Readers' Choice Awards 2018

Best Traditional Day Camp

Camp James

A “summer magic” has put smiles on the faces of an estimated 40,000 kids during the camp’s 26-year run and It’s a place where kids aged 4 to 11 can relish in the joys of nature by kayaking, interacting with wildlife and splashing in the Pacific. The camp has now topped our readers’ poll for the 11th time.

campjames.com | Newport Beach

Best Day Camp for Nature Lovers

Environmental Nature Center

In just its second year topping the readers’ poll, the rave reviews really said it all, with one parent praising the “comprehensive, educational, hands-on programs” and a grandparent saying “it just keeps getting better.” Another parent said, “I wish I had gone to camp like this as a kid.”

encenter.org | Newport Beach

Best Overnight Camp

Jameson Ranch Camp

This sleepaway summer camp is a child’s paradise. Kids spend their days biking down mountains, learning to sail, and participating in a slew of other outdoor activities. This is the second consecutive year Jameson Ranch has earned the best overnight camp title; it took in 28 percent of reader votes.

jamesonranchcamp.com | Glennville, Calif.

Best Overnight Camp for Girls

Camp Scherman/Girl Scouts

Little campers learn to problem solve, practice independence, and make new pals at this popular overnight getaway.
“Camp Scherman is the place for every girl to discover her greatness and make memories she will cherish for a lifetime,” says Camp Director Erin Johnson. This is the eighth time it’s been voted the best overnight camp for girls.

girlscoutsoc.org/campscherman | Mountain Center, Calif.

Best Music School

Orange County School of the Arts

Readers are continuing to sing the praises of this beloved college preparatory school. This is the fifth year the Orange County School of the Arts has been named the best music school – and for good reason. The charter school helps students excel in a creative, nurturing environment. It received 38 percent of reader votes.

ocsarts.net | Santa Ana

Best Theater Class

South Coast Repertory

This school takes center stage for helping children master the art of storytelling, movement and character development. “We’re here for our students and we tell them that the skills it takes to succeed as an actor are the same skills that will help them enjoy a richer, fuller life,” says Educational Programs Director Hisa Takakuwa. This is the fifth year South Coast Repertory has been bestowed with the title.

scr.org | Costa Mesa

Best Martial Arts Instruction

Team Kwan Tae Kwan Do

If you’re wondering what makes this taekwondo school so special, head instructor Jasmine Sanchez can explain it.
“Our team provides an ideal environment for building confidence, discipline and a healthy lifestyle in all of our students,” says Sanchez. “We are experts at disguising learning with fun for all ages.” This is the first time the studio has won the award.

teamkwon.com | Brea

Best Swim Education

Waterworks

Waterworks Aquatics hails itself as offering the finest swimming lessons in California—and Parenting OC readers seem to agree. The Irvine swim school took 44 percent of reader votes, making this the 10th year it’s been named Orange County’s best spot for swim education.

waterworksswim.com | Irvine

Best Competitive Gymnastics

SCATS Gymnastics

This state-of-the-art facility has produced 14 Olympians throughout the past 55 years. Its “every child is a champion” philosophy helps children develop a lifelong passion for the sport. Just ask former student, and current coach, Mitch Claman. “I couldn’t ask for a better place to teach than the very same place that I learned so much,” he says. “It’s truly my home away from home.” This is the fourth time SCATS has earned the title.

scatsgymnastics.com | Huntington Beach

Best Gymnastics for Babies

My Gym

Little ones dance, sing and tumble their way through My Gym’s popular 50-minute classes. The gym is a fun place for babies to develop motor control skills, become mobile and enhance physical and cognitive development. This is the fourth time My Gym has been named the best gymnastics venue for babies.

mygym.com | Multiple Locations

Best Horseback Riding Facility

Irvine Regional Park

Irvine Regional Park’s Country Trails and Riding School is a horse lover’s dream. It offers Western and English lessons, scenic trail rides and ponies for children to ride. The riding school has passed the longevity test—this is the 12th time Parenting OC readers have named it best riding facility. This year, it took in 51 percent of reader votes.

irvineparkrailroad.com | Orange

Best Playground

Heritage Park

It’s tough to compete with a place that boasts a splash pad, multiple play areas, and a scenic lake filled with waterfowl. With onsite barbecues and 29 picnic tables, Heritage Park is the perfect place to pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic with friends. This is the fifth time Heritage Park has been named Orange County’s best playground.

cityofirvine.org | Irvine

Best Indoor Skate Park

Vans Skate Park

This skating wonderland features a 20,000-square-foot obstacle course, ramps of varying difficulty and a warm-up course for beginners. It’s no wonder Vans Skate Park has been voted Orange County’s best indoor skate park for 14 years. This year, it grabbed 68 percent of reader votes.

vans.com/skateparks-hb.html | Huntington Beach

Best Outdoor Skate Park

Etnies Skate Park of Lake Forest

With more than 40,000 square feet of skating space, Etnies is the largest free skate park in California. The concrete park includes three skating bowls, two large flow courses and a world-class street course. This is the fourth year Etnies has been voted the best outdoor skate park.

etniesskatepark.com | Lake Forest

Best Skating Rink

Anaheim Ice

Energetic music and pumped-up air conditioning greet visitors at Anaheim Ice, voted Orange County’s best skating rink for the seventh time. Daily public skating sessions give visitors a reprieve from the heat, and a chance to master the art of gliding along its Olympic-sized rink.

anaheimice.therinks.com | Anaheim

Best Indoor Play Space

Pretend City

The imagination goes into overdrive at Pretend City, a children’s museum bursting with interactive exhibits. Kids can shop at a grocery store, play dress-up at the amphitheater, or whip up a delicious meal at a pretend café. This is the sixth time Pretend City has been named Orange County’s best indoor play space. It snapped up 38 percent of the votes.

pretendcity.org | Irvine

Best Carousel

Irvine Spectrum Center

It took a hiatus during construction at the Irvine Spectrum, but the mall’s carousel has made a comeback. And the merry-go-round is still a favorite among children. It features antique-designed horses and an assortment of rideable animals. The ride has been a longstanding choice for Parenting OC readers; this is the 12th time it’s been named Orange County’s best carousel.

shopirvinespectrumcenter.com | Irvine

Best Storytime

Yorba Linda Public Library

Fantastical tales, songs and heaps of interactive fun make Yorba Linda Public Library’s storytime a favorite. Puppets and crafts are also on the agenda. This is the third time the library has earned the title; this year, it snapped up 35 percent of reader votes.

ylpl.org | Yorba Linda

Best Birthday Party Spot

Big Air Trampoline

Birthday boys and girls can bounce their way to a new year at one of two local Big Air Trampoline locations. Packages vary, but most include pizza and drinks, socks for guests, and at least an hour of jumping time. This is the fourth time Big Air has been named Orange County’s best spot to host a birthday party. It took 34 percent of reader votes.

bigairusa.com | Laguna Hills and Buena Park

Best Kids Hair Salon

Cool Cuts 4 Kids

It isn’t just a hair salon—Cool Cuts 4 Kids is a place where kids can play video games, watch cartoons and play with toy trains. Stylists are gentle with little clients, and often give them an opportunity to accessorize their new hairdos before heading home. This is the eighth year Cool Cuts 4 Kids has been voted Orange County’s best kids hair salon.

coolcuts4kids.com | Multiple Locations

Best Surf Camp

Newport Surf

Aspiring surfer dudes and dudettes can learn to master the waves at this popular Newport Beach surf camp. Classes provide hands-on lessons for all levels of athletes. Instructors cover all aspects of surfing, from the history of the sport to water safety. This is the third time Newport Surf has received the “best surf camp” title. It received 45 percent of votes in the category.

newportsurfcamp.com | Newport Beach

Best Baseball Camp

Coach Ballgame

James Lowe (also known as Coach Ballgame) is known for his playful and unique approach to making kids fall in love with baseball. His lessons place a strong emphasis on teamwork and helping kids develop field skills. This is the first time Coach Ballgame’s camp has been voted the county’s best; 35 percent of voters endorsed it.

coachballgame.com | Multiple Locations

Best Soccer Camp

L.A. Galaxy O.C.

Soccer stars are born at L.A. Galaxy Orange County (LAGOC), a sports development program that helps students master the game. “[Our] soccer camps allow players to develop their soccer skills whilst working on the four key player actions: first touch, striking, 1V1 [drills] and running with the ball,” says Camp Director Samuel Ridgard. “LAGOC provides a fun and challenging environment for players of all ages and abilities.” This is the second time LAGOC earned the title.

lagalaxyoc.com | Irvine

Editors’ Choice: Best Indoor Sports Center

Ladera Sports Center

This high-tech and eco-minded sports and multi-use facility serves more than 750,000 visitors annually, playing host to numerous special events. Among them are national elite basketball tournaments such as the Adidas Gauntlet Series and Jr. NBA, and the Klay Thompson Youth Basketball Camp, in which athletes participated in a multi-day camp with elite coaches and trainers. But there are many others hosted here, including the Olympica Gymnastics Pacific Classic and Elite Euro Talent NCAA Basketball Showcase, as well as groups such as the Southern California Volleyball Association. The facility is also LEED Certified, and is equipped with solar panels, energy-efficient lighting and low-water fixtures. With eight basketball/volleyball courts, professional-grade wood flooring, climate control, 28 LCD monitors including a video wall, live-streaming cameras on each court, a noise attenuation system and the All-Star Café, this state-of-the-art facility is at the top of its game.

laderasc.com | Ladera Ranch

Best Dance Studio for Tots

Freckled Frog

Celebrating 11 years bringing the love of dance to Orange County children, the studio also celebrates its 10th Readers’ Choice win. The dance classes build confidence, teach valuable coordination skills and how to explore movement in a fun way. Dance classes start at two years old and the first class is always free.

freckledfrogdancestudio.com | Placentia, Buena Park, Tustin

Best Dance Studio for Competition

OC Dance Productions

In its third-year win and with 47 percent of votes, this dance studio offers an extensive list of programs, including Dance the Magic at Disneyland that teaches students parade choreography and technique to dance in the theme parks. Other classes include ballet, tap, hip-hop, Parent & Me and musical theater—all of which include the Kid University program, incorporating kindness, compassion and personal growth.

ocdanceproductions.com | Multiple Locations

Best Kids Yoga Studio

Little Peeps Yoga

A mobile enrichment company specializing in hosting fun events and classes for children at studios and schools, the play-based yoga and fitness classes are interactive and educational. Each class is designed to be modified and are developmentally appropriate for all children. Founded in 2015, it has already gained recognition from neurologists, and speech and language pathologists because of its work with children with special needs, including autism, scoliosis and ADHD.

littlepeepsyoga.com | Multiple Locations

Best Science/Tech Camp

Digital Media Academy

It’s difficult to get much more tech than this. With course topics ranging from coding and programming, and 3D modeling and design to game design and development, and robotics and engineering—move over Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. There’s some new kids in town.

digitalmediaacademy.org | Multiple Locations

Editors’ Choice: Best Indoor Family Fun Center

John’s Incredible Pizza Company

John’s Incredible Pizza Company is a family entertainment center with food and fun for the entire family. Admission to John’s includes an All You Can Eat Buffet with items made from scratch, including freshly made pizzas, chicken, pasta with homemade sauces, a 40+ item salad bar, dessert and more. Then guests of all ages can enjoy Fun World filled with more than 100 of the latest video and redemption games plus exciting rides, like Twister and bumper cars.

johnspizza.com. | Buena Park and Westminster

Best Special Needs Camp/Center

No Limits Creative Arts

No Limits provides creative arts classes for all kids with special needs. Sessions run for eight weeks and performance opportunities are offered after every session. Current programs include musical theater, tumbling and dance in Yorba Linda and a dance class in Los Alamitos.

nolimitscreativearts.com | Yorba Linda and Los Alamitos