Guidebook for Salinas
Food Scene
Wonderful views of the bay, beautifully built, with locally sourced food that is cooked spectacularly. A little pricey but worth the beautiful drive with fun places to stop along the way.
94 locals recommend
Nepenthe
48510 CA-1Wonderful views of the bay, beautifully built, with locally sourced food that is cooked spectacularly. A little pricey but worth the beautiful drive with fun places to stop along the way.
Wonderful place to stop in Big Sur to sit in the river on benches and relax with your feet in the water. *Spicy* Bloody Mary's to be had here as well!
29 locals recommend
Big Sur River Inn
46800 CA-1Wonderful place to stop in Big Sur to sit in the river on benches and relax with your feet in the water. *Spicy* Bloody Mary's to be had here as well!
Amazing organic vegan Mexican food that is a rare treat to find. Run by a family of Seventh Day Adventists this restaurant will have you telling your friends all about it. Favorite dish: fish burrito.
6 locals recommend
El Cantaro
791 Foam StAmazing organic vegan Mexican food that is a rare treat to find. Run by a family of Seventh Day Adventists this restaurant will have you telling your friends all about it. Favorite dish: fish burrito.
Phil's Fish Market & Eatery
10700 Merritt StreetBest seafood around!
Delicious, organic vegetarian and vegan food! Favorite dish: BBQ Bluff Sandwhich.
62 locals recommend
Dharma's Restaurant
4250 Capitola RdDelicious, organic vegetarian and vegan food! Favorite dish: BBQ Bluff Sandwhich.
Amazing vegetarian, vegan and RAW food. Offers a free Thanksgiving lunch on the holiday. Favorite dish: RAW I am Whole with chai smoothie.
39 locals recommend
Cafe Gratitude
103 Lincoln StAmazing vegetarian, vegan and RAW food. Offers a free Thanksgiving lunch on the holiday. Favorite dish: RAW I am Whole with chai smoothie.
Great local spot for delicious Indian food. Favorite dish: palak paneer and mushroom matar.
13 locals recommend
Avatar Indian Grill
1568 Constitution BlvdGreat local spot for delicious Indian food. Favorite dish: palak paneer and mushroom matar.
Great fresh food, big margaritas, and live music in the bar behind the restaurant.
51 locals recommend
The Whole Enchilada Market Place
7902 CA-1Great fresh food, big margaritas, and live music in the bar behind the restaurant.
Steamin’ Hot Coffee & Espresso
7990 CA-1Excellent local cafe
Ay Caramba!
17575 Vierra Canyon RdExcellent vegetarian substitution options, best local Mexican food restaurant!
Pacific Cookie Company
303 Potrero StYummy fresh baked local cookies!
Local Mexican-Japanese fusion restaurant with unique rolls not found anywhere else.
6 locals recommend
Ichiban Sushi
17567 Vierra Canyon RdLocal Mexican-Japanese fusion restaurant with unique rolls not found anywhere else.
Gusto Handcrafted Pasta & Pizza
1901 Fremont BlvdExcellent hidden gem, house-made pasta.
Local Michelin star restaurant if you're looking for high class dining.
7 locals recommend
Aubergine the restaurant at L'Auberge Carmel
Local Michelin star restaurant if you're looking for high class dining.
Excellent, fresh local vegetarian cuisine serving local handpicked mushrooms.
14 locals recommend
Julia's
1180 Forest AveExcellent, fresh local vegetarian cuisine serving local handpicked mushrooms.
Best long time running local Mediterranean food. Practice your Arabic with Christophe the owner if you're so inclined :)
Paprika Cafe
309 Lighthouse AveBest long time running local Mediterranean food. Practice your Arabic with Christophe the owner if you're so inclined :)
Parks & Nature
Scenic coastal area features a variety of sea animals & wildlife, hiking, diving & a whaling museum.
309 locals recommend
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1Scenic coastal area features a variety of sea animals & wildlife, hiking, diving & a whaling museum.
Excellent place to go swimming! There's a rental shop right on the beach for snorkeling, paddle boarding, etc. to enjoy the cove. Lots of sea life right off the beach but beware of the kelp.
127 locals recommend
Lovers Point
631 Ocean View BlvdExcellent place to go swimming! There's a rental shop right on the beach for snorkeling, paddle boarding, etc. to enjoy the cove. Lots of sea life right off the beach but beware of the kelp.
Wonderful hiking trails through the redwoods. Also good for biking.
272 locals recommend
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek RoadWonderful hiking trails through the redwoods. Also good for biking.
Absolutely beautiful hike through the redwoods. Starts off in a canyon with cacti and suddenly turns into a redwood forest with creeks. You can do the whole loop (strenuous) or play in the forest.
7 locals recommend
Soberanes Canyon Trail
Soberanes Canyon TrailAbsolutely beautiful hike through the redwoods. Starts off in a canyon with cacti and suddenly turns into a redwood forest with creeks. You can do the whole loop (strenuous) or play in the forest.
Dennis The Menace Playground
777 Pearl StKids park that is a local favorite.
Great local park to spot a variety of migratory birds as well as ocean and slough wildlife.
7 locals recommend
Kirby Park
Great local park to spot a variety of migratory birds as well as ocean and slough wildlife.
The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is one of 28 National Estuarine Research Reserves established nationwide as field laboratories for scientific research and estuarine education.
22 locals recommend
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is one of 28 National Estuarine Research Reserves established nationwide as field laboratories for scientific research and estuarine education.
A short hike with the reward of amazing views from the highest point in Monterey Bay, this peak is a fun adventure from the drive up to the rewarding view.
7 locals recommend
Fremont Peak State Park
10700 San Juan Canyon RdA short hike with the reward of amazing views from the highest point in Monterey Bay, this peak is a fun adventure from the drive up to the rewarding view.
It features redwood, tan oak, madrone, chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops from granite cliffs into the ocean from the Overlook Trail.
35 locals recommend
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
52801 CA-1It features redwood, tan oak, madrone, chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops from granite cliffs into the ocean from the Overlook Trail.
Fantastic area for rock climbing and hiking, explore the bat caves (bring a light it gets dark!), and enjoy seasonal local wild flowers and wildlife. Condors, peregrine falcons, hawks, songbirds, road runner, badgers, boar, bobcats, lizard, and snakes aplenty!
79 locals recommend
Pinnacles National Park
Fantastic area for rock climbing and hiking, explore the bat caves (bring a light it gets dark!), and enjoy seasonal local wild flowers and wildlife. Condors, peregrine falcons, hawks, songbirds, road runner, badgers, boar, bobcats, lizard, and snakes aplenty!
Sightseeing
Local non-profit aquarium that aims to inspire conservation of the oceans. Free parking available a few blocks up the hill in the residential area.
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowLocal non-profit aquarium that aims to inspire conservation of the oceans. Free parking available a few blocks up the hill in the residential area.
Cannery Row was the setting of John Steinbeck's novels Cannery Row (1945) and Sweet Thursday (1954). Both were the basis for the 1982 movie Cannery Row, starring Nick Nolte and Debra Winger. It is also mentioned in Bob Dylan's song "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands". Pacific Biological Laboratories, a biological supply house, was located at 800 Ocean View Avenue (now 800 Cannery Row) from 1928 to 1948, and operated by Edward F. Ricketts, who was the inspiration for several characters in Steinbeck novels. The laboratory is still preserved. Across from the laboratory still exists a Chinese-American-owned store mentioned in both Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday, as well as a vacant lot that was the "home" of some of the homeless characters in the novel.
67 locals recommend
Cannery Row
Cannery Row was the setting of John Steinbeck's novels Cannery Row (1945) and Sweet Thursday (1954). Both were the basis for the 1982 movie Cannery Row, starring Nick Nolte and Debra Winger. It is also mentioned in Bob Dylan's song "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands". Pacific Biological Laboratories, a biological supply house, was located at 800 Ocean View Avenue (now 800 Cannery Row) from 1928 to 1948, and operated by Edward F. Ricketts, who was the inspiration for several characters in Steinbeck novels. The laboratory is still preserved. Across from the laboratory still exists a Chinese-American-owned store mentioned in both Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday, as well as a vacant lot that was the "home" of some of the homeless characters in the novel.
The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarian Research Reserve is an expansive tidal wetland and a rare eco-system with a stunning diversity of marine life. It is an important habitat for over 300 species of birds, many marine invertebrates, fish, and marine mammals such as harbor seals, sea lions, and the southern sea otter, a threatened species.
17 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Kayaks - Elkhorn Slough
2390 CA-1The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarian Research Reserve is an expansive tidal wetland and a rare eco-system with a stunning diversity of marine life. It is an important habitat for over 300 species of birds, many marine invertebrates, fish, and marine mammals such as harbor seals, sea lions, and the southern sea otter, a threatened species.
17 Mile Drive
17 Mile DriveLook at all of the ostentatious beach houses on 17 mile drive!
Shopping
Vegan bath store, pick up a bath bomb and take advantage of our extra large tub, light some candles, and have a soak.
LUSH
Monte Verde StreetVegan bath store, pick up a bath bomb and take advantage of our extra large tub, light some candles, and have a soak.
Great local handmade cosmetics shop, local made bathbombs, facemasks, lip scrubs, etc. (think local LUSH)
Sugar and T
7935 San Miguel Canyon RdGreat local handmade cosmetics shop, local made bathbombs, facemasks, lip scrubs, etc. (think local LUSH)
Outdoor mall in Santa Cruz with a mix of local shops and a couple big name stores. Local artists also come to this street to sell their wares or play music. Great atmosphere with amazing food on either side of the street.
27 locals recommend
Pacific Wave
1502 Pacific AveOutdoor mall in Santa Cruz with a mix of local shops and a couple big name stores. Local artists also come to this street to sell their wares or play music. Great atmosphere with amazing food on either side of the street.
Entertainment & Activities
Admission free with a variety of rides for children of all ages. Free movies on the beach on Wednesday evenings as well as free concerts on Friday evenings.
745 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StAdmission free with a variety of rides for children of all ages. Free movies on the beach on Wednesday evenings as well as free concerts on Friday evenings.
Ride a steam engine through the woods and into town, great for kids! During the Halloween season the train gets dressed up as Thomas the Train.
150 locals recommend
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill RdRide a steam engine through the woods and into town, great for kids! During the Halloween season the train gets dressed up as Thomas the Train.
Maya Cinemas Salinas 14
153 Main StBest theater around, Tuesdays are $5.50 all day!
Century 14 Northridge Mall
350 Northridge Shopping CtrTheater with longing recliners and margarita machine!
Drinks & Nightlife
Monterey Coast Brewing
165 Main StAmazing house crafted beers made with local ingredients at a fair price.
Amazing spot for local brews, dog friendly, ping-pong tables, cornhole, darts and sometimes live music.
82 locals recommend
Beer 30
2504 S Main StAmazing spot for local brews, dog friendly, ping-pong tables, cornhole, darts and sometimes live music.
The Catalyst
1011 Pacific AveLots of local and big name bands, music every night of the week!
The husband and wife team of Colin and Lauren Hattersley are the brains behind the new craft beer and wine bar, and the project is clearly a labor of love. Rotating menu of spirits so there's always something new to try when you visit.
10 locals recommend
Farmers Union Pour House
217 Main StThe husband and wife team of Colin and Lauren Hattersley are the brains behind the new craft beer and wine bar, and the project is clearly a labor of love. Rotating menu of spirits so there's always something new to try when you visit.
Dust Bowl Brewing Co. Tap Depot
290 Figueroa StGreat local brews with great views.
Alvarado Street Brewery
426 Alvarado StDog friendly heated deck.
Boardwalk Bowl
115 Cliff St