Located in Salinas, a 17-mile drive from Monterey, the National Steinbeck Center is a museum dedicated to American author John Steinbeck. Best known for his novella Of Mice and Men and for his Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck was born in Salinas in 1902 and spent his childhood there before attending Stanford in 1919. The center offers exhibitions on literature, history, agriculture, and art, as well as special events and educational programs. The John Steinbeck Exhibition Hall offers a look at Steinbeck's literary world through interactive, multisensory exhibits for all ages; rare artifacts; and seven themed theaters that showcase East of Eden, Cannery Row, Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, and more. At the Rabobank Agriculture Museum, which is included in admission to the center, visitors can explore the stories of the Salinas Valley "from field to fork." Salinas has long been known as "the Salad Bowl of the World," and this hands-on museum celebrates the history, people, and technology of the agricultural industry. Play the Produce Game, vote for your favorite vegetable, or design your own crate label.

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