Once described as the Salad Bowl of the World, Salinas still holds to its agricultural roots. “Farming is extremely important to the city, and we’re proud to have the best lettuce, best celery and really the best produce around,” says Mina Fernandez of Cheetah Realty, who has sold properties in Salinas since 2001. “Agricultural companies like Dole and Taylor are the biggest employers, and it’s by far our biggest industry.” Sitting just 70 miles from Silicon Valley, Salinas has become a leader in the agricultural technology sector. The town of 167,000 is also the birthplace of Nobel laureate John Steinbeck, who wrote many stories about his hometown. While traces of Steinbeck and the city’s agricultural roots are still seen in everyday life in Salinas, the Northern California town has grown into a cultural melting pot with plenty of shopping, dining and recreation areas.
Farmers cultivate the land to bring in fresh crops in Salinas.
Salinas Shines bright at night, welcoming all with its captivating lights and warmth.
Old Town Salinas is the heart of Salinas.
Agriculture is a big part of the Salinas culture and livelihood.
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Farmers markets, downtown boutiques and Mexican dining
It’s no surprise that the Salad Bowl of the World has a wide selection of farmers markets. “They’re all over the place and they’re packed with people from every age,” says Fernandez. “They have these fresh products you can’t get anywhere else so you know the food will taste good, but is also grown the right way.” Downtown Salinas, also known as the Steinbeck District, is home to boutique fashion, record shops and bookstores. For major chains, shoppers can visit the Northridge Mall, which has more than 250 stores. The city also has plenty of spots for dining and nightlife. “Salinas is known for its authentic Mexican, and Via Azteca is one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to,” says Fernandez. “But we also have fantastic pizza parlors, breweries and some nice wine bars.”
Books offer tons of reading options in Salinas.
Northridge Mall offers tons of retail options of locals in the Salinas area.
Beautiful day to stroll the Salinas Farmers Market and pick up fresh, local produce.
Via Azteca offers authentic mexican cuisine in Salinas.
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Playing at Natividad Creek Community Park
The city of Salinas operates 45 parks, ranging from small pocket playgrounds to large community green spaces. Natividad Creek Community Park is the largest, covering more than 50 acres, including an amphitheater for concerts. Skateboarding, playing disc golf and volleyball games are other park activities, and Salinas offers youth and adult sports leagues throughout the year and daily activities for seniors at Firehouse Recreation Center. Residents grab their clubs and hit the links at one of four golf courses in Salinas; 23 courses are within 20 miles of town. The Salinas Sports Complex is a 17,000-seat stadium that hosts rodeo events and monster truck rallies.
The Salinas Sports Complex hosts different types of events.
The Salinas Fairways is a great place to practice your golf swing.
Natividad Creek Park offers tons of seating and tables for the next family barbeque.
Natividad Creek Park offers a skate park for the local skaters in Salinas.
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El Grito and the National Steinbeck Center
Residents and visitors can check out the National Steinbeck Center, a museum celebrating the Nobel Prize-winning author and his impact on Salinas. The museum offers events like book clubs and literary lectures. The city also hosts annual events including Ciclovia Salinas, where people can participate in the biking parade or the 3K fun run. “It’s a big deal and a lot of fun,” says Fernandez. “They close off the streets and there’s always a lot of kids there.” The event also features live music and raffles. El Grito is hosted in September in the city’s eastern quarter to celebrate Mexican independence. Residents can listen to live music, watch various dance performances and try authentic Mexican foods. The annual celebration has been known to have more than 50,000 attendees.
The National Steinbeck Center hosts events and a museum dedicated to the work of John Steinbeck.
Bringing home the best of Salinas from today’s farmers market.
Fresh produce and friendly faces at the Salinas Farmers Market today.
The Steinbeck Museum showcases the life of John Steinbeck, a Salinas local.
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Mediterranean-style homes
The median price for single-family homes in Salinas is $720,000, a slight increase over the past three years. Homes tend to have higher values in the southern part of the city; architectural styles include Mediterranean, Craftsman and Tudor-style homes. Most homes sit on quiet streets in subdivisions with grass lawns, multicar garages and driveways. Condo units in Salinas have a median price of $325,000.
Despite being in a valley, Salinas does not experience the same flooding issues as similar cities. “The city put in a great underground drainage system to de-emphasize the flood zones,” says Fernandez.
Salinas is where you'll find beautifully manicured mediterranean homes.
Homes in Salinas offer Stone roofs and Spanish flair.
Multi Family homes are a popular style in the Salinas area.
Large multi family homes is a great choice to raise a family in Salinas.
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Monterey-Salinas Transit and easy weather
The city is served by the Monterey-Salinas Transit, which has dozens of routes. “This is a city where people actually use the public transportation,” says Fernandez. “It’s convenient and can take you anywhere in Salinas, so it’s really useful.” Route 101 intersects the city and provides access to San Jose, 59 miles north. Salinas sits 18 miles from Monterey Regional Airport, and 64 miles to San Jose Mineta International Airport. California Highway 1 takes locals 27 miles to the beaches of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Salinas has a moderate climate with daily high temperatures in the 60s and 70s year-round. “Were blessed with amazing weather where we don’t have the heat some parts of California deal with, or the rain,” says Fernandez.
Salinas Union High School District
Kids attend the Salinas City Elementary School District, which holds a C rating on Niche. The district has 15 schools and more than 8,000 students. The Salinas Union High School District has a B ranking and serves 16,000 students. Salinas High School is the oldest in the area and was attended by John Steinbeck. The school holds a B-plus grade. Hartnell College is a two-year community college in town with more than 10,000 students.
Crime on the decline
The city of Salinas has a few projects in the works to improve life around town. The Alisal Vibrancy Plan is a 10-year initiative to revitalize the east side of the city. Plans for beautification include new murals painted by local artists and incentives for new businesses to open in the area. The Salinas Active Transportation Plan pledges to improve sidewalks and trails to encourage walking and biking around town. According to the Salinas Police Department, crime decreased in each of the past three years. The department also has multiple events throughout the year to foster relationships between police and citizens, including Coffee with a Cop and National Night Out.
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