Salinas[http://www.montereyinfo.org/salinas?_lang=en], California, is located 20 minutes inland from Monterey Bay in a region known as the Central Coast. Salinas claims to be the "Salad Bowl of the World."

Get in

Salinas is served by Amtrak's [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Vertical_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256321841&ssid=132 Coast Starlight]. An Amtrak-provided bus connects the Salinas Station to a few major hotels in Monterey and also downtown Carmel. A Greyhound bus is another way or if you have a way (and cheaper) is to take CalTrain to Gilroy and get a ride from Gilroy to Salinas.

Get around

  • 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.
  • Public buses from [http://www.mst.org/ Monterey-Salinas Transit] are plentiful. They also provide access to the Monterey Peninsula.
  • Getting around by automobile is easy. Parking is plentiful and often free.
  • See

    The John Steinbeck Museum, located in 1 South Main Street.

    Salinas Sports Complex, which hosts the rodeo and some notable concerts (such as The Eagles and Mary J. Blige), located in North Main Street, adjacent to Sherwood Hall.

    Sherwood Hall, adjacent to Salinas Sports Complex, hosts plays and live musical performances including the Monterey County Symphony.

  • The Western Stage. 11 Central Avenue, Salinas CA. arking lot is on Alisal, across from San Vicente Ave.. 831) 375-2111. ttp://www.westernstage.com/. Monterey County's largest professional theatre organization.

    Do

  • Salinas is the "heart of Steinbeck country". The National Steinbeck Center has exhibitions about John Steinbeck, his work, and life on the California Coast. Find out more at [http://www.steinbeck.org/MainFrame.html]
  • The California Rodeo. Held in the third week of July at the California Rodeo Grounds in the heart of Salinas. For more details: [http://www.carodeo.com/rodeoterms.html]. Note: locals will correct you if you refer to the ROW-dee-oh; the preferred local pronunciation is row-DAY-oh.
  • First Fridays Art Walk. ldtown Salinas. tart at Main and Gabilan, look for balloons. ttp://www.artistasunidos.org/Fridays.htm. -8pm. 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 perforamnces and consume light food and beverages while checking out the art. Just look for the balloons on the sidewalk, denoting which venues are open.
  • Oldtown Salinas Farmer's Market. 00 Main Street, Salinas, CA. arking lot across from Steinbeck Center. aturday 9am-2pm. Organic and traditional produce vendors set up shop alongside sellers of clothes, jewelry, soap and other items every Saturday morning. Busier in summer than winter.
  • Salinas Sunday Farmers Market. artnell College, 156 Homestead Road, Salinas, CA. ttp://www.montereybayfarmers.org/salinas.html. unday, 8am-noon. Another popular Salinas farmers market, held year round.

    Buy

  • ''''Northridge Mall'''', 796 Northridge Mall, [http://www.shop-northridge-mall.com/]. Northridge is the largest mall in Monterey County, and houses everything from Gap to Macy*s to Express. If you are looking for your typical mall experience, a food court (Panda Express, Cold Stone Creamery, Sarabol, McDonalds, etc), or need a new pair of jeans, this is the place to go.
  • Eat

  • In-N-Out Burger, located near Highway 101.
  • Tico's Tacos, located on South Main Street.
  • McDonalds, Carls Jr., Jack-In-The-Box, and KFC are also around town.
  • Monterey Coast Brewing Company. 65 Main Street, Salinas, CA, 93901. ear the corner of Main and Gabilan . 31-758-2337. Monterey Coast Brewing Company brews excellent beer. They serve good pizzas and solid pub food. Make sure to have either the grilled or deep-fried artichokes; both are excellent.

    Drink

    Sleep

  • Best Western Hanns Inn. 75 Kern Street. 1 831 784-0176. 1 831 772-0292. ttp://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=05569.
  • Best Western Salinas Valley Inn & Suites. 87 Kern Street. 1 831 751-6411. 1 831 751-6890. ttp://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=05607.
  • Courtyard Salinas Monterey. 7225 El Rancho Way. 1 831 775-0491. 1 831 775-0493. ttp://marriott.com/property/propertypage/SNSCY.
  • '''Days Inn''', 1226 De La Torre, ''+1'' 831-759-9900, [http://www.daysinncalifornia.com/html/days-inn-monterey-california-hotels.asp].
  • Holiday Inn Express. 31 John Street. 1 831 757-1020. ttp://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/salex.
  • Motel 6 Salinas North - Monterey Area. 40 Kern Street. 1 831 753-1711. 1 831 424-5187. ttp://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=1370.
  • Motel 6 Salinas South - Monterey Area. 257 De La Torre Boulevard. 1 831 757-3077. 1 831 424-5185. ttp://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=0639.
  • Residence Inn Salinas Monterey. 7215 El Rancho Way. 1 831 775-0410. 1 831 775-0411. ttp://marriott.com/property/propertypage/SNSRI.
  • Ramada Limited Salinas. 09 John St. 1 831 424-4801. ttp://www.salinasinn.com/. 1 831 758-1300.
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Salinas. 95 Kern St, Salinas, California 93905. 31-737-1160. ttp://www.hiesalinas.com. Welcome to the Holiday Inn Express Salinas Contact Us page. We welcome Salinas hotel reservations for our new deluxe hotel accommodations conveniently located in the wine country of California close to the coast.

    Get out

  • Big Sur is a sparsely settled coastal region known for its breathtaking scenery, and is popular for hiking and camping. It is about 45 minutes southwest of Salinas.
  • Monterey is popular for its historic district, its water recreation activities, its world-renowned aquarium, and Cannery Row, the setting for John Steinbeck's novel of the same name. It is easily accessible by bus or car from Salinas, and is about 20 minutes west of Salinas.
  • Santa Cruz is a college town known for its hippie-crunchy vibe. It is an hour northwest of Salinas by car.