Curated Plans
This Weekend in SCV — July 10–12
Don't know where to start? Sam's curated weekend guide gives you the perfect plan — whether you're a longtime local or a first-time visitor exploring the valley this Friday through Sunday.
Curated by Sam Silver · Last updated July 10, 2026
This weekend in the Santa Clarita Valley: Friday night dining and live music on Main Street Newhall, Saturday farmers markets, the 661 Night Market in Valencia, and a Selena tribute at Concerts in the Park. Sunday calls for brunch and a canyon hike. Here's the full plan.
Friday · Jul 10
Main Street Newhall — dining, patios & live music
Saturday · Jul 11
Farmers markets, 661 Night Market & Selena tribute concert
Sunday · Jul 12
Brunch, Vasquez Rocks or Towsley Canyon hike
For the Adventurers
The Outdoor Explorer Weekend
Best for: Active families, hikers, and nature lovers
Saturday
Morning: Towsley Canyon Hike
Start your day early at Ed Davis Park in Towsley Canyon. The Towsley View Loop offers panoramic valley views through narrow canyon passes and oak groves — moderate difficulty, about 2 hours. Go before 9 AM in summer to beat the heat.
Midday: Breakfast Brunch
Refuel at the Saugus Café — serving breakfast since 1898. It's the valley's most beloved morning spot and a genuine piece of SCV history. Expect a wait on weekends, but it's worth it.
Afternoon: Haskell Canyon Bike Park
Head to the brand-new Haskell Canyon Bike Park — 720 acres with 15+ miles of trails for all skill levels. Even if you don't ride, the hiking trails here are fantastic and less crowded than Towsley.
Evening: 661 Night Market
Wrap up Saturday at the 661 Night Market in Valencia — food vendors, live entertainment, and a great community gathering. Or head to Castaic Lake for a sunset picnic before heading home. Both are about 15 minutes from central SCV.
Sunday
Morning: Vasquez Rocks or Towsley Canyon
Pick your Sunday morning hike. Vasquez Rocks offers iconic tilted sandstone formations and desert views — about 30 minutes from central SCV. Towsley Canyon delivers oak-shaded trails and panoramic valley lookouts via the Towsley View Loop. Both are best done before 9 AM in summer.
Afternoon: Brunch & Paseo Trail
After your hike, grab brunch at a local favorite — Saugus Café for classic American or 85C Bakery for pastries. Then walk or bike a section of SCV's connected 100+ mile paseo system, one of the best urban trail networks in Southern California.
Sam's Tips
- Start summer hikes before 7 AM — temperatures hit 95–105°F by midday
- Bring at least 2 liters of water per person on any canyon hike
- Haskell Canyon Bike Park is at 7200 Haskell Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita
- Golden hour at Castaic Lake is magical — arrive by 5 PM for sunset views
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat are non-negotiable year-round in SCV
For Families
The Family Fun Weekend
Best for: Families with kids of all ages
Saturday AM: Six Flags Magic Mountain
Start the weekend big. Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia is one of the world's premier thrill-ride parks with 20+ roller coasters including Twisted Colossus and X2. Arrive at opening for shortest lines.
Saturday PM: William S. Hart Park
Wind down at the 265-acre William S. Hart Park. Free hiking trails, a natural history museum, and the historic Hart Mansion. It's the perfect counterpoint to a morning of adrenaline.
Sunday AM: Vasquez Rocks or Towsley Canyon
Start Sunday with a morning hike. Vasquez Rocks has iconic sandstone formations the whole family can explore; Towsley Canyon offers shaded trails and valley views. Both are great options before the midday heat.
Sunday PM: Central Park
Finish the weekend at SCV's flagship Central Park. Sports fields, a lake, playgrounds, and wide open spaces for picnics. In summer, catch a free Concerts in the Park show on Saturday evening.
Free Concerts in the Park
This Saturday, July 11: Dreaming of You — Selena Tribute. Shows are at 7:00 PM at Central Park. Bring blankets, arrive early for food trucks, and enjoy live music under the stars. Free admission all season through August 29.
For Foodies
The Foodie Weekend
Best for: Couples, food lovers, and anyone who eats their way through town
SCV's dining scene is more varied than most people expect. From a café that's been serving since 1898 to craft cocktail bars on a historic main street, here's how to eat your way through a weekend in Santa Clarita.
Saturday: Old Town Newhall Food Crawl
Morning: Farmers Markets
Saturday (July 11) morning, start at the SCV Farmers Markets in Old Town Newhall or Valencia. Fresh produce, artisan goods, prepared foods, and great coffee — the best way to kick off a weekend in the valley.
Lunch: Explore the Side Streets
Step off Main Street and you'll find family-owned restaurants, taco shops, and hidden gems that the locals swear by. Sam's tip: the best spots are often in unassuming strip malls.
Dinner & Drinks: Newhall Refinery
Newhall Refinery is the crown jewel of Newhall's nightlife — craft cocktails, elevated bar food, and a Main Street patio that's one of the best dining experiences in the valley. This Friday (July 10), Main Street Newhall stays open late with string lights and live music.
Sunday: Valencia Dining Tour
Brunch: Saugus Café
Sunday (July 12) morning, the Saugus Café has been serving breakfast since 1898 — classic American breakfast, generous portions, and a genuine piece of SCV history. Expect a weekend wait, or try 85C Bakery or Philz for a quicker bite.
Coffee Break: Philz or 85C Bakery
Post-brunch, grab a pour-over at Philz Coffee or explore the Taiwanese pastries at 85C Bakery — two local favorites that have earned devoted followings in Valencia.
Dinner: Valencia Town Center
Valencia Town Center keeps adding new options. Beyond the established restaurants, check out what's new — the expansion is bringing fresh dining tenants throughout 2026. For a solid sit-down dinner, Salt Creek Grille and Yard House are reliable picks.
SENSES Block Party
The next SENSES is Thursday, July 16 — the third Thursday of the month. Main Street in Old Town Newhall shuts down for a pedestrian block party with live music, food vendors, craft cocktails, and the best community atmosphere in the valley. It's free and it's the best way to experience Newhall's food scene.
For Couples
The Date Night Weekend
Best for: Couples and anyone planning a romantic SCV weekend
Santa Clarita might not be the first place you think of for a romantic weekend, but the combination of sunset canyon hikes, walkable historic downtowns, and surprisingly good dining makes it ideal for couples who prefer substance over scene.
Golden Hour Hike at Towsley Canyon
Hit the Towsley View Loop in the late afternoon. The canyon is quiet at golden hour, the views are stunning, and it's the kind of experience that makes you fall in love with the valley — and maybe each other.
Dinner on Main Street Newhall
This Friday (July 10), walk Main Street at dusk — the string lights come on, the patios fill up, and restaurants and bars stay open late. Newhall Refinery for cocktails, then a walk down the block.
Live Music Under the Stars
This Saturday (July 11), catch the Selena tribute "Dreaming of You" at Concerts in the Park. Spread a blanket on the lawn at Central Park, grab dinner from a food truck, and enjoy live music under the stars. Free admission, starts at 7 PM.
Coffee & Pastries Date
Sunday morning, skip the chain coffee shops. Head to 85C Bakery for Taiwanese pastries and coffee, or try Philz for a perfectly crafted pour-over. Low-key, affordable, and genuinely nice.
ArtWalk Newhall
The monthly ArtWalk in Old Town Newhall features local artists, galleries, live music, and creative showcases. It's free, walkable, and the kind of cultural experience you don't expect to find in the suburbs.
Day Trip to Vasquez Rocks
About 30 minutes from SCV, the iconic Vasquez Rocks make for a unique date. Climb the tilted sandstone formations, snap some photos, and watch the sunset over the desert. Bring a picnic.
Neighborhoods Worth a Stroll
Each SCV community has its own personality. Here's how to spend a weekend exploring them.
Valencia
Master-planned living at its finest. Walk the paseos, explore Valencia Town Center (check out what's new from the expansion), and grab lunch at one of the chain or local spots. Family-friendly and polished.
Explore ValenciaOld Town Newhall
SCV's cultural heartbeat. Walkable Main Street, galleries, theaters, craft cocktail bars, and the best community events. This is where you go to feel like you're in a real neighborhood.
Explore NewhallSaugus
Suburban charm with a tight-knit community. Home to the historic Saugus Café, local diners, and a family-oriented vibe. The kind of neighborhood where people actually know their neighbors.
Explore SaugusWeekend Highlights at a Glance
Selena Tribute Concert
Concerts in the Park — Sat Jul 11, 7 PM
661 Night Market
Food vendors & live entertainment — Sat evening
Farmers Markets
Old Town Newhall & Valencia — Sat morning
Main Street Dining
Friday night patios & live music in Newhall
Vasquez Rocks Hike
Iconic formations & desert views — Sunday
Sunday Brunch
Saugus Café, 85C Bakery, Philz Coffee
Towsley Canyon
Oak-shaded trails & valley panoramas
Six Flags Magic Mountain
20+ coasters open all weekend
Want a Personalized Itinerary?
Sam knows every trail, restaurant, coffee shop, and hidden gem in the valley. Whether you're visiting for the weekend or planning to move here, he'll build you the perfect SCV experience.