Take a trip inland on Highway 68 to Salinas and roll by miles of rich earth planted in lettuce, broccoli, strawberries, and many other forms of produce. This is the legendary “Salad Bowl of the World.”
The land has also been fertile ground for writers and game changers. It is here where John Steinbeck was born and found in its land and people inspiration for his literary works. This is also the land where Cesar Chavez, hailed among the greatest civil rights leaders, helped unite the farm workers.
Notice, en route, near Reservation Road, giant-size cutouts of people working in the fields by artist John Cerney. The highway becomes Main Street and leads into Old Town Salinas, with its restaurants, boutiques, and cafés. Old Town hosts its own Art Walk the first Friday of every month.
Main Street dead-ends at the acclaimed National Steinbeck Center, a multimedia resource containing the author’s work.
California Salinas Rodeo and the Salinas Air Show are also popular attractions. If speed is your thing, zip over to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, where you’ll find the U.S. Sports Car Invitational, featuring the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series in May. Bike fans will delight in the fast-paced action of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix featuring the MotoGP World Championship in July and the AMA Superbike Series in September. The season of fast cars and screaming fans comes to an adrenaline-fueled finale with the Monterey Sports Car Championships featuring the American Le Mans Series in October.
For a change of pace, Wild Things welcome you to the jungle on the outskirts of Salinas, where professionally and humanely trained wild, exotic, and domestic birds and animals used in film, television, live productions, and education are on display for tours.
