Salinas: Monterey

At first blush agriculture and literature might seem to be an incongruous pair, but not in Salinas. In addition to being the county seat of Monterey and a vibrant agribusiness hub, Salinas is most famous for being the ancestral home of Nobel Prize laureate John Steinbeck and the nationally renowned National Steinbeck Center Museum. Noshing on some locally procured delicacies in the boyhood home of Mr. Steinbeck, which is now a favorite eatery, is a must — particularly if you're going to be taking in a rodeo, or one of the many annual festivals or special events like the California International Airshow. © NileGuide