Big Sur Day Trips: Salinas

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BIG SUR DAY TRIPS: SALINAS

THE LETTUCE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD?

Salinas: Formerly known as the Lettuce Capital of the World, this frequently overlooked and bypassed community has changed its nickname to Salad Bowl of the World because of the diversity of the row crops that it now produces. It's also the birthplace of John Steinbeck, and the capital of Monterey County!

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WHY SHOULD YOU LEAVE BIG SUR TO VISIT SALINAS?

Boronda Adobe

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

Like nearly all of California, this area was originally occupied by Native American tribes (in this case, the Ohlone, Salinan, and Esselen).

It was later settled through Spanish and Mexican land grants - large tracts of land awarded to Mexican nationals to encourage settlement of Alta California (Upper California).

Originally used for cattle ranching, much of the land was converted to the raising of crops by the latter 1800s.

But it was still largely settlers from Mexico who lived and farmed in the area.

The Boronda Adobe, pictured above, is a unique example of one Mexican family's home.

Then there's John Steinbeck: American author, Pulitzer Prize winner in the field of literature, The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, Native Son!

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.

Old Town; (CC) amayu

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 downtown area - Old Town - which offers dining opportunities, antiques, and boutique shops amidst the look-and-feel of a modernized Western town.

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!

Giant Cutout of Farmworkers;
(CC) Vards Uzvards

Follow Highway 1 north to the junction of Carmel Valley Road;
Turn right onto Carmel Valley Road;
When you reach Carmel Valley, turn left onto Laureles Grade Road;
Turn right onto State Route 68;
Follow 68 on into Salinas.

The round-trip drive 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 seen
enough of it ( - as if - ), enjoy the drive along the coast

Look for the beautiful mansions, golf courses, equestrian centers, and wineries along Carmel Valley Road - stop for a little wine tasting if you wish (some of you might only get this far on
the trip - LOL)

If you have time, there's beautiful and 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 experience a climb in elevation of about 1000 feet, offering stunning views of the Pacific to the west and Salinas to the northeast - not to worry, it's only for 6 miles

In Salinas, guided tours of the Boronda Adobe, built in the
mid-1800s, typically take about 30 minutes and include some very interesting stories about the days of the ranchos

The National Steinbeck Center and the Steinbeck Home are not to be missed if you want to understand the true flavor of the area - the Center offers vignettes of the author's life and his books, with interactive exhibits

National Steinbeck Center; (CC) naotakem

And don't miss Old Town with its Fox and Maya theaters, the refurbished buildings with boutiques, unique pubs and restaurants, and the art galleries

A real treat is to keep an eye out for the art work of John Cerney and others - giant cutouts of people and scenes, plus murals on barns and other buildings. Drive around and see how many you can spot!

Check out The Farm also - a local farming business with a sideline in agricultural education! They offer fresh produce, farm tours, family activities, and 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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