Cougar Kittens; Fat Cat; Whale Freed; New Mural: Saturday Smiles

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Summertime arrived this week, an no one gets summer like SoCal residents with our beaches, festivals and amazing wildlife that steal our hearts.

Watch: 4 Baby Mountain Lions Found Near Santa Monica Mountains

• This is the first kitten den researchers have documented in the Simi Hills, between the 101 and 118 Freeways.

9 SoCal Mountain Homes For Sale: Less Than A 2 Hour Drive

• Whether your goal is a rustic cabin in the woods or a plush retreat - these homes are a quick getaway starting at $149,000.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Announces Free Rides For Military

• 'Military Days' returns in July, meaning complimentary rides to all U.S. active, former and retired military personnel with valid ID.

Summerfest; Surf & Art Festival; ShortFest: SoCal Weekend

• Looking for things to do this weekend in Southern California? Patch has you covered.

Watch: Formerly Entangled Whale Swimming Off Orange County Coas

• A formerly entangled blue whale known to local whale watchers as "Kinko," was spotted off the coast of Dana Point this week, Orange County.

Chubbs, The Internet's Beloved Fat Cat, Gets Adopted

• When Yvette Viola lost her own tubby kitty, she didn't think she was ready for another. Then she saw Chubbs.

Middle School Student Named Finalist In Young Scientist Challenge

• Theodore Jiang created a smartphone case that harvests energy from finger taps on the screen to charge the phone’s battery.

Splash House August Line-Up Announced: Gorgon City, Gryffin, More

• Listen to Louis The Child, MK, Whethan, Walker & Royce, and others poolside at iconic Palm Springs hotels August 10-12.

West Hollywood Named 'Emerging Summer Destination'

• West Hollywood is growing in popularity – bookings in the city are up a whopping 76 percent compared to last year.

South Bay Man Makes History With 10 Millionth U.S. Patent

• Joseph Marron of Manhattan Beach received the milestone patent for a laser radar system he invented.

Artist Honors Anthony Bourdain With New Santa Monica Mural

• The 13-foot-tall mural is painted on the side of Santa Monica's new Gramercy bar on 25th Street and Wilshire Boulevard.

Every Temecula Home To Receive 'Temecula Safe' Emergency Bag

• Volunteers will canvass the city this Saturday.

OP-ED: Combine Math, Art Class To Help U.S. Students Achieve

• A University of California professor believes that combining math & art classes will draw better math performance for our youth. Here's why.

Palm Springs International ShortFest Begins

• More than 300 short films from across the globe will be showcased at the event.

County Supervisors Endorse Pass Area Water Management Plan

• The water management plan calls for the city of Banning and other local agencies to collaborate on finding solutions to watershed depletion.

Family Fun At Carlsbad Tide Pools: Photos Of The Week

• Patch loves photos! Share your photos with Patch and your work could be featured.

Remarkable Julian Retreat Has Airplane Runway, Baseball Diamond

• This $4.2 million property has a main house, guest house, separate caretaker's house, barns, outbuildings, an airplane runway and more.

Regional Bike Summit Kicks Off In San Diego County

• "Our goal for this summit is to break down common barriers to bicycling in order to get more people on bikes..."

San Diego County Crop Values Increase For Second Consecutive Year

• About 58 percent of 2017's total production value came from three crop types: ornamental trees and shrubs, indoor plants and garden flowers.

Disney California Adventure's Pixar Pier: An Exclusive Look

• Patch takes you behind the scenes for an exclusive look at Pixar Pier! what to expect from the opening of the newly redesigned Paradise Pier

Photo Of The Day: Cops Assist Marine In Laguna Beach

• Patch photo of the day shows a good deed in action, when Laguna Beach cops helped a local Marine who was having some car trouble.

How Pirates Of The Caribbean Has Changed At Disneyland Resort

• Ridden the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland lately? Here are a few ways the ride has changed since you last climbed on board!

San Gabriel Valley Students Shine At Special Olympics

• These student-athletes competed in the Special Olympics, and are the pride of their school district.

Young Artists Celebrated By Wyland, Dana Wharf Whale Watching

• A Laguna Niguel elementary student wins prominent marine wildlife artist Wyland's Art Lessons In The Wild contest.

Student Presentations Celebrated At School's End

• These elementary school students made big strides in the 2017/18 school year, ending with these presentations that earned big attention.

Take Home Kibbles & Bits In Mission Viejo; Two For One DAWGs

• These sister chihuahuas need some loving! After they were found at an area shelter, it's time to welcome "Kibbles & Bits" into your home.

Three Angelenos To Compete On 'Big Brother'

• A 24-year-old life coach from Encino, a West Hollywood dancer and a fitness model from Playa Vista will compete on "Big Brother.

Chubbs, The 29-Pound Stray and Internet Star, Is Up For Adoption

• Found wandering, matted and anything but starving, Chubbs the 29-pound Himalayan that took the Internet by surprise, goes for up adoption.