Location: Salinas
Top Things to do in Salinas
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What to do and see in Salinas, California (CA): The Best Things to do Good for Kids
Salinas /səˈliːnəs/ is the county seat and largest municipality of Monterey County, California. Salinas is an urban area located just outside the southern portion of the Greater Bay Area and 10 miles (16 km) east-southeast of the mouth of the Salinas River. The population was 157,218 as of 2016. The city is located at the mouth of the Salinas Valley roughly eight miles from the Pacific Ocean and has a climate more influenced by the ocean than the hot-summer interior. The majority of residents live in single-unit detached homes, built between 1950 and 2000, while one third of the housing stock has three or more units per structure. Salinas serves as the main business, governmental and industrial center of the region. The marine climate is ideal for the floral industry, grape vineyards, and vegetable growers. Salinas is known for its vibrant and large agriculture industry and being "The Salad Bowl of the World" as the hometown of writer and Nobel Prize in Literature laureate John Steinbeck, who based several of his novels there.
Restaurants in Salinas
1. The Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
This working farm is also an agricultural education center, demonstration farm, produce stand and recreation destination. You can pick your own vegetables, see the animals, learn or just shop in the farmstand.
2. Toro County Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By eclecticworldgirl - Prunedale, United States
Toro Park is within 1/2 hour of our home and a good spot to hike, have a picnic or bar-b-que, or even just hang at the playgrounds. Fall and spring are the best times for hiking as this park can be extremely hot in the summer. This last weekend we set out on a 5.6 mile semi-strenuous hike with an elevation increase of roughly over 1500 feet in 2 1/2 miles ascent. The foliage was green with spring and the flowers and fruiting plants were making their first spring show. In bloom were red Indian Warrior, orangy-red Wooly Paintbrush, pink and white Shooting Stars, yellow Butercups, yellow Violas, yellow dandelions, fushia Fushia-Flowered Goosberry, purple Wild Hyacinth, and various blue-purple Ceanothus (California Lilacs). A tougher trek with worthy views of Monterey Bay, Salinas, Spreckles, etc from the ridges and wonderful trail variety. And don't forget to look out for the wonderful wildlife: vultures, doves, song birds, wood peckers, lizards, and more.
3. Monterey Bay Equestrian Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 180 reviews
We offer wonderful horseback rides along Monterey Bay. Our horses are well cared for and the guides are friendly and helpful. Our stables is located as published but our horseback rides on the beach are located at the Molera Lot of the Salinas River State Beach. It can be found at the end of Monterey Dunes Way. Please rely on the directions found using the map to the beach link on our website.
4. Maya Cinemas
5. Monterey Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 145 reviews
Monterey Zoo is open 10:00 am – 3:00 pm 7 days a week – including most holidays except: We are closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Another very fun way to enhance your zoo experience is to bring your mobile device with headphones to scan the many QR-Codes we’ve placed throughout the zoo so you can watch a fun, educational and entertaining 3-5 minute video about the animals you are seeing that day.
Reviewed By emmanuel8A
Booked a 4-hour VIP Tour and was amazed. We had a full zoo walked through before it opens to the public, had lunch, got to bathe an elephant and interact (up close and in person, touching) with 3 other animals. this is defiantly great for kids and all animal enthusiasts. Our tour guide (and staff) were very friendly and knowledgeable. The place is very clean (and new) and most animals look in good shape. We were also told that they are currently expanding which makes this even better for another trip down the road.
