Coastal Roundup: What's New From Laguna to San Clemente This August

August along the coast means summer concerts, new restaurant openings, and a few quieter changes at the city level that homeowners should have on their radar. Here's what's happening in five coastal cities this month.

Laguna Beach

Izakaya Sora has reopened at 220 Beach St., in the former Salerno's space. Chef Sota Akiyama built a loyal following at Sota Sushi in Corona del Mar before a fire forced that restaurant's closure, and he's back with a menu built around Japanese street food. I went last week and think this style of restaurant is something Laguna has genuinely been missing. If you haven't been in yet, it's worth the stop.

On the city side, Laguna Beach has signed a $99,600 contract with CrossBeam, a platform built on Anthropic's Claude, to pilot AI-assisted permit review. The tool screens applications and assists staff with preliminary building and zoning review. If you're planning a remodel or rebuild here, it's worth keeping an eye on how this pilot develops. It may be an early sign of local government leaning further into AI-assisted processes.

Newport Beach

Art Week kicks off Sunday, August 9, with a free Pacific Symphony concert at Concerts on the Green starting at 6 p.m. The 59th Annual Newport Beach Art Exhibition follows on August 15.

Separately, the city has launched a new site tracking the evaluation of a Police Headquarters relocation. If you own property or are looking near the current site, it's worth a look. Department relocations like this tend to shape nearby development and property values over time.

Corona del Mar

The Saturday Farmers Market runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Marguerite and PCH, rain or shine, and has since 1996. Between the fresh fish, honey, flowers, and produce from local growers, it's one of the better farmers markets along the coast.

Sherman Library & Gardens, at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd., is running "A Hummingbird Summer" alongside a John Cosby art exhibit. It's a nice weekend stop, especially if you're showing this side of CdM to out-of-town family or clients.

Dana Point

Construction is moving forward at both the Wave Hotel and Victoria Apartments. The city issued 904 permits of all types in the first half of 2026, and average monthly permit-fee revenue rose from about $423,000 in 2025 to roughly $645,000 this year, largely driven by these two projects.

On the events side, Eddie Vedder's Ohana Festival returns the weekend of September 25. It's grown into one of the bigger draws on this stretch of coast, so if you're planning to attend, secure tickets early.

San Clemente

The city's Summer Concert Series continues August 13 with Pistol Blonde taking the stage. It's free, it's downtown, and it's a good excuse to walk the pier area this month.

The San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival 2026 is also on the calendar. Details are still rolling out through the Chamber, so keep an eye on their events page if live music downtown is your thing.

"Average monthly permit-fee revenue increased from $422,739 in 2025 to $644,992 during the first six months of 2026." — City of Dana Point

This Month at a Glance

• Izakaya Sora, 220 Beach St., Laguna Beach — now open
• Newport Beach Art Week — begins August 9
• Corona del Mar Farmers Market — every Saturday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• San Clemente Summer Concert Series — Pistol Blonde, August 13
• Ohana Festival, Dana Point — weekend of September 25

The Bottom Line

Whatever brings you to the coast this month, whether it's a new restaurant or a free concert on the green, it's worth getting out and seeing it in person. This stretch of Orange County earns its reputation one Saturday at a time.