What Salinas is known for

Sometimes referred to as the "Salad Bowl of America," Salinas, the city the Salinas Destination is named after, was given this nickname because it grows around 80% of the lettuce that is grown in the United States. Salinas was founded in the 1820s and was declared the county seat of Monterey County later on. Located in California, Salinas is relatively close to the coast, just like other cities in the state, such as San Jose, San Francisco, and Monterey. Some of the more well-known things to do in Salinas include the California Rodeo Salinas, the National Steinbeck Center, the Salinas Sports Complex, and the Western Stage. Nearly 75 wineries are spread throughout Monterey County, some of which are in Salinas.[4] With a population of 166,162 people, the city has experienced growth over the years, specifically when it comes to inhabitants.[5] 

Aside from the attractions listed above, Salinas has features that tourists can visit. One of these is the Steinbeck House, which was built in 1897. The Steinbeck family moved in during the year 1900, and now the house functions as a museum. Steinbeck grew up in the region and became famous for the various novels he wrote. With a gift shop, weekly sit-down lunches, and Victorian-style furniture, the Steinbeck House is on the National Register of Historic Places. Toro County Park is located a few minutes south of Salinas. People often go to the park to hike, go horseback riding, and go mountain biking. With around 20 miles of reportedly less complicated trails, the establishment is known for its views of the Salinas Valley and Monterrey Bay. Other attractions are Laguna Seca, a motor racing track, the Harvey-Baker House, the Boronda Adobe History Center, the River Road Wine Trail, which is a local winery, and the Medical History Museum.[2] 

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is located in the southwestern part of the Salinas Destination. In the park is the Big Sur River Gorge, which is where the Big Sur River enters the area. With redwoods, oaks, conifers, cottonwoods, sycamores, alders, maples, and willows, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is abundant with plantlife and wild animals, including bobcats, raccoons, black-tailed deer, and birds, such as kingfishers and dippers. A relatively large campground is a feature that the park has, and it is used to accommodate hikers, car campers, bikers, and RVs. Most of the campsites are located along the Big Sur River. Multiple trails are available for hikers and bikers, one of which is a self-guided nature trail. Big Sur Lodge is situated on the premises, and it houses 61 guest rooms, a grocery store, a cafe, and a conference center. Programs, guided tours, swimming, interpretive exhibits, wildlife viewing, historic sites, picnic areas, and parking are other amenities that Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park offers to its visitors.[3]

Geography

Located in California, the Salinas Destination encompasses cities, a state park, and various geographical features. Sections of the region are relatively flat and dry, while others have more greenery and hills. Two main lakes reside within the district, along with Monterey Bay, which is the most extensive water feature in the destination. The shape of the Salinas Destination is slightly circular as it wraps around cities, including Newman, Gustine, Las Banos, Cantua Creek, Coalinga, San Ardo, Jolon, Lucia, Big Sur, Monterey, and Gilroy. Salinas, the city the destination is named after, is located near the perimeter on the western side. It is located a few miles away from Monterey Bay. While the city is close to the bay, its general surrounding has a slightly more desert climate, though there are some forests nearby. One of the most forested areas in the Salinas Destination is the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, which takes up a portion of the southwestern territory. Other features within the district include the multiple state roads, King City, and beaches.

Because of the mixture between desert and forest areas, the Salinas Destination has an assortment of animals. Plantlife is more common in the greener areas, while some mammals and birds stay in the hotter, dryer areas. Plants that reside in the district include California poppies, wild radishes, caper spurges, common vetches, miner's lettuce, California manroots, and saltgrass. Currently, the amount of mammals in the area is very limited. Within the Salinas Destination, there are also mule deer, American beavers, desert cottontails, California sea lions, brush rabbits, harbor porpoise, and long-tailed weasels. More common than mammals are birds, which live in various places throughout the region. Some of these birds are sanderlings, northern harriers, California thrashers, peregrine falcons, and American pipits.[7] 

The annual weather fluctuates throughout the year in the city of Salinas. Over the course of one year, the temperature often ranges from 42 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Typically, September is the hottest month of the year, with an average high of  72 degrees Fahrenheit. December is on the other side of the spectrum, with an average high of 61 degrees and a low of 43 degrees. Unlike other places, Salinas does not typically receive rain all year. Instead, July and August receive little to no rain, while other months often get at least one day of rainfall. February often receives the highest amount of rain, with an average of 3.9 inches. Salinas is reported to be hardly ever humid, instead having a dryer climate. Because of the temperatures, precipitation, and humidity, it has been suggested that one of the most efficient times to visit Salinas is from the middle of June to the beginning of September.[6]

History

Salinas, the central city in the Salinas Destination as well as the namesake, was first established in 1872 and incorporated in 1874. Salinas has been inhabited for thousands of years and has become known as the "The Salad Bowl of America"[8] Initially, the land where Salinas is now located was settled by Native Americans, specifically the Esselen people. Prior to 200 AD, the Esselen inhabited the area until they were displaced by the Rumsen group, who spoke the Ohlone language. These Native Americans, often referred to as the Rumsen-Ohlone, would occupy the land for another 1,200 years before Spanish settlers came to explore the land in the 1700s.[1]

Soon after the Spanish began to arrive in what is now California, land grants were created with the purpose of housing Catholic Missions, along with soldiers. Later, after Mexican independence was gained, ranches were established to be grazing areas for animals. One of these land grants, called the Rancho Las Salinas land grant, encompassed most of modern-day Salinas. Because of the establishment of these ranches, shipping out of the Port of Monterey, a port located a few miles away, increased.[1] 

Salinas was named for a nearby salt marsh. When it was established in 1872, it became the seat of Monterey County. The city was later incorporated in 1874. As the town grew, a few different historical events occurred, one of them being the construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad through Salinas. Leading up to this, Salinas' agricultural industry was steadily growing. Several local business people planned and carried out the construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad through the town in 1867. This led to an increased population in the Salinas area.[8] 

By the end of World War I, agriculture had grown as the city's primary industry. As a result, the plants that were developed in the town, referred to as "green gold," helped Salinas become one of the most wealthy cities in the United States at the time. Today, Salinas provides 80% of the country's lettuce and artichokes. Other crops are also grown and supplied.[8] 

During World War II, a portion of Salinas, called the Salinas Rodeo Grounds, was used as a temporary detention camp for citizens who came from Japan or who had Japanese ancestry. At its peak, the center held 3,608 people before closing down on July 4,  1942. This camp, however, was in general not in operation for very long, seeing as it opened on April 27, 1942. Following World War II, many of the farmland around Salinas was converted to be a city. As a city, Salinas experienced growth, especially in the 1950s, 1960s, and early 2000s.[1] Today, Salinas has a population of 166,162 people.[5]