Travels with Steinbeck

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

What you will visit:
Cannery Row (on foot)
Immortalized in the John Steinbeck novel of the same name, the Cannery Row area was once a sardine warehouse district. Today, it is a picture-perfect seaside area with refurbished Depression-era buildings, a bust immortalizing the author, the preserved biology lab of Ed Ricketts, Steinbeck's real-life friend who inspired the character Doc in the novel, and a colorful mix of shops, restaurants, art galleries, and confectionaries.
Salinas Valley (scenic drive)
'America's Salad Bowl,' with its lush green fields of produce nestled between coastal mountains, is the dominant vista in Salinas Valley and a recurrent image in many of Steinbeck's classic novels. A drive through the historic environs of Salinas Valley includes views of the town of Spreckels, once home to the world's largest sugar beet factory and the setting for Tortilla Flat. The area also served as inspiration for scenes in East of Eden, and part of the classic film adaptation was shot in this town.
The Steinbeck House/National Steinbeck Center
A docent-led tour of Steinbeck's childhood home, where he also lived later in life, reveals the early life of the world-renown author. Then, at the National Steinbeck Center, a hands-on museum dedicated to the life and work of this literary giant, see film clips, original artifacts and activities that delve into the life and writing of this prolific author.
What you will see along the way:
Monterey delights with its jagged coastline and fragrant, pine-tree-lined streets. A drive through Pacific Grove showcases where Steinbeck conceived some of his most brilliant works and offers views of the sparkling Monterey Bay. On your return ride to Monterey, gaze upon the agricultural area of Castroville, the 'Artichoke Center of the World,' and hug the pristine coastline as you journey back to port.
Lunch:
Enjoy a seated lunch served by your hosts at the Steinbeck House.