Best outdoor activity: Taking in the View and Sunset from Top of the World Park, especially if you hike in from the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Best weekend getaway: R&R in Laguna Beach

Best restaurant: Playground DTSA and their bakery, Dough Exchange

Best coffee: Portola Coffee Roasters

Engineering marvel: The Groundwater Replenishment System established by the Orange County Water District has received more than 50 awards.  The world largest water purification system for indirect potable reuse takes treated wastewater and purifies it to drinking standards to provide 103,000 acre-feet of water per year sufficient for 850,000 people.