Greater Salinas - Salinas, CA

Agriculture and ranching in Salinas Valley began prior to the acquisition of California by the United States in 1850, with cropland in the area expanding rapidly with increased irrigation and the arrival of the railroad. Post-World War II, farmland transitioned into the small urban city of today. Salinas's Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck featured the area in many of his novels.

Central Salinas houses the John Steinbeck Museum, while a number of museums operate in Monterey, including the Monterey Museum of Art and the Museum of Monterey. A number of art galleries occupy central Salinas, and the Fox Theater hosts regular music, comedy, and theater acts. The monthly First Friday art walk in Oldtown features artist booths, and music and dance performances. Annual events in the city include the California rodeo, which has taken place for over a century, and a holiday parade of lights.

Dining establishments in Greater Salinas comprise a mix of fast food and chain restaurants, Mexican restaurants and a few scattered cafes and Chinese restaurants. Downtown Salinas houses a more concentrated selection of eateries.

Landing Zone Restaurant serves a selection of American diner food, from sandwiches to burgers, fries, and hot dogs. The menu also features a selection of wine and beer, as well as numerous vegetarian options. Comfortable seating and a view of the municipal airport runway makes the Landing Zone the perfect place to wait for your flight or just to sit back and watch the small planes land and take off.

One of several Mexican restaurants in Greater Salinas, El Zacatecano dishes up all the classics, as well as original dishes to expand your palate, such as shrimp soup and liver topped with green onions. A local favorite for over 30 years, El Zacatecano opens early for breakfast, serving a selection of egg and meat dishes.

Beyond restaurants and one bar serving drinks until late, limited nightlife options exist in Greater Salinas, sending most patrons downtown to one of the many pubs and bars. Downtown Salinas also houses a small casino, and a number of establishments offer music, games or sports viewing throughout the week.

XL Public House serves an extensive beer list, including rotating microbrews and international beers on tap. Settle in to play one of the many board games, order some complimentary popcorn or just sit back and enjoy your drink. If you want food to go with your beer, the adjacent Mexican restaurant delivers to the pub.

Travel in Greater Salinas occurs primarily by vehicle, including via taxi. Uber does not operate in Salinas, although the company provides service in Monterey. The Salinas Municipal Airport provides regional access for small aircraft and business jets. Multiple Monterey-Salinas Transit routes travel through the area, including routes 47 and 48 to the airport. The primary roads in the area include the Highway 101 freeway and Sanborn Road.

Some roads, such as Airport Boulevard and Abbott Street, provide dedicated bicycle lanes, while a number of residential streets are bicycle-friendly. A bike trail runs through Cesar Chavez Community Park. Other than along Alisal Street, limited walkable areas in Greater Salinas exist. Residents and visitors to the area park for free.

A handful of parks exist in Greater Salinas, while Salinas Fairways Golf Course provides the largest green space in the area, with adult greens fees for the 18-hole course ranging from $14 to $37.Cesar Chavez Community Park provides a walking and exercise trail, large grass areas, picnic tables, and basketball courts. Closter Park features a softball field and a basketball court, while Los Padres Neighborhood Park houses a large playfield and shares playground equipment with the adjacent Los Padres Elementary School. Gene Robertson Park caters to Little League baseball players. Smaller parks include East Laurel Pocket Park, El Gabilan Park and Jaycee's Tot Lot.

While the parks in Greater Salinas host few city events beyond city and youth sports leagues, other parks in the city host regular and annual events, such as a soccer camp, basketball camp, art exhibits, senior citizen workshops, and meditation sessions.

Life in Greater Salinas costs slightly less than in other areas of the city, with rental rates for a one-bedroom apartment averaging a little under $1,100 per month. Transit riders pay between $1.50 and $3.50 for most bus routes, while at the pump drivers pay about 20 percent more per gallon than the national average. A pint of beer at local pubs costs around $3.50, with craft beers running about $6.

Most of the shopping in Greater Salinas can be characterized as high-value and lies along Alisal Street, with a mix of smaller chain stores and local shops. Greater shopping options exist west of Highway 101 toward central Salinas, with many high-end and smaller specialty stores downtown.

Salinas Futbol Central carries everything needed by soccer fans and players of all levels, including cleats, shorts, jerseys and athletic bags. The store also stocks fan gear for major soccer teams throughout the world.

When residents need to look their best, they head a few miles south to visit Glo Skincare Boutique. The professionals here help clients of all ages and genders improve their skin with top-notch products and personally tailored facial treatments.

Numerous small markets supply the neighborhood's grocery needs, with many of the markets specializing in ingredients for Mexican cuisine. A number of farmers' markets in Salinas bring fresh produce, meats and other goods from the surrounding farm countryside. The closest farmers' markets to Greater Salinas include the year-round Oldtown Marketplace, which is held in central Salinas every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the seasonal market at Natividad Medical Center.