Salinas offers a unique combination of climate and natural resources. The City of Salinas was born after Mexico seceded from Spain in 1822 and began granting rancho lands. Named for a nearby salt marsh, Salinas became the seat of Monterey County in 1872 and incorporated in 1874.
Visitors can also explore the nearby Monterey Peninsula: the historic missions of San Jan Bautista, Soledad, Carmel and San Antonio de Padus, the world class wineries of South Monterey County and the beauty of nearby beaches and Pinnacles National Monument.
Salinas is located in Monterey County (of which it is the county seat) northwest of Fresno between Santa Cruz and Carmel Valley along US Highway 101 on the banks of the Salinas River near Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
There is also a Salinas, Puerto Rico.
Salinas is part of the Salinas, California metro area.
