Best Cosmetic Surgeon (Tie) & Best Dermatologist:
Mitchel P. Goldman, MD
A board certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon as well as associate clinical professor of dermatology/medicine at UCSD and a founder of La Jolla Spa MD, Dr. Mitchel P. Goldman is a pioneer in his field. In addition to developing non-invasive treatments for varicose and spider veins, once a very painful procedure, he is especially renowned for his research and development of multiple laser techniques, and for advancing the method now widely used for getting the best results with liposuction. Goldman’s main goal is to offer clients the best in cosmetic rejuvenation procedures with the least amount of down time; his patients resume normal activity quickly. “We can cover everything our patients need or want to accomplish,” he says. (858/459-6868, www.spa-md.com) — Ann Radcliffe

Best Cosmetic Surgeon (Tie):
Dr. Stephen Krant, MD
Founder, medical director, and cosmetic surgeon at SK Clinic in La Jolla, which opened in 1976, Dr. Stephen Krant believes that operating a plastic and reconstructive surgery practice takes an extreme dedication to the individual and the potential each person can reach. In 2001, Krant also founded the SK Institute to assist individuals dealing with debilitating diseases such as cancer and diabetes, and to help them reach their desired potential despite the difficult odds. (858/454-3161, www.sk-clinic.com) — Jane Shiomi

Best Permanent Makeup Artist:
Dale Hall at Spa Violet
Permanent makeup is a safe way to enhance features and camouflage imperfections using micro-insertions of pigment into the skin, and San Diegans trust Dale Hall at SpaViolet in Cardiff-by-the-Sea for such needs. Hall, a UCSD graduate and member of the American Academy of Micropigmentation, focuses on everything from lip liner and color to eyeliner, lash and eyebrow enhancement and/or and tinting, and areola repigmentation and scar camouflaging for breast cancer survivors or those who have had augmentation procedures. (760/633-1200, www.spaviolet.com) — Jane Shiomi

Best Cosmetic Dentist:
Martin P. Abelar DDS
Dr. Martin Abelar was sensitive to beauty at a young age. “I remember as a kid noticing nice paintings and homes...I was drawn to visual things.” Later, he sought elective classes in art, photography, and film to nurture his creative spirit. He even began to cast jewelry molds in dental school. “I enjoy making things look natural and healthy. In my view, cosmetic dentistry is a failure if it looks artificial,” says Abelar, who has been in practice 25 years. “Patients like the fact that I teach other dentists the techniques I perform. I am a clinical instructor at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies.” (858/457-7994, www.martinpabelardds.com) — Marion Hoy

Best General Dentist:
David Eshom, DDS
With the latest high-tech equipment such as lasers, digital x-rays, and computer imaging, Dr. David Eshom ensures that his patients have a pleasant experience each visit. Always striving for perfection, he has taken more than 1,500 registered hours of continued education through the California Dental Association in endodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery, and cosmetic dentistry. He also gives worldwide lectures on the use of lasers in cosmetic dentistry. (858/455-9151, www.eshomdds.com) — Jane Shiomi

Best Day Spa (Tie) & Best Spa For Massages (Tie):
The Spa Torrey Pines
Located at the famous Lodge at Torrey Pines, Spa Torrey Pines employs the richness of the ocean in a host of treatments and rituals designed to purify one's body and mind. Popular choices include the Anti-Aging Aqua Facial, Oceanic Detox, Aromatic Marine Water Bath, and the Ancient Oceans Ritual, to name a few. Yoga classes and walks through Torrey Pines Reserve can prove just as relaxing. Culture is the basis behind their winning massages. Swedish, Shiatsu, and Table Thai, to name a few, employ various methods of manipulation to relieve stress and battle muscle fatigue. The couple’s massage is also a popular choice. (858/453-4420, www.spatorreypines.com) — Alicia Garcia

Best Day Spa (Tie):
Gaia Day Spa
Gaia Day Spa focuses on balancing the body’s spirit. Guests rave about their cultural Banya and Ayurvedic treatments, which stimulate the body with mixes of aromatic, herbal, and massage techniques. Or opt for their signature Luk Pra, a hot compression technique designed to stimulate a flow of energy along the sen lines, a specialized treatment unique only to Gaia. (858/456-0286, www.gaiadayspa.com) — Alicia Garcia

Best Manicure/Pedicure:
Bergamot Spa & Boutique
Bergamot Spa & Boutique is a true zen retreat. Dark wood fixtures, plush pillows, hip yet serene music, and an ethereal backyard with a soothing stream, koi pond, gazebo, and private bungalows make this nook a haven of relaxation. Manicure and pedicure treatments are tropical paradises (try the Island Style, which includes hydrating coconut milk, an exfoliating sugar scrub, Frangipani butter massage, and a foot soak in a glass bowl with floating orchids), and they also offer a full range of massages, facials, waxing, hair styling, and even private yoga. (760/436-5140, www.bergamotspa.com) — Mia Stefanko

Best Spa For Massages (Tie):
Estancia Hotel & Spa
At Estancia in La Jolla, the Garden Hot Stone Massage with refresher facial has attributed to many San Diegan’s good moods. Several signature massages can be included in Estancia’s day packages, including the Sweet Red Rose hydrating treatment body mask and the Healing Garden treatment. For lovers, choose the Secret Garden couple’s massage. (858/550-1000, www.estancialajolla.com) — Alicia Garcia

Best Medical Spa:
La Jolla Spa MD
Ranch & Coast readers know their stuff — La Jolla Spa MD, voted best medical spa in San Diego, was also recently voted best in America by American Spa Magazine. Founded in 2002 by board certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Mitchel P. Goldman (see page 32) and his wife, model Dianne York-Goldman, La Jolla Spa MD offers a full range of cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures as well as innovative cosmetic dermatology and spa treatments. “It is a fantastic honor to be recognized as the best medical spa in San Diego by the readers of Ranch & Coast magazine,” says York-Goldman. “La Jolla Spa MD houses a large and interactive staff of world renowned experts and we are delighted to provide San Diego with the most current and cutting-edge services available.” (858/459-6868, www.spa-md.com)
— Jane Shiomi

Best Hair/Makeup Salon:
Do’s and Lipstick
Perhaps best known for their beautiful brow shaping techniques that don’t use wax, Do’s and Lipstick in Solana Beach is all about glamour, from stylish cuts to cutting edge style. High end makeup and skincare lines include Scott Barnes, Kevyn Aucoin, Mario Badescu, and Kerastase by L’Oreal — all within a quaint Fred Segal-like setting. Do’s and Lipstick’s glamour artists treat each client like a work of art. (858/793-5477) — Christie Heatherly

Best Destination Spa:
Rancho La Puerta
This full-service, expansive retreat is barely recognizable to former guests who made the trek to Tecate in the early years. Then there was one classroom; now 325 instructor-led clinics and classes are held in 11 gyms throughout the week. Casitas and villas are also improved, hiking trails have been added, and today, three swimming pools, five hot tubs, and three-dozen hammocks await use. Special programs and speakers also keep things interesting: four women-only weeks will be held in August, and Emmy-award winning journalist Bill Moyers will be in residence for two weeks in September. (800/443-7565, www.rancholapuerta.com) — Elizabeth Hansen

Best Yoga Class:
Prana Yoga Center
The plain façade of this building belies the peaceful sanctuary within. Here students of all ages and levels practice hatha yoga, restorative yoga, vinyasa flow, and yin yoga. Yoga 101 is designed to benefit high school juniors and seniors. Other classes include pre-natal and post-natal yoga, as well as before sunrise and sunrise yoga. The non-dogmatic attitude of the instructors makes this an easy place for beginners to sample classes. Those who practice yoga frequently experience increased energy, better immune systems, relief from chronic aches and pains, and an overall improved sense of well-being. (858/456-2806) — Elizabeth Hansen

Best Gym:
Pacific Athletic Center
Pacific Athletic Center is not just a gym, it’s a lifestyle — one that San Diegans have come to embrace as their own. The club’s mission is to enhance people’s lives, which they do not fall short of achieving. Aquatics, group exercise, and Pilates are only some of their top-notch programs designed to accommodate all needs and levels. The warm and friendly environment of the club includes a café, a pro shop, and a family cabana — the combination of which is intended to make members feel safe and empowered to enrich their lives and achieve personal excellence. (858/509-9933, www.pacsandiego.com)
— Alanna Trimble

Best Spa For Facials:
Bella D’ora Spa
For those in desperate need of an hour of beauty and pampering, Bella D’ora Spa is the answer. Custom-built in Carlsbad, the spa is a haven of relaxation for local working professionals, residents, and tourists. The warm and friendly staff can help you choose from a full menu of services, including the Signature Retreat Facial, where you slip into a world of perfect bliss as a skilled esthetician cleanses, exfoliates, and soothes your skin to a youthful glow. (760/438-7404, www.belladoraspa.com)
— Tanja Kern

Best Lotion & Soap Selection:
Bath & Body Works
From sophisticated to playful, fruity to refreshing, the plethora of scents at Bath & Body Works is irresistible. Unique fragrances mingle with silky moisture, giving each of these lotions and soaps its own flavorful identity. To complement their collection of classic scents such as gardenia and freesia, Bath & Body Works consistently produces innovative fragrances such as the new exotic Japanese cherry blossom lotion. With nearly ten stores around the county, it’s easy to find a collection to suit your every mood. (800/756-5005, www.bathandbodyworks.com) — Kaila Lee