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What makes Salinas a great destination?
- Salinas, in Monterey County, offers friendly people, world-class wines, unspoiled farmland, historic sites, and a quaint and charming downtown district.
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What is Salinas best known for?
- The city is renowned for being the hometown of Nobel Prize recipient and author John Steinbeck.
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What Steinbeck-related attractions can visitors explore in Salinas?
- Visitors can tour his childhood home, The Steinbeck House, and explore the National Steinbeck Center museum, which houses an array of artifacts related to the author.
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1. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Though the original Laguna Seca Raceway was built in 1957, the local people’s love affair with world-class racing began long before that. Today, the 11-turn, 2.238-mile track right beside California’s stunning central coast is one of the most visited places in Salinas. The WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a favorite with racers and fans worldwide and is renowned for Turns 8 and 8A, popularly known as The Corkscrew. The hard-left, hard-right combination is spectacular mostly because of its 59-feet drop from the entrance of the first turn to the exit of the second; that’s a 5½ story drop in only 450 feet of track length.
1021 Monterey Salinas Hwy, Salinas, CA 93908
2. National Steinbeck Center
Dedicated to the works of Nobel Prize recipient and author John Steinbeck and his legacy, the National Steinbeck Center is a place for people to participate, get inspired, be educated, and to understand one another. The nonprofit museum opened in 1998 and houses an array of items such as newspapers, first edition books, interviews, and artifacts pertaining to John Steinbeck. The National Steinbeck Exhibition Hall is designed as a journey through Steinbeck’s “Valley of the World”, allowing people to experience the places he lived, traveled, and wrote about. During the journey, you’ll see displays of his novels and other writing as well as participate in several hands-on activities.
1 Main St, Salinas, CA 93901
3. The Steinbeck House
Experience the birthplace and childhood home of Nobel Prize recipient and author John Steinbeck at The Steinbeck House. The Queen Anne style Victorian home was built in 1897 and was purchased by the Steinbeck family in 1900. Now, the site is home to a charming restaurant where visitors can enjoy a delicious lunch in the rooms where the famed novelist grew up. Information-filled tours are available throughout the week; during the tour you’ll be able to see many personal artifacts as well as period furnishings. Afterwards, head to the exciting Best Cellar gift shop to take back interesting and unique souvenirs including vintage Steinbeck books.
132 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901
4. Monterey Bay Equestrian Center
The Monterey Bay Equestrian Center offers a full range of exhilarating horseback rides, whether you’re in the mood for a romantic horse-drawn carriage or a ride along the beach. The center has been around since 1981 and their horseback ride on the beach is one of their most popular offerings. You’ll be able to explore the shoreline along Monterey Bay and take in the stunning views. All rides are individually tailored to the requests and abilities of the rider, no matter if you’re a beginner or more advanced. Rides can last anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half; be sure to bring along your camera because you’ll want to capture the beauty you’ll be surrounded by.
19805 Pesante Road, Salinas, CA 93907, Phone: 831-663-5712, (website link)
5. Toro County Park
Located a few miles away from downtown Salinas, Toro County Park first opened to the public in 1971. Spanning nearly 5,000 acres, the park has been a haven for the thousands of residents and visitors that head there each year. The pastoral setting is the perfect place to spend the day outdoors with your family; you can even take a picnic along. There are so many facilities for outdoor enthusiasts such as a playground, two softball fields, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and over twenty miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Some of the wildlife that you may come across while at the park include golden eagles, deer, and coyotes.
501 Monterey-Salinas Highway 68, Salinas, CA 93908, Phone: 831-755-4895
6. Monterey Zoo
Get up close with amazing wild animals from all around the world at the Monterey Zoo. Its natural setting is home to an array of exotic animals and meeting them is sure to be an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages. Some of the animals you’ll get to see as you adventure through the zoo are African lions, Bengal tigers, black bears, African elephants, zebras, camels, alpacas, and more. For a more unique visit, schedule one of the zoo’s tour packages; popular options include their Daily Tour which is an hour-long, guided walk through the exhibits and the Pachyderm Tour which gives you a chance to socialize with the elephants and even give them a bath.
400 River Road, Salinas, CA 93908, Phone: 831-455-1901
7. The Farm
The Farm is a local farming business and an agricultural education center that can be found in Salinas, California. There are many things for you to see and do during a visit there including going on a farm tour, participating in many of their events and activities, purchasing fresh organic produce, and just enjoying the lovely rural destination. Their group tours are 45 minutes to an hour long and will let you get an understanding of farming in the Salinas Valley and day-to-day operations on the ranch; a walk through the fields and a fun hayride is also included in the tour. During your visit, be sure to stop by the Farm Store and the Farm Bakery where you can purchase everything from kitchen wares and artisanal soap to freshly baked pies and cookies.
Hwy 68, Spreckel’s Boulevard, Phone: 831-455-2575
8. Allen Berg Racing School
Allen Berg Racing Schools is home to the world-famous WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. With its rich history, premier location, and spectacular track layout, the track is one of the most popular race venues in the United States. You can get behind the wheel and indulge in your need for speed in the 2.238-mile course, much of which is filled with fast straights, high-speed banked turns, challenging technical corners, and serious elevation changes. Drivers and racing fans come from all over the world to try the track’s famed “Corkscrew” turn which is a curve that drops six stories from entry to exit.
1021 Monterey-Salinas Hwy, Salinas, CA 93908, Phone: 831-704-1893
9. Tatum's Garden
Named for Tatum Bakker, who is confined to a wheelchair due to Spina Bifida, Tatum's Garden is a unique playground especially designed to be accessible to all children with limited mobility. Tatum’s Garden gives children with special needs the chance to play together with their able-bodied friends in a stimulating and safe environment. At the heart of the large playground there is an elaborate (and fully accessible) tree house with various slides and other fun activities. You can bring along a picnic to enjoy at one of the picnic tables. The park is meticulously maintained by a team of volunteers and there are accessible toilets on site.
Tatum’s Garden, 1 Maryal Drive, Salinas, CA 93901, (website link)
10. Odonata Wines South
An intimate family-owned winery, Odonata Wines South is the passion of owner and winemaker, Denis Hoey, come to life. He blends old-world methods, which he learned from mentors and through his travels to Europe, with new techniques and quality ingredients to create balanced, rich wines that are full of taste and texture. The success of Odonata Wines South is the attention to detail given in each step of the winemaking process from grape sourcing and fermentation to barrel selection and aging. No trip to Salinas is complete with a relaxing day spent touring the winery and sampling their selection of current releases.
645 River Rd, Salinas, CA 93908, Phone: 831-566-5147
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures and blooming landscapes.
Inn at the Mission San Juan Bautista – A charming and historic stay near Salinas.
Visit the National Steinbeck Center – Explore exhibits dedicated to the famous author John Steinbeck.
Summer (June-August) – Warm weather, ideal for outdoor exploration.
Hampton Inn & Suites Salinas – A comfortable and centrally located stay.
Explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium – A short drive away and perfect for families.
Fall (September-November) – Harvest season with pleasant temperatures.
Laurel Inn & Conference Center – A budget-friendly and cozy accommodation.
Tour the local wineries – Salinas Valley is home to renowned vineyards and tasting rooms.
Plan Your Trip
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