Salinas

Climate

Salinas is served by Amtrak and its Coast Starlight service between Los Angeles and Seattle, via Oakland. An Amtrak-provided bus connects the Salinas Station to a few major hotels in Monterey and downtown Carmel. is located at 3 Station Pl.
Salinas also has a Greyhound bus station, located next to the railway station, which travelers can come to via many major California cities.
It's also possible to use commuter CalTrain to get to Salinas from San Francisco or San Jose. Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) buses connect to CalTrain at San Jose, Morgan Hill and Gilroy. (Morgan Hill and Gilroy stations are only open weekdays.) These buses will deposit you in Monterey; from there you can connect to another MST bus to Salinas.

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 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.

• National Steinbeck Center

  phone: +1 831 775-4721
  address: 1 Main St
  Every day 10AM-5PM. Has exhibitions about author John Steinbeck, his work, and life on the California Coast.

• Harvey Baker House

  address: Central Ave and Salinas St
  Thought to be the oldest standing structure within the Salinas city limits, is available for tours.

• First Mayor's House

  phone: +1 831 809-7175
  address: 20 Station Place
  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.

• First Fridays Art Walk

  address: Oldtown Salinas
  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.

• Oldtown Salinas Farmer's Market

  address: 100 Main St
  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.

• Wild ThingsHome to a number of animal "movie stars" and over 100 other wild and exotic animals.

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

• The Western Stage

  phone: +1 831 375-2111
  address: 411 Central Ave
  Monterey County's largest professional theatre organization.

• California RodeoSalinas 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.

• Twin Creeks golf courseOffers 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.

• Salinas FairwaysAnother golfing option in the city limits.

The Salinas Auto Mall, Northridge, Westridge, Harden Ranch Plaza, Santa Rita Plaza and Sherwood shopping centers cater to shoppers with a variety of needs. Oldtown Salinas draws antique lovers and a specialty gift clientele.

• Northridge Mall

  phone: +1 831-449-7226
  address: 796 Northridge Mall
  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.

• The Steinbeck House

  address: 132 Central Ave
  Tu-Sa 11:30AM-2PM. A luncheon restaurant in John Steinbeck's boyhood home.

• Tico's Tacos

  phone: +1 831-758-8064
  address: 901 S Main St

• Monterey Coast Brewing Company

  phone: +1 831-758-2337
  address: 165 Main Street, 93901
  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.

• First Awakenings

  phone: +1 831 784-1125
  address: 171 Main St
  Popular breakfast spot, with friendly service.

• Growers Pub

  address: 227 Monterey St
  Prime Rib, Steaks, Santa Lucia wines American Family cuisine

• A Taste of MontereyOldtown Salinas. Sample Monterey County wines.

• Gold Leaf Spice & Teas

  phone: +1 831-753-7700
  address: 8 West Gabilan St
  Tea bar where you can try 105 fresh loose leaf teas, 149 spices and herbs and 12 flavored olive oils.

• Best Western Hanns Inn

  phone: +1 831 784-0176
  address: 175 Kern St

• Best Western Salinas Valley Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 831 751-6411
  address: 187 Kern St

• Courtyard Salinas Monterey

  phone: +1 831 775-0491
  address: 17225 El Rancho Way

• Holiday Inn Express

  phone: +1 831 757-1020
  address: 131 John St

• Motel 6 Salinas North - Monterey Area

  phone: +1 831 753-1711
  address: 140 Kern St

• Motel 6 Salinas South - Monterey Area

  phone: +1 831 757-3077
  address: 1257 De La Torre Blvd

• Residence Inn Salinas Monterey

  phone: +1 831 775-0410
  address: 17215 El Rancho Way

• Travelodge Salinas

  phone: +1 831 424-4801
  address: 109 John St

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Salinas

  phone: +1 831-737-1160
  address: 195 Kern St, 93905

• 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.
• Santa Cruz is a college town known for its hippie-crunchy vibe. It is an hour northwest of Salinas by car.
• Monterey - Located 20 miles southwest of Salinas, Monterey was founded in 1770 and served as the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico, was a bustling fishing port until the 1950s, and is now a major tourist destination. Attractions include a pier filled with seafood restaurants, a world-class aquarium, a harbor that is home to an enormous number of seabirds, sea lions, sea otters, seals, and other marine life, the historic Cannery Row, and opportunities for whale watching, kayaking, or other excursions into Monterey Bay.
• Soledad - Located 26 miles southeast of Salinas on Highway 101, Soledad is the western gateway to Pinnacles National Park and also home to Mission Soledad, one of 21 historic Spanish missions in California. The town is also home to several wineries, with tasting rooms that offer magnificent views over the Santa Lucia Highlands and the Salinas Valley.