NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE: Salinas
Salinas is the region’s agricultural heart, known as the “Salad Bowl of the World,” with a vibrant cultural scene, family-friendly parks, and a revitalizing downtown. Families enjoy the National Steinbeck Center, Tatum’s Garden, and numerous youth sports programs. Prunedale, just to the north, offers spacious rural and semi-rural living with quick access to Highway 101 and a quieter lifestyle.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD INSIDER: JENNA KEISLING
Jenna is a Salinas mom trying to keep up with her curious preschooler, Rhett. When she’s not chasing him around or marveling at his latest discovery, Jenna is a Sales Executive with Monterey Bay Parent, helping connect families to the amazing resources our community has to offer.
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As a mom raising a little one in Salinas, I feel incredibly grateful for this community. We have access to so many family-friendly experiences—from seasonal outings at The Farm to weekend strolls through the Old Town farmers market. Our parks and playgrounds offer something for every age, from inclusive spaces like Tatum’s Garden to neighborhood favorites like Clarmont and Northgate. I love that Salinas has a small-town feel supported by great local businesses, wonderful restaurants, and events that bring families together. Watching Old Town grow and thrive has been such a joy for our family.
FAMILY FUN: Our favorite place to spend time is The Farm. While the main farm is open seasonally from May through October, the bakery operates year-round—and their pies alone are worth the trip. During the season, families can enjoy story time with songs and books, feed goats, chickens, ducks, and bunnies, and ride the popular cow train. The farm store is a highlight, too, with fresh produce, children’s toys and books. Don’t leave without a pot pie—you’ll be hooked.
We also love the Salinas Public Library, especially the John Steinbeck Library branch. It’s a standout spot for toddlers and young families, offering engaging programs. While the National Steinbeck Center is wonderful for hands-on literary fun, the library is truly unmatched for early-literacy programming and activities.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING: First Awakenings in Old Town is our go-to. Open for breakfast and lunch, it’s consistently delicious, relaxed, and welcoming—exactly what families need. The menu works for every age, and service is always warm and attentive.
DATE NIGHT: For a night out, we love Alvarado Street Brewery in Old Town. The food is fantastic, the atmosphere is lively, and the full bar is a plus. If we want to extend the evening, Farmer’s Union Pour House is a cozy spot to start or end the date.
SHOPPING: Salinas is full of small businesses that make shopping enjoyable and personal. Joypers offers something for everyone in the family, Bliss Boutique is great for on-trend clothing and accessories, and Gifts On The Go is our reliable stop for birthdays, baby gifts, and housewarming presents.
Weekend shopping often includes the Saturday Farmers Market in Old Town, where we browse for fresh flowers, seasonal produce, and delicious food vendors. From May through November, the Salinas Valley Health Farmers Market is great option.
PARKS: Salinas has a wide variety of parks that are fantastic for little ones. Clarmont Park in Monterey Park is a favorite, with two play structures, swings, and a large grassy field perfect for picnics or open play. Tatum’s Garden is an absolute must-visit—centrally located, fully inclusive, and designed so children of all abilities can play side by side.
In North Salinas, Northgate Neighborhood Park is another excellent option, featuring newly redesigned play areas with separate structures for ages 2–5 and 5–12.
HIGHWAY 68 CORRIDOR
The Highway 68 corridor offers a semi-rural lifestyle with quick access to both Salinas and the Monterey Peninsula, making it ideal for families who want space without sacrificing convenience. Neighborhoods along 68 feature rolling hills, equestrian centers, county parks, and a peaceful, scenic setting. Del Rey Oaks adds a small-town feel with friendly neighborhoods, and close access to coastal recreation.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD INSIDER: ANGELA SAVAGE
The Savages are lifelong locals of Salinas and Carmel Valley, rooted in the communities they love. As small-business owners, they’re committed to supporting families and celebrating the outdoors across the Central Coast and inland valleys. Their weekends are usually spent exploring the places that make this region feel like home.
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FAMILY FUN: Life with pre-teens means finding places where everyone can breathe a little, and the Toro Park area off Highway 68 has become our family’s easy go-to. The sunbelt weather helps, but it’s really the blend of trails, parks, and small local spots that makes a full day flow effortlessly.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING: Windmill Market is our midday reset for fresh fruit and vegetables before heading back toward Toro Park Center for dinner. Whether we’re craving pizza, Italian comfort food, or tacos, there’s always something that hits the spot. And with daughters in tow, there’s often a request for nails or a quick pedicure—now a fun little part of our routine.
A PEFECT FAMILY DAY: We usually start at Castle Rock Coffee Co. for a sweet treat, then cross over to the Fort Ord BLM land. The trails range from simple strolls to more challenging climbs, so both the kids and the dog get their energy out. Afterward, we swing by the Toro Park dog park, which still gives my older kids a chance to unwind—even though they’ve aged out of the playground phase.
What I love most is how the whole day supports the small businesses that keep this stretch of the community vibrant. It’s simple, outdoorsy, and grounded in all the right ways.
PRUNEDALE
Prunedale and Castroville offer a blend of rural living, tight-knit community feel, and quick access to both Salinas and the Monterey Peninsula. Prunedale is known for its rolling hills and quiet neighborhoods surrounded by oak woodlands—perfect for families who value space and a slower pace. Castroville, the “Artichoke Capital of the World,” adds rich agricultural heritage, vibrant local culture, and proximity to coastal recreation. Families in both communities enjoy farmers’ markets, regional parks, and convenient access to Highway 1 and 101.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD INSIDER: LEAH LEVIN
LEAH LEVIN traded the beaches of Santa Cruz for the rolling hills of Prunedale in 2020, where she now lives with her daughter, Eloise, and her husband, Brandon. While Brandon is busy training to become a commercial pilot, Leah runs Peak Potential ISR—named a Monterey Bay Parent 2025 Family Favorite Swim Lesson provider for the Salinas Valley.
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PRUNEDALE FAMILY LIFE: I love living in Prunedale! It’s a small town where we know all our neighbors and have each other’s backs but with plenty of nature to explore. We are centrally located to everything, in less than 40 minutes we can be anywhere from Carmel to Santa Cruz, all of Monterey County or to the beach. In Prunedale, the kids grow up with dirt on their shoes, fresh strawberries on their fingers, and neighbors who feel like extended family. It’s a special place with rural charm.
FAMILY FUN: We love Hidden Hills Ranch, they host events, have lots of animals and offer horseback riding lessons. Blue Bird Farm is a magical farm experience. You can host an event with a petting zoo, horse riding, hayrides and a play area. Mini cows, mini donkeys, baby goats, alpacas–all the most friendly animals.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING: Country Kitchen is our favorite breakfast place. Friendly faces, great food, and quick service, all the best qualities for a meal with kids. We love to get fancy pastries from Gourmet Central Bake House, it’s like a big city pastry house tucked away in Prunedale. For the best donuts we love Prunedale Donut & Bakery. Heads up, it’s cash only. Nothing like a Wednesday night food truck dinner. A plethora of local food trucks gather throughout the week in the Country Kitchen parking lot but Wednesday is the ‘hottest night’, with a variety of trucks to choose from.
DATE NIGHT: We love sushi from Hanabi Japanese Restaurant. Incredibly fresh fish, it’s a total sleeper restaurant. For lunch and dinner we love Birrieria Coalcoman in Castroville. They have an extensive menu, make their own tortillas, the best birrieria, and delicious adult beverages. Owned by the nicest family, it feels more like a family kitchen.
SHOPPING: Our favorite Saturday tradition is going to Borba Farms and getting our produce for the week. There is nothing better than supporting local farms and having access to the freshest organic produce. They are open from 9am-1pm on Saturdays. Then we head to Garden Variety Cheese. Open only on Saturdays from 10 am-2 pm you can get the freshest meats and cheeses and sometimes a tour of the ranch. Country Jeweler is a local gem (pun fully intended) owned by the sweetest woman, Claudia. She can make anything you dream of a reality and for incredibly affordable prices. I love Sugar & T for local gifts. They have a variety of handmade candles, cute gifts, clothes, fun snacks, and so many beauty items. My husband’s favorite store is Ace Hardware.
PARKS: Manzanita Park has a nice playground. There are zip lines, slides, and a big swing. We love taking our dogs as there are plenty of hiking trails, and bringing our bikes for the biking trails. Royal Oaks Park has a disc golf course now. We love doing picnics and hosting family parties because they have BBQ grills. It is pet friendly and is another great place for a family walk. The best kayaking is Elkhorn Slough Reserve. No where else can you see such diverse wildlife–up close and personal with seals, sea lions, and otters.