Orange County’s Readers’ Choice Awards - Health, Lifestyle & Beauty

Best Family Dentist

Lollipop Dental

Lollipop Dental topped the list in this year’s ranking. The doctors at the practice cater to patients of all ages from infants to teens and promise to treat each child like one of their own as they help achieve healthy smiles. They also offer sedation dentistry for patients who are afraid or have trouble sitting still and an orthodontic retainer program.

lollipopdental.com | Multiple Locations

Best Family Optometrist

Family Optometry of Irvine

Family Optometry of Irvine is no stranger to the Readers’ Choice list as patients continue to choose its services. Doctors at the practice promise thorough examinations without rushing. They get to know the patients’ visual demands and use the latest technology for treatment. Plus, they have a wide selection of stylish frames. Some doctors speak Spanish and Korean.

familyoptometryofirvine.net | Irvine

Best Hospital/Maternity Facility

Hoag Hospital

Hoag Hospital continues to be the first choice for Orange County patients, including mothers-to-be. The medical teams at the acclaimed hospital aim to give women the best comprehensive care as they begin a new chapter in their lives. The doctors and nurses are also ready to deal with any complications that might arise along the way.

hoag.org | Newport Beach

Best OBGYN

Orange Coast Women’s Medical Group

Parenting OC readers once again chose Orange Coast Women’s Medical Group — the largest OBGYN practice in Orange County — for the top spot. The board-certified team of obstetricians-gynecologists promises to deliver high-quality comprehensive care with integrity and compassion. The doctors strive to provide personalized care for women from adolescence through late adulthood.

ocwmg.com | Multiple Locations

Best Orthodontist

Sweet Smiles Modern Orthodontics

Sweet Smiles Modern Orthodontics is back on the list. Using a modern approach and state-of-the-art technology, the doctors at the practice work with patients to give them smiles they can be proud of. The team has a conservative approach and doesn’t believe in recommending procedures that are not necessary. They also have early morning and weekend appointments to accommodate busy family lives.

sweetsmiles.com | Multiple Locations

Best Pediatrician

Seaview Pediatrics

Seaview Pediatrics has been taking care of Orange County infants, children and adolescents since 1973 and has seen multiple generations of patients during that time. The team members at the practice want to be partners in your child’s health. Each board-certified expert pediatrician has extensive training in the field. They partner with CHOC Children’s Hospital, Mission Hospital, Saddleback Hospital and Hoag Hospital.

seaview.choc.org | Multiple Locations

Best Speech Therapy

Orange County Speech Services

The team at Best Speech Therapy is committed to providing top care for their patients. All the therapists are certified and licensed to practice in California. Services include play-based therapy, fluency and stuttering, autism spectrum disorders, auditory processing disorders and much more. They also have parental training and education. In testimonials, parents praise the therapists’ loving approach and including the family in the process.

ocspeechservices.com | Huntington Beach

Best Mental Health Services

CHOC Children’s Main Campus — Orange

CHOC Children’s Main Campus is back in the top spot as the leading destination for mental health. The specialists at CHOC believe that mental health care should be integrated with physical health treatments. Through inpatient and outpatient programs, they treat children and teens dealing with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, autism spectrum disorders and much more.

choc.org | Orange

Best Special Needs Therapy on Water

Surf & Turf Therapy

Surf & Turf Therapy uses unique approaches, including surfing and horseback riding, to reach traditional, functional goals. The treatments help children improve strength, stability, body awareness, coordination, flexibility, safety awareness, sensory integration and more. Licensed therapists at the nonprofit provide personalized care for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

surfandturftherapy.org | San Juan Capistrano

Best Special Needs Therapy on Horseback

The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding

The Shea Center continues to be the top choice for Parenting OC readers. The team at the center is committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities through horse-related therapeutic programs. The center has been around since 1978, and with the help of 28 horses and more than 700 volunteers, serves more than 1,400 participants a year, some as young as 2 years old. The programs address more than 85 disabilities in a safe, outdoor setting.

sheacenter.org | San Juan Capistrano

Best Children’s Resale Clothing

Orange Lutheran Thrift Shop

Orange Lutheran Thrift Shop takes pride in its clean and well-organized shopping experience. The staff knows many customers by name and what they’re looking for. The store carries a selection of clothing, household goods, media, electronics, jewelry and collectibles. Need something bigger for the house? Their furniture store next door has lamps, mirrors, refrigerators, furniture and even medical equipment.

lhsoc.org | Orange

Best Day Spa

Burke Williams

Burke Williams returned to the top of the ranking this year. Inspired by European day spas, the company has been elevating the spa experience since 1984. They offer treatments based on whether you’re looking to rest, awaken or heal. So, when you need to take a break from parenting and recharge, your choices include massage, facials and skin care, spa baths, chiropractic treatments and more.

burkewilliams.com | Multiple Locations

Best Family Photography Studio

Candice Swanson Photography

It seems that when it comes to family pictures, you can’t do better than Candice Swanson Photography, which is holding on to the top spot on our list. The seasoned photographer is passionate about capturing her clients’ special milestones and precious moments from pregnancy to newborn portraits and family shoots. All through the process, she strives to make the experience as pleasant as possible and deliver unforgettable images.

candiceswansonphotography.com | Orange County

Best Fitness Chain

24 Hour Fitness

24 Hour Fitness is back on the list this year because there’s really no excuse to not meet your exercise goals when the clubs are all over Orange County. Each location offers a variety of group classes, including senior fitness, cardio and strength equipment and personal training. Still can’t make it? There’s a 24 Hour Fitness app for that with more than 2,000 workouts.

24hourfitness.com | Multiple Locations

Best Single-Location Gym

Newport Peach

Newport Peach is still the top choice for our readers. It’s all about strength, stress relief and self-care in a judgement-free environment. There’s a variety of classes for different fitness levels, including barre, step, yoga, abs and baby and me. There’s also Peach at the Beach with classes right by the ocean and teen and preteen offerings are coming soon.

newportpeach.com | Costa Mesa

Best Kid’s Haircut

Sharkey’s Cuts 4 Kids

Orange County parents still love Sharkey’s Cuts 4 Kids. The salon, which has been around since 2002 and caters to kids up to 14 years old, has plenty of fun things to do while the children get their hair cut and styled. Little ones can sit in a car and watch cartoons. Older kids can play video games. They also provide mom and daughter (mom can get her hair done too), dad and son experiences and host birthday parties.

sharkeyscutsforkids.com | Multiple Locations

Best Nanny/Babysitting Service

Mansfield Domestics Agency

The team at Mansfield Domestics Agency understands that each family has its own unique needs, values and expectations. The boutique agency connects the families with best-suited nannies on full-time, part-time, live-in, live-out and flexible basis. They also have nannies ready to help during travel times, after school or in the summer as well as newborn and infant specialists. All nannies go through a rigorous screening process.

mansfielddomestics.com | Irvine

Best Pet Groomer

TLC Pet Shop & Grooming

Family-owned TLC Pet Shop & Grooming is a favorite stop for many pet owners. The employees work on creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everybody. Expert groomers tailor their services to each animal’s needs, whether it be a simple wash for a short-haired breed or a full grooming session for the long-haired pets. They also do nail trims and do their best to create a calm and stress-free environment.

pet.ltheme.com | Tustin

Best Pet Store

Petco

Petco is all about improving the lives of pets and their owners. The specialty retailer has everything pets and their humans could want and need from food, basic necessities and accessories to toys. They also offer grooming, dog training, vaccination clinics, pet insurance and more. They cater to dogs, cats, small pets, reptiles, birds and fish.

petco.com | Multiple Locations

Best Pet Vet

Paws ‘n’ Claws Veterinary Hospital

Paws ’n’ Claws Veterinary Hospital offers a comprehensive range of services for their patients, including surgery, allergy testing, in-house diagnostics, nutritional counseling, exotic pets exams and more. The team believes in being proactive in maintaining the pets’ health and doing so with compassion and empathy. They also offer health certificates and DNA testing and grooming.

pawsnclaws.com | Yorba Linda

Best Shopping Destination

Irvine Spectrum Center

Irvine Spectrum has been around for 30 years, and our readers can’t get enough of it. The stylish center with its iconic Giant Wheel and carousel continues to evolve, adding new restaurants and attractions as well as special events for the whole family. Then there are public areas for adults and children to take a break from shopping and relax.

shopirvinespectrumcenter.com | Irvine

Best Family Getaway Destination

San Diego

San Diego is once again the top choice for our readers’ family getaway. Just about an hour’s drive from Orange County, the city has plenty of attractions for everyone, including world-famous SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, Sesame Place theme park, USS Midway Museum, Balboa Park and more.

sandiego.gov, sandiego.org | San Diego

Best Family Services Attorney

The Wagon Legacy

The Wagon Legacy, previously known as Varela Law, continues to be the top firm our readers turn to when they need wills and trusts. The legal team approaches each case with a personalized touch, guiding the clients in the best ways to protect their assets and legacies and give them peace of mind that their families will be protected.

thewagonlegacy.com | Placentia, Irvine

Best Family Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Institute of Southern California

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Institute of Southern California treats adults, adolescents and children using a short-term scientifically-tested approach. The approach addresses qualities characterizing how we think, feel and behave. They offer individual and couples therapy to treat conditions including anxiety, depression and more. The sessions are in-person or through telehealth.

cbtiofsocal.com | Newport Beach