We came to The Ecology Center for a work retreat -- just a quiet day off campus to reconnect,…read morereset, and be inspired -- and it ended up being one of the most memorable and grounding experiences we've had as a team. We started the morning at their fresh juice window, and let me tell you: the beet-watermelon juice was incredible. Bright, refreshing, and served in reusable jars, which I absolutely loved. Sustainability isn't just a concept here; you see it in every detail. Next, we had a meditation session inside the dome, which was such a peaceful and centering moment. After that, we walked through the orchards, wandered the land, and just took in the beauty of everything this place cultivates. Lunch was where The Ecology Center truly shined. I'm a person from San Francisco, and I do not say this lightly: this was some of the best sourdough I've ever had. Perfectly chewy, soft, flavorful -- absolutely the real deal. They served it as avocado toast and also topped with fresh eggs, and both versions were phenomenal. The entire farm-to-table menu was next-level. The salads were crisp and thoughtful, every ingredient tasted like it had been picked that morning, and the flavors were paired with such care. The sourdough tarts we had for dessert were out of this world -- bright, tangy, and beautifully balanced. We even got to meet the chef, who was warm, talented, and clearly passionate about what she creates. You can taste that love in every bite. This was an epic meal and an unforgettable experience. If you want to truly taste what food is supposed to taste like -- fresh, intentional, and deeply connected to the land -- The Ecology Center should be at the top of your list.

Where has this place been my whole life? Stepping into the commune that is The Ecology Center is so…read moreincredible - it's a whole world here. The energy is spectacular. they have Friday night farm-to-table dinners, outdoor performances and live music, yoga and meditation in the dome, a market with all their produce and made on-site hot sauces and fermented items, and the star of the show: a regenerative organic farm (the only one in SoCal, might I add!) I came here for the strawberry picking experience and loved every second of it. Two minutes in, I was having so much fun! This space draws me close to what I want to be doing in this life. I'll absolutely be volunteering here and seeing what else will be added to such a beautiful place! I highly recommend the Ecology Center.

I got the best four month old German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois mix. He has been a blessing to our…read morefamily, kind and gentle to females and children very protective through the dog with the best heart I've ever around where he can be gentle, and if our home our family is threatened, he can become very intense very quickly, and yet effortless switch back to the loving pet we've always known I have four grandchildren, and he worships the ground. They walk on. A Wish For Animals is by far the best, most ethical honest and knowledgeable. I've ever dealt with what you want be patient and wait it will come through

This rescue is not a nonprofit and they engage in unscrupulous and unethical practices, at the…read moreabsolute very least. They have been banned from most local shelters and use various deceptive tactics to circumvent this restriction. Verifying a company's 501c status is pretty straightforward since it's all public record. We looked up AWFA via both the California DOJ website (you can look them up by name or by their EIN 202331353) and the IRS's tool for nonprofits. AWFA's status with California had been revoked since 2016, due to multiple violations against the Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes Act and therefore they're not allowed to conduct any activity or solicit charitable assets in California. The IRS page shows that AWFA's status was revoked federally on 5/15/2021. We fostered with this "rescue" once and that was enough. The dog we fostered was injured, traumatized, and arrived with no supplies. When we expressed concerns and ultimately decided to get legal advice out of concern for the dog's safety. We stayed in contact with the rescue and requested they not contact us until after we had sought legal advice. The rescue's operator showed up at our door several hours later with local law enforcement who said they had documents establishing ownership, but which they refused to furnish for our review or verification. When one officer suggested we could "do this the easy way or..." we unfortunately relinquished possession of the dog. The dog became terrified upon seeing the rescue owner, to the extent that she lost bowel control and shook uncontrollably. This rescue is a giant red flag. Do not facilitate the harm they inflict, they should rightfully be shut down. This review is real. I am real. I did obscure my identity given this organization's history of weaponizing law enforcement.

Doggie Bonez Rescue is the most amazing organization that works so hard to find dogs amazing…read moreforever homes. The process of adoption is so smooth and Jackie and her volunteers are really loving people who make sure these dogs go to good people. I have two doggies from them that are now 5 and 9 1/2 and I can thank Doggie Bonez for gifting me the best dogs ever!!

After our beloved senior dog crossed the rainbow bridge earlier this year and when we were finally…read moreready to adopt another dog we scoured several area rescues looking for a dog that fit what we were looking for. We thought we found the one at Doggie Bonez. We initially reached out via the website asking for more info on a specific dog. After a day with no response, we filled out an application because we were serious about adopting and called to follow up. Our calls went unanswered and unreturned. A few days later we reached out via social media and finally got a response from a volunteer. However, everything is managed and run through Jackie so the volunteer offered to reach out to her. Several days later Jackie finally texted. We were so excited! She confirmed the dog was still available, offered to get us updated photos and coordinate with the foster family about setting up a time to meet the dog. Days went by with no reply from her. We reached out again with no reply. At this point we decided to cut our losses and move on. We had been trying to get even the most minimal information for nearly two weeks and ultimately we were ghosted. I understand being the point person for an entire rescue organization can be daunting but a simple acknowledgement that she was working on it or it was on her to do list would have gone a long way. Opening our hearts and home to another dog was a big deal for us and part of our journey to heal after loosing our best boy. Our experience with Jackie and Doggie Bonez was an emotional rollercoaster of being hopeful and excited then being let down with silence. The whole experience was traumatic for me and I would caution anyone choosing to engage with this particular rescue. These dogs deserve loving homes so I wouldn't discourage anyone from adopting but it would be remiss if I didn't share our experience. I hope we were the exception and not the rule to how this rescue is run.

Wings of Hope truly pushed me to grow in ways I didn't think were possible when I first entered…read morerecovery. A lot of sober livings these days have ties to outpatient treatment centers that provide financial kickbacks, but Wings of Hope does not operate that way. The owner genuinely cares about the women recovering there and is very involved in the process. This environment was highly structured, which is something I personally needed. It forced me to build structure into what had previously been a very chaotic unstructured life. I was expected to participate in weekly chores, attend house meetings, work with a sponsor, and obtain a job and/or enroll in school. At the time it felt like a lot, but it helped me rebuild basic life habits and accountability that addiction had taken away. At times, especially early in sobriety, that level of involvement and structure can feel overwhelming and intrusive. But looking back, it was exactly what I needed. It provided guidance, forced me to be accountable and to get uncomfortable in order to create real change. I had to face difficult conversations that ultimately strengthened my ability to be honest and to set boundaries-- two things that felt completely foreign after living a life fueled by addiction. While living there I learned how to take care of my space through simple cleaning tasks that were new to me, how to budget my money, and how to stay sober while balancing a social life, AA, and work. These everyday skills became the foundation for a stable life in recovery. Is there going to be drama? Ofcourse! What do you expect when you're living in a house full of women who are learning to live life sober while experiencing heightened emotions after years of also and drug use, survival behaviors, and unhealthy coping skills?! Recovery can be messy sometimes, but that's also where growth happens. Setting boundaries, having uncomfortable conversations, and learning how to act and respond in healthier ways is what recovery is really about. Learning how to show others grace while also standing up for yourself in a kind and respectful way is a life skill that continues to serve you long after you leave sober living. Now, years later, I am still sober, I went back to school and obtained my bachelor's degree, am now in graduate school, and I'm living a life that I love, respect, and wouldn't trade. Many of the early sobriety skills I rely on today-- learning to get uncomfortable, walking through fear, being honest, learning how to balance responsibilities, and navigating relationships in healthier ways-- were developed in the safe and supportive environment that Wings of Hope provided. I will always highly recommend this sober living.

Owner is too involved in personal life's. She needs one herself. Highest rent in town. Stole…read more$2000 from me. Don't stay here. We all have options.

After speaking to the director of the company regarding a situation with an employee, I was very…read moreimpressed by how seriously it was handled. The manager took the time to listen, actively worked to resolve the issue, and ultimately made a decision that reflected accountability and care for customers. I truly appreciate the effort to make things right.

Decent thrift store in the area. One side has more furniture, home decor items, it is a tad hard to…read morenavigate the space, but lots of merchandise. The other side had more clothes, toys, media, which didn't have a great selection. Prices are good, decent, nice customer service, we were greeted right away, merchandise selection just OK. Some parking in front, good location in downtown San Juan Capistrano. Closed Sundays. They pick up big items of you need to donate!

Friends and I enjoy thrifting at nearby shops when we go camping. We happen to be 10 mins away…read morefrom a street that had thrift shops just yards from each other! I was happy that dogs were welcomed in all the shops we visited including Casita De Kathy since both my friends had their fur babies with them. This shop is adjacent to a couple of shops that sits on the corner. It's a small shop with mostly clothing wear and jewelry to check out. There were some toys, shoes and some housewares. I'm always on the hunt for things I could use for camping. No luck with camping things, but even though I said I was done shopping for 60's, 70's theme for an upcoming event, I'm still buying things when I find something cute! So my purchase during this visit was a cute necklace, which I found to be a good price, $7. Customer service is very friendly and welcoming. I would like to step into this place again if ever in the area.

Very nice store, and even nicer were the employees. As soon as I walked in, was greeted with a…read morewonderful salutation by both employees. They have a lot of discounts available throughout the week correlating with the day of the week. This organization helps the needy by giving profits, to those in need. The prices were reasonable, and the selection of second hand items was were great !

There's not much here, and a lot of what was there is now closed off…read more There a courtyard and 2 rooms and one can't be entered.

Casa Romantica is a unique piece of history tucked into a beautiful cliffside neighborhood near the…read moreSan Clemente pier. It was the home of the original founding family of the city, with the unique Spanish Colonial Revival architecture style that is popular in the area. Today, it is a private cultural center and event space, with many of its historical aspects preserved in a clean and classy way. We visited as part of a private photo shoot and it was really quite amazing. It offers awesome views of the San Clemente pier and beach. It is currently undergoing renovation in some areas, and will be even better when it is done. It looks like people use this as a place to have weddings and other small events. It's open to the public on a limited schedule so check the website before you go. If you're gonna check it out.

The Shea Center is an incredible non-profit charitable organization. They give back to the…read morecommunity in various ways, including therapeutic riding for kids and adults alike. The property is very spacious and absolutely beautiful. I was extremely impressed by all the beautify and felt transported out of the hustle and bustle of Orange County Life. It's good to note that appointments are needed, so make sure to call ahead!

This is a beautiful place of healing and hope. My boyfriend who is a disabled Veteran has been…read moreable to take advantage of the programs they offer and has changed his life in so many ways. Please contact them if you are disabled in any way and find out how you can participate!