 Salinas
Valley
The fertile fields of the valley straddle Highway
One, stretching inland from the coast to the Santa Lucia
Mountains. They can also be reached via Highway 68 from
the Monterey Peninsula.
Think green. Providing the nation with greens is a 2.3 billion-dollar industry.
A tour of a winery or farm followed by a lunch of fresh-from-the-fields
produce at a local restaurant is a great way for the family to get in touch
with the land.
The National Steinbeck Center, located in Old
Town Salinas, is one of Monterey County's newest major attractions.
The 37,000 square-foot museum is dedicated to the works of native son
John Steinbeck. The museum and cultural center feature interactive
exhibits, an exceptional gift shop, and a gourmet cafe. The town, site
of a recent movie shoot, offers shops, restaurants and galleries. Nearby Wild
Things, at Vision Quest Ranch, is home to a number of "movie
star" and other exotic animals (open for tours daily).
The California Rodeo is one of the top rodeos in the nation.
Cowboys and cowgirls demonstrate their roping and riding skills in four
days of exciting events. The International Air Show brings
bi-planes and jets to Salinas in the fall. Autumn also sees the return
of the Steinbeck Festival and Cherry's Jubilee,
a classic car show replete with hot rods and "Vettes."
| Our Spanish
Roots |
| When the
Spanish settled in the area, a large slough ran
through it and so the settlers named it Salinas,
a Spanish name meaning salt marsh. In 1822, Mexico
seceded from Spain, and the newly independent government
granted large tracts of land to settlers. Two of
these ranchos were Sausal and Nacional. Adjoining
parts of these ranchos became Salinas City after
California became a US territory. The Spanish names
have remained, a reminder of the first settlers
to the area. |
 North
County
North Monterey County includes the towns of Castroville,
Moss Landing, Prunedale and Pajaro. Accommodations range
from RV camping to motels and beach condominiums.
Elkhorn Slough is a National Estuarine
Sanctuary, where the salt water of the sea meets the
fresh water of inland Monterey County. It's a birdwatcher's
paradise: over 250 species of birds have been recorded
here. The Elkhorn Slough Visitors Center educates visitors
about this fascinating sanctuary. The Moss Landing harbor
is home to commercial fishing boats and yachts, as well
as kayak excursions into the slough.
Castroville has been the "Artichoke Capital of the World" since
1929, only nine years after the tasty thistle was introduced to the area.
In 1947, a young actress named Marilyn Monroe was crowned the first Artichoke
Queen. But the city began long before the blonde bombshell's visit. Founded
in 1863, Castroville is the second oldest town in Monterey County. Today,
the town offers culturally diverse dining as well as its world-famous artichokes.
The stacks of the Moss Landing Power Plant are a familiar landmark to
aviators and sailors. Numerous antique shops lure visitors to Moss Landing,
which also hosts the Moss Landing Antique Street Fair every
summer, attracting antique dealers from all over the state.
Throughout Monterey County, the hungry traveler will find colorful fruit
and vegetable stands. Sample artichokes, strawberries and lettuce, all
fresh from surrounding fields.
| Thorny Delight |
| In 1924,
Castroville farmers introduced artichokes to the
area. Originally a Mediterranean "vegetable," the
artichoke is a member of the thistle family. The
tasty part we eat is actually the bud of the plant's
flower. |
 South
County
Soledad, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City and
Jolon are the cities of the South County. A rich agricultural
heritage has sown the seeds for a burgeoning wine industry.
Bald eagles soar over the Coastal Mountain Range, and the striking volcanic
forms of the Pinnacles silhouette the sky. The tiny town
of Parkfield, population 250, is the earthquake capital of the world.
Mission San Antonio, set among groves
of oak trees, is located just west of Highway One on Fort
Hunter Liggett. Soledad Mission is
the thirteenth in the chain of Alta California missions
and is located in the midst of vineyards. Wine grapes
are still grown on the land.
San Lorenzo Park and the Agricultural
and Rural Life Museum in King City detail the
lives of the cattle ranchers and wheat farmers who once
populated the area. Farming equipment and displays bring
the past alive for visitors.
| Rich Man's
Getaway |
| William Randolph
Hearst, newspaper magnate and owner of Hearst Castle,
built a getaway near Mission San Antonio. The Hacienda,
designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan in
1929, was his ranch house. Hollywood stars and
political celebrities were flown to Hearst's BBQ's,
dances and rodeos. It's now open to the public
as a lodge, restaurant and lounge. |
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