Looking for the best events happening in Southern California this week? From quirky traditions like the Mooning of the Amtrak to San Diego’s Over-The-Line tournament, plus beach bars, summer parties and local happenings, here’s PubClub’s guide to what’s worth doing right now.
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Southern California Blogger
There’s saying that locals have about Southern California and that is that “it’s endless summer” here. This applies even in the winter months. Yet when it really is summer then there’s a lot happening because the weather is so great.
That weather also brings out the quirkiness in some people – others might just call them imaginative – and this results in some unique events.
So with that mind, here’s what is happening this week in Southern California.
Mooning of the Amtrak (Laguna Niguel)
When it comes to unique events, there’s nothing that fits the description like the Mooning of the Amtrak. The 2026 event date is July 11 and it’s an all-day party where people line up on a fence by the train tracks and actually moon the passing Amtrak and Metrolink trains. The host bar is the Mug’s Away Saloon, a total dive bar that is rocking on this day.
Over-The-Line Begins in San Diego
Down in San Diego, the two-week Over-the-Line tournament (OTL to locals) fills up Fiesta Island in Mission Bay with a whacky free-to-the-public softball-ish tournament in which rude and vulgar team names are part of the show. Happening for more than 60 years now it’s part of the summer culture and tradition of San Diego. Be sure and check out the Miss Emerson content on Saturday, July 18, too.
South Bay Summer Scene
While there’s no specific event happening in Hermosa or Manhattan Beach this week that does not at all mean nothing is happening in Hermosa or Manhattan Beach. Simply walk (or ride a bike) along The Strand and you’ll see hundreds of people playing beach volleyball, gathering at friends’ rented houses along the beach and filling the bars on Pier Plaza and in Manhattan Beach from the pier to El Porto. There’s great live music, too, at Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa and Pancho’s in Mahattan Beach, among other places. The sunsets are awesome here, too.
Catalina Island Weekend Escape
Ir’s always nice to get to Catalina island, either on a sailboat to Two Harbors or taking the ferry to Avalon. The Two Harbors Brew Fest is July 11 (tickets are $107 and available here) while on Avalon there’s a lot to do for a day trip or weekend. If you do it the PubClub way, you’ll be walking back ot the ferry (or maybe your cruise ship) wearing a Weeky Wacker hat from Luau Larry’s or have food memories of drinking Descaso Destoryers and singing karaoke in that “noisy bar on Avalon.”
Kevin Wilkerson is the founder of PubClub.com, an award-winning journalist and long-time Southern California resident who spent years living in the areas covering its events and nightlife scene. He has covered destinations, events and entertainment for more than two decades and received an Associated Press award for investigative journalism while working as a newspaper reporter.
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