Visit the National Steinbeck Center in CA
Vacation Travel with Books and Festivals in Salinas Community
Jan 22, 2009
A visit to National Steinbeck Center and Salinas is a vacation to relax and enjoy meeting people from diverse mix of cultures and to see where they are from in the surrounding countryside. It is an actual trip of discovery through John Steinbeck’s books.
One item revealed from President Obama’s inauguration speech was to get acquainted with everyday people. This may be done on a vacation using the National Steinbeck Center.
John Steinbeck, a Nobel prize winner, wrote about people through his books like East of Eden, Tortilla Flats, Cannery Row, Grapes of Wrath, and The Red Pony.
Susan Shillinglaw writes in the Journey into John Steinbeck’s California, “John Steinbeck’s intent is akin to Steinbeck’s own to capture the whole picture, the intersection of land and people.”
The new trends for travel in 2009 should focus with getting acquainted with everyday people throughout USA. These real people are the actors on stage everyday. One may do this through family fun vacation trips in this small town community with conversations from people and connecting through the National Steinbeck Center.
People may use John Steinbeck and his stories in books as a tool for their vacations. They should prepare before their trip with family book group readings from Steinbeck books. Next, they will proceed and plan this trip with ways to get acquainted with the local people like Steinbeck did in Travels With Charley.
About the National Steinbeck Center
The National Steinbeck Center is one hour south of San Jose, CA in Salinas. This Center should be used as a central hub to explore the works of John Steinbeck and to walk these streets where Steinbeck was raised in the early 1900's.
Be sure to include a home cooked lunch at the Victorian house where John Steinbeck was raised which is within walking distance from the Steinbeck Center and walking tours with docents which go past places like Bell’s Candy Shop from Steinbeck’s East of Eden.
The National Steinbeck Center is actually three experiences at one price of $10.95 for adults (there are children and older adult prices too) and it is recommended to reserve extra time to see the exhibits. Visitors will find:
- John Steinbeck Exhibition Hall – a place to explore and learn in depth about Steinbeck’s books and his life through interactive exhibits and games
- Rabobank Agriculture Museum – this wing illustrates the evolution of agriculture through people and technology
- Art & Culture Exhibits – features different exhibits throughout the year
- John Steinbeck Museum store – yes, a place to buy books and souvenirs with excellent purchases and not a tourist trap.
There are many things to do at National Steinbeck Center which children (and adults) may climb on, touch, watch and discover unique information about John Steinbeck and the region. Favorite exhibits to see are the real the “real” Rocinante, the RV from Travels with Charley, pet or ride the Red Pony, and the documentary about John Steinbeck’s life.
A four day weekend festival which includes book readings, and fun activities, is the Steinbeck Festival held annually in August. Steinbeck: Myth, Magic & Legend, August 6-9, 2009
Hours of the National Steinbeck Center and How to Get There
The Steinbeck Center is open through the winter, Tuesday – Saturday from 10 – 5 and summer hours are Monday – Sunday, 10 -5.
Plan to fly into San Jose or Monterey Airports, and find many family friendly accommodations in Salinas, San Jose, or Monterey.
A visit to National Steinbeck Center does include books and is an educational, family vacation to explore the stories of everyday people on the back roads. It is fun to learn about people and John Steinbeck, a Nobel prize winning author, at the National Steinbeck Center.
A Journey into Steinbeck's California, by Susan Shillinglaw, was published in 2006 by Roaring Forties Press and may be used as a guide to planning a trip into Steinbeck's country.
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