“Best of El Cerrito” awards are decided by popular vote across a range of categories. The vast majority of winners have physical locations in the City of El Cerrito, but businesses in adjacent cities and unincorporated communities are also eligible. Since it's the voters of El Cerrito who decide, there are occasions in which beloved businesses are seen as El Cerrito treasures but happen to be just outside the City’s borders.

Remote and home-based businesses that serve El Cerrito clients but don’t have an El Cerrito address can be recognized by voters as well.