How to Visit the Steinbeck Center in Salinas, California
John Steinbeck, one of the most prolific American writers of the 20th century, was born in Salinas, California, which is located roughly 100 miles south of San Francisco. Much of his fiction takes place in the Monterey Bay area, a few miles west. The Oklahoma migrants, who traveled in droves to work the farm fields of the San Joaquin and Salinas River Valleys, made a lasting impression on him, as evidenced in "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men". After years of disavowing its native son, the town of Salinas finally decided to recognize his genius and honor Steinbeck with a beautifully designed museum. The museum is only a block away from his boyhood home. Many of his more famous books are represented by galleries. Of significant note, the dark green truck is here, complete with homey camper and a bottle of Courvoisier on the table, which took his beloved pet and him on a whirlwind United States trip as recorded in "Travels with Charley".
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Instructions
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Salinas Honors Its Native Son
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Fly into San Francisco International Airport and travel south on U.S. Highway 101 toward San Jose. Salinas is approximately two hours south. Take the North Main Street Exit and travel south. The National Steinbeck Center is at the intersection of Central Avenue.
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Opt instead to travel from Los Angeles International Airport, over 300 miles south, by taking Century Boulevard to Interstate 405 north. Exit on U.S. 101 and travel west toward Ventura and then north. Once in Salinas, follow the aforementioned directions.
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Park in the designated parking lot and pay the admission price, which is very affordable.
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Note the galleries are designed so that one opens up into another, thus allowing a general flow of traffic through the rooms. Each room captures the essence of the novel it represents, from box cars to boycotts.
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Read about all the places “The Grapes of Wrath” was banned in the United States. In some locations in the San Joaquin Valley, the public school ban of the novel lasted well into the 1960’s.
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Read about the inspiration behind “Of Mice and Men”, a ranch located in Soledad, only 30 miles south of the museum.
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Leave the museum and walk only a block west to the Steinbeck House. This Victorian house is Steinbeck’s birthplace. In order to maintain and preserve the house, the proprietors have opened it up as a luncheon restaurant. Reservations are highly recommended.
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Visit downtown Salinas. Salinas is a relatively small town, and the old shopping district is within walking distance of the Center. Unique shops and relaxing cafes are plentiful along the tree-lined streets.
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Insist on sampling any of the local produce. It’s available year round and is extremely fresh and tasty.
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Spend the night in Salinas. There are many franchised motels represented, and the prices are reasonable.
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