16. What to Do in Salinas, the Monterey County Seat

Cruising Salinas on a Sunday afternoon

This Salinas section of Tips for Bicycling Monterey County was originally written for visitors.  It has plenty of tips for locals too!  Here’s one:

July 14, 2012:  Colmo Night Parade, in advance of the California Rodeo, Salinas (July 19-22) is back, and Alex Cappelli of Velo Club Monterey is initial organizer of a bike presence.  See important notes in 3/29/12 Calendar post, then check in with vcmonterey.org. Mark your calendars!  The Kiddie Capers parade begins at 6:30 p.m., and the Colmo Parade at 8 p.m.

Alan Jackson and Ashley Monroe will be performing at the Rodeo on July 21!  See “Art and Music” below.

Did you know Salinas is home of Monterey County’s only high school mountain biking race team?  Details on that–and more you may not know about Salinas–below.

Photo courtesy of Salinas High Cowboys Racing

Think Monterey Peninsula is paradise?  East of Eden is amazing, too! 

No wonder “Salinas” and “Pastures of Heaven” are often uttered in the same sentence, even by those unfamiliar with native son John Steinbeck’s book.   The Salinas Valley is beautiful.  And in spring, if you travel the Monterey-Salinas Highway 68 or other routes, you’ll likely see cattle grazing on lupine-covered hills–pastures of heaven, indeed! (Click here for tips if biking Monterey-Salinas corridor/Highway 68.)

Salinas is Salad Bowl of the World and home of the National Steinbeck Center.  Marcus Mumford is among those who has discovered the pleasures of Steinbeck Country, and it’s even better by bike.

Salinas bike map

Salinas has provided 95 miles of connected bikeways for travel throughout the City and continues its work to complete the City bicycle network.  (Reference:  News Release 05 07 2012 Salinas Council Pedal Power.)

Check out the City of Salinas Bicycle Facilities Map, a downloadable pdf, 12.59 MB, in – English and Español.  (For other Spanish biking resources, click here.)

Salinas visitor center

A new Salinas Welcome Center opened June 30, 2011 at 1213 N. Davis Rd; phone: (831) 757-8687.  In addition, there is an Oldtown Salinas visitor center, known as Salinas 411/Destination Salinas. More about both centers below.

Discounts because you ride a bike in Salinas

Salinas business and organization leaders—including Steinbeck Center—are among the ecology-economy partners who are participating in the HER Helmet Thursdays project, offering discounts to cyclists in Monterey County.  See the front-page story about the project from the 2/1/10 Salinas Californian.

Salinas Californian multimedia journalist Scott MacDonald, who took the photo for that HER Helmet Thursdays story, mounts his camera to his bike to get many of his best shots in Salinas!

Discounts for bicyclists on Thursdays!

Below is a list of some Salinas participants in HER Helmet Thursdays; click on their names for their HER Helmet Thursdays listings.  For complete list of hundreds of these extra bike-friendly places in Monterey County, including additional Salinas spots, click here.

1. Aquablue Skin & Body Spa
2. Courtyard by Marriott
3. Cozumel
4. Elli’s Great American Dinner House
5. First Awakenings
6. Fox California Theater
7. Gino’s Fine Italian
8. Golden Fish
9. Guadalajara Grill
10. La Plaza Bakery & Cafe, East Salinas-Bardin Rd
11. La Plaza Bakery & Cafe, East Salinas-N. Sanborn Rd
12. La Plaza Bakery & Cafe, West Salinas
13. LALLA Lounge
14. Michael’s Grill and Taqueria
15. Mountain Mike’s Pizza, 931 W. Alisal
16. MYO Pure Frozen Yogurt 
17. National Steinbeck Center
18. Noodle House
    
19. Red’s Burger Joint
20. Residence Inn by Marriott
21. Rollick’s Specialty Coffee and Internet
    
22. Rosita’s Armory Cafe
23. Salinas Valley Fish House
24. Tacos El Jaliscience, Alisal
25. Yangtse’s Taste of Thai

For tips on getting around to the HER Helmet Thursdays locations, check their listings.  Charter participants, and many others, have bike-there tips.

Steve Nichols at the Salinas Valley Fish House.

I’ll be on the coast, hadn’t thought about Salinas…

Bicycling around Salinas is great!  It’s warmer than the coast, it’s flat, and most streets are wide.  You’ll have added special memories of Monterey County by visiting our county seat, memories less savvy visitors may miss out on.

As Patrick Brady/Red Kite Prayer reported on April 18, 2011 after riding the Sea Otter Classic Gran Fondo:  “The single most important thing I can say about the Gran Fondo [Carmel Valley Route, which includes Salinas Valley] is that it boasts one of the prettiest Gran Fondo courses I’ve ridden….. The opening 40 miles [primarily Salinas Valley] were countertop flat…all the beauty with only 1/3 the suffering.”

Are you a serious cyclist like Patrick Brady–or like Jan Valencia, who bikes daily from his Seaside home to his Salinas business?  Jan finds that ride a breeze and can give you tips; find him in this site’s Serious Cyclists section.  There you’ll also find Frank Henderson and Phil Yenovikian, who love to help others bike commute between Salinas and the Monterey Peninsula.

Below: Frank Henderson on Alisal at Blanco Road, Salinas

Frank had just come from teaching bike safety at the Monterey County Youth Center.  There’s plenty of room in Salinas and all of Monterey County for volunteers to teach bike safety and bike tech skills to youth.  Many youth love to bike–or once did–and need our support.

Remembering the late Salinas 16-year-old Kyle Bradshear and others who lose their life in tragic accidents, Frank and others stay motivated to help bicyclists be safe on the roads.  Their efforts range from teaching safety skills to cyclists to advocating for improved bike infrastructure.

All or no cycling?  Bike-and-ride!

Maybe you’re not like Jan.  Perhaps you think there’s no way you have the time, or energy, to include Salinas in a cycle outing?  Okay, no worries.  See this site’s bike-and-ride section!

The Monterey-Salinas Transit System (MST) makes it easier for you to include both Salinas and the Monterey Peninsula in your Monterey County bike outings.  Other cyclists travel by train to Salinas, e.g.,  from the San Francisco Bay area. You’ll find detailed, specific tips for both in the bike-and-ride section.

Here’s just one example of an easy bike outing:  Take public transportation, such as MST bus or Amtrak train, to Oldtown Salinas.  Enjoy the National Steinbeck Center, which is very near the transit center and train depot, along with other Oldtown spots.   Then bike out of Oldtown via Pajaro (through residential streets that have a bike lane) to Gino’s or Elli’s/LALLA Lounge at the outskirts of Salinas, just off Highway 68/Monterey-Salinas Highway.  This is a flat, easy ride, and you will come away with a closer experience of the local community.

Linda and Matt Greenlaw watch as fellow Salinas bikers whizz by.

You’re in Steinbeck Country!

Salinas is the home of literary great John Steinbeck, author of East of Eden, Grapes of Wrath, Cannery Row, Of Mice and Men, Travels with Charlie, and more.

Visitors from all over the world come to the National Steinbeck Center.  Not only is the Steinbeck Exhibition Hall a literary lovers delight, its permanent exhibition halls include a place to learn about Salinas Valley farming in the Steinbeck Center’s Rabobank Agricultural Museum; check the Steinbeck Center website for updates, as the ag museum temporarily closed while exciting new changes were being made.

The Steinbeck Center also has changing art and cultural exhibits.  See what’s up for 2011-2012 exhibitions. And there’s much more, including a variety of programs throughout the year, for all ages and backgrounds.

As mentioned above, the Steinbeck is near the Oldtown Salinas MST transit center and the Amtrak train station.

History tours

History buffs will appreciate that Oldtown self-guided tours are available in two formats, both of which can be helpful to bikers out exploring:  (1) a  paper Historic Oldtown Walking Tour guide; and (2) an accompanying Real Salinas Historic Tour guide in a cell phone format (831/401-9587).

Where to get the paper copies?  Contact Trish Sullivan at the Oldtown’s Salinas 411 visitor center/Destination Salinas for details (see below).  Or contact Sarah Smith at the Salinas Welcome Center.

Serving as a Concierge Extraordinaire for Salinas:

Trish Sullivan of Destination Salinas  in Oldtown

Visitor information

On June 30, 2011, a brand new Salinas Welcome Center opened on 1213 N. Davis Rd; phone:  (831) 757-8687. It is managed by Sarah Smith.

The Welcome Center includes helpful amenities, like bicycle racks, clean bathrooms, and free WiFi!

There is also an Oldtown Salinas visitor center, Salinas 411, now at a new location:  222 Main St.

Additional Salinas info is available from:

•  Salinas Valley Chamber, 831/751-7725; Mon-Fri, 8-5.
• A source of general visitor info that is available 10 a.m to 5 p.m., including weekends too and most public holidays, is the National Steinbeck Center, 831/775-4721.
• And even in this Internet world, you just can’t beat a public library reference  librarian for a reliable source of local info!  Contact the City of Salinas Public Libraries (there are 3 branches); reach the main branch, John Steinbeck Library at 831/758-7311, where you may ask to be transferred to reference.

Over a century old and counting:  California Rodeo

A much-anticipated annual event is the California Rodeo Salinas, which draws more than 50,000 fans to Monterey County annually. Visit the California Rodeo site.  Don’t miss out when they have a night parade!  Salinas Police Officers on bicycles are part of that cool event, and you’ll want to be too; contact me about bicycling in the parade.

See  “Hotter Than July: Salinas Cycling… (2010 report).” 

July 14, 2012:  Colmo Night Parade, in advance of the California Rodeo, Salinas (July 19-22) is back, and Alex Cappelli of Velo Club Monterey is initial organizer of a bike presence.  See important notes in 3/29/12 Calendar post, then check in with vcmonterey.org. Mark your calendars!  The Kiddie Capers parade begins at 6:30 p.m., and the Colmo Parade at 8 p.m.

Delightful surprises

Most people find Oldtown Salinas a wonderful place to start biking.  Then venture into other parts of town, too!   On August 1, 2010, the borders of the bike lanes running alongside farm fields were in full bloom in North Salinas (not far from HER Helmet Thursdays spots La Plaza Bakery & Cafe [1 of 3 in Salinas] and HHT spots the Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott).  Cosmos and other flowers had been thoughtfully planted at the ends of field rows along Davis Road, a delightful surprise for cyclists and others.

On any streets with heavier traffic, of course, it’s wise to use extra caution and to consider high-visibility apparel and other personal bike safety measures, such as lights and flags.

Salinas bike shops and services

There are terrific bike shops in Salinas.  Please refer to Bicycle Shops, Services, Clubs and Resources in Monterey County.

Unfortunately, there are not yet bicycle rentals available in Salinas.  Meanwhile, BYOB (bring your own bike) or get an all-day rental from elsewhere in Monterey County.

Special bicycling events and activities

• Monterey County’s Sea Otter Classic, world-renowned bicycle races and festival, takes place just off the Monterey-Salinas Highway 68.
• As of  May 2012, Salinas remains the home of the only high school cycling team in the county, Salinas High School Cowboys Racing!  Check their site for schedule of activities.
• Salinas is also home of BMX World Championships competitor Shawn Carden, a Salinas High student. Click here for details.
•  Salinas Valley Criterium hosts races, including for youth.  See Criterium post on this site.
• Salinas Police Activities League (PAL) puts on bicycle safety rodeos for children and teens.

Salinas restaurants are saying no to styrofoam / polystyrene packaging. On August 16, 2011, the Salinas City Council approved a ban on styro.   This is another step in Salinas meeting its environmental goals.  Mayor Dennis Donohue signed the United Nations Urban Environmental Accords as well as the US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

Help the City of Salinas, along with other Monterey County cities, in enforcing the styro ban. How? The Monterey County Weekly makes it easy to  acknowledge restaurants that already use compostable or recyclable containers, and remind those that do not.  Alternatively, contact the restaurant manager directly.  Restauranteurs are busy people, with a lot to keep track of !  Don’t assume they don’t care if they still use styro; instead, trust that they want to do the right thing and will appreciate a polite reminder.

First Friday Art Walk, Oldtown Salinas

Art and music in Salinas

Here’s a hot Salinas tip for country music fans:  As reported by the Salinas Californian on 1/27/12, Alan Jackson will be at the California Rodeo July 21, 2012. And as announced 5/11/12, Ashley Monroe will be performing too!  This will be a likely sell-out concert, so don’t wait to get tickets.

The National Steinbeck Center hosts many special events, including Night at the Museum, which sometimes feature concerts, such as, Mike Beck and Ben Sollee.

See “Artists of Hijos del Sol” on the site to learn more about the Salinas arts community.

There is a new Salinas Art and Music Summit happening now too; see Adam Joseph’s story in the Monterey County Weekly about the first summit:  “Lofty Summit:  Dubwize, Cali Nation, and The Joint Venture headline first Salinas Music and Arts Summit.”

Maybe you’ve seen the marine murals on Monterey’s Cannery Row, but have you seen the one below in Oldtown Salinas?

Check out the Old Town Salinas First Fridays Art Walk, where you’ll be part of scenes like the one below….

Matt and Linda Greenlaw join fellow music enthusiasts

on the sidewalk in front of First Awakenings on Main Street,

at the July 2, 2010 First Fridays Art Walk.

Trouble finding parking for a popular film?  Not Steve Nichols!    Plenty of bike parking in Oldtown Salinas.

East Salinas / Alisal

Don’t just stick with Oldtown though; you’ll find murals all around the city, including in East Salinas, popularly known as the Alisal.  In this neighborhood, you’ll get the dynamic flavor of the predominately Hispanic/Latino makeup of Monterey County (in Salinas, that’s 71.7% of the population).  Here you can enjoy Latino markets, authentic Mexican food restaurants, and the chance to practice your Spanish on every corner.

East Salinas HER Helmet Thursdays spot La Plaza Bakery & Cafe on Sanborn.  All the La Plazas in Monterey County give discounts to people who bike on Thursdays.

Pedal-powered cart in East Salinas, on Alisal.

Exercise appropriate caution

Biking at night, whether for transportation or pleasure, calls for an extra measure of caution.  This includes such things as proper lighting and high-visibility apparel as well as using bike-and-ride options if you are not confident of being in a safe, well-lit area.

Sadly, it is necessary to point out that boys and men biking are wise not to wear red or blue (colors that can indicate gang affiliation), but to instead wear colors such as bright green or yellow.  Click here to learn more.

The avid East Salinas cyclist below knows:

Money not poured into the gas pump means more money for shopping to get the things you really need.  It helps reduce carbon emission, keeping the air of the beautiful Salinas Valley cleaner.  Besides, biking is fun, and a great pick-me-up after the workday!

Below, the California Springtime Protest Pedal to protest distracted driving, on the East Salinas leg of their California ride.  Click here for more info.

Bike valet and other bicycle parking in Salinas

Hopefully you won’t find yourself needing medical assistance.  But if you do, there are bike-friendly health care providers all up and down Romie Lane, in the vicinity of the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.  It’s hard to miss the thoughtful installation of bike racks out front of some medical offices, such as the one pictured below.

And Salinas Valley Memorial itself offers a special amenity for cyclists:   If you are bicycling to the hospital to visit a loved one or take care of other business there, the hospital’s valet parking attendants are happy to provide bike valet service on request.  This is a new service of the hospital, and it is a lovely demonstration of Salinas Valley Memorial’s level of caring about the health of the community.

Forgot your bike lock? Some Salinas schools, like La Paz Middle School (pictured in “Kids biking to school“) make an extra effort to provide easy, secure bike parking and storage during the school day.  Here’s a shout-out to La Paz and other schools throughout Monterey County and elsewhere that  make it easier for children and teens to use their bike for transportation.

Hartnell College encourages Alternative Transportation, including biking, with many convenient bicycle racks near campus buildings, and at the main parking area as well.

Hartnell campus photo courtesy of Frank Henderson.

Bike rack on Main Street–one of many in Oldtown Salinas

You probably noticed all the bike racks along Main Street in Old Town Salinas.  But did you know that in Salinas, you can even find front-door parking for bicycles at churches? 

First Presbyterian on Main, Salinas

There are many bike commuters in Salinas like Mariah Hutchinson, who uses her bike for economical transportation, as well as to benefit personal health and leave a healthier planet for her children.

If you are a Salinas resident and know of a need for bicycle racks at specific locations, visit the City of Salinas Bicycle Committee webpage and fill out a Bicycle Protection Program application.

As with other parts of the county, you’ll find signs everywhere indicating that Salinas, too, is an increasingly bike friendly place!

Salinas PD

The City of Salinas Police Department is highly dedicated to Salinas as a safe place to live, visit, and bike.  And as told in this site’s Constables of the Peace story, you’ll sometimes see Salinas on-duty officers on bikes themselves.

If you have questions for Salinas PD, see their easy-to-use website or contact them.

If you’re a local resident and might want to help youth in Salinas who are keen on bicycling,  click here.