Best Independent Coffee Shop — TIE
Portola Coffee Roasters
7 Year Winner
With an owner so dedicated to the perfect brew as to travel to the far reaches of Africa, South America and Central America in search of the next marvel of nature, it is no wonder the resulting product resonated with our coffee fans.
www.portolacoffeelab.com | Costa Mesa/Tustin/Santa Ana
Kéan Coffee
3 Year Winner
At this OC hotspot for hot drinks, fine organic and fair trade coffees from around the globe are roasted fresh daily before being created into culinary works of art. Pair these perfectly crafted drinks with homemade bakery treats for an addictive breakfast (or break at any time of the day).
www.keancoffee.com | Tustin/Newport Beach
Best Date Night – Tie
Javier’s
4 Year Winner
This upscale Mexican restaurant offers the perfect ambiance to get cozy with your cariño. If you don’t have time to enjoy a leisurely evening out, we suggest a stop to the bar for antojitos and a jalapeño margarita to spice things up.
Newport Beach, Irvine
Mastro’s Steakhouse
3 Year Winner
This restaurant’s dark and classy vibe lends itself to romance, from candlelight with a hearty glass of red to a shared steak and seafood tower. Mastro’s famous warm butter cake makes for a sweet finale.
Costa Mesa, Newport Beach
Best Wine Bar
OC Wine Mart
3 Year Winner
OC’s largest self-serve wine bar offers over 40 options for fans of the vine, along with tasting classes and a expansive variety of hard to find bottles, curated by a local OC mom.
www.ocwinemart.com | Aliso Viejo/Yorba Linda
Runner-Up
Twisted Vine
Debut Winner
Parents enjoy the ambiance and classic look of this laid back spot to sip, enjoying the tasty bites, region-specific wine classes and presentations by vineyards.
www.twistedvinewines.com | Fullerton
Runner-Up
Cucina Enoteca
Debut Winner
Tough to pick just one reason parents gave this popular spot the nod, the Italian food is amazing, as are the prices in the wine shop which transfer directly over to the table as you pick your bottle and enjoy a vastly discounted price, and the location in the Irvine Spectrum lends itself nicely to dropping older kids at the adjacent theater to sneak in a date night.
www.cucinaenoteca.com | Irvine & Newport Beach
Best Spa Treatments
Burke Williams “Savannah’s Surrender”
Editors’ Choice
Wetroom Treatment — Mineral salts are massaged into skin before warm organic mud is applied. Cascading waters wash away tensions, with a finish of an invigorating peppermint-menthol lotion.
Irvine/Mission Viejo/Orange
Aarna Spa “Stressbuster”
A full-body exfoliation is followed by an extended hot stone rub down, with a comforting scalp massage finale to restore peace and balance from head to toe.
Paséa Hotel, Huntington Beach
Sycamore Spa “Stone & Shell Signature Treatment”
Inspire senses with warm, smooth, river stones followed by cool, handcrafted glacial seashell body treatment to reduce inflammation. (Chase with a “Beach Feet” reflexology/exfoliation add-on to soothe your soles.)
The Ranch at Laguna Beach
Miraval Life in Balance Spa “Weekday Spa Day Getaway”
Score a day of “aaahh” as an OC local, opting for either a 50 or 80-minute treatment and enjoying a full day of complimentary indulgence including valet parking, lunch and champagne at the Spa Café, free fitness, yoga and meditation classes as well as pool, lounge and relaxation access all day.
Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point
Best Weekend Getaway
San Diego
5 Year Winner
Not only is San Diego packed with every type of recreation (or relaxation) you could dream up, it is a mere two hours or less drive from OC. Need more inspiration to plan a vacay? October is Kids Free San Diego month. During the entire month of October, more than 100 hotels, restaurants, attractions, museums and transportation companies will offer families with children special deals, so they can enjoy San Diego without emptying their wallets. These “kids free” incentives, range from complimentary attraction and museum admissions, meals and Amtrak rides to welcome amenities at area hotels.
For moms and dads looking for a romantic escape; golf, spa, shopping, beach lounging and fine dining await an easy drive home in case of kiddo emergency. Consistently rated one of the top family destinations in North America, San Diego often lands at the top of our Readers’ Choice List. The balmy oasis is home to world-class family attractions, abundant arts and culture, fun eateries and hotels and popular activities likes surfing, sailing and whale watching. Fortunately, in October the summer beach crowds diminish, leaving this beautiful action-packed destination open for OC visitors.
www.sandiego.org | San Diego
Best Golf Course
Pelican Hill Golf Club
When golfers play Pelican Hill, they aren’t just there for the game. They’re also there to take in the remarkable ocean and mountain views Pelican Hill’s two rounds of golf are considered among “the most spectacular in golf.”
Golfpelicanhill.com | Buena Park
Best Sports Bar
Slaters 50/50
Burgers, bacon and beer. Need we say more? It’s the perfect combination for adults looking for a little adult time – and a snack they won’t have to share.
slaters5050.com | Anaheim Hills, Huntington Beach
Best Nail/Waxing Salon
Happy Nails
This popular salon has made a name for itself with affordable prices and excellent service. Aside from the usual manicure and pedicure services, Happy Nails also offers skin care and hair removal services.
happynails.com | Locations throughout OC
Best Barber Shop/Hair Salon for Dad
The Haircutters
No appointment is needed for this affordable hair salon, where stylists strive to deliver “red carpet treatment without the red carpet.”
thehaircutters.com | Locations throughout OC
Best Spray Tan Salon
Sugar Mama Skin Sugar Tan
SugarMaMa hails itself as a “fun, comfortable and super affordable” skincare center. Our readers agree. It offers personalized solutions to each client, and specializes in custom airbrush spray tanning.
sugarmamaskin.com | Fullerton
Best Day Spa
Glen Ivy
Getting away for the day to the foothills of Corona lets visitors truly escape. One of the favorite ways to relax is by coating skin in healing clay and enjoying a grotto experience with friends, or taking an evening to the next level Under the Stars.
www.glenivy.com | Corona
Best Hair Salon for Mom
Alexander’s Grand Salon & Spa
Moms looking for a relaxing day out will find it here. It offers a wealth of feel-good pampering services, including haircuts, manicures and pedicures, and spa services.
alexanderssalonbrea.com | Brea
Best Workout Gym
Renaissance Club Sport
It has a resort-style aquatic center, numerous sports courts and an on-site spa and market. Members can pay extra for personal training, or participate in some of the 120 group fitness classes held each week. Fitness and recreational classes are available for kids, too.
renaissanceclubsport.com | Aliso Viejo
Readers’ Choice 2017 Sections
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