Your local guide

A day, a weekend, your Salinas

Build your day around opening times, then leave room to explore.

Culture and a local meal

Begin at the National Steinbeck Center, leave time for Main Street shops, then plan lunch at a local kitchen. The Steinbeck House is a separate stop on Central Avenue; confirm its restaurant and tour schedule before adding it. Ariel Theatrical and the Fox Theater require checking the current performance calendar.

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A different neighborhood

Oldtown centers on Main Street and the streets around the National Steinbeck Center. Alisal’s East Alisal Street corridor offers another concentration of neighborhood kitchens and shops. South Main and North Main are distinct commercial areas; use the map to group stops rather than assuming a single walking circuit.

Find your next stop →

Local guide researched September 12, 2026. Confirm current details with the linked operator.

Choose a local meal

Start your plan with one of these restaurants. Open the profile for its address, hours source and menu link.

Mexican restaurant

Eat & drink · Salinas

El Charrito

4.5(3,355)Google reviews

El Charrito is listed as a mexican restaurant at 122 W Market St in Salinas. Follow the source link for current visiting details.

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American restaurant

Eat & drink · Oldtown

Elli's | Great American Restaurant

4.1(1,678)Google reviews

Elli's | Great American Restaurant is listed as a american restaurant at 1250 S Main St in Salinas. Follow the source link for current visiting details.

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Barbecue restaurant

Eat & drink · Salinas

Salinas City BBQ

4.3(1,497)Google reviews

Salinas City BBQ is listed as a barbecue restaurant at 700 W Market St in Salinas. Follow the source link for current visiting details.

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Add a cultural stop

Pair your meal with a museum or cultural visit. Check the map before choosing a route; these stops are not necessarily walkable from each other.

Museum & cultural place

Arts & culture · Oldtown

Fox Theater

Fox Theater is listed as a museum & cultural place at 221 Main St in Salinas. Follow the source link for current visiting details.

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Museum & cultural place

Arts & culture · Oldtown

Ariel Theatrical

Ariel Theatrical is listed as a museum & cultural place at 320 Main St in Salinas. Follow the source link for current visiting details.

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Museum & cultural place

Arts & culture · Oldtown

National Steinbeck Center

National Steinbeck Center is listed as a museum & cultural place at 1 Main St in Salinas. Follow the source link for current visiting details.

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Leave time for a local shop

Save a shop for a second stop or another afternoon.

Flea market

Shop local · Alisal

Potocono

4.3(286)Google reviews

Potocono is listed as a flea market at 626 E Alisal St in Salinas. Follow the source link for current visiting details.

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Discount store

Shop local · Oldtown

Salinas Liquidations

4.0(179)Google reviews

Salinas Liquidations is listed as a discount store at 329 Monterey St in Salinas. Follow the source link for current visiting details.

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Jewelry store

Shop local · Oldtown

Tony's Jewelry

4.8(111)Google reviews

Tony's Jewelry is listed as a jewelry store at 219 Monterey St in Salinas. Follow the source link for current visiting details.

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Use the hearts to save your stops. Open saved places → · Compare locations on the map → · Find an event for your visit →