 Oldtown Salinas, located in the city’s center, is composed of beautifully designed buildings constructed in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The recently renovated streets are lined with decorative lighting and attractive landscaping, which add to the warmth of this historic district. Stop in at a number of Oldtown Salinas’ restaurants, shops and antique stores. Or, take a historic walking tour through the streets and district described in John Steinbeck’s novels.
 While in Oldtown, visitors can tour the National Steinbeck Center, a fun, creative museum that explores the life and works of John Steinbeck. His colorful stories are brought to life through interactive exhibits, movies and fantastic events. A short biographical film welcomes visitors upon arrival, and a changing exhibit gallery accommodates a variety of art and cultural presentations. Visitors can access John Steinbeck’s works on CD-ROM and explore their own creativity in the "Art of Writing" room. Drop in at the gift shop for unique literary items and have lunch at the Center’s "One Main Street" café.
 Just a few steps from the National Steinbeck Center sits John Steinbeck’s boyhood home, The Steinbeck House. Now a restaurant, The House is a visitor favorite with its prix fixe menu and docent guided tours. The restored Queen Anne Victorian transports its patrons to early California times. Drop below to the Best Cellar Gift Shop for quaint culinary and craft gifts. The Harvey Baker House, thought to be the oldest standing structure within the Salinas City limits, is close by and also available for tours.
Another visitor attraction is Wild Things, located on the Vision Quest Ranch. Wild Things is home to a number of animal "movie stars" and over 100 other wild and exotic animals. Visitors can see Josef, live model for Disney’s Lion King and star of George of the Jungle, Chui the Leopard who appeared in Disney’s Mighty Joe Young, and Brandi the Black Bear who starred in Grizzly Mountain. Wild Things is dedicated to providing professionally trained animals to film and television, as well as offering year ‘round educational programs to children and adults.
The Salinas Valley is known as the "Salad Bowl of the World" for the bounty of produce grown here. Due to its temperate, Mediterranean-like climate and fertile soil, the county has become the number one vegetable-producing region in the U.S., supplying 80% of the nation’s lettuce. If visitors are interested in buying fresh, organic produce or experiencing life on a working farm, The Farm is located in Salinas, just off Highway 68. While there, pick fresh produce, pet the farm animals and take a tractor ride or, if you are with a group, take an educational tour.
San Lorenzo, one of Monterey County’s Parks, contains a number of historical buildings including the Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum. The museum relates the story of Monterey County’s agricultural heritage from mission times to today’s advanced technology. The main exhibit barn is a storied journey through exhibits about local history with artifacts and historical farming equipment. Take a guided tour through an 1887 schoolhouse and 1897 farmhouse. The National Steinbeck Center will be making an exciting addition soon, an Agricultural Wing. The Ag Wing will feature the history of Salinas Valley’s farms and farming families, complete with a demonstration garden and interactive exhibits.
 Customized tours of the Salinas Valley are available with Evan Oakes of Ag Venture Tours. Evan conducts wine tasting, agricultural and site seeing tours that allow visitors to experience the beauty and bounty of Monterey County’s largest industry.
Monterey County is a world-renowned wine region, with more than 40,000 acres planted in premium wine grapes. Enjoy the distinct and exceptional characteristics of the wines in tasting rooms found along the length of the valley, most are open daily. In the spring, headline artists give jazz concerts at Riverland Vineyards, and twice during the year the wineries hold open houses, tasting new releases and premium wines. Samples of Monterey County wines are also available at A Taste of Monterey in Oldtown Salinas. A Taste of Monterey showcases the 35 member wineries of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association.
 Monterey Bay Scenic Tours offers a daily award-winning tour of the Monterey Peninsula that includes 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. Their state-of-the-art multimedia presentation system offers the narration in eight languages.
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, just off scenic Highway 68 between Salinas and Monterey, is America’s premier road racing course. The raceway is located on 550 acres of track, roadways, county park and rolling hills, and is a venue for the CART and LeMans circuits, the Honda Superbike Classic, Historic Automobile Races, Grand Prix of Monterey and the Monterey Sports Car Championships. Since 1957, the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula, the non-profit organization that operates Laguna Seca Raceway, has donated more than 9 million dollars to local charities.
 The Western Stage has been producing live stage performances in Salinas since 1974. The year ‘round theater is located at Hartnell College, and has produced many publicly acclaimed plays and musicals. The Monterey County Symphony holds performances at Sherwood Hall in the Salinas Community Center. The Symphony has been creating a foundation for local musical appreciation since its inception in 1947. The Fox Theater in Oldtown Salinas also holds live musical performances. A children’s performance theater called Ariel Theatrical was recently built in Oldtown, as well.
 A new addition to Salinas is the Twin Creeks golf course, offering players world class golf and pristine scenery. Twin Creeks is a 9-hole course, consisting of four par four holes and five par threes. It offers a 31-par challenge with a 30-station night lighted driving range, practice green, and practice sand bunker. Salinas Fairways is another golfing option in the city limits, and both courses give the golfer a chance to experience the joy and challenge of Central Coast golf at very affordable prices.
As a major retail center, Salinas brings shoppers from all over the Central Coast to its chain stores and boutiques. The Salinas Auto Mall, Northridge, Westridge, Harden Ranch Plaza, Santa Rita Plaza and Sherwood shopping centers cater to shoppers with a variety of needs. Oldtown Salinas draws antique lovers and a specialty gift clientele.
The nearby Monterey Peninsula is home to a number of Central Coast highlights including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, 17-Mile Drive, Cannery Row and downtown Pacific Grove.
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