Best Shopping Destination
South Coast Plaza
The carousel turns in the middle of 250 shops and 30 restaurants, balancing shop and play. But the kid-friendly options for clothing and food also make it an easy choice for parents looking to fit and feed different ages. South Coast Plaza has been a readers’ favorite for 10 years.
southcoastplaza.com | Santa Ana
Best Family Photographer
Ralph Palumbo
The veteran magazine photographer specializes in making people look like they belong on the cover. His work has appeared in local and regional magazines, online publications and in advertising. Creative, friendly and affordable, the work will make you feel like a star.
ralphpalumbo.com | Aliso Viejo
Best Child Photographer
Adam and Claudia Photography
The husband and wife photo team can work either in the studio or on location to create a relaxed setting that leads to photos of kids in a natural and playful state. Parents are required to be present during all sessions, but urged to “disengage” so the duo can capture natural moments.
adamandclaudiaphotography.com | Long Beach
Best Family Dentist
Lollipop Dental
In its second year making the list, Lollipop Dental offers a philosophy that emphasizes prevention through knowledge and building good dental hygiene habits. Its specialized dentistry for kids and teens is set in a comforting environment in several Orange County locations.
lollipopdental.com | Garden Grove, Placentia, Costa Mesa
Best Cosmetic Surgeon
(TIE) Tuan Nguyen and Sanjay Grover
Tuan Nguyen was named in the 2002/2003 American Registry of Outstanding Professionals for dedication to his profession, leadership and success. Sanjay Grover was selected as Physician of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association and has appeared on multiple television shows. Collectively, the two bring 40 years of practice to the repair and improvement of face and body.
thenoblecare.com | Westminster
drgrover.com | Newport Beach
Best Dermatologist
(TIE) Silverberg and Kaiser Permanente
Taking a comprehensive approach to dermatology, the Silverberg practice caters to treating skin conditions as well as cosmetic procedures and the surgical removal of skin cancer using the latest scientific advances. It offers consultation, diagnosis and treatment from internal medicine and emergency medical specialists as well as dermatologists. Kaiser’s services include treatment for skin cancer, psoriasis, eczema, acne and less common skin conditions like lupus. Its dermatology team is made up of various specialists dedicated to guiding you on a pathway toward skin health.
silverbergmd.com | Newport Beach
thrive.kaiserpermanente.org | Orange County
Best Special Needs Therapy
Coastal Pediatric Speech Clinic
Founded in 1979 by Debi Snyder, a speech pathologist and school district consultant, she offers affordable and comprehensive speech, language and behavioral services with specialized treatment of disorders involving articulation and oral motor, myofunctional and tongue thrust, voice and fluency, and social skills, deafness, hard of hearing and auditory processing difficulties.
Newport Beach
Best Mental Health Services
Stepping Forward Counseling Center
Offering a diverse assortment of mental health programs designed for the needs of the child, with each child receiving a personalized plan of treatment. Kids and young adults struggling with emotional issues, neuro-biological disorders or mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, ADHD/ADD and OCD can find a safe space with the center’s mental health services, programs and summer camps.
steppingforwardcounselingcenter.com | Irvine and Yorba Linda
Best Specialized Therapy
Alta Neuro-Imaging Neurofeedback
Dr. Stephan Ferrari specializes in the treatment of ADD, ADHD, mild to moderate autism spectrum disorders, sleep disorders, chronic depression or anxiety, and peak performance training. Neurofeedback, and EEG-Biofeedback, is used as a safe and effective alternative to medication. The approach is to care for the whole person and “always treating the people we help with loving, affirming and supporting care to restore the human heart to its proper function too.”
ocbiofeedback.com | Placentia
Best Nanny/Babysitting Service
OC Nannies & Newport Domestic Agency
For 35 years, the placement service has been delivering trustworthy babysitters and nannies to the parents who need them. The company screens and interviews candidates to ensure their suitability before placement with families. The service is topping the readers’ list for the seventh year.
ocnannies.com | Newport Beach
Best Overall Weekend Getaway Destination
San Diego/La Jolla
Between Balboa Park’s museums, gardens and zoo — not to mention the classic Spanish architecture and the Gaslamp Quarter’s restaurants, bars and nightclubs — there’s already plenty to spend a weekend on. But La Jolla’s shores and Torrey Pines’ golf, hiking and hang gliding might keep you from the Birch Aquarium, La Jolla Playhouse or the Museum of Contemporary Art.
sandiego.org | San Diego and La Jolla
Best Weekend Getaway for Entertainment
Las Vegas
Still the center of adult fun in the U.S., the neon oasis in the desert has the iconic casinos like Caesars Palace and The Flamingo as well as nouveau gambling meccas like New York New York and The Luxor. And with live entertainment every night, classic Vegas is still available to visitors. However, the city also has the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights and in 2020, the NFL’s Oakland Raiders will call Vegas home.
visitlasvegas.com | Las Vegas, Nev.
Best Weekend Coastal Escape
Catalina Island
Just 26 miles across the sea, the natural beauty and laid-back vibe help make up this hidden gem in Southern California. Avalon offers affordable first-class hotels like the newly reopened historic Hotel Atwater, a variety of restaurants, bars and shopping, but maybe it’s the snorkeling and scuba, stand-up paddle and sailing, as well as its inland activities like hiking, camping, horseback riding, zip lining and wildlife watching that keep you coming back.
visitcatalinaisland.com | Catalina Island
Best Auto Dealer
Irvine Auto Center
Having choices is everything with this auto center, where 14 dealerships — with more than 5,000 vehicles available — provide new and used cars from Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lincoln, Ram, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen.
irvineautocenter.com | Irvine
Best Pet Vet
VCA Yorba Regional Animal Hospital
This full-service hospital also offers a full grooming salon and resort-boarding facility, according to Hospital Manager Salina Soto. The medical department includes all general practice capabilities with the ability to perform in-house radiographs, full-lab panels, cytology, routine surgeries and much more. In addition, the hospital offers a unique reproductive department that performs artificial, transcervical and surgical seminations. The hospital also has the distinction of working with Southern California K9 officers, including Anaheim Police Department’s late K9 Bruno, who made news when he was shot in the line-of-duty in 2014 and survived.
vcahospitals.com/yorba-regional | Anaheim
Best Holistic Pet Vet
PetPoint Medical Center & Resort
Dr. Kathy Wentworth is the lead veterinarian at this family-owned, integrative veterinary center. With 18 years of expertise in both conventional and integrative medicine in Southern California, she offers a long list of holistic services, including Eastern medicine like acupuncture, and a focus on fresh whole foods as part of the health and wellness of pets. The center is housed in a state-of-the-art, 16,000-square-foot facility and even hosts a permanent rescue adoption spot for Friends of OC’s Homeless Pets.
petpointcenter.com | Irvine
Best Commercial Pet Groomer
PetSmart
PetSmart offers full-service grooming and bathing services for dogs and cats by walk-in or appointment. For dogs that need a little extra attention, they offer unique services and packages like the FURminator, a treatment that helps reduce shedding, and PAWdicures, a nail trim and grind that includes an ear cleaning, paw and pad trim, cologne spritz, and bow or bandana, says PetSmart’s VP of Services Debbie Beisswanger. There are 20 stores in the Orange County area that provide grooming services.
petsmart.com | Multiple Locations
Best Holistic Pet Groomer
Healthy Spot
Healthy Spot was founded in 2008 in response to the 2007 pet food recalls and there are currently 17 locations in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, said Services Operations Manager Jenny Honda. “Proper grooming and positive socialization are just as important to the natural balance as food quality and nutrition,” said Honda. Its full-service styling salons and spas use high-quality natural, eco-friendly and biodegradable products for all grooming treatments. Services include bathing, tooth brushing, massage, moisturizing paw rubs and even Blueberry Facials.
healthyspot.com | Costa Mesa
Best Independent Pet Groomer
The Spaw
The Spaw not only offers bathing, hair cuts and teeth cleaning, but also provides boarding and daycare services. Plus it has an impressive selection of healthy pet food options as well as high-quality supplements.
ahhthespaw.com | Tustin
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