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- Spa Itineraries
- Steinbeck Itinerary
- Wine and Dine Itinerary
- Three Days in Monterey Wine Country
- Outdoor Activities >
- Animals and Wildlife >
-
Parks >
- Top 10 Campsites
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Cachagua Community Park
- El Estero Park
- Elkhorn Slough Reserve
- Fort Ord National Monument
- Fremont Peak State Park
- Frog Pond Preserve
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Jacks Peak County Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Laguna Seca Recreation Area
- Lake San Antonio
- Limekiln State Park
- Locke-Paddon Community Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Royal Oaks Park
- Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
- San Lorenzo Park
- Toro Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Beaches >
- Arts and Culture >
- Family Adventures >
- Golf >
- Guided Tours
- Historic Attractions >
- Literary Sites >
- Romance >
- Shopping >
- Spas >
- Nightlife and Entertainment >
-
Events
- 2018 Marquee Events
- Music Festivals >
-
Sporting Events >
- Rio Grill's Resolution Run
- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am >
- Sea Otter Classic Cycling Event
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Ferrari Challenge
- Spring Classic
- Spartan Race
- Superbike World Championship
- California Rodeo Salinas
- Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
- Salinas Valley Half Marathon
- Monterey Car Week & Concours d'Elegance >
- Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach
- Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix
- California International Airshow
- Monterey Beach SportsFest
- Monterey Bay Half Marathon
- TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational
- Food & Wine Events >
- Art Festivals >
- Community Events >
- Holiday Events >
- Submit an Event
- Food & Wine
- Resources
-
Destinations
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Monterey >
- Hotels
- Monterey on a Shoestring
- Itinerary: Midweek Monterey Getaway
- Monterey Beaches
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman's Wharf
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Historic Monterey
- Monterey Wine Tasting Rooms
- Monterey State Beach
- El Estero Park
- Jacks Peak County Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Things to Do
- Guided Tours
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Monterey Expert
-
Big Sur >
- Hotels
- Camping & Hiking
- Big Sur Beaches
- Arts & Culture
- Big Sur Itinerary
- Big Sur Live Webcam
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls
- Limekiln State Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Travel Like a Big Sur Expert
- Pebble Beach >
-
Carmel-by-the-Sea >
- Hotels
- Budget Travel in Carmel
- Carmel Itinerary
- Carmel Wine Tasting Rooms
- Arts & Culture
- Carmel Art Festival
- Carmel Bach Festival
- Carmel Art and Film Festival
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel Mission
- Carmel River State Beach
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Sunset Center
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Carmel Expert
-
Pacific Grove >
- Hotels
- 36 Hours in Pacific Grove
- Good Old Days Festival
- Feast of Lanterns
- Butterfly Parade
- Asilomar State Beach
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Things to Do
- Restaurants
- Travel Like a Pacific Grove Expert
- Carmel Valley >
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- Seaside >
- Salinas >
- Salinas Valley >
- Moss Landing >
- Sand City >
- Del Rey Oaks >
- Soledad >
- Castroville
- Parkfield
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Monterey >
In this section
-
Monterey
- Hotels
- Monterey on a Shoestring
- Itinerary: Midweek Monterey Getaway
- Monterey Beaches
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman's Wharf
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Historic Monterey
- Monterey Wine Tasting Rooms
- Monterey State Beach
- El Estero Park
- Jacks Peak County Park
- Veterans Memorial Park
- Things to Do
- Guided Tours
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Monterey Expert
-
Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Hotels
- Budget Travel in Carmel
- Carmel Itinerary
- Carmel Wine Tasting Rooms
- Arts & Culture
- Carmel Art Festival
- Carmel Bach Festival
- Carmel Art and Film Festival
- Carmel Beach
- Carmel Mission
- Carmel River State Beach
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Sunset Center
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Travel Like a Carmel Expert
- Marina
- Salinas Valley
- Del Rey Oaks
- Parkfield
-
Big Sur
- Hotels
- Camping & Hiking
- Big Sur Beaches
- Arts & Culture
- Big Sur Itinerary
- Big Sur Live Webcam
- Big Sur International Marathon
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Garrapata State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls
- Limekiln State Park
- Los Padres National Forest
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur Lightstation
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Travel Like a Big Sur Expert
-
Pacific Grove
- Hotels
- 36 Hours in Pacific Grove
- Good Old Days Festival
- Feast of Lanterns
- Butterfly Parade
- Asilomar State Beach
- Lovers Point Park and Beach
- Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
- Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Things to Do
- Restaurants
- Travel Like a Pacific Grove Expert
- Seaside
- Moss Landing
- Soledad
- Spreckels
Take In All That Salinas Valley Has To Offer
Cruise inland from Monterey and you will find “The Salad Bowl Capital of the World.” The Salinas Valley is one of the most productive growing regions in California and home to a large amount of our nation’s fresh produce including, lettuce, broccoli, and strawberries. While you are visiting Salinas Valley…
DO
Wine Taste – There are over 25 wineries in the Salinas Valley and several of them have tasting rooms located along scenic River Road, which runs along Highway 101. Many of the wineries are open daily and welcome walk-ins.
Take The Scenic Route –Take a drive down River Road, starting in Salinas, to really appreciate the agricultural fields and all their beauty. Depending on the time of year, you may see iceberg, romaine, onions, cauliflower, strawberries, broccoli, cilantro and most definitely wine grapes. These back roads can get windy and busy at times so keep an eye out for tractors, buses, farm workers and farming supplies as you drive.
Go Hiking – Pinnacles National Park is known for its unique rock formations and caves. The park provides several trails for various levels of hiking experiences. Be sure to pack plenty of water as well as a flashlight for exploring the caves. Please hold onto your trash and water bottles to throw away or recycle when you get back to the parking lot. Keep in mind that the park is busiest between 10am and 2pm and parking is limited.
Use The Restroom Before You Head Out – Although there are restrooms in each of the tasting rooms, there are no rest areas with public restrooms as you work your way down River Road.
DON’T
Pick The Produce – While driving along the agricultural fields, feel free to pull over and snap a selfie but please do not pick any of the produce or walk into any of the fields. It is against food safety regulations to have anyone in the agricultural fields without wearing the proper attire and taking the appropriate food safety measures. Stay along the side of the road and be careful of other vehicles when reentering the road.
Drink and Drive – Please enjoy the tasting rooms the Salinas Valley has to offer but make sure to have a sober driver. Uber, taxis and several chauffeur services are available in the area to ensure you have a safe visit. Plan ahead and be safe.
Bring The Dog – Although leashed dogs are allowed in most of the tasting rooms in the Salinas Valley, they are not welcome in all. Dogs are also prohibited at Pinnacles National Park and anywhere near the agricultural fields.
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