Email this page
Print this page
“I think that I would like to write the story of this whole valley, of all the little towns and all the farms and the ranches in the wilder hills. I can see how I would like to do it so that it would be the valley of the world.”
— John Steinbeck, in a letter to George Albee, 1933
Born in Salinas in 1902, John Steinbeck was captivated by the lives of the people of Monterey County, particularly those who toiled in the fields of the Salinas Valley. During his adventurous life, he drew on the fields, hills, and valleys to form a backdrop for his stories of ordinary people leading simple lives. His compelling, award-winning novels remain timeless in a world that struggles with nature, prejudice, and the human condition.
Although Steinbeck didn’t live his entire life in Salinas, the locale seems ideal for a museum honoring him. His roots were here and he always returned to his beloved “valley of the world.” The National Steinbeck Center, opened in 1998, is at the end of Main Street, three blocks from the house where he was born. Here, visitors can learn about literature, history, agriculture, and the arts.
John Steinbeck Exhibition Hall takes visitors through the author’s life, exhibiting more than 40,000 items, including manuscripts, letters, photographs, and memorabilia. Among the items is the restored Rocinante, the pickup/ camper in which Steinbeck toured the United States in 1960 with his wife’s dog Charley, inspiring Travels With Charley. Seven theaters show clips from Steinbeck’s films, including Of Mice and Men, Viva Zapata!, and The Grapes of Wrath.
Rabobank Agriculture Museum looks at the evolution of the Salinas Valley’s agricultural industry. From the field workers who migrated from the Oklahoma Dust Bowl to today’s cuttingedge technology, the valley’s story unfolds in a series of connected galleries and interactive exhibits.
The Gabilan Gallery hosts regional and national art and cultural exhibits. In spring 2007, it will present the juried exhibition My California, Portals and People, illustrating the experiences, observations, and reflections of California artists.
Information: One Main Street, Salinas. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (831) 796-3833.
More Information - map, directions
GUESTLIFE DON'T MISS
Steinbeck’s Salinas
Before or after your museum tour, take The Historic Oldtown Walking Tour down Main Street and visit some of the places Steinbeck mentions in his books (maps available in the museum). There are also Literary Walking Tours in the summer; for information on these docent-led tours, call (831) 775-4721. Visit to Steinbeck’s boyhood home to see photos and memorabilia. The restaurant at the Steinbeck House serves a prix fixe lunch made from local Salinas Valley produce. The house is at 132 Central Ave., only a few blocks from the National Steinbeck Center. It’s open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Information: Steinbeck House (831) 424-2735
More Information - map, directions
