EDITORS’ PICKS BEST COCKTAIL TO ENJOY IN A NEWLY REMODELED HOTEL OVERLOOKING THE BAY French 75 Monterey Beach Hotel 2600 Sand Dunes Drive, Monterey (831) 394-3321, montereybeach.com The year 2025 brought Monterey County the return of a local- and visitor-favorite spot that had been closed for renovation: Monterey Beach Hotel. Boasting newly remodeled rooms, a new Reset Lab, which features a cold plunge and sauna heat circuit, a new menu at top-floor restaurant the Lantern Room, and a new beachside dining option at Tidewater. The response was a wave of approval. Like when they brought back Heroscape after Hasbro had taken it off the shelves—only much more positive. A prominent feature of this hotel that resists renovation, however, is the Lobby Bar. One entire wall is floor-toceiling windows overlooking Monterey Bay with seating options in pairs and small groups. Order a French 75 from the bar for a mini vacation in a glass. BEST WAY TO BRING THINGS TO AN END—NEXT YEAR IndyCar’s Grand Prix of Monterey WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 1021 Highway 68, Salinas (831) 242-8201, weathertechraceway.com Once you mash the button, slot cars peel around the track. The trick, of course, is to keep them from flying off in the corners and skidding across the living room. The annual IndyCar race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca can see cars—real ones—spinning off track. It also features some thrilling battles, as well as infield hospitality that all draws a large crowd. For the past two seasons, the event has taken place in June or July. For 2026, however, IndyCar announced that the race would return to the season finale in September. That means that for the first time since 2023, Laguna Seca will crown the IndyCar champion. That’s a winner. BEST WAY TO SEE THE FUTURE NOW Joby Aviation Marina Municipal Airport, 781 Neeson Road, Marina jobyaviation.com For years, Joby Aviation has worked toward its vision of a future where air taxis are readily available from the palm of your hand. That future is almost here, but with Joby constantly testing its electric aircraft, you can see it now. The electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft can be spotted in the skies above Marina and beyond as the company nears the finish line of federal certification. You’ll have to rely on your eyes and not your ears—these aircraft are as silent as balsa-wood toy airplanes as they cruise the skies. BEST “DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK” REINCARNATION Monterey Skates Monterey County Fair & Event Center, King City Room 2002 Fairground Road, Monterey (831) 855-2758, montereyskates.com A project of roller derby true believers, Monterey Skates is a DIY roller rink in the King City building at the Monterey Fairgrounds. It’s a pop-up roller rink open just a few days per month that’s got a smooth concrete floor, skates for rent, lessons available, disco lighting, and a swinging soul and funk soundtrack. It’s a family-friendly destination bringing roller skating back to a community desperately hungry for it. A pro tip is the adults-only (18+) Night Glide, which runs from 7-10pm Sundays in collaboration with Pop & Hiss DJs. Best New Scholarship | Rancho Cielo RIDE Program 122 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2025 montereycountynow.com/bestof Business Real Estate Civil Litigation Tax Planning & Representation Nonprofit Law Employment Counseling & Litigation Workplace lnvestigations Labor Law Land Use Mediation & Arbitration Personal Injury Estate Planning & Administration Trust & Estate Litigation Public Entity Law AREAS OF PRACTICE (831) 373-1241 | www.FentonKeller.com | 2801 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Monterey Thank you for voting Fenton & Keller the “Best Law Firm” nine years in a row! ’16-’25
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