Sober Night Activities in Dana Point, Orange County

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Dana Point’s scenic beauty and thriving community mean it’s a great place to be sober. The National Institutes of Health says that psychological factors like stress and depression play a major role in developing a range of illnesses, and that community involvement and engagement can reduce stress.

These events may be used during an experiential therapy session or can be explored independently. From movie nights to enjoying the great outdoors, here are some healthy places to go when planning sober night activities in Dana Point.

Take a Class at the Potocki Center for the Arts

Artistic expression is a great stress reliever and skill-builder. The Potocki Center for the Arts offers a variety of low-cost classes for adults in the evenings. Some of the classes include jewelry-making and pottery workshops as well as classes on knitting, painting, calligraphy, and much more. This is an excellent activity to do by yourself or ask friends, family, or fellow sober individuals to join in as well.

You can also visit the Potocki Center for the Arts to view the latest exhibitions. Revolving-basis exhibits are a sight to see and can help you gain a further appreciation for local artists and more.

Join a Book Club or other Library Events

The Dana Point Library offers many evening programs that make for an ideal sober night activity. One such example is the Monday Night Mysteries Book Club, which meets monthly to discuss popular mystery books. From Sherlock Holmes to Hercule Poirot, you can get lost in a mystery book, and meet fellow mystery fans to dig deeper into some well-known mysteries.

If a book club isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other sober night activities at the Library in Dana Point. There are crafting classes, author presentations, and much more.

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Visit The Shops at Dana Point

The Shops at Dana Point can be a low-key way to enjoy shopping and dining for a sober night. Key stores at this center include Nordstrom, Microsoft, Pottery Barn, and Restoration Hardware. With more than 160 stores, there are plenty of items to see. The Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang’s China Bistro are also tasty options for eating when you’re too tired from shopping.

Take in the Symphony in the Cities

Although it only happens once a year, Dana Point Symphony in the Cities program is an enriching sober night activity that’s not to be missed. The event typically takes place in late July and begins with an event for all ages called “Prelude in the Park.” That evening, the Pacific Symphony performs their concert. Organizers hold the event at the Oso Viejo Community Park on the Village Green and the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.

Go on a Whale Watching Adventure

At just a 20-minute drive from Mission Viejo, the Newport Landing Whale Watching is an adventurous sober night activity. At this protected marine park in Newport Beach, you can view a number of whale species. These include giant blue, gray, minke, humpback, and finback whales. You can also see dolphins gliding, jumping, and playing in the ocean.

In addition to viewing these majestic creatures, you can also visit the organization’s museum. In addition to traveling exhibits, including a recent one on sea creatures and sea “monsters,” there are also permanent exhibits on Newport Harbor’s history as well as the science of sailing.

Volunteer

Spend time giving back to the community through a variety of volunteer opportunities in Mission Viejo. Sites like VolunteerMatch.org give you a list of organizations in Orange County who are looking for eager volunteers like you. There are single events listed, including for marathons, walks, and fundraisers, as well as for longer-term opportunities with various community organizations. Through giving of your time and effort, you can use your skills to enhance the community.

Visit a Museum

Expand your cultural horizons with a sober night at one of Orange County’s varied museum options. If you would like to sharpen your eye for artwork, consider visiting Laguna Beach’s Coast Gallery, which features art across a variety of mediums, from sculpture to paintings. The gallery also regularly hosts art events and shows where you can meet the artists and hear more about their work.

The Irvine Museum Collection at the University of California, Irvine is another art museum open Tuesdays through Saturdays. With free admission, the museum has revolving exhibits, including “Upon a Painted Ocean: An Ode to the California Coast.” The museum is also home to exhibits that celebrate California Impressionism, celebrating art from 1890 to 1930 in California.

The Laguna Art Museum celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2018 and is another celebrated art museum in Orange County. The museum is home to a collection of more than 3,000 art creations. In addition, there are regular traveling exhibits, including “Self-Help Graphics” and “Titi, Nunu, and Klembolo: Helena Modjeska’s Modern Fairy Tale Book.”

Beyond art, there are other museum options in Mission Viejo. These include the Marconi Automotive Museum. This museum showcases the multi-million dollar automobile collection of Dick Marconi. The museum features one of North America’s largest Ferrari collections within Marconi’s vast collection of high-performance cars and racing cars.

Enjoy a Sober Night at Home

Sometimes sober night activities in Dana Point don’t have to involve leaving your home. You can make your own fun at home by organizing various activities.

Some at-home ideas include:

  • Sober Dinner Party: Invite your friends over for a sober dinner party. It can be a potluck or you can test your cooking chops and try out a new dish you’ve wanted to enjoy. You can even follow up the dinner with a game night, testing your knowledge with trivia or playing charades.
  • Movie Night: Movie night doesn’t have to involve going to a theater. Instead, you can pick a theme movie night by watching a movie series (Harry Potter or Indiana Jones, anyone) or a movie theme, such as best 80’s flicks or a 90’s action marathon. Don’t forget the popcorn!
  • Spa Night: Break out the cucumbers and scrubs for an at-home spa night. A bit of pampering and self-care is always a benefit. Don’t forget the bubble or Epsom salts bath and maybe consider a manicure and pedicure too.

These are just some of the at-home theme nights that can help you have a great sober night in Dana Point.

Whatever you choose, enjoy the clarity and pure engagement that comes from all activities when living a sober lifestyle. There is a whole world of opportunity to build a happy and healthy life free from substance abuse.

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