Body, Mind & Spirit - Ranch & Coast

Best Spa For Facials & Best Spa For Massages: SK Sanctuary (Runner-Up: The Santaluz Club) Sanctuary means a place of asylum, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at this La Jolla spa. Leave the outside world behind while indulging in SK’s relaxing facials and massages. Among the specialty facials is the protein-rich Caviar, a luxurious firming treatment that leaves skin ultra-hydrated. SK also has facials designed just for men and teens. Massages have clever names like Rolling Stones and Sole to Soul — such careful attention to detail is carried out throughout the spa. (858/459-2400, www.sk-sanctuary.com) — AnnaMaria Stephens Best Hair & Makeup: Do’s & Lipstick (Runner-Up: Ryan Thomas Hair Studio) Next time you see a gal with perfect brows, ask her who did ’em. Chances are good she’s been to see Mona Van Cleve of Solana Beach’s Do’s & Lipstick, a repeat winner in the category. Van Cleve, the salon’s owner and makeup artist, won’t do a makeup application until she’s touched up the brows with tweezers. She doesn’t believe in waxing — it’s imprecise and can damage delicate skin. Van Cleve also raves about the hair stylists at Do’s & Lipstick: "They’re amazing, amazing — I kid you not!" The salon also features a Fred Segal-esque apothecary, with luxury products by Kevyn Aucoin, Fresh, Mario Badescu, and more. (858/793-5477) — AnnaMaria Stephens Best Gym/Personal Trainer: Pure Motion (Runner-Up: Pacific Athletic Club) Between them, the four in-home personal trainers from Pure Motion Fitness have four decades of experience. Brian Weaver, the director of in-home services, says his nationally certified trainers help people achieve their fitness goals with a style of exercise called Tri-Set Plus. Instead of reps and resting, clients do three exercises at a time (pushups, sit-ups, and squats, for example) followed by an anaerobic activity. "This maximizes the time of the client," says Weaver. Pure Motion also has a bricks and mortar location in Carmel Mountain Ranch. (858/618-1790, www.puremotionfts.com) — AnnaMaria Stephens Best Manicure/Pedicure: Bergamot Spa + Boutique (Runner-Up: Ecotique) For many well-groomed women (and a growing number of men), manicures and pedicures are a routine part of beauty maintenance. But routine needn’t be rote, and the nail treatments at Bergamot are anything but. Try the Ritual, which uses Red Flower botanical products and is offered in two styles: Japanese or Indian Hammam. Each step is luxuriously methodical, from the soak in a bowl filled with perfumed water and floating orchids to the detoxifying scrub and the relaxing massage. (760/436-5140, www.bergamotspa.com) — AnnaMaria Stephens Above: Canyon Ranch. Banner image at top: Miraval Best Destination Spa (Tie): Canyon Ranch and Miraval (Runner-Up: The Oaks At Ojai) Just a few hours from San Diego, the Arizona location of Canyon Ranch offers an oasis of healthy living. The resort is nestled in the northeast foothills of Tucson, in the beautiful Sonoran desert, where you’ll share canyon hiking trails and big-sky scenery with cacti, coyotes, and roadrunners. (800/742-9000, www.canyonranch.com) Also located at the base of the Santa Catalina mountain range in Tucson is Miraval. Stay in one of 102 recently rooms on the 400-acre property, which features a world-class spa, a huge gym, a yoga and Pilates center, outdoor activities, and access to the nearby Golf Club at Vistoso, an 18-hole course designed by Tom Weiskopf. (800/232-3969, www.miravalresort.com) — AnnaMaria Stephens
		Martin Abelar

		David Eshom Best Cosmetic Dentist (Tie): Martin P. Abelar, DDS & David S. Eshom, DDS (Runner-Up: David C. Chotiner, DMD) For a quarter century, Martin Abelar of Aesthetic Dentistry of La Jolla has been giving his patients something to smile about. Abelar uses the most cutting-edge high-tech gear, including CAT Scan technology, for top tooth results. (858/866-8879, www.keepsmilingsandiego.com) Also responsible for some of San Diego’s prettiest pearly whites is David S. Eshom, who provides dental spa amenities — paraffin hand wax treatments, aromatherapy neck wraps, personal iPods — alongside top-notch cosmetic dentistry. (800/639-7353, www.eshomdds.com) — AnnaMaria Stephens

		Stephen Krant Best Cosmetic Surgeon: Stephen Krant, MD, FACS (Runner-Up: Paul Chasan, MD, FACS) Before and after patients undergo reconstructive or cosmetic surgery with Stephen Krant at SK Clinic, they undergo vitamin regimens and rejuvenating spa treatments at SK Sanctuary, the spa component of the practice. It’s an integrated approach to looking — and feeling — fantastic. It also cuts down on recovery time. No wonder Krant continues to be a favorite among men and women who know that a little nip and tuck can make a huge difference, both outside and inside. (858/454-3161, www.sk-clinic.com) — AnnaMaria Stephens

		Best Dermatologist: Mary M. Dobry, MD (Runner-Up: Alexander P. Ataii, MD) Patients of Mary M. Dobry (this Ranch & Coast writer has been one for several years) admire her for her no-nonsense approach to skin care. Her best tip: Wear sunscreen every day. She once told me that she used a photo of a woman with leather-like sun-damaged skin to convince her kids to slather it on. Dobry handles medical and cosmetic procedures, from full-body mole checks to Botox and chemical peels. She’s quick, effective, and her rates very reasonable. (858/784-0590, www.lajolladermatology.com) — AnnaMaria Stephens, photo by Kristy Ann Mann

		Best General Dentist: Frederick O. Wallace, DDS (Runner-Up: Curtis Chan, DDS) Frederick O. Wallace has been a dentist for 26 years. His recently remodeled office in Solana Beach is decked out with all the latest gear — digital imaging instead of x-rays, satellite TV — which makes dental work as pleasant as it could possibly be. "People don’t love what I do," he says with a laugh. "But they’re looking for results and we give them." Wallace works with adults only and offers general and cosmetic dentistry. (858/755-2414) — AnnaMaria Stephens, photo by Vincent Knakal

		Best Pediatric Dentist: Rawlings/Hydo Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics (Runner-Up: Gordon Dixon, DDS) For every child who’s on his or her best behavior at the dentist’s office, there are ten more who wriggle, cry, or scream in terror as metal objects are placed in their mouths. Needless to say, finding a great pediatric dentist is every parent’s dream. The office of Rawlings/Hydo provides dental care for your dearest little ones in a positive, fun environment. William Rawlings, DDS, MSD is one of the few practitioners in the county to be certified in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, while Christopher Hydo, DDS, MS specializes entirely in orthodontics. And both award prizes to kids who act like star patients. (858/755-5125, www.greatsmiles.org) — AnnaMaria Stephens