LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., Sept. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Laguna Beach has just received numerous honors in the Orange County Register's newly released "Best of Orange County 2013," People's Choice Awards and Critics' Picks in their 20th Annual Edition.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130918/DC82302)

People's Choice Best Beach - Main Beach (#1), Crystal Cove State Park (#2) Best OC Resort - Montage Laguna Beach (#1) Best Arts District - Laguna Beach (#1) Best Hiking Trail - Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (#1) Best Place to Buy Original Art - Wyland Galleries (#1) Best Festival - Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters (#3) Best Museum - Laguna Art Museum (#3)

Register Picks (based on OC Register research) Playground - Bluebird Park (#3) Luxury Boutique - Aris (#3) OC Gala - Splash Back to Laguna Beach (scheduled for Sept. 28 at Festival of Arts) (#3) Craft Cocktail - Adult Lemonade at Sapphire Laguna (#3) Takeout - Zinc Cafe, Laguna Beach (#1) Artisan Gallery - Art for the Soul (#3) O.C. Secret - Museum Shops (#3)

Critics' Choice (based on OC Register writers' expertise) Best Place to Buy Original Art - Festival of Arts

These winners who received recognition have locations in Laguna Beach:

People's Choice Best Surf Shop - Hobie Surf Shop (#2) Best Brewery - BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse (#1) Best Pizza - Zpizza (#1), BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse (#3) Best Sandwich - Subway (#2) Best Cupcake - Casey's Cupcakes (#2) Best Coffeehouse - Starbucks (#1) Best Mexican Restaurant - Avila's El Ranchito (#1) Best Family-Friendly Restaurant - Ruby's Diner (#2) Best Grocery Store - Ralphs (#2) Best Bank - Wells Fargo (#2)

"We are delighted that Laguna Beach has been recognized in the Orange County Register's 2013 'Best of Orange County' List," said Judy Bijlani, president and CEO of the Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau (LBVCB). "Laguna Beach offers so much to visitors and locals alike, from countless ocean and outdoor activities, world-famous art festivals and charming galleries to the diversity of our restaurants, walkable downtown experience and welcoming accommodations."

The "Best of Orange County" results were based on nearly 12,000 people voting to determine the top three winners in 70 categories, with 14 categories of Register Picks expanding the coverage. Voting was open from May 1 through May 31, 2013.

About the Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau

The Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau is celebrating 26 years of commitment to Laguna Beach and the tourism industry, and is located at 361 Forest Avenue, Suite 200, with its Visitors Center at 381 Forest Avenue. The Visitors Center is open daily, Monday – Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Laguna Beach is Southern California's premier coastal destination located midway between Los Angeles and San Diego and along the southern coast of Orange County. Known as home to hundreds of local artists, and set amid 20,000 acres of wilderness, Laguna Beach is primarily served by John Wayne/Orange County Airport located just 20 minutes away. For more information, please visit www.lagunabeachinfo.com.

Media Contact: Lana Johnson Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau 949.212.1499 lanajohnson@me.com

SOURCE Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau

RELATED LINKShttp://www.lagunabeachinfo.com