Gallery Tour of Salinas 

SALINAS OF MONTEREY COUNTY 

Location
Salinas is located on the California Central Coast along the El Camino Real approximately 120 miles south of San Francisco, 55 miles south of the San Jose’s Silicon Valley, 325 miles north of Los Angeles and a short 12 miles west of the Pacific Ocean.  

Salinas Valley stretches along the river at the base of the Gabilan and Santa Lucia Mountain Ranges. This geographic location is attributed to Salinas being named the best climate in the U.S. and Canada as compared to 400 cities.  

The Economics of Green Gold
With a population of over 152,000 residents and a city of diverse cultures, Salinas serves as the County Seat for Monterey County. Our main economic base is the 2.2 billion-dollar-a-year agricultural industry. The lush fertile soil, the Mediterranean type of climate and the protection of the Gabilan and Santa Lucia mountains have contributed to this abundance of agriculture.  

In the early days of the gold rush years James Bryant Hill bought Rancho Nacional and became a pioneer in the agricultural industry by farming wheat.  

Until this time the valley had been primarily used for cattle and other livestock.
The agricultural industry was changing from hides and tallows to grains, beans and sugar beets. After World War I it was the “green gold” of lettuce, broccoli and artichokes that helped make Salinas one of the wealthiest cities per capita in the U.S. and is what has given Salinas the proud title of “Salad Bowl of the World.” 

An excellent agricultural showcase of the Salinas Valley’s heartland is “The Farm”. Designed to tell the story of contemporary farming, The Farm consists of a demonstration farm, produce stand, an education center and recreation facility including ‘typical’ farm animals. Custom tours are available by request. Harvests, holidays, educational lectures and cooking demonstrations are available for families as well.  

Featured at the produce stands are a variety of crops including various lettuces, cauliflower, broccoli, celery, artichokes, strawberries and herbs to name a few. Four out of the five acres are certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. during the months of April to December, the vegetables are picked fresh daily.  

On a farm tour, you can learn from their demonstration both the established methods of conventional farming in the Salinas Valley, as well as the more specialized and unique approach of organic farming.  

Larger than life, the outdoor art sculptures on The Farm are the work of local artist, John Cerney, who was assisted on occasion by Dong Sun Kim. Artist Cerney is a Salinas local who grew up working in the produce industry. After graduating from Long Beach State with a degree in art, he has obtained success and recognition with his life-like giant figures and murals that can be found all over Monterey County as well as in several Western states.  

The giant sculptures are a way of saluting the men and women who work in the agricultural fields. All of the sculptures are based on actual people who have worked diligently at their respective jobs. Each position in the field is a valuable aspect of a skillful contribution to the overall world-wide success of our agricultural industry.  

The National Steinbeck Center commissioned John Cerney to make a sculpture of Marilyn Monroe for its agricultural wing. Marilyn Monroe was crowned Miss California Artichoke Queen in the neighbor town of Castroville in 1948. 

Monterey County also has a world-class reputation for growing premium varietal wine vineyards. From the Valley floor to the gently sloping lands of the Salinas Valley are over 40,000 acres of wine vineyards. There are approximately 75 wineries that call Monterey County “home,” several with tasting rooms. Vintners around the state purchase grapes from Monterey County. 

Although introduced originally by the Franciscan friars in the Spanish mission of Soledad over 200 hundred years ago, the vines withered and became extinct.  

It was not until 1960 that a viticulture authority from the University of California in Davis by the name of Professor A.J. Winkler published a report classifying grape growing districts by climate. Comparable with the premium regions of Napa, Sonoma, Burgundy and Bordeaux, Monterey County was classified also as Region I and II. 

The three key elements that are necessary are the land, the climate and the innovative methods used by growers and winemakers. The gently sloping land is excellent for drainage. The soil temperatures are cooler here than in other parts of the state which limits the size of the crop, thereby increasing both the grape and wine quality.  

All grapes grown in Monterey County are wine grapes producing wine with unique qualities that make them distinguishable from the wines produced in other parts of California or the world. All have intense varietals flavor. In Monterey County, 40% of the total grape acreage is Chardonnay. In the year 2003, Chardonnay accounted for 14,099 acres of grapes. Second to Chardonnay is Merlot with 5,557 acres of vineyard.  

An exciting event for the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association took place as the Monterey Wine Country was selected to be the regional wine host for the 2005 Bravo San Diego event in November. Bravo San Diego brings arts, business and civic leaders together to enjoy 1,600 performers and nineteen stages of entertainment. In 2004 the Bravo San Diego event raised $72,000 for local arts organizations.  

Founded in 1974, the non-profit MCVGA represents over 80 vintners and growers in Monterey County. The MCVGA blends together the talents and resources of members, partners and the Salinas Valley/Monterey County community in order to promote and support their leadership in the art, the science and the business of wine. Several events are scheduled in Monterey County for wine aficionados in 2006.  

Brief History
Many centuries before the Europeans came to build a Presidio in Monterey and missions in Carmel, Soledad, Bautista and San Antonio Valley, small tribes of Native Americans lived on the land of the Valley of the “Salt Marsh” where a slough ran through it. Salinas is the Spanish word for Salt Marsh. 

After Mexico seceded from Spain in 1822, the Sausal and Nacional ranchos were granted by Mexico. It was after California became a territory of the U.S. that Salinas City was born.  

In 1852 Rancho Sausal was purchased by Jacob Leese for $600 who then sold 80 acres to Elias Howe. An inn called the “Halfway House” was built in 1856 by Howe at the intersection of the Monterey-San Juan Bautista and the Los Angeles-San Francisco stage lines.  

In 1867 three gentlemen by the names of Alberto Trescony, Alan Riker and William Jackson formed a partnership with cattle rancher, Eugene Sherwood. These four created a plan for a city consisting of a half-square mile. Realizing the importance of the railroad to getting agricultural products to market, Sherwood offered South Pacific Railroad free acreage for the right-of-way and a depot. The doors for this were opened in 1872, the same year that Salinas City became the seat of Monterey County. Two years later the name was changed to the “City of Salinas” and became incorporated. 

Culture
The Salinas Community Center regularly hosts symphonies, ballets, concerts and conventions. One of the most famous events is the annual Steinbeck Festival.  

Set in Old Town Salinas is the National Steinbeck Center/Museum honoring Salinas-born, John Steinbeck (February 27, 1902 – December 20, 1968). Known for many published books such as “The Red Pony” and “Tortilla Flat”, it was in 1936 that John Steinbeck wrote and published his first book that was set in Monterey County (Corral de Tierra). The book, “Of Mice & Men” went on to be a stage play as well. A few years later, in 1939, John received a Pulitzer Prize for his “Grapes of Wrath.”  

The National Steinbeck Center proudly boasts beautiful architecture, an excellent display of the rich agricultural history and an opportunity to discover John Steinbeck through interactive, multi-sensory exhibits, educational programs and research archives. Seven themed theatres show case East of Eden, Cannery Row, of Mice & Men, The Grapes of Wrath and more. The John Steinbeck museum/center is open Monday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., excluding Holidays.  

In addition to the National Steinbeck Center, is the Steinbeck House, a restored Victorian located at 132 Central Street in Salinas. The Steinbeck House is owned and operated by the Valley Guild, a non-profit organization. Lunch is served Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 – 2:00 p.m. For Reservations, call 831 424-2735. 

Old Town Salinas, where the beautifully designed National Steinbeck Center is located, is undergoing revitalization with the newly built Maya Cinemas, a downtown center parking structure and the addition of the Steinbeck Center’s café, Chicken Scratch Flats. 

After much delay, the Salinas City Council unanimously voted in December, 2005, to start negotiating with Salinas business executives who want to continue to see a revitalization of downtown Salinas. On the drawing board are a 167-room hotel, retail space and more than 100 condominiums on Main Street. The projected site is on a current parking lot across from the Maya Cinemas and National Steinbeck Center. The Plan includes a skyway across Central Avenue connecting it to the Steinbeck Center where it would link with additional conference and retail space.  

Cultural Events
In addition to the annual Steinbeck Festival, the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts a “Taste of the Valley” Mixer featuring the agricultural industry of the Salinas Valley. Also, around this time of the year are the Ag Leadership Awards.  

The 3rd week of July is the annual “California Rodeo Salinas” at the Salinas Sports Complex, an 8.5 million dollar multi-use sport complex built in 1996 for the purpose of being a playing field for softball, Little League, Babe Ruth League, soccer, football and the Peppers as well as the California Rodeo. This Rodeo has been a continuing tradition for 85 years and is considered one of the top notch Rodeos nationwide.

Combined with the Rodeo are the Salinas Valley Chamber “Rodeo Mixer”, the Miss California Rodeo Contest, Cowboy Poetry reading at Sherwood Hall and the PBR California Rodeo Bull Riding Event at the Salinas Sports Complex.  

The warm days of early fall ushers in 2-1/2 days of thrills at the Salinas California International Airshow featuring the USAF Thunderbirds, Blue Angels and the incredible wall of fire.  

Celebrating the Japanese community, summer time brings the celebration of the Obon Festival.  

Rich cultural tones can be enjoyed at the Hispanic Concert at the Salinas Sports Complex.  

Located at the Salinas Twin Creeks Golf Course is the First Tee of Monterey County. The First Tee’s mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs, learning facilities and overall character-developing and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. November 16, 2005 was the first anniversary of The First Tee Monterey County.  

On the Wild side: Learn about the most highly contracted Lion, Josef, a loveable 500 lb. fully trained feline. Some of his many roles over the years include TV’s Tarzan, The Lion King, George of the Jungle, MGM, Animal Planets – Wild on the Set, Dreyfus Fund and many more. Josef and many other wild animals can be seen at Wild Things in Salinas.  

Educational Safari Camp plus Roar and Snores for the children is an excellent way for the little ones to learn about the wild animals live and up close.  

Wild Things has founded E.A.R.S., or Elephants of Africa Rescue Society for the purpose of supporting projects aimed at securing a safe habitat for wild, African animals as well as providing a sanctuary for their captive cousins. Each year the non-profit E.A.R.S. hosts a large and formal fundraiser.

You can also plan a sleep over at the park’s Safari Quest B&B where you will hear the roar of the lions, tigers and trumpeting of the elephants. In the morning, breakfast is served after being brought to your cabin on the back of an elephant. Wild Things is located on River Road past Las Palmas and Indian Springs. The park can also be reserved for company picnics and other private parties.  

Houses, Housing and Neighborhoods of Salinas
A rich diversity of housing options abounds throughout Salinas. Village North Lagoon, Willow Wood, Las Casitas, Cambridge Village, Harding Park Town Homes, Flor de Salinas and Westwood are a few of the condominium/townhouse developments in Salinas. 

In addition there are a number of master planned communities in Salinas which have a variety of architectural styles ranging from colonial to Mediterranean architecture. Some of these project names include Renaissance, Mira Monte, River Cross, Falcon Meadows, The Arbors, The Cottages and The Enclave.  

In the Harden Park area are Canterbury Park, Gabilan Views and Paraiso Estates and the gated community of Montclair.  

A few of the gated master planned communities include Las Palmas on River Road at Highway 68, Indian Springs on River Road next to Wild Things Animal Park, and The Bluffs on Reservation Road.  

Other housing communities in Salinas area include Chaparral, Briarwood, and Monte Bella, Monte Bella and Rancho Amistoso Homes.  

Golf Course Estate homes can be found inside the privately-owned Salinas Country Club or near Twin Creeks, the City of Salinas’ public golf course in the Creek Bridge area.  

Future plans include a 474-acre planned development in the north Salinas area consisting of traditionally styled neighborhoods with a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. There are eight housing options to accommodate several groups of people. Included will be open space, neighborhood centers and a main street ambiance that will incorporate mixed-uses. School sites are also planned for at this site. 

Whatever your choice of housing, we are your resident real estate professionals and Number1Experts, available to answer all your questions and assist you through the very important process of buying or selling your home. 

Since moving to Salinas in 1999, I have helped several hundred clients buy and sell homes. My experience in real estate of over 25 years has not diminished the sense of gratitude I feel for my clients nor my deep commitment to give the personal care and service that will provide as much comfort as possible through the process of selling or buying your real estate.

Thank you for visiting us and learning about Salinas. We hope you enjoy the Gallery Tour.
 

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