Salinas
30 Railroad AvenueSalinas, CA 93901
Location: Amtrak Station
Phone: Amtrak - 1-800-USA-RAIL; Capitol Corridor: 1-877-9RIDE-CC (1-877-974-3322) All Others: 1-800-USA-RAIL
Route: Coast Starlight, Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquin and Capitol Corridor Bus Routes 17, 21, 36, 37, 68
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The Amtrak Station in Salinas is just off Highway 101 and near downtown, located at 11 Station Place. It is a large and modern looking station, with a large well lighted parking lot.
Salinas is served once a day in each direction by the Coast Starlight, and several times a day by Amtrak Motor Coaches connecting the Monterey Bay area with Amtrak trains operating out of the San Jose Station and Merced.
If you look for "Salinas, California" in a web search engine, the first four or five listings may well be for items related to John Steinbeck, a native son of whom the community is justifiably proud. The Steinbeck National Center is only a few blocks from the Station itself. Though most often remembered for "Cannery Row" which still exists in a gentrified and commercial way in Monterey, much of Steinbeck's works celebrates (in all its meanings) the people of the Salinas area.
There's more to Salinas than Steinbeck (although that's saying a lot). Called "The Salad Bowl of America," this agricultural center of the coast is justly famous for its lettuce and, of course, artichokes. Come strawberry season, though, and you'll wonder what the fuss is about over that "green stuff."
Some other interesting things to see in the area include the California Rodeo, California International Air Show, and the world famous Steinbeck Festival.