For Visitors
Things to See & Do in Salinas
Salinas’ hospitality blends yesterday’s charm with today’s modern conveniences. The California Rodeo, California International Airshow, and the world famous Steinbeck Festival are major attractions of our colorful and diverse city. Visitors can also explore the nearby Monterey Peninsula, the historic missions of San Juan Bautista, Soledad, Carmel and San Antonio de Padua, the world-class wineries of South Monterey County, the beauty of nearby beaches, and Pinnacles National Monument.
Salinas and the Salinas Valley offer a unique combination of climate, natural resources,and people. Although agriculture forms an economic base, more than 100 manufacturingfirms call Salinas home.
Some of the largest employers in the area include: Dole Fresh Vegetable, the County of Monterey, and Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.
California Welcome Center Salinas
The California Welcome Center Salinas offers detailed information on where to eat and stay and a host of other options on what to do. There are promotional materials, brochures, souvenirs and a friendly staff ready to answer questions. Plus, there is a diverse array of unique local items to choose from as a memento to take home.
Railroad Depot/Intermodal Transit Center
Salinas’s Railroad Depot/Intermodal Transit Center at Station Place, just off Market Street, has many activities of interest for residents, students, and visitors. The Center is the home to the First Mayor’s Harvey Baker Historic House, the Salinas Valley Model Railroad Museum and the Steaming Ahead Historic Railroad Exhibit.
The First Mayor's House is a museum which helps to interpret early Salinas’ history. Tours and student events are available.
The Salinas Valley Model Railroad Museum is open to the public. The model railroad club members have constructed a model railroad that depicts rail history in the Salinas Valley, and Watsonville to Cuesta Grade in San Luis Obispo County.
Salinas is home to a collection of vintage rail cars and railroad signal equipment. Visit the restored steam locomotive, tender, wooden caboose and newly acquired 1923 refrigerator car. The site is open on the first Friday of each month. Classroom tours of the facility can be arranged by contacting the City of Salinas at (831) 758-7152.
Visit Salinas’ vibrant historic depot site and take in the sites from local history. All activities are family oriented and free. These sites are all open on the first Friday of each month from 5pm to 8pm as part of the activities of Old town Salinas’ First Friday events. Old Town’s First Friday events also feature food, an art walk and music.
Chamber of Commerce
The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce supports and promotes diverse businesses and communities throughout the entire Salinas Valley through networking, education, and advocacy
Upcoming Events: For Visitors
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News: For Visitors
Flood Safety

December 27, 2021
Remember, never drive through flood water. Turn Around, Don't Drown! #FloodSafety
Vision Zero Open House

June 21, 2021
Traffic & Transportation Engineering
The City of Salinas is hosting an Open House for the community to provide feedback on the Salinas Vision Zero DRAFT Action Plan. The Open House will be held at the West Wing Conference Room at City Hall on July 1st at 6pm.
To learn more about Vision Zero's goal of reducing traffic related injuries and fatalities on Salinas streets, please visit: https://www.cityofsalinas.org/our-city-services/public-works/current-projects/vision-zero
MAIN STREET STREETSCAPE UPDATE: MAY 21, 2021

June 4, 2021
We promised to keep you informed about the Main Street Streetscape Project and have been providing Updates to help assure that businesses and the public had information about what to expect during construction and to let everyone know about the project's progress. The Main Street Streetscape Project is now almost complete. Please see attached file for details on the latest project update.
All major construction work has been finished. Reconstruction of the Main/San Luis intersection was the last element of roadway work. Final column and lighting work on the Salinas Rotary Arch is still pending, but we're close to the finish line. Thank you for your understanding and patience during these past months!
MAIN STREET STREETSCAPE UPDATE: MAY 21, 2021

May 21, 2021
We promised to keep you informed about the Main Street Streetscape Project and have been providing Updates each week to help assure that businesses and the public had information about what to expect during construction in the Downtown area, and to let everyone know what progress was being made during the construction work. Thank you to everyone for patience and understanding over these multiple months!
The project is now in the final phase. Major construction tasks in all blocks of Downtown have been completed with the exception of "finishing work" that does not impede vehicle or pedestrian access, and reconstruction of the Main/San Luis intersection which is awaiting a permit from Caltrans to be
MAIN STREET STREETSCAPE UPDATE: May 7, 2021

May 7, 2021
We promised to keep you informed about the Main Street Streetscape Project and have been providing Updates each week to help assure that businesses and the public had information about what to expect during construction in the Downtown area, and to let everyone know what progress was being made during the construction work. Thank you to everyone for patience and understanding over these multiple months!
The project is now in the final phase. Major construction tasks in all blocks of Downtown have been completed with the exception of "finishing work" that does not impede vehicle or pedestrian access, and reconstruction of the Main/San Luis intersection which is awaiting a permit from Caltrans to be
MAIN STREET STREETSCAPE UPDATE: APRIL 30, 2021

April 30, 2021
We promised to keep you informed about the Main Street Streetscape Project and are providing weekly updates for that purpose. Please see attached file for the latest project information.
Construction of critical or strategic infrastructure remains exempt from the Monterey County shelter-in-place and the California stay-at-home orders. Work is progressing and various procedures are being used to help assure public and worker safety during these difficult times. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Contact Information and How to Stay Informed
- For general information about the Main Street Streetscape Project, please visit the project webpage: HERE , or contact Patrick Fung, Assistant Engineer, by calling (831)