Go.See.Do. - Winter 2018

Go.See.Do

There may be a slight chill in South Orange County air as the winter season is in full swing, but this corner of the world is just as beautiful when it’s frosty as when it’s warm – and there’s still plenty to do.

In our winter Go.See.Do, we’ll give you the rundown on some great locations to shop, dine and play.

For starters, learn about electric bike companies in San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente and the products they make to help you navigate this beautiful landscape.

Next up, learn about nearby locations worth traveling to for snow and festive winter fun.

Looking for a place to dine but feel like you’ve tried everything? Not to worry –we’ve picked out a brand new South County restaurant and talked to the head chef there.

We’ll also provide information on places to get high-end gifts as well as gifts that don’t break the bank; a list of upcoming festivals; and a list of places to catch the big game in February.

We hope that if you’re scratching your head on how to make the most out of your winter months, this guide will be a great start.

This seasonal beverage is offered at both of Bear Coast’s

of Bear Coast Co ee. Bear Coast Coffee’s Pear Cider

10 Bartlett pears, sliced into quarters

12 cups water

3 cinnamon sticks

3 oz whole ginger

1 tbsp whole cloves

3/4 gallon of apple juice

Combine all and let simmer for two hours. Strain and serve.

Mammoth Lakes

Another popular locale for skiing and snowboarding is Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in Mammoth Lakes, California. With more than 150 named trails ranging from beginner level to advanced, the resort is one of the best for winter sports enthusiasts. Outside of the ski area, Mammoth Lakes boasts numerous dining options, including breweries, taverns and pizzerias. www.visitmammoth.com

Idyllwild

This quaint little mountain town, nestled above Hemet in Riverside County, is a lesser-known but very picturesque location to enjoy the snowfalls. Idyllwild boasts several parks where families can get out and enjoy the snow that’s fallen on the ground. Idyllwild also has a charming downtown with various specialty shops, restaurants and coffee houses. www.idyllwild.com

Laguna Mountain

Laguna Mountain is just a stone’s throw away in San Diego County, but it’s known for receiving plenty of snow regularly. There are several large areas throughout Mt. Laguna for sledding, as well as cross country skiing. Visitors can head to nearby Alpine for its gift and specialty shops and to Julian for a slice of pie from the well-known Julian Pie Company. www.fs.usda.gov

6 PLACES TO GET THOSE

Feels Wintertime

BY ALEX GROVES

While Southern California can get a little chilly at times, it’s certainly nothing like the Northeast or Midwest, where temperatures plummet below freezing and snow is an actual occurrence. But just because it doesn’t feel like deep winter here doesn’t mean South County residents can’t make a day trip to find fun winter feels. From snowy mountainsides to ice skating rinks, there are plenty of places where people can get their cold fix, and we’ve compiled a list of them right here.

Big Bear Lake

The picturesque town of Big Bear Lake in Los Angeles County is known for its snow and is frequented often by snow sporting enthusiasts. It’s home to Snow Summit Ski Resort, which offers 240 acres of terrain and 27 different trails for people of varying skill levels. There’s also Big Bear Snow Play, a location popular among families for inner tubing. www.bigbear.com

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Take a trip to the desert to ride The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which travels over breathtaking vistas to reach the Mountain Station at Mt. San Jacinto State Park. It’s not unusual during the winter months to see the station – located more than 8,000 feet above sea level – blanketed in snow. Also at the station is a natural history museum, a gift shop and hiking trails.

1 Tram Way, Palm Springs. 888.515.8726. www.pstramway.com

Aliso Viejo Ice Palace

Granted, it never gets cold enough in Southern California to really do outdoor ice skating, but there are indoor ice rinks that offer a similar experience. Aliso Viejo Ice Palace boasts it is “The Coolest Place in Orange County.” There are public skating sessions most days of the week. The cost is $15 for admission and $4 for skate rentals. 9 Journey, Aliso Viejo. 949.643.9648. www.avicepalace.com

It’s Electr C!

Exploring the Coast with Electrically Powered Bikes

BY LILLIAN BOYD

Danny Val fell in love with electric bicycles as soon as he rode one for the first time in San Diego. Soon thereafter, he made a career change: the former account manager for a landscaping company decided he wanted to open a Pedego Electric Bikes location in Dana Point.

His first experience with an e-bike was December 2017. Val opened the Dana Point location in June and has now been helping others fall in love with the hobby as well. “I loved it so much, and I wanted to be

able to share that enjoyment with others,” Val said. “Now I get to help people try out day rentals or choose their next e-bike investment.”

In the United States, electric bikes with throttles are permitted with certain regulations, whereas in Europe they are banned. E-bikes are classified into three different categories: Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are permitted on trails and do not exceed 20 miles per hour; Class 3 is illegal to use on trails since they exceed 28 miles per hour.

“(These e-bikes) enable you to go further and longer than a regular bike,” Val said.

“You can pedal and still get a workout if you

want to.”

Pedal-assist systems sense the cyclist pedaling and provide assistance automatically without having to hold down the throttle—an ideal feature for people embarking on long rides with few stops. Val says this type of technology allows people who might otherwise be held back, such as grandparents, to keep up with their grandchildren on bikes and cover just as much ground.

Pedego offers a variety of customization, such as hub motors or mid drives. Hub motors deliver power without any extra gear shifting or wear on the drivetrain. Each Pedego bike with a hub motor includes a twist-and-go throttle. Most Pedegos sport a 500-watt hub motor with twice the power of a typical mid drive. Mid drives are best suited for capable cyclists who are comfortable shifting gears often. They also require additional maintenance because of the added wear.

As for battery options, it depends on whether the rider prefers to have it placed in the rear rack or evenly distributed with a lower center of gravity. Electric bikes have also been developed utilizing smartphone technology. Smartphone applications can show you your navigation, performance training, maintenance reminders and tech support.

“There are so many aspects to e-bikes that people can explore. It’s all about family, fun and fitness. It can be overwhelming when choosing what kind of e-bike is right for you, but that’s what I’m here for,” Val said. “People can test out which bikes they’re interested in and I can provide guidance.”

Val says that most of his customers using day rentals like to explore the Dana Point Harbor or venture between Capo Beach and San Clemente on the bike trail along Pacific Coast Highway. For more information on ebike technology and the local Pedego shop, visit www.pedegoelectricbikes.com.

Festivals OF

2019

Panhe Festival

Honoring the native cultures inhabiting South Orange County, Panhe is a celebration of the Acjachemen Nation and Juaneno Band of Mission Indians. It is an educational day for people of all ages to enjoy the entertainment, crafts and demonstrations. Panhe is hosted by the San Onofre Parks Foundation and the United Coalition to Protect Panhe. The festival takes place the third or fourth Sunday in March at the San Mateo Campground. www.sanonofreparksfoundation.org.

Festival of Whales

Back-to-back weekends celebrate the return of the gray whales, which typically migrate and pass near Dana Point waters during the weeks of mid-March. Various whale watching excursions are available from local businesses, and there are many things to do at the arts and crafts fairs and children’s center.

Vintage Food and Wine Festival

Attendees are treated to some of the best California has to offer in food and wine. The next Food and Wine Festival takes place Oct. 5, 2019, at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. www.vintagesjc.com.

{Fiesta de las Golondrinas

BY ERIC HEINZ

e southern part of the county is ripe with events in your local communities and neighboring cities. Each presents visitors and residents with rich heritage and tradition, whether through food, exercise, sports, collections or other cultural signi cance. Here are some of the major events each of the three cities hosts each year. Most of them have been around for decades.

Boat Parade of Lights

The Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights has taken place each of the last 44 years, where dozens of the boats docked at the harbor parade around the waterways. Boats are covered in lights as they make their way. The event takes place the first two weekends in December.

Mariachi Festival

The granddaddy of all San Juan Capistrano events—Fiesta de las Golondrinas. The massive Swallows Day Parade is the centerpiece of the Fiesta, but there are tons of supporting events. There’s the “hanging” of the mayor, beard growing contest, Hoos’Gow Day—it’s a hootenanny of settlementera shenanigans. Check online for the latest updates of their events. www.swallowsparade.com.

Turkey Trot

There’s reason to be thankful for the Turkey Trot in Dana Point. The annual 10K, 5K and children’s races take place on the holiday each year early in the morning around Dana Point Harbor. Registration is already available for the 2019 Dana Point Turkey Trot. www.turkeytrot.com.

Classic Car Show

Hundreds of vehicles are lined up and down the streets of Avenida Del Mar. Vehicles of nearly all makes and models are displayed and meticulously polished by the owners. The Classic Car Show takes place the third Saturday in June. www.villagesanclemente.org.

A throw-down like no other, the annual Battle of the Mariachis enlivens the atmosphere of the Mission San Juan Capistrano with its up-tempo tunes and colorful garb. Next year’s Battle of the Mariachis takes place May 18, 2019. www.missionsjc.com.

Ocean Festival

The Greatest Show on Surf. Ocean Festival has been drawing athletes from all over the nation and world for decades. The festival started with local lifeguards who brought it to the city to test their skills against one another. It has since then swelled to the perennial pantheon of sea-faring competitors. Ocean Festival takes place the second or third weekend of July at the San Clemente Pier.

Start off with the spicy salsa competition and complete the entire day by listening to dozens of bands perform during the biggest street party of the year in San Clemente. The Fiesta is possibly the oldest tradition in the city that’s still heavily attended. It started as a day for musicians to gather downtown more than 60 years ago and has grown each year. The San Clemente Fiesta takes place the second Sunday in August along Avenida Del Mar. www.scchamber.com.

Doheny Blues, Ohana Festival, Driftwood Festival

Dana Point is on its way to becoming the concert capital of South Orange County. Its main three festivals— Doheny Blues, Ohana Festival and Driftwood—pack their respective venues with performances from multiple genres. Check for specific dates during the summer online for each of the festivals. www.ohanafest.com. www.driftwoodfest.com. www.dohenybluesfestival.com.

This is a major stop for professional bull riders and other rodeo competitors. The prize of winning in these competitions is a trip to a national tournament in Las Vegas, so there’s incentive for the athletes to give it their best. The 2019 Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo dates will be announced online. www.rmvrodeo.com.

DINING ANEW IN

FIG 313

Restaurant opens along San Clemente’s El Camino Real

BY ERIC HEINZ

Owners of Fig 313, Gosia Napiorkowska Dahabreh and Gus Dahabreh, have the best problem you could ask for—customers who stay well past the end of their meal. “We’ve had people coming at 5 p.m. and leaving at 9 p.m.,” said Gosia. Since opening on Aug. 21, the owners said they have had a packed house each night.

Fig 313 is housed in a historic building that was constructed in 1929. It has been many businesses since that time, including an old waffle business, a French restaurant, a furniture store and many other ventures.

“Maybe 10 or 15 years ago, we saw the building and thought it would be so beautiful,” Gosia said. “When our agent called, saying they had a building available, this was the one she had in mind. It was like fate.”

Gosia is from Poland originally and Gus is from Jordan. They met while in college.

The restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining facilities as well as a private room for parties.

The restaurant owners described the food as part of the “new-American” culinary experience, cooking up dishes from Europe and influenced by traditional American dishes. They have a mouth-watering burger that has been altered with the restaurant’s main feature—figs.

“We wanted to incorporate figs into the menu because it’s one of the favorite fruits,” Gosia said. “We have dried figs, fig salad and we have homemade fig jam that we’re putting on a burger.”

Cornish hen is the prized dish at Fig 313, but due to its demand, it is not always available. The owners said they want to make sure it is as fresh as possible. Even the ketchup has a little twist on it, as the chef adds nutmeg and some other ingredients to make the taste pop.

There are also cocktails that feature figs, which even inspired the coloring of the walls and décor of the restaurant.

“We’re thinking of changing the menu twice a year for spring/summer and winter/fall selections. We’ll definitely play around with it a little bit more because you can’t have figs in every single dish. They’re not everyone’s favorite. But they’re so easy

to plate and have a great color,” Gosia said.

“So far, we’ve enjoyed serving people, and the warm welcome motivates us to do better,” Gus said. “We are already thinking about holiday menus, brunch, and it’s exciting.”

Currently, Fig 313 is only serving dinner, but that’s likely to change in the near future.

“We’re excited about the food and the customers, the kinds of people we’ve had here,” Gus said. “We’re meeting a lot of new friends.”

The owners also own an Italian restaurant in Huntington Beach, but they wanted to try something new in the Spanish village by the sea.

As fine dining continues to grow in San Clemente, the owners of Fig 313 aren’t worried about their counterparts edging them out.

“We don’t look at it as a competition; we just want to express ourselves and do what makes us happy,” Gosia said.

The chef at Fig 313 is having his own debut in the executive role. “It’s been great so far,” said executive chef Matthew Sirjani. “We’ve got a great staff, and they’ve got a great attitude and are willing to learn. (Figs) are a very versatile ingredient, so it’s not that hard to work with. There’s a lot of stuff you can do with them.”

Fig 313 | 313 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente 949.218.4406 www.fig313.com

Since speaking with the owners of Fig 313, the restaurant has developed a fall and winter seasonal menu available now, and the private dining room is available for small holiday gatherings. There will be a New Year’s Eve special menu to be announced soon. Reservations are also now available by calling the restaurant. Fig 313 is open nightly from 5-10 p.m.