This small town lies in the heart of California's Central Coast farm country less than 100 miles from San Francisco and less than three miles from the Pacific Ocean and public beaches. For over 50 years, this "Artichoke Capital of the World has celebrated harvests of their number one crop with an Artichoke Festival held usually in May. In 1947 a young woman named Norma Jean was crowned Castroville's first artichoke queen. She later was known as the famous actress, Marilyn Monroe.
Founded in 1863, Castroville is the second oldest town in Monterey County. An annual artichoke festival is the big event around Castroville. One hundred percent of all artichokes grown commercially in the United States are grown in California.
Northwest of Salinas, this suburb is conveniently located at the junction of Highways 156 and 183. Castroville is part of the Salinas, California metro area.
