Steinbeck in Salinas

By David Allen on September 10, 2009 5:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) |

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This is the mural across the street from the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas. As mentioned in Wednesday's column, I pulled off the 101 on a whim to visit the museum in Salinas, the city where the author was born and raised. Admission was a reasonable $10.95.

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The center opened in 1998 and its 37,000 square feet house exhibits, a gift shop and archives.

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Among the items on display are childhood books and the truck, Rocinante, in which Steinbeck and his dog explored America for the tome "Travels With Charley." Film clips play continuously from "Of Mice and Men," "The Grapes of Wrath" and "East of Eden."

Explanatory text explains the genesis of various books, especially "Grapes," and the political climate that inspired it. The gift shop has copies of every Steinbeck book as well as videos, T-shirts and other stuff. I bought "The Short Novels," comprising six books, including "The Moon is Down," which sounded intriguing based on the museum display.

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Two blocks away lies Steinbeck's childhood home, restored and housing exhibits, a restaurant and a bookshop. Even though Steinbeck, who died in 1968, had a fractious relationship with his hometown, they're treating him right, or cashing in, depending on how you look at it.

5 Comments

Pat Flinn said:

Thanks, David, for the wonderful, clear and vivid pictures of Steinbeck/Salinas. I have been there several times for various reasons -- usually because I have read of something in Salinas that seems too good to miss. Some place or event written up in Sunset or Westways is what gets me interested. I have ventured off 101 into the town and invariably gotten lost every time!

When I read your column about getting out of Salinas it brought back memories of the times I have driven, u-turned, circled round again and again trying to find my way out. Thanks for the memories you bring to my days. I love it!

[You're welcome, Pat. -- DA]

September 10, 2009 8:50 AM

Dave said:

This post reminds me of an anecdote that Steinbeck's widow contributed to Reader's Digest: In foreign countries, she made a habit of going into bookstores and asking if they had any translations of John Steinbecks's books (without letting on that he was her late husband). I think she said it was in China that a bookseller produced a volume and told her, "This is one of his most popular books -- it's called 'The Angry Raisins.'"

[Har! -- DA]

September 10, 2009 9:58 AM

Steve B said:

The best American writer. . .today is "Sweet Thursday."

[That's right. It's the perfect time to ride the red pony or take the wayward bus to Cannery Row, the Sea of Cortez or Tortilla Flat, especially if the moon is down. -- DA]

September 10, 2009 1:09 PM

Fred said:

DA: Being the food lover that you are...next time you are in Salinas (I don't see any reason to go again for a while)... there is a place outside of Salinas towards the coast called Moss Landing that has a wonderful seafood market/restaurant called Phil's Fish Market... Best and freshest seafood ever! Worth checking out.

[Thanks, Fred. Of course, I don't see any reason to go again for a while either... DA]

September 10, 2009 3:00 PM

Becky Altringer said:

Thanks for sharing David. Brought back memories of when my family went to Salinas and visited Cannery Row. We loved it.

P.I. Becky

September 11, 2009 8:38 PM