find! Now for the realities: parking is insane, traffic can be really bad, and the lines for entry, food, and sometimes even the restrooms can really test your patience. The food lines in particular are ridiculous, so I usually eat before and/or plan dinner outside the festival (it's cheaper and less crazy). Pro tip: buy your ticket online and show it at the door. Do not wait in line to purchase tickets on site unless you enjoy unnecessary suffering!! All that said, the Sawdust Festival remains uniquely Laguna and there's always that sense of mystery about what you'll discover. Overall, four stars from me!