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City in California, United States
Photo: BrendelSignature at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Salinas (population 164,000 in 2020) is in California, 20 minutes inland from Monterey Bay in a region known as the Central Coast. Salinas was the home of writer and Nobel Prize laureate John Steinbeck. It claims to be the "Salad Bowl of the World."
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Every day 10AM-5PM. Has exhibitions about author John Steinbeck, his work, and life on the California Coast.
Thought to be the oldest standing structure within the Salinas city limits, is available for tours.
The I. J. Harvey House is the home of the first mayor of Salinas and his family. Learn about the history of early Salinas. Tours are available by appointment.
On the first Friday of every month, stores and galleries in Oldtown Salinas throw open their doors. Over 50 venues are usually involved, and there are also many outdoor performances. See live music, dance, and other performances and consume light food and beverages while checking out the art. Look for the balloons on the sidewalk, denoting which venues are open.
Organic and conventional produce vendors set up shop alongside sellers of clothes, jewelry, soap and other items every Saturday morning. Busier in summer than winter.
Home to a number of animal "movie stars" and over 100 other wild and exotic animals.
Adjacent to Salinas Sports Complex, hosts plays and live musical performances including the Monterey County Symphony.
Monterey County's largest professional theatre organization.
Salinas Sports Complex, North Main St, adjacent to Sherwood Hall. Held in the third week of July in the heart of Salinas. Locals will correct you if you refer to the ROW-dee-oh; the preferred local pronunciation is row-DAY-oh.
Offers players world class golf and pristine scenery. Twin Creeks is a 9-hole course, consisting of four par four holes and five par threes. It offers a 31-par challenge with a 30-station night lighted driving range, practice green, and practice sand bunker.
Another golfing option in the city limits.
Large, popular, wheelchair-accessible playground for kids of all ages. Offers rubber pathways, chair-like adaptive swings, and playground equipment designed for children with and without mobility difficulties. Picnic tables and restrooms.
A luncheon restaurant in John Steinbeck's boyhood home.
Popular breakfast spot, with friendly service.
Pubs Prime Rib
Prime rib, steaks, Santa Lucia wines American family cuisine
Popular and affordable Mexican takeout spot, specializing in burritos. There's often a line out the door and around the building on weekends.
Oldtown Salinas. Sample Monterey County wines.
Tea bar where you can try 105 fresh loose leaf teas, 149 spices and herbs and 12 flavored olive oils.
The largest mall in Monterey County with over 120 stores. The mall hosts a Century movie theater, Sears, JCPenney and Macy's department stores, mall shops and restaurants. If you are looking for your typical mall experience, a food court, or need a new pair of jeans, this is the place.
Oldtown Salinas is very walkable. It has many stores, restaurants and galleries. It is also the location of the Transit Plaza, providing access to the Amtrak train and the bus system.
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Monterey · Regional · MRY
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