What to do in Oldtown Salinas, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

National Steinbeck Center featuring interior views
National Steinbeck Center showing signage
National Steinbeck Center featuring interior views, signage and modern architecture
National Steinbeck Center showing signage and interior views
National Steinbeck Center featuring interior views and signage

Oldtown Salinas Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Oldtown Salinas has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Oldtown Salinas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Oldtown Salinas with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Oldtown Salinas

Oldtown Salinas is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Oldtown Salinas, and make it a breeze to explore Oldtown Salinas and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Oldtown Salinas to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Oldtown Salinas, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Oldtown Salinas.

Oldtown Salinas attractions

Oldtown Salinas has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Oldtown Salinas to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Oldtown Salinas.

Looking for things to do in Oldtown Salinas can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Oldtown Salinas or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Oldtown Salinas attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium showcases more than 35,000 animals and plants across 550 species. You’ll discover all kinds of local wildlife here, including fish of all sizes, invertebrates, mammals and plants.
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Monterey Bay Aquarium which includes interior views and marine life

2. 17-Mile Drive

Gaze at dazzling mansions and barking sea lions along 17-Mile Drive, a privately owned stretch of road that winds between Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach. This exclusive seafront drive hugs the wild, craggy coastline, passing great cypress trees, rocky coves, sandy beaches and undulating golf courses.
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17-Mile Drive featuring rugged coastline and a beach

3. Cannery Row

Discover the leisure attractions along the historic street of Cannery Row. Once a thriving and rather smelly sardine-canning district, today this strip of coast offers fun for the whole family. Peruse the specialty shops and art galleries, dine in seafood restaurants, take the kids to Monterey Bay Aquarium and enjoy watersports in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
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Cannery Row which includes a beach as well as a small group of people

4. Carmel Beach

Carmel Beach is a long stretch of soft, white sand in Carmel, a picture-perfect town just 15 minutes’ drive south from Monterey. Steady swells make this a popular destination with surfers, swimmers and kayakers. Rent a kayak and paddle out across the kelp beds. Bring a wetsuit, as the water is often cold except in the heat of summer.
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Carmel Beach featuring landscape views and a sandy beach as well as an individual female

5. National Steinbeck Center

John Steinbeck was a celebrated American novelist and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. The National Steinbeck Center celebrates his work through photos, artifacts, interactive exhibits and the author’s personal belongings. It also explores the area’s agricultural history, which was a major influence on Steinbeck’s work.
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Immerse yourself in the life, times and works of legendary American novelist John Steinbeck through memorabilia, photos, journals and film.

Recommended things to do in Oldtown Salinas

Number of things to do
1
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Monterey County Salinas Valley Farm Tour: £154
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Oldtown Salinas

Popular places to visit

National Steinbeck Center

National Steinbeck Center

Immerse yourself in the life, times and works of legendary American novelist John Steinbeck through memorabilia, photos, journals and film.

National Steinbeck Center
Toro County Park

Toro County Park

Explore the lovely green spaces of Toro County Park and enjoy the cycling trails in Salinas. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the seafood restaurants while you're in the area.

Toro County Park

Salinas Sports Complex

Catch an event at Salinas Sports Complex and enjoy other activities in Salinas such as golfing.Wander through the marina and beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area.

Salinas Sports Complex

California Rodeo Grounds

Catch an event at California Rodeo Grounds and enjoy other activities in Salinas such as golfing.Wander through the marina and beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area.

California Rodeo Grounds

Northridge Mall

During your trip to Salinas, you can enjoy retail therapy at Northridge Mall. Wander through the marina and beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area.

Northridge Mall

Monterey Zoo

Meet the animals who call Monterey Zoo home during your travels in Salinas. While in this family-friendly area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Monterey Zoo

Steinbeck House

You can find out about the history of Salinas with a stop at Steinbeck House. Wander through the marina and beautiful beaches in this family-friendly area.

Steinbeck House

The Farm

Learn about the local history of Salinas when you spend time at The Farm. Amble around this family-friendly area's marina or attend a sporting event.

The Farm

Natividad Hospital

If Natividad Hospital is what brings you to town, hopefully you'll have a chance to explore more of Salinas.

Natividad Hospital

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Oldtown Salinas

National Steinbeck Center featuring interior views

Salinas

Frequently asked questions

Is Oldtown Salinas worth visiting?
From retail therapy to outdoor activities and history, there are plenty of fun things to do in Oldtown Salinas. Don't forget to discover the area's blend of cool attractions, culture and local charm.
How do I spend a day in Oldtown Salinas?
When you've checked off major attractions like Salinas Valley Model Railroad Museum, spend some time enjoying the food and retail options in Oldtown Salinas.
What is the top tourist attraction in Oldtown Salinas?
Boronda Adobe History Centre is rated the top tourist attraction near Oldtown Salinas, so don't leave without checking it out.
Is three days enough to stay in Oldtown Salinas?
You'll have plenty of time to check out Boronda Adobe History Centre, Steinbeck House and other popular attractions around the area when you plan a three-day break in Oldtown Salinas.
Is Oldtown Salinas a walkable neighbourhood?
That depends on the things you want to experience in and around Oldtown Salinas. Several top attractions, including Boronda Adobe History Centre and Steinbeck House are easily accessible on foot. In the mood for a stroll to some other nearby neighbourhoods? Chinatown is 2 kms (1 mile) from Oldtown Salinas, while Boronda is 3 kms (2 miles) away.
What are some activities to do in Oldtown Salinas with kids?
If you're searching for sights and tours for all ages, we've got some fabulous ideas for what to do in Oldtown Salinas with kids.

What to do in Oldtown Salinas for adults?
Steinbeck House is one of the best things to do in Oldtown Salinas. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Oldtown Salinas?
You won't have to go out of your way to find free things to do in Oldtown Salinas. If you ask a local tour guide and they'll have suggestions for attractions you can enjoy for nothing. One of the best free options to check out is Boronda Adobe History Centre.