Salinas is a city in western California and has been the county seat of Monterey since 1872. It is situated near Monterey Bay in the Salinas Valley. Elias Howe settled the area and turned it into a cattle center in 1856. It was at a crossroads on El Camino Real, the historic Spanish trail connecting San Diego and San Francisco. The city is frequently referred to as the "Salad Bowl of the World" due to the Southern Pacific Railroad's influence on agricultural growth after it arrived in 1868. The city's economy also heavily depends on manufacturing.
Novelist John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California and is buried there. The city's National Steinbeck Center is dedicated to his life and work and hosts an annual festival. Steinbeck frequently made references to Salinas in his writings, particularly in East of Eden (1952). The California Rodeo and the California International Airshow are two additional well-attended annual events.
Visit Toro County Park, which can be found a few miles from the heart of Salinas. Together with your family, spend the day engaging in outdoor recreation. You can even pack a picnic lunch. There are various thrilling horseback rides available at the Monterey Bay Equestrian Center. You can stroll the Monterey Bay shoreline and enjoy the spectacular scenery. There are restaurants like the First Awakenings that are dedicated to serving traditional, all-American home cooking, allowing you to enjoy the Blue Lagoon Burger with crumbled bacon and blue cheese, as well as the light Asian Harvest Salads. There is also the Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge in Salinas, California. It is a haven for lovers of ornithology during the spring and fall migrations when you can see migrating birds. You will enjoy seeing animals like the western snowy plover and the Smith's blue butterfly.
The Santa Cruz Monterey Bay KOA is a popular campground in Salinas, California. It offers various on-site activities, recreational opportunities, and quick access to Santa Cruz beach. You will discover a dog park, basketball courts, and bike rentals at this campground. The 20 back-in and pull-through sites with full hookups cater to your RV. It also has an accessible heated pool, shower, big ring, and good cell reception. You will also enjoy a great vacation with your kids.
Enjoy your visit to Pinto Lake Park, where you can do boating and fishing activities. The resort allows you to hike with your pet and is a safe environment for children. It has a playground, readily available Wi-Fi, and good cell reception. However, there is a $5 pet fee as well.
You will adore Sunset State Beach's 90 pull-through, children-friendly sites. You can participate in camp activities throughout the summer, such as campfire gatherings, nature hikes, and Junior Ranger activities. Your pet is welcome in the campground, but it must be leashed and kept no further than 6 feet away.
Sunset State Beach is about an hour's drive from Salinas, California and offers spectacular views of Monterey Bay. This state park is popular due to its coastal location and proximity to numerous other attractions. Explore the park's walking trails, surf, and fish for perch, sardines, and striped bass. In addition to a glider port, there are picnic tables and two sizable pavilions that you can reserve. Many RV sites at Sunset State Beach allow pets, are family friendly, and have full hookups.
New Brighton State Beach Park is located about 31 miles from Salinas, California on 93 acres of wooded bluffs. Visit the Pacific Migrations Visitor Center to learn about historical interpretations of the region's human and natural history. You can enjoy winter surfing, boogie boarding, hiking, paddle boarding, and swimming in the park. The park offers campfires, and you can reserve a sizable picnic area. This state park has 114 RV and tent sites. Each has full hookups and a hot tub; you are welcome to bring your pet along.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is approximately 1,006 acres in size and is situated about an hour from Salinas, California. It is called "mini Yosemite" due to its magnificent mountain peaks, wildlife, and scenery. You will come across various wildlife as you explore the mountain peaks, bluffs, riverbanks, and valleys. This state park is home to bobcats, raccoons, gray squirrels, black-tailed deer, and skunks. Along with wildlife viewing, other enjoyable outdoor activities, such as hiking, swimming, and picnicking, are available. Many RV parks allow pets, water and electricity hookups, and Wi-Fi.
The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail is approximately 20.9 miles from Salinas, California. There are numerous routes available along the 1,200 miles of trail. These trails allow you to relive the epic journey that resulted in establishing the first non-native settlement in California bay. The exhibitions provide an educational experience as you learn how a group of migrants impacted American culture and history. Explore different recreational activities along the pathways designed for driving, hiking, pet walking, and horseback riding.
Enjoy the 108-mile journey from San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park to Salinas, California. It has an aquatic park historic district, a visitor center, a fleet of ships, a museum, and a research center. You can hear park rangers' stories about the maritime park in the Maritime Voices series. Hiking on the trails available will allow you to see serpentine grasslands, redwoods, Monterey pine, and cypress. You might see different bird species like the American crow, brown pelican, and Anna's hummingbird as you explore.
The John Muir National Historic Site, which honors America's most well-known naturalist, is just 124 miles from Salinas. Begin your visit by watching a 20-minute documentary about John Muir's contributions to conservation at the visitor center. You can take a self-guided tour of the Muir/Strentzel house to learn about local history and take in the scenery. Explore the various hiking trails and observe wildlife, such as deer, that call this park home. You will also see various bird species as you shelter under the trees on the trails.
The Stanislaus National Forest is about an hour's drive from Salinas and encompasses approximately 898,000 acres of land. Explore 1,100 miles of trails and 811 miles of rivers, including the Stanislaus River, named after the forest. Visit the ski resorts at Bear Valley and Dodge Ridge, located within this forest. Beardsley Reservoir and Pinecrest Lake are excellent locations for trout fishing, so start your fishing expedition there. Three endangered bats are among the more than 17 species that call this forest home. You might see animals such as mule deer, coyotes, bears, and skunks as you hike. You will also enjoy stargazing at Pinecrest Lake in the Stanislaus National Forest.
The Eldorado National Forest, with over 500,000 acres of forest, is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Salinas. In the summer, you will enjoy swimming, boating, windsurfing, hiking, and picnicking. In the winter, you can explore sledding, tubing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling. You will delight in the stargazing that the forest's gloom makes ideal. Also, enjoy looking for the geocaches buried in the forest if you want to explore the wilderness with a goal. Try the nearly 300 lakes and 600 miles of fishable streams available for fishing. Fishing is also popular, with the park offering world-class trout and bass fishing. Enjoy rock climbing on the Lovers Leap's 600-foot granite wall.
The Sierra National Forest is 151 miles from Salinas. Explore the diverse terrain of oak-covered foothills, densely forested slopes, and alpine forest areas on the peaks. Visit in the spring to see a profusion of wildflowers on the mountain slopes, including goldfields. There are countless miles of hiking and multipurpose trails throughout the forest and mountains. As you hike, you will get a chance to see some of the park's inhabitants as they traverse the mountain slopes. You might see animals like black bears, bobcats, foxes, porcupines, marmots, and quail, to name a few.
Enjoy the 37-mile drive from Salinas, California, to Pinnacles National Park to see beautiful wildlife. There are numerous areas to discover throughout the park, from grasslands and woodlands to canyon bottoms and bat caves. During your hike, you may see native animals such as falcons, eagles, and condors. Take in the park's fascinating landscape, produced by several tall pinnacles. It also has public and private campgrounds, both of which require reservations.
Travel 209 miles from Salinas, California, to Yosemite National Park to explore nearly 1,200 miles of high cliffs, outcroppings, and wilderness. You can select hikes to reach the base of the stunning Yosemite Falls. There are many public and private camping sites in Yosemite, many of which accept pets and have playgrounds for kids. Winter and summer recreational activities are also available, including cross-country skiing, tubing, ice skating, and snowboarding resorts. Also, remember that Yosemite has relatively mild weather, so dress in layers, and bring a warm jacket when hiking and exploring the park.
Sequoia National Park is 224 miles from Salinas, California and features beautiful snow-capped peaks and lush green valleys. You will see the giant sequoias, located close to the chilly summits of the magnificent Sierra Nevada Mountains. The General Sherman Tree will capture your attention as you explore the park. Take tours of the amazing Crystal Cave from late May to late September. However, outdoor activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, rock climbing, and horseback riding are available all year round. In addition, the campgrounds require a reservation, have showers, and allow pets on a leash.
In most areas, the price to rent a motorhome is around $200 a night and the price to rent a towable trailer is around $120 a night.
What does RVshare Protection cover with my Salinas, CA RV rental?RVshare's protection plan standard package covers up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage based on the value of the RV. It also includes free 24/7 roadside assistance and free towing and tire service. For more information on RVshare insurance, click here.
What do I need to know before renting an RV in Salinas, CA?Salinas has plenty of freeway and highway access to make RV driving a breeze. The city also has ample parks and open spaces to explore. Be sure to include time in your plans to see the National Steinbeck Center, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or the Laguna Seca Raceway.
What are the RV rental requirements in Salinas, CA?There is no special license needed to rent an RV, but it never hurts to check state websites. if you are unsure about traveling there and any regulations they may have, double-checking with the state will provide some peace of mind!
What are some tips for first-time RV renters in Salinas, CA?Renting an RV in Salinas, CA means endless blue skies, wide open roads, and lots of delicious, homegrown produce. With all the wide open space between destinations, make sure you have a full tank of gas and plenty of food before you hit the road. Because of the warm climate, you'll find plenty of RV campgrounds with pools and other fun amenities. Busy season is in the summer so book early to get your spot, or off-season to avoid crowds.
What are the minimum age requirements for renting an RV in Salinas, CA?The minimum age requirement for renting an RV is 25.
What is included in my Salinas, CA RV rental?You should find any amenities that are included with your rental in the listing details. But it never hurts to check in with the owner before you arrive at the RV or have it delivered to ensure you have everything that is needed to have a fun and enjoyable trip!
Are there pet friendly RVs for rent in Salinas, CA?Looking for a pet friendly RV rental? Use the pet-friendly filter when searching on RVshare.com to find the perfect one for you!
Can I have my Salinas, CA RV rental delivered to a specified location?Many owners on RVshare.com offer delivery, and will even set it up for you at the campsite. Choose the 'Delivery' filter to narrow down your search results to RVs that can be brought to your home or destination. Check the listing details for any information regarding extra fees for delivery, or ask the owner if you are unsure.
Are there one way rental options from Salinas, CA?One way rentals can add flexibility to your trip, but there are typically costs associated with returning the RV back to the owner. Learn more about one way rental options at rvshare.com/one-way-rv-rentals.
