BIG SUR DAY TRIPS: SALINAS

Formerly known as the "Lettuce Capital of the World," Salinas has changed its name to "Salad Bowl of the World" because of the diversity of the row crops that it grows. It's also the birthplace of John Steinbeck, and the capital of Monterey County!

WHY VISIT SALINAS FROM BIG SUR?

IMHO, it's important to the understanding of the culture and history of the greater Monterey area!

Like nearly all of California, Salinas was originally occupied by Native American tribes (in this case, the Ohlone, Salinan, & Esselen), and was later settled through Mexican land grants. The Boronda Adobe is a unique example of one Mexican family's home.

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Then there's John Steinbeck; American author, Pulitzer Prizer winner in the field of literature, The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, Native Son! John Steinbeck was born in Salinas and worked amongst the migrant workers on local farms and ranches while growing up. Many of his stories chronicled the lives of the people and their struggles to survive.

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Salinas has greatly matured since those early days, and is beginning to come into its own as a destination worthy of a visit! Witness the renovations to the dowtown area - Old Town - which offers dining opportunities, antiques, and boutique shops amidst the look-and-feel of a modernized Western town.

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GETTING TO SALINAS FROM BIG SUR

This is the scenic route because we're on a Day Trip, right? Trust me, you'll love it (as long as you're not in a rush)!

The drive to Salinas & back to Big Sur will take about 2 hours and 20 minutes, so you can decide for yourself how much you want to do along the way and how much time you'll have in Salinas. But here are some of the possibilities:

• If you haven't already had enough of it - LOL, enjoy the drive along the coast
• Look for the beautiful mansions, golf courses, equestrian centers, & wineries along Carmel Valley Road - stop for a little wine tasting if you wish (some might only get this far on the trip - LOL)
• If you have time, there's beautiful & rugged Garland Ranch Regional Park for a bit of hiking
• In Carmel Valley proper, look for the lovely Carmel Valley Community Park for a picnic lunch, or do a little browsing at Kim3 International Furnishings for a unique experience
• Once you get on Laureles Grade Road, relax and enjoy the scenic drive - you'll enjoy a climb in elevation of about 1000 feet, offering stunning views of the Pacific to the west & Salinas to the northeast - not to worry, it's only 6 miles
• Once in Salinas, guided tours of the Boronda Adobe (built in the mid-1800s) typically take about 30 minutes & includes some very interesting stories . . .
• The National Steinbeck Center and the Steinbeck Home are not to be missed if you want to understand the true flavor of Salinas - the Center offers vignettes of author's life and books with interactive exhibits
• And don't miss Old Town with its theaters (the Fox & the Maya), the refurbished buildings with boutiques, unique pubs & restaurants, and galleries
• A real treat is to keep an eye out for the art work of John Cerney & others, which includes Giant Cutouts of people & scenes, Murals on barns and other buildings - drive around and see how many you can spot!



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• Check out The Farm also - a local farming buisiness with a sideline in agricultural educations! They offer fresh produce, farm tours, family activities, & they have more of those giant sculptures by John Cerney that pay tribute to the hard-working people who have put food on our tables for the past 150 years or so!

For a slightly quicker way to return to Big Sur after your day, follow Highway 68 all the way back to Highway 1 instead of turning onto Laureles Grade Road - this route will skip Carmel Valley and get you right into the Monterey area where a stop for dinner might be welcome!

I hope you've enjoyed our Day Trip to Salinas!! Please come back often as more Big Sur Day Trips are coming soon!

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