Category: Events – Annual

Annual Dinner 2026: The “Pirates” of Orange County- June 11, 2026

Archive, Events - Annual
Jolly Roger
Bouchard Portrait

Join author and historian Eric Plunkett
Thursday, June 11, 2026
at Alta Vista Country Club, Placentia, CA
Social Hour / Silent Auction / Cash Bar: 5:30 p.m.
Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Presentation: 7:30 p.m.

Avast, ye lubberly swabs! Come hear local pirate lore and the true story of buccaneers’ raid on San Juan Capistrano. Historian Eric Plunkett will share swashbuckling tales he’s uncovered for his new book, The Saga of Orange County’s “Pirates”: Hippolyte Bouchard’s Attack on Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1818.
This raid even played a part in the Argentine War of Independence. And while not exactly like the pirates we know from Disneyland, tales of the exploits of Bouchard and his crew provide a compelling and enlightening window into Alta California during the collapse of the Spanish Empire.
Plunkett is a teacher and a Placentia native, and has a history degree from CSU Fullerton. He’s the author of scholarly articles, of his own Visions of California blog, and of several books (which will be available for sale).


Our buffet includes: roasted tri tip with shallot demi glaze, chicken piccata, mashed potatoes, saffron rice pilaf, seasonal vegetables, field green salad, rolls and butter, and NY-style cheesecake with strawberry puree.

Complimentary beverages include: water, iced tea, lemonade, and coffee.

Pirate-ish attire is encouraged but not mandatory. The venue requests no ripped or torn clothing, sleepwear, shorts, or immodest dresses.

Email any questions to OCHSAnnualDinner@gmail.com.

Registration CLOSED.

No refunds after May 29, 2026.  

CANCELED- Explore the History of Little Saigon – 50 Years after Resettlement- October 18, 2025!!

2025, Archive, Events - Annual

Join the Orange County Historical Society for a special guided bus/walking tour of Orange County’s Little Saigon, the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam. Discover the stories of resilience, culture, and entrepreneurship that shaped this vibrant neighborhood beginning in the 1970s. The tour will highlight historic landmarks, local businesses, and community spaces that have become central to the Vietnamese American experience, including, but not limited to, Bao Quang Temple, Asian Garden Mall, and Moran Street, site of several Vietnamese newspapers. A special Vietnamese lunch will be served. 

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 8:45 a.m. – 3 p.m. This tour has been canceled.

Meeting location: Garden Grove (Specific location to be included in confirmation information.)

Cost: $85/member $95/non-member 

Registration: NOT Available

History Hike: Flores Peak

2024, Archive, Events - Annual
Flores Peak
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia

4/12/24- This hike is full!

Join local historian, Eric Plunkett on a hike to the top of Flores Peak (California Historical Landmark #225) located in the beautiful confluence of Harding and Modjeska Canyons. Flores Peak rises 1,834 feet tall and is named for notorious criminal Juan Flores. In 1857 Flores and his gang escaped from Los Angeles after killing Sheriff James Barton and three of his deputies and hid out on top of this peak. It is an incredible story that includes Flores’ escape down the steep cliff of Flores Peak on horseback and his eventual capture by a Los Angeles posse.

The route is 1.5 miles in length with an elevation gain of 465’ and considered a moderate to strenuous climb. The trail is clearly marked; in addition, there are some steep sections with loose dirt. The entire hike should take about 2-2.5 hours including top of the mountain historical interpretation. If you went on the last History Hike in Weir Canyon, this will be similar.

You’ll need to complete and submit a liability waiver (sent with your confirmation) in order to participate.

**There are no restrooms on this route.**

Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024 (if it rains the hike will be held on April 27th)

Meet at 8:30 a.m. Hike leaves promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Additional information (directions, parking meeting location, liability waiver) will be provided as part of your email confirmation. The hike is limited to 20 vehicles max due to private residence parking limitations. Carpooling is strongly advised!

This hike is recommended for ages 13+.

HIKE IS FULL as of 4/12/24 (if you register now you are on a waiting list).  Priority will be given to OCHS members. To register for this hike, please follow this link: http://tinyurl.com/OCHSFlores

Any other questions, please contact: orangecountyhistory@gmail.com

Let’s Celebrate Joseph E. Pleasants’ Birthday Together!

Archive, Events - Annual

Judge Pleasants — from UC Irvine, Orange County Regional History Collection (date unknown)

 Rescheduled for JULY 27th See below! Those who signed up for original  March 30th will be contacted for first opportunity to register for the July 27th date.

Who, you may ask?

Judge J. E. Pleasants – farmer, rancher, homesteader, beekeeper, and the original property owner of what is now known as Arden. Moreover, Pleasants was one of the founders of the Orange County Historical Society.

In honor of his 185th birthday, please join us as we celebrate him with a presentation about his life, provided by OCHS president Chris Jepsen, tours of the property, including his original pioneer cottage, Arden—as envisioned and built by Madame Modjeska and her husband, Count Bozenta—birthday cake, and a group photograph of our attending membership, recreating the well-known 1921 OCHS photo seen below.

Orange County Historical Society at Arden, May 1921
“At the historic home of Helena Modjeska in what is now called Modjeska Canyon.“

  • Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 a.m. (gates open at 9:45 a.m., program begins at 10:30 a.m.) – 12:45 p.m.
  • Location: Arden, Modjeska Canyon
  • Cost: FREE Complimentary shuttle bus between parking lot and Arden for OCHS members. There will be a $15 charge for non-member riders on the shuttle.

You MUST be registered to attend and must check-in at the parking lot on the day of the event.

Confirmation emails will include all pertinent information (location of parking lot, etc.) and will be mailed after reservations (and payment) have been received.

For more information, please contact: activities@orangecountyhistory.org

Everyone who plans on attending should register individually via the link below.

To register:  Click Here For Pleasants Registeration

Acknowledging our Donors, Volunteers, and the OCHS Board of Directors

Archive, Events - Annual

We wish to acknowledge our generous donors who contributed to making our Annual Dinner’s Silent Auction so successful. Thank you for supporting our mission in promoting and making available Orange County history.

Total Wine and More                                     Claudia and Ken Horn

Arthur and Debra Hansen                            In-n-Out Burger

Laguna Art Museum                                       McDonald’s

Mission San Juan Capistrano                      Cassandra Radcliff

Trader Joe’s, Orange                                     Lauren Luu

Village Inn Restaurant                                  Haunted Orange County

Boysen Berry Farm                                        Barbara Ann Burns

Todos Santos                                                   Mike Klewer

Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily                      Rosa Damian

Van’s Shoes                                                     Ra Yoga

Art by Melinda Hagman                              Guy Ball

Janice Munemitsu                                          Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade

Heritage Museum of Orange County       Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society

A huge thank you to those who have helped us throughout the year and to those volunteers, in addition to our Board, who have contributed to making June’s annual dinner possible, including:  Ellen Bell, Irene Chinn, Tina Davidson, Carlota Haider, Evan Haynes, Delores Kreutel, and Monica Ortez.

And, lastly, many thanks to our board of directors, Guy Ball, Phil Chinn, Aida Cuevas, Tracy Falk, Stephanie George, Chris Jepsen, Mike Klewer, Daniel Kreutel, Emily Olson, Alan Ray, and Lynne Yauger, who tirelessly work toward all that the Society accomplishes.

Annual Dinner for 2023: Classic California Restaurants with author/lecturer George Geary: June 8th, 2023! SOLD OUT!

Archive, Events - Annual

 

June 8, 2023 at Spring Field Banquet Center, 501 N. Harbor, Fullerton (The former Fullerton Masonic Temple — 1920, Spanish Revival)

Social Hour / Silent Auction / Cash Bar: 5:30 p.m.

Dinner: 6:30 p.m.

Presentation: 7:30 p.m. 

Join us for an evening with author, educator, TV personality, and lecturer George Geary as he presents Made in California: The California-Born Diners, Burger Joints, Restaurants & Fast Food that Changed America (1915-1966). 

California has long been at the forefront of food. Car culture and our fast pace of living resulted in fast-food restaurants, coffee shops, diners, and other casual chains. Most were born in Southern California, some were born in Orange County, and many made O.C. their headquarters. Learn about the entrepreneurs, the buildings, and foods that made these places famous. 

George was an award-winning pastry chef for the Walt Disney Co. for ten years. Since then, he’s celebrated his 29th year in morning television on L.A. stations, WGN-TV Chicago, NBC Tampa, and Fox5 San Diego. He lectured for eight years aboard Holland America ships in 118 countries. For 35 years, he’s conducted food tours of major cities in America and Europe. 

Our Americana buffet includes your choice of roasted chicken and spinach-stuffed meatloaf with gravy OR vegetarian lasagna, served with green salad, mashed potatoes, mac’n’ cheese, rolls, drink station, and assorted cookies and brownies. This event is open to members and non-members alike, so bring your friends.

SOLD OUT- no more reservations taken!

NO June Monthly meeting or Annual Dinner

2022, Archive, Events - Annual, Events - Monthly
The Orange County Historical Society regrets to let you know that our 2022 June Annual Dinner has been cancelled. If you’re already registered, you will be reimbursed.
We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to seeing you at our September 8th meeting at Sherman Gardens. More information will be shared later, but our speaker will be Riverside County Historian Steve Lech, speaking about the history of the Ortega Highway.

2022 Annual Dinner Cancelled

Archive, Events - Annual

The Orange County Historical Society regrets to let you know that our 2022 June Annual Dinner has been cancelled. If you’re already registered, you will be reimbursed.


We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to seeing you at our September 8th meeting at Sherman Gardens. More information will be shared later, but our speaker will be Riverside County Historian Steve Lech, speaking about the history of the Ortega Highway.

History Hike: Weir Canyon – From Indians to Missions, from Rancheros to Bandits

2022, Archive, Events - Annual

Join Orange County Historian Eric Plunkett on a hike that explores several sites in Weir Canyon — in the hills above Anaheim and Orange. Once home to an Indian village, traveled by vaqueros from the Yorba and Peralta family ranchos, and perhaps used as a hideout by bandits, Eric will offer interpretations of the former Indian village and archaeological site, the missionization of the Indians in the village and the rise of the rancho era, and the American Era and the rise of bandit gangs – the story of Juan Flores being captured at the mouth of the canyon.

The route is 2.5 miles in length with an elevation gain of 600’ and considered a moderate climb. The trail is clearly marked; in addition, there are some steep sections with loose dirt. The entire loop should take about 1.5-2 hours.

You’ll need to complete and submit a liability waiver (sent with your confirmation) in order to participate.

**There are no restrooms on this route.**

Date: April 23, 2022

Meet at 8:45 a.m. Hike leaves promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Additional information (directions, parking meeting location, liability waiver) will be provided as part of your email confirmation.

This hike is recommended for ages 13+.

Priority will be given to OCHS members. To register for this hike, please follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/OCHSWeir.

Any other questions, please contact: hikes@orangecountyhistory.org