Location: Salinas
Top Things to do in Salinas
7 Sights & Landmarks in Salinas That You Shouldn't Miss
Salinas /səˈliːnəs/ is the county seat and largest municipality of Monterey County, California. Salinas is an urban area located just outside the southern portion of the Greater Bay Area and 10 miles (16 km) east-southeast of the mouth of the Salinas River. The population was 157,218 as of 2016. The city is located at the mouth of the Salinas Valley roughly eight miles from the Pacific Ocean and has a climate more influenced by the ocean than the hot-summer interior. The majority of residents live in single-unit detached homes, built between 1950 and 2000, while one third of the housing stock has three or more units per structure. Salinas serves as the main business, governmental and industrial center of the region. The marine climate is ideal for the floral industry, grape vineyards, and vegetable growers. Salinas is known for its vibrant and large agriculture industry and being "The Salad Bowl of the World" as the hometown of writer and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate John Steinbeck, who based several of his novels there.
Restaurants in Salinas
1. Historic Harvey House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. The Steinbeck House / Best Cellar Gift Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
This Queen Anne style Victorian was the birthplace and boyhood home of author John Steinbeck. Built in Salinas in 1897, the Steinbeck family moved into the house in 1900. The Valley Guild was formed by eight enthusiastic women who shared a common interest in gourmet cooking and wanted to showcase Salinas Valley produce. The volunteers of Valley Guild purchased and renovated the house. It was opened to the public as a restaurant on February 27, 1974 -the 72nd anniversary of John Steinbeck's birth. The house is operated by volunteers with a minimum of paid staff, and recently celebrated the 40th Anniversary. The Best Cellar is in the original basement of the Steinbeck House. The Best Cellar is a delightful gift shop featuring unique gift items as well as vintage and new Steinbeck books. Original furniture from the Steinbeck family is on display including the headboard of the bed in which John Steinbeck was born.
Reviewed By AceWickwire - Fruita, United States
Wonderful experience and tasty lunch. The house & restaurant is operated by volunteers as a non-profit. The lunch was well prepared and presented. After lunch we were given a personal tour of the house, because it wasn’t real busy and the volunteers could take time with us. They made us feel welcome and appreciated. Highly recommend a visit. We made this day a Steinbeck Day with visit to National Steinbeck Center before lunch, then graveside visit at Garden of Memories Cemetery, and ended day with stop at Cannery Row in Monterey.
3. The Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
This working farm is also an agricultural education center, demonstration farm, produce stand and recreation destination. You can pick your own vegetables, see the animals, learn or just shop in the farmstand.
4. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 253 reviews
The Monterey Peninsula's love affair with world-class racing traces its beginnings to the inaugural running of the Pebble Beach Road Races in 1950. Those sports car events quickly outgrew the public roads of the Del Monte Forest and a beautiful new road facility was born on November 9, 1957. Since then, Monterey has been visited by some of the most prestigious racers in history; Roger Penske, Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Kenny Roberts, Bobby Rahal, Wayne Rainey and Valentino Rossi to name a few. From Can-Am to IndyCar, to motorcycles and historic race cars, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is the spiritual racing home to many.
Reviewed By Travelevilynn
Great experience to watch races at this fantastic racetrack, good action at legendary corkscrew for both motorcycles and cars. If you get a chance join for a track walk, elevation change is crazy. Would love to come here for a motorcycle track day
5. Salinas Sports Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By kelid2014
Fun place for a concert. Had a lot of police presence which i was glad. I felt safe. Organized and friendly staff
6. Boronda Adobe History Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By wrobison67 - Salinas, United States
Do not miss the opportunity to view local historic buildings and tour the ground for a chance to see Salinas Valley history with personal artifacts and possessions of the pioneers of this area.
