Discover beautiful Salinas California, the gateway to the Monterey Bay of Steinbeck Country, where you'll find historic sites, unspoiled farmland, world-class wines, a quaint, historic downtown, and some of the friendliest people around. Author John Steinbeck was born here, so visit his boyhood home as well as the National Steinbeck Center while you're here. Salinas is famous as the Salad Bowl of the World for agriculture and our fresh, home-grown produce is available internationally. We have the best year-round climate in the entire North American continent, and some of the cleanest air in the United States of America!
Salinas' hospitality blends yesterday's charm with today's modern conveniences. Visitors can explore the beauty of nearby Monterey Bay beaches, historic missions of San Juan Bautista, Soledad, Carmel, and San Antonio de Padus and wineries of South Monterey County, Carmel Valley, and Pinnacles National Park. The Juan Batista de Anza National Historic Trail, one of only 20 such National Historic Trails in the country, leads visitors through the San Juan Valley, Salinas Valley, and San Antonio Valley, following the general route taken by the trail’s namesake Spanish explorer in 1775–76, along with 240 men, women, and children to settle what was then Alta California.
Local attractions include more than 50 beaches, 60 plus parks, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, giant redwoods of Big Sur and Santa Cruz, Gilroy Gardens amusement park, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and a variety of history and art museums.
The area plays host numerous festivals, some celebrating agricultural heritage, such as the Artichoke Festival, Garlic Festival and Strawberry Festival as well as a great many music festivals like the world famous Monterey Jazz Festival, Blues Festival, and Bach Festival.
Please contact the Welcome Center for specific hours of operation.
