Best of Orange County: OC Register

Best of Orange County 2024: See all of the winners

Staff report — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 13:00:24 +0000

Click on a category name to see the top three vote recipients for that category.

PLACES TO GO + DO

Huntington City Beach was voted best beach in Best of Orange County 2024 balloting. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

SHOPPING & SERVICES

Irvine Spectrum Center, the outdoor mall was voted the top shopping/dining destination by Orange County Register readers. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

LUXURY LIFESTYLE

Montage Resort in Laguna Beach Beach was voted the top OC resort in the Orange County Register’s Best of Orange County readers’ choice poll. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

FOOD & DRINK

Broken Yolk Cafe in Orange was voted best breakfast in Best of Orange County 2024 balloting. (Courtesy of BYC)

HOME & GARDEN

Rancho Mission Viejo was voted the Best new home community in the Best of Orange County balloting. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Best of Orange County 2024: Flip through the magazine

From Staff — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 12:59:32 +0000

The 136-page publication will be delivered with the Sept. 22 edition of the Orange County Register, but you can read it now.

Best of Orange County reflects our constantly changing community

Ron Hasse — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 12:58:47 +0000

When the first copies of Best of Orange County rolled off the presses in 1994, pickleball was a niche sport played mainly by older folks. In the pages of the Orange County Register, the first mention of pickleball appeared a few months later, in a story about Irvine’s Lakeview Senior Center.

Three decades later, pickleball is far and away America’s fastest-growing participation sport, as 13.6 million people played the game in 2023, a 52% jump from the year before, with millennials and Gen Z folks making up a lot of the increase. And this year, for the first time, the Best of Orange County survey asked readers to choose the best pickleball courts in Orange County. The results are in the magazine you’re holding.

Like the area it serves, the Best of Orange County is constantly evolving. Orange County has grown, creating new communities such as Las Flores and Newport Coast. Best of Orange County has adapted alongside it, expanding to cover the changing nature of life here. As people’s interests have evolved, Best of Orange County has reflected those changes.

Wine production in Southern California has increased substantially over the past 20 years. Temecula Valley Wine Country in Riverside County has grown into a major viticultural region with nearly 50 wineries, while San Juan Capistrano also has a growing wine scene. This year, Best of Orange County adds the category of best Southern California winery — and readers chose wineries in both Temecula and O.C.

While not quite as hot a fad as pickleball, dog ownership has grown steadily — remember the “pandemic pets” craze? — in recent years. The percentage of households with dogs increased by more than 6% from 2016 to 2022, according to Forbes. People want to bring their “fur-babies” with them when they go out to eat, so this year the Best of Orange County added another new voting category: Best dog-friendly restaurant.

Community college enrollment in California last fall topped 2 million students for the first time since the pandemic. In addition to pursuing associate’s degrees or preparing to transfer to four-year universities, community college students are increasingly enrolling in short-term certificate programs such as accounting and cybersecurity. And so, for this year, Best of Orange County adds best community college as a new voting category, joining existing higher-education categories for four-year colleges, nursing schools and trade schools.

Two new health-related categories — best assisted living and best urgent care — also make their debuts this year.

With these new additions, Best of Orange County now boasts 81 voting categories, including old favorites such as best beach, best burger and best city to live in. We hope that you will keep this magazine to use as a reference throughout the year to find new places to eat, new places to go to and new businesses to support.

While none of us knows the future, it’s a safe bet that Orange County will continue to grow and change. And, it’s also a safe bet that Best of Orange County will continue to evolve right along with it.

Best of Orange County 2023: Flip through the magazine

Staff report — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 19:13:30 +0000

The 132-page publication will be delivered with the Sept. 24 edition of the Orange County Register, but you can read it now.

Best of Orange County 2023: See all of the winners

Staff report — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 13:01:35 +0000

Click on a category name to read about the top vote-getters in that category in the 30th Annual Best of Orange County Readers’ Choice poll.

PLACES TO GO+DO

Segerstrom Center for the Arts was again selected by voters as the best live theater in Best of Orange County balloting. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

SHOPPING & SERVICES

Irvine Spectrum Center was voted Best retail shopping and dining destination in the 2023 Best of Orange County balloting. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

LUXURY LIFESTYLE

Happy Jewelers in Fullerton was voted Best Jewelry Store in the 2023 Best of Orange County balloting. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

FOOD & DRINK

Yama Sushi & Grill in Mission Viejo was voted the Best sushi in the Best of Orange County balloting. (Photo by Sam Gangwer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

HOME & GARDEN

Irvine was voted the Best city to live in as part of the Best of Orange County balloting. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Best of Orange County 2023: Our county has been remade over the past three decades

Ron Hasse — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 12:59:59 +0000

Orange County was a very different place when the first issue of the Best of Orange County rolled off the presses three decades ago.

The county had a gleaming new sports arena, then called the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, and the Disney-owned Mighty Ducks were its main tenants, playing in their second season. Barbra Streisand performed six nights at the venue.

Ron Hasse, president and publisher at Southern California News Group. (Courtesy of CNPA)

Back then, Disneyland was still just the original park — Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney were years away from construction. Admission was $30 for adults and $22 for children, but with a soft economy, the park rolled out its first discounts for Southern California residents, who could get in for $22, or $20 for kids.

Technology was unrecognizable from a 21st century perspective, but two harbingers of change had just arrived. The first web browser, Netscape Navigator, enabled people to access what was then called “the information superhighway.” The number of cellphones in use had doubled from two years earlier, but still fewer than 10% of people used the devices.

Three decades and one pandemic later, Orange County has changed profoundly. As people no longer have to leave the house to shop, malls have pivoted to offering environments and experiences, rather than just stores hawking wares. Movie theaters now offer reclining seats and high-end food and beverage service, seeking to lure viewers used to consuming streaming content on their big-screen TVs while sitting on the couch.

The Pond is now Honda Center, but it has been joined as a concert venue by a wealth of competitors, from pop music spots such as the House of Blues Anaheim, City National Grove of Anaheim and FivePoint Amphitheatre to fine arts facilities like Segerstrom Concert Hall and the Soka Performing Arts Center.

The Disneyland Resort has undergone significant expansion in recent years, adding the new lands of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Avengers Campus. Earlier this year it unveiled the revamped Mickey’s Toon Town with its state-of-the-art new ride, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

Orange County has always had fine dining, but the past 30 years have seen an explosion in chef-driven culinary concepts. Three Orange County restaurants — Hana re, Knife Pleat and Taco Maria, all in Costa Mesa — have received Michelin Stars in recent years. The area has also been at the forefront of the craft beer boom and the farm-to-table movement.

BEST OF ORANGE COUNTY: See all the winners

About 600,000 more people call Orange County home today than did so at the founding of Best of Orange County. Communities such as Las Flores, Ladera Ranch and Newport Coast have sprouted in formerly undeveloped areas. And those homes are much different than those of decades past, with smart technology that lets homeowners set their thermostats from their phones or ask an Alexa device to turn down the lights.

The pace of change can at times seem disorienting, but some things about Orange County remain unchanged. It’s still a beautiful place to live with an ideal climate, top-quality schools and a vibrant business community.

Best of Orange County 2023 is your guide to that place, with attractions, businesses and destinations that have been curated as the best by your neighbors. We welcome you to enjoy this publication, as readers have for 30 years.

Best of Orange County 2022: See all of the winners

Staff report — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 13:00:24 +0000

Click on a category name to read about the top vote-getters in that category in the 29th Annual Best of Orange County Readers’ Choice poll.

Readers again chose OC Fair as the Best Fair/Festival in Best of Orange County balloting. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

PLACES TO GO+DO

Irvine Spectrum Center was voted Best Shopping/Dining Destination in Best of Orange County balloting. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

SHOPPING & SERVICES

The Grand Princess cruise liner is shown docked at the Port of Los Angeles. Princess Cruise Lines was voted Best Cruise Line in Best of Orange County balloting. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

LUXURY LIFESTYLE

The Cliff Restaurant was the top vote-getter in Best Outdoor Dining category in Best of Orange County balloting. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

FOOD & DRINK

New housing construction at Rienda, the newest village at Rancho Mission Viejo, which was voted the Best New Home Community in Best of Orange County balloting. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

HOME & GARDEN

Best of Orange County 2022: Flip through the magazine

Staff report — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 12:59:37 +0000

The Best Hiking Trails to Explore this Fall in SoCal

Branded Content Contributor — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 19:06:07 +0000

“There are no seasons in Southern California” is a stereotype given to the region, but we are here to prove these pessimists wrong. Below we have curated some of the best hiking trails to explore during the fall season in the Southland that proves—even to the most seasonal skeptics—that SoCal has fall vibes. From trails that boast fall foliage to a path that provides the L.A. experience, here are the best hiking trails to visit during the fall season in Southern California.

Aspen Grove Trail, San Bernardino National Forest

Experience some fall foliage in Southern California on the Aspen Grove Trail. Located a short drive from Big Bear in the San Bernardino National Forest, the Aspen Grove Trail gives autumn leaf seekers a rare opportunity to see yellow and orange trees in the Southland, as well as the soothing effects of “quaking” or the whistling of trees. This trail is deemed moderate, and visitors will hike around 5 miles roundtrip. If you have time, head down to Big Bear for a delicious post-hike meal or some drinks. Day permits required. Address: Aspen Grove Trail 2E05, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305.

Observatory Trail, Cleveland National Forest

For those searching for some fall colors in San Diego County, there’s the lesser-known Observatory Trail. Hidden in the pine and black oak-filled Cleveland National Forest, this trail is excellent for less advanced hikers and astronomy fans. The black oak trees turn orange during the fall season, providing Southern Californians with that fall experience. Towards the trail’s end, visitors will see CalTech’s Palomar Observatory, which features the Hale Telescope. Address: South Grade Road, Cleveland National Forest, Palomar Mountain, CA 92060

Red Rocks Canyon Trail, Whiting Ranch Wilderness

Colorado is not the only place in the West with some Red Rock beauty. Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, located in Lake Forest, CA, has multiple hiking trail options, but the most popular is Red Rock Canyon. Surrounded by suburbia, this trail is on the easy level making it perfect for families. Hikers will traverse about four miles roundtrip through an oak woodland canyon setting and end at the Instagram-worthy red rocks. Where to park: For $3, visitors can park in a lot by the Red Rock Canyon Trail. Address: 26701 Portola Parkway, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610.

The Jon B. Lovelace Collection of California Photographs in Carol M. Highsmith’s America Project, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

Brush Canyon Trail, Griffith Park

If you want to get the real L.A. hiking experience during the fall, then Brush Canyon Trail is the perfect place. One of the most popular hiking trails in Southern California, Brush Canyon Trail, takes you through L.A.’s famous Griffith Park and behind the iconic Hollywood Sign. Even though Griffith Park has numerous trails that lead to the Hollywood Sign, Brush Canyon is the best option because it is a more moderate, steady climb to the back of the sign on Mount Lee. Once at the top, hikers will get marvelous views of Los Angeles and many of the city’s other landmarks for their Instagram feed. There is a small parking lot near the bottom of the trailhead. Address: 3200 Canyon Drive, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA 90068.

Indian Canyons, Palm Springs

Not into the whole “changing of the leaves” cliché? Then head to Southern Californian’s favorite desert oasis—Palm Springs, where you will find the beautiful trails of Indian Canyons, the home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. There are over 60 miles of hiking and walking trails for outdoor lovers of all levels to choose from, ranging from easy to strenuous. When you’re done getting your nature on, head to Palm Springs for some good grub and chill vibes. Admission tickets are available for purchase at the Agua Caliente Visitor’s Center at Palm Springs Visitor Center. Address: 38520 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs.

Best of Orange County 2021: Flip through the magazine

Staff Reports — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 12:00:38 +0000

The Best of Orange County magazine spotlights the top vote recipients in 74 voting categories.