Top Attractions in Salinas

National Steinbeck Center

Located in the Monterey County town of Salinas, the lettuce capital of the world, this museum is a tribute to Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck. A Bay Area native, Steinbeck attended Stanford University in Palo Alto after he graduated from Salinas High School in 1919. His most famous works include Tortilla Flat (1935) and the Pulitzer Prize winner The Grapes of Wrath (1939). His birthplace and childhood home, The Steinbeck House, is two blocks away from the museum. In the cultural center you can see Steinbeck's works, letters and photographs, hear lectures and take tours. It also hosts an annual Steinbeck Festival in honor of the author.

Laguna Seca Recreation Area

Laguna Seca Recreation Area is a scenic park offering magnificent views of the Salinas Valley and hillsides. Managed by the Monterey County Parks Department, the park offers camping facilities in its serene environment. The park gets a lot of visitors from the surrounding areas of Salinas Valley, Carmel Valley and Monterey Peninsula. A rifle and pistol range is also available for all you shooting buffs. The park provides a perfect backdrop for wedding parties, corporate dinners and events.