The National Steinbeck Center Reviews

The 2 movies about Steinbeck's life and agriculture in Salinas valley total about 24 minutes and run continuously. Video quality is not the best, nor is the agriculture movie very informative.
The museum itself had many exhibits and excerpts from some of Steinbeck's books that were made into movies. Allow about 1-2 hours for a visit.

the museum is so well done representing and respecting Steinbeck. The storytelling of the local area is very interesting. the traveling exhibits are great too, and don't miss the Agriculture museum.
I highly recommend this stop as a must to understand the history of the area, and this incredible author.

I always loved John Steinbeck books and this center brought those books to life. Each area that you walk through depicts another book that makes you feel that you are there, in the moment. Lots of fun and definitely worth a visit for fans

The National Steinbeck Center leaves no stone or technology unturned when it comes to delivering on Steinbeck's life and writings. From old pictures to videos/films to print media to physical artifacts, the whole experience is a feast for the senses & intellect. One leaves inspired to read the works or to watch the film adaptations of this great American writer. Children seem to love all of the displays, and especially enjoy the saddle display which can be mounted. In addition, this museum also contains exhibits by other artists and photographers. Don't put this one off! It's a gem and will make your visit to Salinas, CA a memorable experience.

It looks like they have tried to please all ages with this Center. A lot of information that maybe I knew at one time, but had forgotten about Steinbeck. An interesting man, 3 wives, lots of literature prizes, and of course all of his wonderful books. Made me interested in re-reading some of them. They have the camper that he used for Travels with Charley.

In Salinas, CA it really is something to see for such a famous American author with the impact of Steinbeck. The center really tries to be visual and has props and things for younger audience. There is a lot to read as you go through, which is not surprising but it's impossible to read it all especially with younger folks with you that despite its efforts still see it as a museum. The Steinbeck brief documentary was helpful prior to walking through but it needs to be updated. Overall the center seems well kept and has a great bookstore to accompany it. Really appreciated the layout of all his books and the displays to better understand the man and his context. I admit I was an English major who has read my share of Steinbeck. He's not my favorite ever, but didn't need to be to appreciate this visit at all. If open to learning about Steinbeck and his connection to this community then it's worth checking out.

Not your typical museum with just artifacts in display cases. Interactive and excellent education and exposure to the man and his work. Sometimes they have special events such as period music concerts which we attended. You can eat lunch at his house just a short walk away. I had to read his works which somehow I never read in school. Serious literature but a memorable experience

Well done center to commemorate the life and work of John Steinbeck. The video is a must watch when you enter the center. Also, great exhibits, quick films and quotes thoughout the center. Great gift shop and facility!

A museum telling stories of Steinbeck's novels, and an introduction to the town of Salinas. Definitely overpriced, though pretty educational of that period of time when Steinbeck lived.

Lots of history of the Salinas Valley Farming. The Monterey Peninsula fishing industry. Plenty of parking and restaurants close by.

The pictures, the room setup and hands on exhibits provide a wealth of knowledge.

The short videos are awesome to watch.

Children can touch some hands on exhibits.

Well laid out exhibition themed on Steinbeck’s works with many items of interesting memorabilia including the original ‘Rocinante’ from “Travels with Charley”.

Good museum in Salinas, about a 30 minute drive from Cannery Row in Monterey. Not overly large, and the amount of time it takes depends on how much you read. If you're a Steinbeck fan and in the area, this museum is worth a visit.

Excellect interactive displays, narratives, and great visuals bring Steinbecks literary work to life. Videos, audio recordings, and artifacts tell the story of rural and migrant life in the Salinas Valley, on Monterey's Cannery Row, and well beyond California in the 1930s and 1940s.

We were so disappointed that we had a very short time to visit these excellent displays. Hugely interesting and informative but well done also. We also visited the outside of Steinbecks birthplace which was interesting and enjoyed Salinas Main Street shops, cinemas and cafes. Oh for more time.

A return visit after 15 years revealed that the Center had not changed much but the surrounding area certainly had. For those who have been engaged by Steinbeck over the years this center is a must visit.

As an author, this day trip was well worth the journey. Although a study of some of Steinbeck's works would be beneficial, there is still a lot one can gain from a visit to the center.
For those not familiar with Steinbeck's work, read the online exhibit overview before hand for a history of his life and how it stimulated some of his stories. Check out the films offered at the center to get a glimpse of his life and background before moving foreword to the displays. I found these enjoyable while adding texture to the story line.
You will move in and out of the background of his famous books and learn what triggered him to write each one. Take time to watch the films that are weaved throughout some of the displays. I had a chance to see the medals he was awarded, to read his thoughts and to get a feel of America and it's history.
The 12.95 admission fee(at the time of this writing) for the self guided tour could be a pinch for some but if you can afford it, give it a try. AAA members show your card for a small discount There is a small gift shop that offers a lot of his works, some typical items like coffee mugs, t-shirts, etc.

This is definitely a visit you want to make, especially if you are interested in the area or the historical era that inspired Steinbeck. Surprisingly, I found I enjoyed the gallery on the history and struggles of the migrant works more than the exhibit on Steinbeck's individual works. However, the short film on his life is not to be missed. While you're there, drive around the surrounding downtown and neighborhood to get a field for the town. Hopefully, you come in through the farmlands and not just on the freeway. That's how you truly grasp the measure of the valley.

The museum is good for all ages. It's a highlight when in Salinas. Small children will enjoy the cannery row exhibit where citizens actually slept 80+ years ago (read Steinbeck's Cannery Row or see the movie); and if you read Travels with Charley, the truck and camper are on display.

Well-organized museum. There are two short introductory films to see before seeing the exhibits, one a biography of Steinbeck, the other about Salinas area agriculture. The exhibits focus on the different books and include film clips, pictures, newspaper clippings published at the time. I especially enjoyed seeing the pickup camper he used for 'Travels with Charley'. We spent about an hour and half and the time passed quickly.

I’ve been here many times but I always enjoy taking visitors through and watching them explore the exhibits. It's educational as well as entertaining.

Had a short visit to the centre which is well presented. You would really need to be familiar with Steinbeck's books and writings to get the most out of it - so avid Steinbeck fans will enjoy it very much. It is 30 years since I read the Grapes of Wrath so was not so familiar with much of his other material. BUt well wroth a visit if you are a Steinbeck fan.

Thanks everyone for the museum. Fascinating, really rekindled my interest in John Steinbeck. Really added to our visit to California.

If you like Steinbeck's writings you will definitely love the Steinbeck Center. So much history of John Steinbeck.

We gained a new appreciation of Steinbeck. This center is outstanding & exhibits thoughtfully done. Highly recommend visiting.

Tried to go here about 12 years ago and ran out of time, so was very excited to see it this year. This is an excellent museum. There is an introductory film you can watch (short) about Steinbeck. Then there are multiple rooms/areas that seemed themed to match each of his books. Well thought out and designed, and really a can't miss for anyone who appreciates the author. A few of the audio/visual displays were not working, so do need attention. However the staff were FANTASTIC and warm and had great customer service skills, both at the entry/ticket area and also a staff member that was in the museum area. Also note that Steinbeck's truck Rocinante is here, so very fun to see! Also has a good gift shop.

Steinbeck has been a favorite author of mine since high school many years ago. The Steinbeck Center is a jewel. Steinbeck's life and works are very well presented through a variety of media enhanced displays and interactive exhibits.

As others have said, the way this has been set up, it inspired us to look more into John Steinbeck, the Salinas/Monterey reqion's history, and to read. I can see how if you were a class of middle school or high school students studying the area, that 1800s to early 1900s, and/or John Steinbeck, this would make a great field trip outing. The museum nicely weaves in different mediums, including video, for a stimulating experience.

There is also a limited engagement exhibit by the Weston family of professional photographers which was also a good find. We started there, then went to the Steinbeck part of the museum.

We finished up with the bookstore, leaving with Steinbeck books to read!

Thereafter, we took a stroll down the main street in Salinas and was impressed with the ambiance, the obvious history and the renaissance that had taken place in its condition.

Came to visit the Steinbeck Center my husband enjoyed his work and writing/books,
interesting especially if like Steinbeck's work , watch the introductory film 1st before touring the museum ,parking garage next to museum

This is a great place!! Very informative with changing exhibits. All about Monterey County & Cannery Row. Seen through the eyes of our most famous author.

it was amazing.the mesuem gives you a glimpse of how the salinas valley use to look.what i loved about it is the huge mural of an artichoke with marilyn monroe, castroville's first artichoke queen.

The museum is located downtown. It memorializes the literary genius of the great humanitarian. A well designed museum providing visages associate with the poingniant stories addressing key human interest concerns. A must see attraction in the Central Coast.

3.5 = good. I suspect it helps if you are a real Steinbeck fan - I am perhaps a moderate one / obviously he factors into the American canon of literature and I've read 3-4 of the classics. But it's tough to make a museum out of any single author, even one with a long career. (OK, the Hemingway house in Key West is an obvious exception, and I've never been to the Fitzgerald museum in Montgomery) You do learn something about his life and early struggles, plus the later somewhat surprising rejection (or at least criticism) later in life. What it neglected to mention much is that Steinbeck came from a fairly wealthy background and after success consistently traveled first class, lol. Interesting displays and you can go down memory lane into the books you've read and those you might want to revisit or explore for the first time (I've put one or two on my list), but overall this won't blow your mind strictly as an attraction, but then - it probably couldn't given purpose.

I recently visited for the second time. It's a must for a Steinbeck fan, but I'd recommend it to as relevant to all. In addition to having interesting information and artifacts related to Steinbeck's life and novels, it's all placed in the relevant regional, national, and international contexts. For example, you get a view of the local economy and society during Steinbeck's life and in his novels, the national societal and economic events impacting the area (Dust Bowl, migrants), WWII and Vietnam, etc. The facility is beautiful and the exhibits are lovingly maintained.

The perfect place to learn about the life and times of the incredible author, John Steinbeck.

A beautiful building housing a mesmerizing display of John Steinbeck's life and work, as well as Salinas and surrounding areas.

Great staff that seem overjoyed to greet every visitor and help them get the most out of the fine work put into the Steinbeck displays.

Price is reasonable for the value of the displays and videos displayed almost everywhere.

The presentations of Steinbeck's work brought to life in the theatre and movies is also actively presented on a series of video displays throughout the exhibit.

The crowning glory for me was to see Rocinante with a Charley duplicate riding in the front seat.

Great place to visit if you are a reader of the famous author. The Salinas-Watsonville-Castroville-Monterey farming and fishing areas are well represented with cameos and vignettes in the displays and memorabilia, and the agricultural communities well-honored, including Latino, in the short film. I was not disappointed to see the completely restored original Dodge truck, complete with camper, of "Travels With Charley". Hard to get a good picture with the beams in the way, and kinda dusty, but the real McCoy. There are interesting critiques of some of Steinbeck's works, even life. This gives balance. Cheap parking, tall admission. Worth it. Beware, you might get the urge to collect old Steinbeck print books. All students should watch "The Grapes of Wrath". Easily good for a whole day.

For someone who is an avid fan and has read most of his books this centre was a wonderful experience. All the books came alive and I could see the care and effort that has gone into creating such a wonderful place.Really enjoyed the visit.

Only had time for a quick visit en route to SF Airport for our return journey but i am really glad we made the time. My daughter and I did the tour of the museum and having read a lot of Steinbeck, found out some facts about the man and his works that were new to me. It would have been nice to spend longer and go into more depth but planes dont wait. If you have time, there is a shop where you can buy all the books. The short film presentation was really useful before going around the exhibits and i would recommend you watch it. If you are a fan of Steinbeck, allow at least 2-3 hours.

brings history to life surely a must see. This was California and now it is the Salad Bowl of the United States and even the world

Very well done! Very good background on the author and a great history of the local area. Great for families with kids.

this place is deaderzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz dont go here man it is a waste of time i would rather go mcdonalds than here

Well done museum outlining the life of John Steinbeck. Beginning with a short film about John Steinbeck, film could be updated believe was made in 1998, and shows some age but still informative. Then enter the very modern presentation area. It starts with a short family history and then into his stories through his writing timeline ending with his pickup and camper from his “Travels with Charlie”. Just didn’t realize how much Steinbeck had written, what was made into movies, plays, etc. For us this was worth a trip. Afterward we had lunch at Steinbeck House, then visited his grave at Garden of Memories Cemetery, all followed with visit to Cannery Row in Monterey.

We stopped here on our way home from Monterey and found the museum to be fun and educational but also feeling unmaintained. We started the visit by watching their two 12 1/2-minute films on Steinbeck's life and the Salinas Valley. Both were interesting and packed a lot of information. However, the broken and missing seats in the theater foreshadowed what was to come. The museum itself is organized chronologically by Steinbeck's books and stories with each display including information about the setting of the story and the author's life at the time. You really gain a deeper understanding of writing and how the place drove the writing. The problem is that several of the interactive displays were dated and broken. It just feels like they built a great museum 10-20 years ago and haven't maintained it since. Almost every section had something either missing or inoperative. If you are into Steinbeck, I'd say it's still worth visiting, but just know the museum is past its heyday. Give yourself 2-3 hours to take it all in.

I'm not the biggest Steinbeck fan. I don't even think I've ever read one of his books. But, this place is amazing! And I realized how important he is to the literary history of our country. It was an incredible experience wandering through all of the collections about his life. Mind opening. And then we had to go to the Steinbeck House for lunch, of course. This is well worth the visit if you are ever in the Salinas/Monterey area.

This museum does a wonderful job of detailing the life and times of a legendary American author. The plentiful exhibits and artifacts about local and national history drew me in. I had wondered how a museum about an author came with a recommended minimum visit of two hours, and yet we stayed longer. There is a multi-story parking garage immediately adjacent.

The Museum is packed with the history of "The Man Behind the Book". The displays give the history of the process of how Steinbeck created memorable commentary. The displays of actual hand written manuscripts, actual personal items and connections to the books he wrote. You need lots of time to read all the commentaries. You need time to watch the films. You need time to compare this time and today's conflicts between labor and corporations. You will need at least two hours to absorb all that is presented. There is a parking garage next to the museum with parking at .50 per hour. Street parking is only 90 minutes of free parking. Parking enforcement is strict. Docents are available to answer any questions you may have. Use Steinbeck to see how far we have come or how far we have fallen. The answer will come at the end of your visit.

A wonderful museum composed of the many chapters of John Steinbeck's life and writing.
Since many of his books were influenced by Monterey and Salinas, the displays are also very interesting regarding the canneries and agricultural history of the valley. There is plenty to read and look at, including many of the colorful characters (many based on real people) of Steinbeck's books. The gift shop offers most of his books and some other fun mementos. I was surprised there were no postcards available of the actual museum.

I've been a Steinbeck fan since I was a teen. I knew his home was in Salinas but did not know about the center. We began by talking with a volunteer. He recommended we watch two short films. One was a biography of John Steinbeck. The other was a film about the agricultural aspects of the Salinas area. Then we walked through the displays. So interesting. We finished by going to the gift shop for some souvenirs. This place was on the verge of shutting down. A local university stepped in and saved the day by buying and running the center. I'm so glad it was kept open. Steinbeck is such an important American writer. It would be a shame to lose access to his story as told here. Unfortunately, his house was closed the day we were there so I'm really glad I got to see the Steinbeck Center. I want to make another visit someday.

I suppose I should start by saying that all museums should be like this! We arrived later that anticipated so only had an hour which was not really long enough to take everything in. There is really so much to see and I for one was fascinated to learn about his travels in Europe as a WW2 news reporter, something I hadn't known before. The displays are beautifully presented and the walls are covered in quotes from the various books he wrote. We were the only ones in late in the day so the whole experience was particularly relaxing. The permanent exhibition shows film clips, has posters from the various movies, artifacts, books and lots lots more. Even if you are not a fan a visit to this museum is still highly recommended as it is so well done - who knows you may even become a convert! There is also an excellent gift shop on-site.

Great place to visit if you're traveling along highway 101. Easy stop in Salinas. Great history lesson.

We visited the Center shortly after it opened, and really enjoyed it. Have not been back since, although were in town when my actor son played the part of Lennie in "Mice and Men" at the nearby Western Stage during their Steinbeck celebration. Decided to stop, though, on our way North recently, just to see Rocinante once more. My favorite part of the exhibits.

We were in Salinas and the AAA book said that the Steinbeck Center as a GEM...a must see. Ok. I read one Steinbeck book (Travels with Charlie and really enjoyed it) and my significant other taught English so read a few more. I was not sure what to expect in a museum about a single author. The gallery was terrific. Well laid out and each major book was emphasized in a few panels with great graphics, excerpts and an occasional movie clip. But when I saw the 'Travels' truck and the wall map with route and quotes I was very satisfied. We spent about an hour but if you are a big Steinbeck fan, then you may want to spend more time. There is also an agricultural museum about farming in Salinas which I was interested in but that exhibit appears to be closed at least for now. They had a few display cases but I would have liked a bit more. Gift shop sells all his books. Parking is free if you show your garage receipt. Very enjoyable.

We made a quick stop at the museum on our way out of Monterey. Two reasons to go. You can purchase anything Steinbeck has ever written in the museum store. And the final museum exhibit is Rocinante, Steinbeck's camper in Travels with Charlie. You can even look inside and, no surprises. It's exactly like he described.

We've all read at least one of John Steinbeck's stories, but you get an amazing amount of interesting information about his life and times, and all his works, by visiting this center. It is a modern facility, with a couple of wonderful introductory short films about Steinbeck and the surrounding Salinas Valley. The fascinating and well-curated exhibits are well organized chronologically, and relate directly to his written works. This is definitely an American treasure not to be missed!

He was a brilliant writer. I like reading his books. I thought this would be good to visit hos museum. Very nicely put together. Real informational. I watched the films the biography of him. You should go if you read Steinbeck

If I'd thought about what this museum would be before visiting, it would've been pretty much what it is. That's not a knock--there is a lot to like, whether you're a Steinbeck fan or just want to know more about him. The short movie on his life was a good starting point. And though we skipped the movie about the history of agriculture in the Salinas area, I kind of wish we hadn't. We probably spent a good two hours here, soaking in lots of tidbits about the man, his writing, and the history of the times. There was a knowledgeable, friendly docent, who also steered us to visit Steinbeck's childhood home a few blocks away. Though it's now a restaurant, it was closed that day, which meant the caretaker there was able to show us around. Very cool little tour in and of itself!

Takes you though the history of Steinbeck and features his memorable books. The only criticism is that it could be a little larger and some of the interactive exhibits aren't working. Still, a good museum that makes me want to go back and read more Steinbeck.

The Steinbeck Center, located in Salinas, California, is a great museum that has a lot of information on John Steinbeck's life and career.

If you're visiting the museum, park in the nearby lot--the prices are $.50/hour and $4/day. Then, head over to the museum and start off your visit with two quick films about John Steinbeck and the Salinas Valley.

Then, head into the main exhibit room, which features six interesting displays, each with well-designed information on Steinbeck's books. They include "East of Eden," "Tortilla Flats," "Cannery Row," "Grapes of Wrath," "Of Mice And Men," and "Travels with Charley."

For each book and exhibit, guests can read quotes from the story, learn history about what inspired Steinbeck to write that novel, and have hands-on displays, such as tying knots or opening displays to find out answers to questions along the walls.

The museum is well-though-out, especially for those who have a particular interest in Steinbeck or the Salinas Valley. Younger kids may not find it the most interesting, but with the creative displays, they'll be interested in seeing what the museum has to offer.

All in all, people of all ages will enjoy this museum. With its great location, informative exhibits, and helpful, friendly staff, the Steinbeck Center should be on your list of places to visit when you're in the Salinas area.

Salinas was one of the places we visited when exploring West coast. It was just a stop for a couple of hours - we didn't plan to stay that long though.

We came to National Steinbeck center just so see the place but we stayed there exploring the exhibition.

There is a lot of interactive things that you can touch or listen and explore the history of John and his books.

There is a lot of things that you will see that you have read about in John's books. There is the camping car in which he has explored US, there is a car from East of Eden movie.

It exceeded out expectations - we were not expecting to see such a great place in such a small town. This is the tribute that John definitely deserved.

You can read everything in English and Spanish.

If you are a John's literature fan it is a must see place.

The Steinbeck Center in Salinas is just minutes off U.S Route 101. We visited a week ago on the way to Monterey Bay. Parking in the adjacent deck was only $1. Parking is available along the street (price unknown).

Admission is very reasonable @ $12.50 per person. I recommend watching the two movies (25 minutes total) before touring the museum.

The exhibits in the museum are well-done and interesting although the exhibits don't seem to 'flow' well from one exhibit to the other, probably because some exhibits focus on Steinbeck and some on Salinas, in no particular order. This is not bad...it's just unique.

Some of our favorite exhibits include the exhibit about Mr. Steinbeck's time as a war correspondent and the exhibit about his travels across with U.S. with his poodle Charley. (Steinbeck's "Travels with Charley").

There is a large gift/book/souvenir shop as well.

......a worthwhile stop!

We thoroughly enjoyed the very comprehensive and informative displays in the museum. My experience has reminded me to go to my local library, sign out, and read some of John Steinbeck's masterpieces which I haven't read since high school (I graduated in 1957).

This museum to John Steinbeck is very well done. My wife and I have visited many centers/museums devoted to authors, and this is probably the most extensive. There is nearly an exhibit with video presentation – movie clip or reading - for every major book published by Steinbeck. The docent was friendly and very helpful. We left the gift shop with copies of “East of Eden” and “The Moon is Down.”

I'm an English teacher from the UK and so for me, going to California meant I had to see some of the places Steinbeck mentions in "Of Mice and Men". When I found out there was a Steinbeck centre in Salinas, not too far from where we were staying in Monterey, I was thrilled. We went on a weekday, so parking on the street for free was easy. There is also a paid car park. Being teachers, we also got discounted entry which was great. There were two entertaining and informative films, one on Steinbeck's life and one on California farmers. Then you go into the museum part. This is the bit that let me down a bit. I just didn't find it that interesting! I wanted much more about Steinbeck's inspiration and comments from him and less about the plots of novels, many of which I hadn't read. So overall, I was a bit disappointed by the whole experience. On the plus side, it did make me go and read "The Grapes of Wrath, which was fantastic.

I've wanted to visit the National Steinbeck Center ever since I read East of Eden in 2008. So, glad my hubby and I visited the National Steinbeck Center for the 1st time yesterday.

The docents on hand were really nice and friendly and shared lots of information.

We liked the layout of the exhibit hall featuring many displays about both Steinbeck's life and also about his various books.he'd written as well as many artifacts from his life.

The gift shop was kind of a let down... Yes, it featured books written by John Steinbeck a few other knick knacks, but it could have contained a whole lot more items.

Seeing the exhibit prompted me to check some of Steinbeck’s books out from the library. The exhibit showed his entire life. You could see that Salinas is very proud of the man who was born there and was very much a native son. The Main Street has very wide, clean sidewalks. There are a number of well restored victorian houses. Many of them are law offices or restaurants. We visited one restaurant which was only about a block from the museum on Main Street. It is the Villa Azteca. I recommend this restaurant very highly if you would like Mexican food that is a step up from the common taco and tamale restaurants. A family of a mother, 2 sons and a daughter opened this restaurant about 9 months ago. They have done an excellent job with the decor, featuring crucifixes on a wall, along with other artifacts, as well as their delicious food that was very creative. The sons and daughter stopped by our table to welcome us. They were all enthusiastic and friendly. We were there for lunch and if we are ever in Salinas around dinner time, we would certainly stop by again.

Way back in 1997 I visited the temporary space for the growing number of Steinbeck items that were being collected for the future center. To show up 17 years later to see the National Steinbeck Center was truly an amazing experience. These people have done an excellent job. Reading reviews prior to visiting I was somewhat concerned that The Grapes of Wrath would be left out. However, I found that ample space was given to the novel and that the holistic approach of the museum carries the themes from all of John's works throughout the displays. I am including photos which show some of the dedicated space for Grapes. Overall, I was very impressed. Visiting the museum was the most rewarding experience I had in my vacation to the Monterey/ Carmel area. It's a real gem.

Very nice and clean, I wouldn't come all the way out just for this museum, but it is worth seeing if you are in the area. There are a lot of hand on opportunities to keep little kids interested. Great display of his childhood and of his works.

Every time my husband and I visit the Monterey Peninsula, we always make a point to pay a visit to the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas. Since our visit last year, the Center has made many wonderful additions to the exhibit! The gift shop has some unique items, as well as, copies of every book John Steinbeck has written.

I have loved the works of John Steinbeck for years, so it was a dream come true to visit Salinas and the Steinbeck Center. However, if you're not really a fan, I'm not sure how interesting it would be. Also, I don't think persons under the age of 16 would be very interested. There are a few things for children to do (a couple of dress ups and a horse to sit on) but not much else. I loved how it took you through John's early life all the way through his death as you walked through the museum. Each book is presented in it's own space in a variety of ways. The only thing that would have pushed the score up is the ability to start and stop the videos that are playing throughout. There are several of them playing on a loop and it was kind of annoying to listen to them when you were trying to read. If you came upon them in the middle, you had to wait til the end or come back to see the beginning. I've been in museums like this where you can start and stop the video as you go and it's a lot better. Overall it was very clean, easy to navigate and functional. Lots of Steinbeck artifacts and quotes. I really enjoyed the couple of hours I spent here.

What a wonderful museum for a great American author. Very educational, learned a lot that I hadn't known about Steinbeck, and did make me want to read more of his work. Loved the connections with Cannery Row and Ed Ricketts' lab in Monterey. Highly recommended.

I am a huge Steinbeck Fan, I've read many of his books with 'Tortilla Flat' and 'To a God Unknown' my favourites. The former is featured in the exhibit which I found very enjoyable. It concentrates on his Non-fiction writing as well, especially his wartime and post war activities. The introductory vidro, on loop in the theatre (the run down theatre with many missing seats) is a valid and informative place to start.
Highly recommended.
2080

I should have posted a review immediately, but I forgot to do it. Was back in Salinas last month so remembered :-)
The Steinbeck Center was a great experience. I am a big Steinbeck fan, so I could have easily spent the whole day there. But even for our children it was a fantastic experience, because they now understand about the kind of person Steinbeck was and why it is important to stand up for people. The way the center is set up and laid out is impeccable and the staff is very nice and helpful. I would definitely recommend this for everybody who knows and loves Steinbeck and then for anybody who doesn't (yet). It's a gem!

We are fans of John Steinbeck so stopping here was a must. It did not disappoint. It was informative and it was nice they way the museum organized everything by his books. The docents were helpful and we enjoyed listening to their extra knowledge. We recommend stopping here. We also enjoyed the downtown part of Salinas.

The museum is right downtown, at the end of Main St (NOT at the Steinbeck house). The Steinbeck exhibit takes up about half of the museum and is very well done, with movie clips, audio clips, interviews, and scenes set up. It covers Steinbeck's life as well as his literary works. Very entertaining. The other half has a meeting room and rotating exhibits.

This little museum packs a punch. If you are driving by Salinas this is a must visit. Not only will you learn about Steinbeck (with very well done exhibits) you will learn a lot about the struggles of migrant workers. I was most impressed with how the designers of this museum used the space so effectively and creatively as they led you through Steinbeck's life and works. Also, do not miss the short orientation movie before you tour the museum.

There is free on street parking close to museum for up to 90 minutes and that was sufficient for our visit. You do need to be careful as I was told Salinas can be a bit rough, but we had no problems.

As we were traveling south on Highway 101 after this visit, it made me very conscious of the migrant workers still working in the fields along the highway. I can only hope that their conditions are slightly better than Stenibeck's portrayals.

John Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors and I have wanted to visit the National Steinbeck Center for several years. It did not disappoint. Visitors walk through a literary and historical timeline of Steinbeck's life, where exhibits connect his books with events. It was fascinating. I walked away appreciating his work and life even more than I did when I entered.

The gift shop needs an re-make.

Fabulous centre in Salinas-(the birthplace of Steinbeck,) in honour of this insightful author-re reading many on his books again, including Cannery Row following my visit to Monterey!!
Recommended in Jonathan B's guide to San Francisco and CA

This was my husband's pick during a road trip through California, but we both thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't make it through "The Grapes of Wrath" in high school (sorry). My husband has read several Steinbeck novels and really enjoyed learning more about his inspirations in Monterey. Yet we both learned a lot from the museum. It's so well presented with interesting things to read, interactive exhibits and video clips. This is an incredible museum. My favorite part (besides the typewriter) was seeing the camper that Steinbeck traveled the country in for "Travels With Charley." Afterward, we walked down the street to see Steinbeck's childhood home, which is now a restaurant.

My husband fell asleep during the introductory film; I found the film interesting but the museum exhibits boring. This museum wouldn't have been worth my time even if it were free. John Steinbeck was a great author but the museum is not able to capture the eloquence of his words or the emotions aroused by reading his works.

I found the cutouts in the lobby of different workers very interesting, and I was also impressed by the exhibits regarding the Dust bowl and valley agriculture. There was a lot of good information about how hard it had been for minorities to succeed and survive.

I had not read any of his books, only saw two movies made from them. It was fascinating to see the story of his life and his books. Great history of the area and really gave a chance to understand the man and his life in the area. Impressive displays. I ended up buying a book before I left.

For years, I've passed the signs indicating the Steinbeck museum in Salinas, ca. I finally went this week with my aunt. It was really nice, I forgot how many books he wrote. He truly is an American treasure. The museum was laid out very well. The displays provided interesting information. My aunt's in a wheel chair and it was super easy for both of us to see everything. There is also a covered parking lot that's very inexpensive that has a pedestrian exit right at the entrance to the museum. Don't forget to ask for your AAA discount for entry. It took us about 2 hours and it seemed like we saw everything without a rush.

The staff is great. I often go in to browse the gift shop. It will be a better experience if you have read all of the books first. You can spend hours here. There are exhibits and film clips.

Very nicely presented information about all the books and the life of Steinbeck. The displays are well done. Also has Senior admission rate of $8.95! I was surprised by all the books he had written. Easy and cheap parking in a garage right next to it. No problem finding the center.

I have read a number of his books, but my love has taught a bunch of them as a High School English teacher.

We were both enamored with the presentation of the Center and the work that the locals have put into the place. Yes, I would say that anyone that has read any of his works need to take the time to view the Center. Yes, I would go back again.

This is a very interactive museum with different sections highlighting the different Steinbeck novels as well as the historical context around them. My husband and I had only read a few Steinbeck books before this (Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, Cannery Row) and didn't expect to get much out of it, but we really got into it. Its also a unique way to look at California history. Many of the exhibits are interactive and touchable, which helps keep all ages involved. There are a couple of short films which are good introductions to see before the museum.

This venue is not much to look at, although the historical information is of value. There are a lot of aother things in Salinas to see as well.

It's a nice elegant Victorian style building at old town salinas. We went there on an Sunday morning. I think it's closed so we just took some pictures outside the building. I heard it's a restaurant inside but I didn't have a chance to go in. The pictures turned out nice.

We loved it great information on his books and movies like East of Eden and the grapes of wrath. Lots of interesting information about his life and how he grew up. The house he grew up in is still there it is now a restaurant it's an old Victorian home. We where there on a Monday but it was closed on Mondays. We found a little Mexican restaurant right down the street from the museum great food we loved it.

Visited on a Sat. 11am not very crowded. Sequence of rooms takes you through all his famous works. Timeline can be hard to follow at times; lots of news articles displayed as well. Good visit!

A visit to the Steinbeck Center was on top of my bucket list while visiting Salinas. The novels of John Steinbeck had been a great part of my youth and it has been long time dream to visit the Monterey and Salinas areas, which were the backdrop of many of his novels. The center shows an impressive collection and information about Steinbeck's life and in particular how the historical events and developments as well as the geography of these areas had influenced the themes of his novels. Some excerpts of filmatized versions of his novels such as East of Eden, Cannery Row etc. were also shown. There were also contemporary exhibits on the importance of Salinas as an agricultural region. My adult daughter became inspired to read his novels after this visit.

Lots of parking, great volunteer and docent staff that is very helpful. Enumerable books and document by and about Steinbeck.

Very educational...and very close to downtown movie theater and several authentic restaurants... historical experience for everyone in the family...

I think it would be a really sad day that a person who was in the Salinas area did not make plans to visit the National Steinbeck Center, for many reasons, but the most predominant reason would be that it truly will provide a perspective of the history of the Salinas area, and an interesting perspective on the life of John Steinbeck, and what drove him to write about the area.

Be sure to check out the National (John) Steinbeck museum in downtown Salinas for a unique look into the life of one of America's most famous authors.

The museum can be enjoyed by all, young and old, and appeals to those with literary, artistic or curious interests.

I am on a bit of a Steinbeck kick right now so anything about him, the writer, the man, his life and ways, is food for my appetite.
We stopped here and spent the requisite 2 hours seeing and reading the whole exhibit. There is also the full length movies that you could sit down an watch if you wanted to. The screen has a bench in front of it so bring popcorn!
It's also a very interactive museum with bells and whistles to push, turn, and pull.
I did appreciate the Google map navigated us right to the parking garage next to the Steinbeck museum. The garage is manned, and is only 50 cents an hour!
I wonder if the museum might access any film footage of Steinbeck, maybe even his noble award speech.
I also wondered if the displayed specimens in formeldehyde had interesting history? Did they come from doc ricketts Pacific biological lab?

For this Steinbeck lover, it was a religious experience driving through his beloved Salinas Valley, and into his home town. The museum is a bit dated, but the videos are informative and the dioramas representing each book are fun. The museum store has everything--from his less popular works, to T-shirts, mugs, magnets, bumper stickers, etc.

I got to take a tour of the Steinbeck museum and found it really interesting and learned a lot about the community as well. The books that they made into movies were quite a few. I knew some and a few I did not. I'm glad I went because I learned quite a bit from a lady named Helen our docent that got to meet him personally. Helen was 92 years old and was very sweet. Glad to meet her.

Gem of a place. Most people read Steinbeck in high school, or perhaps tried to @void reading any book. The center brings it all to life. Ties it all to Salinas and Monterey Bay.
Worth a special trip.

National Steinbeck Museum is worth visiting if you are around. But you won't miss much if you skip it. They have some exhibitions from the novels but I can't say they were impressive. I think it is good mostly for school kids.

Have to agree with posted comments that the Center focuses a bit much on movies made from the novels and not enough on his personal beliefs, personal life, etc - it really does not paint a complete picture of what kind of man he was. Yet, this is still a good, worthwhile visit and pays tribute to his literary achievements based on his experiences in the Salinas area and of course the movies made from the books, which all things considered many of the movies are classics. The price is reasonable. To complete the loop, need to visit the Steinbeck House.

Thought we would spend an hour or so and was very pleasantly surprised that there was so much to see and take in. We started our tour with the 10 and 13 minute films in the small theater that gave a good background to Steinbeck and Salinas. We then went to the part of the Center that held the displays. Wow, well done. Snippets of various films, exhibits from Salinas, a section on his military correspondence experiences, to his old camper from Travels with Charley. As we moved through the exhibits we realized there was much more to take in than we had anticipated and wished we had allowed more time to enjoy each exhibit and learn more about Steinbeck's life.

We had foreign visitors who were familiar with John Steinbeck's writings so we decided to go to the center on the way to Monterey/Carmel. What a wonderful find it was! We spent a little more than an hour at the center which is in a nicely re-newed part of Salinas, but still in an area that reflects the origins of this valley town.
Access to the center is great - parking right next door, no steps for easy access to anyone.
The exhibits are nicely done. There are interactive exhibits, short films, readings and film clips from Steinbeck's books that were made into feature-length films. Of course, his writings cover a by-gone period in California history.
We could have spent more time there... missed seeing 2 films in a special theatre but will be going back later in the summer with our teen-aged grandchildren... We're sending them each a copy of "Travels With Charley" to get them ready for the visit.
Delightful hour +...

My wife and I visited California from the UK and have read Cannery Row, East of Eden and Grapes of Wrath so felt that we would make a detour and visit Salinas for the Steinbeck Center. We were not disappointed as the museum gave us an overview of the life and times of Steinbeck and also the socio-economic background that he set his books in. A couple of videos set the scene in the main entrance then you follow the museum around with lots of exhibits and also short excerpts from the movies that have been based on his books. Definitely worth a visit for anyone who has read Steinbeck.

We visited in the afternoon. It was not crowded and it was nice to be able to easily look and read all of the displays. This center also gave a good history and background of the area. It was interesting to see how his experiences influenced his books.

My husband and I just visited this center. We both found it very enjoyable and informative. Previously, I hadn't know that much about Steinbeck but through the films and displays I learned a lot.

The Steinbeck Center is a 5-star museum experience telling the story of Steinbeck and his stories. It's a very short diversion from Hwy 101 whether you're going North or South. Highly recommended for Steinbeck lovers.

We are Steinbeck fans. The displays are set up to follow each of his most famous stories. We spent several hours revisiting these wonderful works. The visit has inspired me to reread some of the books and to read ones I haven't yet. We loved our time there.

Visiting Cannery Row in Monterey inspired us to take a side trip to the museum honoring John Steinbeck in Salinas. This lovely modern museum does a wonderful job with his life and great works. Interactive displays would be good for children. Short movies about Salinas agriculture and his biography were very well done. Had to go buy his books in shop afterwards because I was inspired to reread some old favorites again.

I have to admit I have seen more movies based on Steinbeck books than I have actually read the books. But this museum really brought his books and life story to life. Great exhibits, videos and information. I immediately rented the movie "Cannery Row" to watch again as soon as we returned home to the east coast. There's a lot of American cultural history that is brought to life in Steinbeck books and this museum. For many of us our picture of what the depression dust bowl was like is based on the movie Grapes of Wrath. We got there 1.5 hours before closing. The ticket seller told us that was about the average amount of time to see everything. The exhibits were so interesting, including 2 videos that can be watched in a small theater as you exit, that I wish we had at least a full 2 hours. But that was our fault and illustrates how good the museum is.

Excellent layout explaining Steinbeck's life and the influences on his writing. Exhibits are just like he described them in his books.

This is a really really great, interactive museum. I thought being a museum about an author it may be difficult to hold anyone's attention span due to all being written word. however, they have presented the museum in a fantastic way, you get to learn more about John's life. I really enjoyed it ,and liked learning about why he wrote the books and how it was relevant to his life at the time. There were many lovely little touches, like the mouse in Lenny's pocket in Of Mice and Men, and the hidden note to his wife under a desk pad to name a few. my favourite quote is ' I guess you can never have enough books'. They have a gift shop too. Wonderfully insightful, with a great video to start you off!

I enjoyed the displays, some of which related to books that I haven't read and some that I now plan to read. There is much to see & read so plan to spend some time.

good museum. learnt a lot about steinbeck. set up well and easy to follow. makes wme want to go read all the steinbeck novels

We learned such a lot, about the man, his writing and the times and places he lived in. Really well presented displays had something for everyone!

We spent about three hours in this museum dedicated to Salinas' most famous son. Not only did we learn a huge amount about John Steinbeck's life and work, but we also got a very good insight into the history of the farming industry in the area and of the people who came to California to work in it.

The exhibits are clear, but sufficiently detailed, and are supplemented by readings and excerpts from films and plays shown on video screens. Staff are available to answer questions and were very well informed.

We took a break to go to the nearby Steinbeck House for lunch and then returned to finish our visit.

Thoroughly recommended and we shall certainly follow up this visit by reading some more of Steinbeck's works

Went to see the Viking collection; just so so. Some rooms are too dark to see the exhibits, but most of the material is in English as well as Danish, which is nice. Not exciting, but ok if you like history.

You need at least 2 hours, and preferably more time than that, at the Steinbeck Center. It's beautifully put together and the exhibits reveal Steinbeck's life, personality, influences, and, of course, his creative output. There are many photos, artifacts, and historical documentation of the man and also of the Salinas Valley, which was a major influence on him. Film segments from East of Eden, Of Mice and Men, and other Hollywood productions of his books are strategically shown throughout the museum. You feel the living presence of Steinbeck everywhere.

Nearby is the home of the Steinbecks where John grew up. It's a little museum in itself and it has a tea room where first rate lunches and snacks can be had. The house was closed the day we visited so we walked a short block or two to downtown Salinas and had a delicious lunch in a local cafe. The advantage of doing so is that we got to walk by some of the places in town that appear in the book, East of Eden.

This was a wonderful day spent in an historical area of California, soaking up John Steinbeck's life and writings. Highly recommended for families, students, and anyone who has read anything by Mr. Steinbeck.

I came here to the Central Coast because of my early obsession with Steinbeck , especially The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden. The museum is very manageable and set up in a good progression. Most definitely worth the trip for Steinbeck aficionados and newbies.

It was a dream come true to drive through the Salinas Valley and end up here. Had to be in and out faster than Inwould have liked, but absolutely loved the walk-through dioramas of many of his best works.

I only had limited knowledge of Steinbeck's work so was there really for my husband who has been a fan for most of his life.

I have to say, however, that I loved it all. I loved watching the films and was so engrossed we had to come back after lunch at the Steinbeck House to see more.

The displays are very well done and absorbing.

Thank you for making my husband's bucket list trip to Salinas so perfect.

A wonderful museum and a must for Steinbeck lovers. If you are not already a fan, I bet you will be interested in his work after you tour the museum. I know I want to reread some of my favorite books and finally read the ones I haven't had the time to enjoy. I also loved the photography exhibit with the audio and the real tools of the fields.

Had a great afternoon being reminded on the background and the key parts of some of my favourite books. Very professional exhibit with a lot of information on several interesting aspects of life. Driving around California I had been reminded of parts of "The the grapes of wrath" as I came across different vistas so to include this museum in my trip has felt 'just right'. Remember it's a short drive to Monterey and Cannery Row if you want another injection of Steinbeck magic. I did both in the day and highly recommend. I fully intend to re-read my favourites when I get home ( and I very rarely re-read for pleasure). Salinas Main Street seemed charming and would have loved more time to just browse. A highly recommended visit - a treat for fans. Nice to see somewhere prepared to remember a great author like a Rock Star!!

The National Steinbeck Center was a great followup to our guided walking tour of Cannery Row the day before. The museum presents a biography of John Steinbeck using a range of exhibits from videos, vintage photos and movie clips to mock-ups of old boilers used as living quarters during the depression. Anyone who enjoys Steinbeck's writing will come to a better understanding of him after seeing the exhibits and actually being in the area he loved so much.

There is a well stocked bookstore onsite.

Pretty well designed exhibits to not only learn but experience and relive the historic Salinas Valley / Monterey area as it evolved from dustbowl migrants to fishing and agriculture along with social issues commentary. Also covers Steinbeck's time on east coast, World War II journalism and travel around US with "Charlie le chien". Gives perspective on his prolific writing.

The place has been upgraded since our last visit years ago. This is one place you cannot miss if visiting Salinas.

The memorabilia of the famous author is very interesting. It was fascinating to find out how Steinbeck transported manuscripts back and forth to editors/publishers via a wooden box (before FedEx and email, of course). The camper he used to crisscross the country is stationed there. So is a replica of his gazebo, a favorite retreat.

A short documentary film which gives viewers a better understanding of Salinas Valley and the world which Steinbeck featured in his novels and writings is a must see.

Worth stopping by if you are in Northern California. Worth a trip (as is Mark Twain's house in Connecticut) if you are into literature.

The museum is very modern with nice displays. If your birthday falls in February, in celebration of Steinbeck's birthday, you get in free.
The short film at the lobby was quite interesting. Part Salinas, part Steinbeck.
I only wish there are short summaries of all his books available. This way you can get more out of the display if you have not read that particular book.

They've done a great job capturing the essence of John Steinbeck's literary works and how Salinas/Monterey Bay played a huge part.

Often at museums after a couple of hours I'm thinking, "OK that's quite enough of this." Not here. I was engrossed throughout. The exhibits were interesting, varied and with enough information to make them educational without being overwhelming. I was taking notes the whole time. The docents at the entrance were pleasant and knowledgable. They have activities for children which encourages their interest and participation. This is a hidden gem in what might seem like an unlikely place unless you know Steinbeck was born here and many of his novels and short stories are set in the Salinas Valley. Also the immediate area surrounding the Center offers interesting restaurants and shops. Great reason to make Salinas a stopover.

Price is a little steep ($12.95 adult).
I feel like you need to know or remember story lines of Steinbecks popular titles to fully appreciate. There is overview synopsis of all his major titles.
Took us an hour to fully tour and read everything.

This is a very enjoyable museum even if you're not a museum type. The vast materials from books to movies and awards, even his camper, make it alive and accessible. I highly recommend it. Only 7 miles from Monterey so definitely worth the trip.

For lunch or dinner, walk down to the second movie theater to Pica Fresh Mex - what a great find! The food is fantastic if you like Mexican and you will want to move to Salinas for it!

The Steinbeck Center is manageable, reasonably priced and easy to find. Definitely try to go - it brings the whole Valley to life.

Just what our post-election spirits needed; the Steinbeck National Center is an excellent reminder of the plurality of America. Two short films nicely introduce both Steinbeck and the history of agriculture in Salinas. The exhibits are visually attractive and we enjoyed the snippets of films highlighting various books and movies.

We almost didn't make the stop based on a few reviews that noted the Center seemed poorly maintained. Don't make that mistake! While it's accurate that a few small parts of the exhibits weren't functioning, the overall power of the Center more than compensate for the technical glitches. It was meaningful to be reminded of Steinbeck's perspectives on America; the Center is a worthwhile stop if you're near Salinas.

The museum is full of compelling and varied exhibits: movie scenes, audio, excerpts of Steinbeck's writings, many photos and interactive exhibits for children. Much to absorb and enjoy. Very imaginative and enjoyable.

Even if you're not a Steinbeck reader, the center is well worth the stop because through Steinbeck's works, one can read, see & feel what California was in the early part of the last century, whether it's the grape pickers or the dust bowlers. They have some very interesting displays which recreate the era by each of his books. Some of the displays have films showing of the books which have been made into movies such as the "Grapes of Wrath". Another plus is that the museum is easy to get to, not crowded & located in a lovely part of town.

Stopped here on our way up the coast towards San Jose. Both of us had read Steinbeck in school and were mildly interested in this stop to break up the trip. The museum has a good introductory film that you should see before entering the exhibit (the docents recommended this) which proved to be helpful. The main exhibit is a detailed chronology of his career book by book and it interweaves Salinas and Monterey history so that you get the full picture. Many of the exhibits are multi-media so that visitors, including children, can find a way to engage with the material. Unless you are a real Steinbeck fan this stop shouldn't take more than 2 hours. Several easy food places nearby and downtown Salinas looks like a fun place in the evening or on weekends, not so much mid week and mid-day.

I was fortunate to receive a teacher discount at the door. I learned more about Steinbeck than I thought and I especially liked the photos and quotes. I spent a small fortune in the gift store...but it is Steinbeck afterall!

Visited with several Steinbeck fans and was delighted. Extremely well done museum gives a good overview of his life, his work and the influencing factors. Good hands on exhibits for smaller kids. Student and senior discounts with ID. Small gift shop has a ruler listing all his books by publication date.

Birthplace home and East of Eden landmarks close by.

This museum was filled with interesting facts and information not only about John Steinbeck but also about the Salinas valley and the crops grown there.

We watched the two brief videos before visiting the exhibits and were glad that we did.
I remember reading some of his books in school and was amazed at how many more I was unfamiliar with.

We are not huge museum fans but thought this was very worthwhile!

We nearly bypassed this interesting museum but decided to spend a bit of time here to break up a day of driving. We were glad we did! It's been many years since we'd read any of Steinbeck's work. The displays brought back memories from the books as well as adding better understanding of why he'd written them. His love for the Salinas Valley and for the common man became more apparent. Filmed comments by his widow, Elaine, added to the displays. We could have spent more than the hour we allowed ourselves at this well done museum.

Modest but well done and true to the spirit of the man. Heavy emphasis on the theatrical adaptations. Entry fee required ($13 for adults, $10 for seniors).

Start with a short video biography, then walk through the chronologically organized gallery does a great job of using quotes, artifacts, pictures and videos to guide you through the life of one of America’s most capable and socially-conscious authors. It does a great job of tying together Steinbeck’s personal and professional progression.

The bio-pic, gallery and gift shop can easily be navigated by the casual visitor in 90 minutes, but true devotees may want to take longer.

HINT: Add an extra 30 minutes to visit Steinbeck’s boyhood home just a couple of blocks down the street.

My husband and I visited here in July. We have been here before, but the museum has changed since then. We enjoyed learning about John Steinbeck and his books he wrote. Very informative and kept you focused, so you didn't get bored reading. If you're a Steinbeck fan, this is a museum to visit.

I was pleasantly surprised when our work conference included a tour of the Steinbeck Museum. I learned a lot of interesting California history. I now plan to read some of his books. ( Nope, never read them in high school!!) The docent was really knowledgeable and nice, too.

What a fabulous museum! Outside of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial (Which is much more than a museum) this is the best museum we have visited. Very interactive. Multiple sensory experience. Staff was extremely helpful & offered their time. So many original artifacts!

I was so inspired by the exhibits I bought a couple books in the bookstore.

This is a small museum but we spent more time there than we expected (we're kind of nerds). I would not recommend for children. It's mostly a lot of reading, not a lot of interactive things although they did have clips of the old movies made from Steinbeck's books. I don't know that I would reroute my trip to include this but we had time to kill in Salinas so why not.

I’m not a big fan of Steinbeck’s books but I enjoyed the museum a lot. A very reasonably priced experience. There’s a 13 month long story/movie one can listen to. We skipped that instead spent 45min+ walking the chronological history description. A good balance between details and overviews. Very good

This is a great place to learn about John Steinbeck and the history of Salinas. We went today and yesterday because this week it's free admission! There are two short films in a small auditorium with a screen and seating - one about Steinbeck and the other about Salinas and it's agriculture. There's a really great Steinbeck exhibit that covers his whole life and all his work, as well as the history of Salinas. The exhibit is awesome! It's very big and interactive. There are also other gallery areas in the building to learn about current community programs and local art.

Note: I hadn't read anything by Steinbeck before coming, but knew the general gist.

The museum was not busy during a weekday in the summer at opening time, and pleasant staff greeted us and let us in. The main exhibition has some interactive elements, which are carried out well, in addition to a very fascinating and easily read history of Steinbeck and his books.

Throughout you follow his writings with excerpts and explanations, as well as historical background information of relevance. The museum doesn't take too long to go through and they've superbly managed the balance between going too deep and barely scratching the surface.

If you're a Steinbeck fan, this is a must for your Northern/Central California trip! As you know, John Steinbeck based his books on times and places he knew well, and the museum that is part of this center fleshes out his work beautifully. It sets all his books in historical context and fills in a lot of facts from his personal life, bringing increased depth to their meaning...which of course sets you up for the huge gift shop at the end!

Even if you haven't read much Steinbeck or don't care for classic literature, it's a very interesting museum of American history of the time period of his life, and it's very professionally done. I think it would be pretty dry for pre-high school kids, but there are at least a lot of interactive features for the hands-on set.

It's a very nice conference center, but I'm not sure you can get anything to eat if you get hungry...which is a minor issue since there are plenty of restaurants nearby.

The Center is a good first stop on an itinerary which should also include Steinbeck's birthplace home (which has limited hours since it is run by volunteers but is still worth walking around, even if you can't get in) and his final resting place in the Garden of Memories cemetery, also in Salinas. We also drove to nearby Pacific Grove and saw his beautiful red house (no signs/plaques, no admission), ending with dinner, the surf rolling in just steps away.

There is no TripAdvisor option for choosing "Family (adults)" as a type of visit, which is what my visit was, so I selected "Family (teens)," but this is an enjoyable full daytrip probably more for college-age and adults.

John Steinbeck chronicled the Monterey area and the California Central Valley with eloquence, grace and humor. He was also a war correspondent whose reportage -- often done at great personal risk -- is unmatched. He even raised an early voice for conservation of marine life and resources. This museum is a respectful and interesting look at him, and his life and times. It is an easy drive to Salinas from Monterey, and from US101. The Salinas downtown has been restored and is pleasant to visit. Four stars instead of five, because the museum -- perhaps due to the sources of its financial support -- downplays Steinbeck's political views on farm worker rights, and skips over some of his family history that is (in my opinion) essential to understanding him.

I was in the area visiting in-laws and read about the museum. I had to come! It was worth it. Place is great. I was bumped that I was not going to be present for a re-enactment of one of Steinbeck's novel but the exhibits made up for it.

We thoroughly enjoyed the National (John) Steinbeck Center in Salinas, California. It honors and commemorates the extensive writings of John Steinbeck – Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, Cannery Row, and dozens more. It was inspirational. The themes of his novels – the struggles of the common man/woman to survive, the gap between the wealthy and the laborers are just as relevant today as they were when he wrote.

The museum does a decent job of honoring Steinbeck, one of the greatest American novelists of all time.

We went as a group on a tour bus and had a “docent,” who turns out to be the Director of the museum. She gave us a great introduction to Steinbeck – she was well-informed, articulate, insightful, thoughtful. If you can get her to introduce you to Steinbeck and the museum, that would be ideal, but that may only be for groups.

As you enter, on the right is a “movie” theater that continually plays an introduction to Steinbeck. That is a good one to see when you first arrive.

There is a gift shop worth seeing on your way out. It is located behind the information desk. I recommend that you fill out an evaluation form to let the museum know your impressions.

The Steinbeck Center is located in Salina, California, where Steinbeck was born. Nearby downtown Salinas is attractive and well-kept. So, if the weather permits, you might choose to walk around to see the downtown.

The Steinbeck House was where he was born and raised is a 2-minute drive from the Steinbeck Center. It is now owned and run as a non-profit restaurant. You might choose to go there, as well, for lunch 11:30 to 2:00 Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations strongly recommended. Docents available at your request. Individuals, couples, or groups are welcome. It is located at 123 Central Avenue.

Even if you are not a big fan of Steinbeck, this is a very worthwhile place to visit Super explanation of the life,time and works of the great man

This is a wonderful experience for Steinbeck fans. If you are a fan now you should be after a tour of the National Steinbeck Center. The theater has a film of the history of the Salinas Valley. The museum describes the stories behind many of John Steinbeck's books, including his novels, plays, and non-fiction. There also is a description of the films adapted from his works.

It was very interesting place, my 4 year old really enjoyed it too especially getting on top of a plastic pony. You can go to this website: www.SFBayFun.com and save 5$ per ticket, just print out a coupon and present it Thursday-Sunday. Our tickets were 10$ per person, it is a great price and you will learn a lot about John Steinbeck. Also, there is a nice store that you can buy books and movies. Check out their 80% off section.

I am fairly new to Steinbeck and found this exhibition fascinating and very easy to follow. Everything was clearly explained, fun to see and very informative.

Start on the right with two films: one about Steinbeck and one about Salinas valley farming.
Makes for a better understanding of this great author
On the left and walk through the history behind his novels. Audio and visual artifacts, old photos and mural representations, dramatic readings, etc.

This is enough to prompt purchase another set of the Steinbeck library.
Yes yes yes

A wonderful adventure to learn about the local history and culture of the Salinas Valley. I attended an event here and truly enjoyed the educational ambiance. Beautiful displays, photography of bygone days and film exploring the development of the area. Very nice experience for all. Happy New Year!

Extremely interesting displays that brought alive many of Steinbeck's books movies and life events. I now need to reread most books and perhaps some others.
This is a gem to find.

Steinbeck lovers unite in a beautiful part of California. His books and career are brought to life, as well as the rich history of the Salinas valley. Not really a place for kids.

A surprise was finding out Marilyn Monroe was a queen of asparagus or artichokes here. The actual vehicle for travels with Charlie and much more is there. Worth the visit.

The docent was very sweet and helpful. We enjoyed the museum far more than we had expected. There are many interesting displays!

We came to Salinas specifically to take our 17 year old to this museum as he has read several books by John Steinbeck. He found it very interesting as it added much to his understanding of the books and background of hat he had read. I should add that my husband and I enjoyed it equally.

Our visit to the Center was thoroughly enjoyable ! The exhibits are well-laid out, easy to understand and very informative.

The National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, CA is, in a word, wonderful. The museum contains various exhibits (one is about agriculture in the Salinas Valley, for instance, and another is about the Dust Bowl refugees), but the main gallery, naturally, is about John Steinbeck, one of America's finest writers. I recommend that you begin our visit with the short film about his life, and then go to see the exhibits. You'll find that there is more emphasis on Steinbeck's work than on his life, and you will also find that there is a surprising amount of attention paid to the films that were adapted from his novels. (That led this reviewer to believe that the gift shop would have DVDs of those films, but it did not. That was a disappointment, considering that there have been so many really good film adaptations of Steinbeck's writing. The gift shop was the weakest aspect of the center, though you'll find multiple editions of Steinbeck's titles in abundance.) The displays are executed with excellent style, but the best of them was certainly "Rocinante," Steinbeck's original truck/camper that carried him through the journey described so well in "Travels With Charley." The staff is friendly and helpful. After your visit, be sure to make the easy, two-block walk to Steinbeck's birthplace, and you also might want to drive out to the Garden of Memories Cemetery where Steinbeck is buried. He's in the Hamilton family plot, near the front of the cemetery. Many of the streets in Salinas are uncomfortably narrow for the volume of traffic. Luckily, there is a parking garage behind the Steinbeck Center and a short walk up the main street in front of the center will lead you a variety of restaurants. I would recommend a visit to the National Steinbeck Center to anyone who is generally interested in 20th Century American literature, and would insist that it is a must-see for anyone who has even a slight familiarity with John Steinbeck.

Reasonably good depiction af the life and times of John Steinbeck, with other exhibits that are of equakl interest. However, the price may be a little too high.

Very well done museum that's interactive and information in a very fun way! Would be good for children as well! After 4:30 it is free but you'll need 1.5 hours to truly go through everything

When they built the Center, I thought, how on earth can you make a museum for an author? Their power is in the words. Well, the Steinbeck Center managed to do this. Steinbeck's words are everywhere. I had no idea how prolific he was.
Special events are staged there, and the bookstore is full of Steinbeck memorabilia. It's worth a trip to Salinas just for the experience.

We had driven by several times, never having time to stop. Finally we allowed time and were glad that we did. I don’t have a lot of time to read for enjoyment, so was only familiar with some of the titles and watched one or two movies long ago. We were very impressed with the exhibits and displays, all well done. The displays tell of the life of John Steinbeck as well as many of his major works with lines from the books, why the story was relevant to him, and sometimes dioramas or objects. I saw at least two models of Cannery Row in Monterey. Two videos run continuously, one about Steanbeck and one about agriculture in the Salinas Valley. The Museum Store in filled with his books, audio books, videos of movies based on his books, mugs, etc. We came away with two paper books, two audio books (one we started on the long drive home), and a commuter cup. My wife had grudgingly allowed me to stop and I think she enjoyed it even more than I did. After visiting the museum, the Steainbeck house is about two or three blocks away.

We enjoyed our visit here. There is a nice introductory film on John Steinbeck. There is also one on the area's agriculture but not so good. The museum has many placards on his writings with quotations and clips from movies made from his books. There is a timeline on his life, but quite frankly not a lot of emphasis on the man himself. There are very few artifacts. We didn't see anything on the fact his books were burned and he was thought a threat to society by J. Edgar Hoover. It would have been nice to have seen more on Steinbeck's reactions! Glad to have a museum dedicated to an author though!

The museum can validate your parking ticket to the next door garage for the first 90 minutes.

Well done and well kept museum. Loved the "mixed media," from exhibits with photos and text, real life objects, interactive bits, and videos. I spent about two hours and looked at and read mostly everything. Friendly staff guy at the beginning explaining the layout of the center as well. Free parking on the street. Looking forward to re-reading Steinbeck so his work is more fresh in my mind and visiting again!

John Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors, and after taking a course at Stanford, in which we read many of his books and studied his life, I knew I had to visit the Steinbeck Center. We were fortunate to visit on a weekday and it was quiet and uncrowded and you could take your time reading and enjoying each exhibit. I particularly like the recreations of some of the scenes from Cannery Row. I loved being able to see the tiny camper in which he made his way across country with his poodle in "Travels with Charley". All of Steinbeck's books are reflected in the various exhibits. There is also a separate exhibit on the agricultural history of the Salinas Valley that is well worth a visit.

And just down the street, a couple of nice places to eat after you've brushed up on your Steinbeck knowledge and trivia.

Very modern museum near a car park. Easily accessible for all.
Easy walk thru and read format. Short bio film and also people reading sections from his books on film. Most enjoyable and informative. Clean bathrooms too!

This is a nice, large, clean museum. There are 2 films to view. One about John Steinbeck, the 2nd is about the Salinas valley and what it produces. There is a display for each of his most popular books and a TV showing a small portion from the movie made from the book. The camper that he traveled the U.S. is also on display.

This museum is very well curated and features engaging and educational exhibits about John Steinbeck life and work. The various rooms bring to life the characters and places from Steinbeck's famous books and are a joy to walk through and explore. There are many hands-on displays that will keep kids about (10 years old and up) engaged even if they are not familiar with the literature work. The museum is a great source for learning about the life and times of the author and his world-known stories. Easy parking in a public lot near the center. A well worth stop if visiting Salinas or just passing through.

This is a wonderful museum for all ages. On our way from Yosemite to Monterey, we planned our trip to include a visit here. The museum tour starts with two short videos about the life of the man and the agriculture of the Salinas Valley. The information is concise. The museum's exhibits provide details on his life and informative displays about his books, movies and plays. There is so much information to read and see and hear.
Nearby is the actual house where John Steinbeck was born and raised. It is a very nice addition to the Steinbeck Center. The house includes a restaurant and gift shop. We did enjoy a glass of iced tea and dessert.
A great way to spend an afternoon or longer.

This place has a great introductory film about Steinbeck to set his life and contributions in perspective. There is a walk-thru museum with memorabilia about various books and events in his life. It is very nicely done. They say that the center's store has the greatest retail sales of Steinbeck books in the U.S.

We have been to the Center a number of times. It is a wonderful place to watch the history of California from the 1930's until the 1950's. There are movies and many displays. There are people to answer questions and a gift shop for the items you just must take with you. If you are a teacher, there are many of Steinbeck's lesser known works as well.

I made a deliberate detour on my way to San Francisco just to see this museum, so perhaps my level of expectation was too much.

A good sized building with helpful and courteous staff, rather let down by the exhibits. Throughout it felt like a museum designed for parties of children rather than something created as a celebration of one of the world's greatest writers. I left with no further insight into the man, his motivations or his work. The movies were OK, but felt like History Channel filler. None of the exhibits really brought the significant works to life for me.

The National Steinbeck Center is interesting and informative, especially for Steinbeck fans but also for those who want to learn more about Salinas and its agricultural roots in Steinbeck's era. The short films are engaging, and the displays are well done and include hands-on activities. Even if you are only familiar with some of his works (or just read one of his books in school), you will enjoy the period-specific displays and multimedia presentations. I thought the entrance fee of $13 was very reasonable. We were there for about an hour and a half, which was sufficient. Easy parking next door in a parking garage.

I loved every minute I was in this museum. I diverted myself here after the Oakhurst Junction Fire cut short most of my allotted time in Yosemite. This was a perfect case of making lemonade from lemons.
This is probably the best author museum I have ever visited. I have always been a John Steinbeck fan and have read most of his books at least once.
This museum had tons of information and exhibits to see. There was an exhibit for every book he wrote. These were not just one small area, but each book had almost a full room of the history of the book featured including various copies of the book from first editions to those in foreign languages from around the world. Also many of them had the movie(s) based on the book on a continuous loop. Also throughout the museum was the complete biography of the man as well as a good deal of information about the Salinas Valley and the Monterey Peninsula including Cannery Row.
They also had the little RV type van he used fully restored.
Now if you are not a reader let alone a Steinbeck fan, you may not like this museum. But then again, you may come out of there with every book he wrote purchased at the museum gift shop.
The main street of the town near the museum is well preserved. The farmland around the area fascinated me particularly the water struggles going on right now as a result of the drought. Here on the East Coast, I think we often are not as aware of this as we should be-let alone the fires it causes as I learned first hand.
The parking garage was next door and very inexpensive.
If you walk a couple blocks north of the museum, you will find Steinbeck's childhood home. The downstairs has a nice gift and tea shop (limited hours) with an extremely helpful staff and items not found in the museum shop. The house is very pretty.
Monterey is about 30-40 minutes away, and you can continue your Steinbeck Tour by visiting that town and particularly Cannery Row.
Even though i was devastated to have to leave Yosemite, visiting this museum made the sting much more painless. I am so glad I had the opportunity to visit this museum as well as Monterey and the beautiful Salinas Valley.

Very interesting, better than his books. Lots of local history and appealed to all ages from young kids to seniors. Rather than feeling like you're in a huge cave, the various rooms feature little scenes that tell the story of some aspect of Steinbeck's life or the times he lived in or wrote about in one of his books. Much of it is focused on the agricultural industry as it evolved into what is here today. I was quite impressed - it is very well done.
I have also been here for the pleasure of hearing a local author present a talk about his inspiration and the center lends itself to holding multiple events.

Good for Steinbeck enthusiasts. Interesting and educational. I wouldn't recommend it for any children unter 4th grade.

This museum has so much information on the life of John Steinbeck and the areas that influenced his writings. I learned so much!

Our first visit and we were very impressed. Start your visit with the interesting 24 minute film about John Steinbeck, which is followed by a very informative film about the agricultural history of the Salinas Valley. Then move to the exhibit which is laid out progressively. The areas are done very well. There are several screens for film clips from movies and his acceptance of the Nobel Prize and interviews with his widow. Interesting and very informative - I learned so much more. All sorts of personal items, including personal handwritten letters and his camper in Travels with Charlie. Terrific museum, but we were very disappointed in the bookstore. Great for obtaining every book Steinbeck wrote, but there were no postcards or photos of the displays. I really would have appreciated an exhibit catalogue to reread and relive the displays and writings.

Huge Steinbeck fan, in fact our trip to the area was to see the places he wrote about. The museum does a good job of covering some of the issues that drove his writing and him. The exhibits are well done, The two films at the beginning of the exhibits are worth your time and only take a few minutes. My wife enjoyed the museum as well and she's not nearly the fan of Steinbeck I am, so you don't have to be huge fan or familiar with all of his works to enjoy.

We made a point of going from the Monterey area to Salinas to see the Steinbeck Museum. The museum has many interactive features and there are many videos of movies or plays that have adapted his works. The museum give you a complete overview of his works and of the area that influenced his writing career. It is well worth making this museum a stopping point on your trip. Even the camper that he traveled in when he wrote Travels with Charlie is in the museum.I read that book after I visited the coastal redwoods and saw a quote from the book there. The house he was born in is down the street a couple of blocks. We saw the room he was born in. There is a restaurant there and a gift shop in the back.

It's worth going if you enjoy Steinbeck and the fishing/canning industry. The exhibits are interesting.

Despite what other reviewers have said, there was a lot of information reguarding John Steibeck's thoughts and philosophy. The displays were also quite detailed and intriguing. The two movies that are shown is the way to start a visit to the museum. They highlight Steinbeck's life and the Salinas area which influenced his writing so much.

Then be sure to go through the double doors to the museum displays - and read the placards. Some are about Steinbeck, and some are about his books.

The museum will valudate parking in the nearby gatage for 90 minutes. We found thst to be enough time to see and read everything.

Was very impressed here. Watched two short films inside, and moved on to the museum. It is interesting and well laid out. Displays are very creative and attractive. May not be for little ones, but for older kids and adults it will make you want to read - or re-read his books. Stayed about an hour and a half, would have stayed longer if I had the time.

This was a nice museum. The film offers a brief summary of Steinbeck’s life while the museum goes into more detail. I enjoyed the movies playing throughout the museum as each book was covered. It’s worth the stop.

My husband loves Steinbeck so it was a must see museum. It was very informative about his books and the video and exhibits also gave a good timeline of his life and his works. Was not very crowded so very Covid safe --- the bookstore got a lot of our family's attention also.

And if you are here and need lunch, Salinas has done a good job preserving areas of Salinas that he wrote about and lived in, so take a walk around and have a nice lunch.

I am a HUGE Steinbeck fan and I was wondering how they would depict his life. The way that the Center has everything laid out is perfect. Each of his novels are in picture form. There are also details about each novel that I never knew. Get lost in the world of Steinbeck!

Very well worth a visit even if you're not a huge fan of Steinbeck. Watch the educational film before you visit the exhibition. The very friendly and helpful docent will answer any of your questions. Gift shop and penny pincher.

If you are a fan of Steinbeck, or not, this is an amazing museum. We have been many times, and each time we go.....we disvover something new. Whether you agree with his politics or not, he is a man to be admired. He fought for what he believed in, and his literary interpretation of the times was authentic and true. If you have children, the hands on aspect of the museum is truly enjoyable.

Nicely laid out museum in downtown Salinas that was good for an hour to browse the displays. I was impressed by the quality of the displays.

An excellent museum dedicated to all things Steinbeck. We spent a lovely couple of hours reading and meandering thru the exhibits. I'd recommend this museum for anyone wanting to find about more about this great American novelist

As a Steinbeck fan and was on holiday, couldn't resist the visit and glad I did. The film was excellant and the museum itself is absolutely first-rate!
A must for Steinbeck fans!

I've read some Steinbeck and really wanted to see this museum. My husband is neutral to Steinbeck but still enjoyed. It's laid out in a cute way, themed by book. I did feel the exhibits were a bit fluffy, heavy on film clips and book excerpts but still enjoyed. Afterwards we took a quick trip past his childhood home and high school. We didn't have time but he is also buried in Salinas. We got a groupon for two for one admission.

I went to the museum with my friend who is an English teacher. This isn't something I'd normally do. I'm glad I did it! This museum is really well done. I appreciate Steinbeck and his work so much more than just the guy who wrote Of Mice and Men. We spent almost 2 hours here. I didn't look at my watch once. It was self-guided so you can spend as much or as little time as you want.

If anything, going to the museum is worth enjoying the drive to Salinas. It was amazing to see the Salad Bowl up close. It made me appreciate the work that goes into our food. Stunning views of the area.

Popped in here shortly before closing but was welcomed by staff and encouraged to stay till closing. Lots of memorabilia, video, audio, and interactive displays, appealing to all ages. Read a few facts previously unknown to me and whetted my appetite for more info on this famous author.

We broke away from our main plans travelling up the coast to visit the Steinbeck Center. It was good to see Steinbeck's childhood house but it's the Center that really brings his work to life. It's well worth the detour for any fan of his writing.

This was an excellent presentation of Steinbeck's amazing life and works. We had only 4 hours to make the tour. I wish I could have several additional days to spend on the fascinating exhibits. But our visit to California was a limited one. Fortunately, we spent time in Paso Robles to see the dry Salinas river. We also saw the Galabin Mountains, described in "East of Eden." Steinbeck is my all time favorite author. It was a tour of a lifetime!

The National Steinbeck Center is a fascinating museum honoring the life and writings of John Steinbeck. The Center is well planned and laid out to educate and entertain all ages offering story boards, still life recreations of author's life and literature (my favorite is The Red Pony!), film, and interactive experiences. The Center is a great place to learn more about Steinbeck and his life and times and the history of California and the Salinas area. This is a great place for families.

Quite pricey for the entrance fee. The main and only exhibit has some quotes by Steinbeck good images, running visuals that the sound a little muffled, there is a display of one to two pages of his original manuscripts and some interesting information on Salinas and Cannery Row. I left thinking it could be a lot more. It was very quiet and it has a lovely sun terrace but could have a little coffee shop to make it more welcoming. The atrium is lovely but empty. The film is interesting but rather dated with poor sound, little more on Salinas context could be added and more on Cannery Row and the sardine industry. I think there is more to offer at this museum.
Poor gift shop sadly again I like to support the local museums in buying souvenirs and post cards etc but only (a wide collection nevertheless) of Steinbeck's books but if you are travelling it is unlikely one will buy these.

This was a great museum. So glad we stopped in when we were staying in the area for a wedding. John Steinbeck's writing and era are not talked about much these days, but so much resonated. Lots to learn here about the man, the era, and how he went about writing his books.

I stopped by here on a rainy Sunday morning. Driving down from the South San Francisco area for the day to do some sightseeing. The GPS directed me right tot he garage. The garage is just to the right of the building and costs about 50 cents per hour.

Once in the lobby go towards the lettuce field for a 15 minutes movie that runs on a continuous loop. Then it is across the lobby and into the actual display portion of the museum. The artifacts, displays and video screens are outstanding. The video screens show movie clips or stage productions of the story that is highlighted in that area.

East of Eden, Cannery Row Sea of Cortez , and Travels with Charley are just a few books of what is included in this outstanding museum.

What a fantastic little museum about Steinbeck, the region and its history. It is fascinating how much important 20th Century Steinbeck experienced first hand and this museum touches it all.

A must visit for Steinbeck fans and for visitors to the region.

On a sunny Spring Saturday, we had the place mostly to ourselves. The museum is laid-out to trace the chronology of his major works, but I was most impressed with the displays of other parts of Steinbeck's life. His articles written as a war correspondent were as moving as some of his novels. There are interactive displays geared toward younger kids, but they will probably be done in about a hour, while meandering adults can spend 3-4 hours. There is a nice little gift shop. The docents were very friendly. I thought it was well worth the price of admission.

This center has a Steinbeck Museum in it and that is worth seeing. Especially if you are a John Steinbeck fan. I loved it. However the building itself is not appealing from the outside or in, and aside from the museum I would not go there.

Took my teenager here before he started reading Steinbeck novels for school. Well curated. Good bookstore. We spent about 1 1/2 here.

We drove the fifteen miles to Salinas which is where the Steinbeck Centre is. We loved Salinas; it's a quiet, small and picturesque city, spotlessly clean and cheerful again. The Steinbeck Centre was fifteen dollars each to get in but this was very decent value as the quality of the exhibition was very high and the charming docent (guide/curator) really added sparkle. There were two interesting documentaries as well which detailed the surroundings of the city and the agriculture as well as Steinbeck's early life. We left resolving to buy the books and display them prominently.
It was only a short walk to the house where Steinbeck was born and this has been converted into a gift shop and restaurant: again, the couple who ran the gift shop were very sociable and chatty. Salinas seems like a lovely place to live.

Easy to find with easy parking. You should spend a good two hours here.

The two videos set the scene and then take your time to enjoy the exhibits. They are well displayed and should cater for all ages. So a good family venue.

Wonder displays of Steinbeck s work.Although I am not a reader, thoroughly enjoyed the museum.perhaps the audio books will work while on road trips.

During our journey from Vancouver Canada to California we stopped off in Salinas and as a life long fan of his books we had to visit the museum - i was not disappointed as it is a comprehensive history of his life and works presented in a very interesting way - any devotee of his writings should visit at least once in their life.They even have the original Rocinante motor home he used for "Travels with Charlie". Highly recommended.

We were not sure what to expect, we found that this small museum was very well done and exceeded any expectations we had. It gives you insight into the author, John Steinbeck, the time in history in which he set his famous novels and the movies they inspired. Allow 1-2 hours and you will find it worth the time

This is perhaps one of my favorite museums I've visited in California.
It is well laid out and comfortable, suitable for a leisurely pace of enjoyment or doable even if you only have an hour or two.
I've been here 3 times now, about every other time I visit Salinas and I find something new to enjoy each time.
The exhibits are honest, not sugar coating Steinbeck's life and history. There are multi-media, interactive, movie, auditory and traditional displays throughout the museum.
Parking is not to bad, mind your time limits, and there are many good restaurants in the area to visit.
I've visited here both my children were young and tweens, and they enjoyed it both times.

We had wanted to visit for a long time, and the center exceeded our expectations. It was really well done, and the staff were very welcoming. Fascinating place and well worth a visit.

I thought I could push through there in under two hours so I wouldn't have to move my car. Well that didn't work. I spent nearly four hours there and enjoyed every minute of it. Traveling through Salinas, and Monterey Bay brought new meaning to his books. My wife is not much of a reader yet she was really enjoyed the place. If you have little kids you may want to pass. There is not much to do for them. Seeing Rocinante at the end was the icing on the cake. I certainly recommend walking over to his house for lunch.

I am a shameless bibliophile, and Steinbeck is one of my favorite American authors. We try to visit one museum when vacationing, to learn something new or educational. (And one can only eat and drink for so many hours in a day.)
This museum is very well curated. The exhibits are very interesting and well done. There is a lot of variety in how things are displayed, and the written information is presented well and easy to read. We really enjoyed all the movie clips and posters, and was quite surprised to learn about the criticisms of his work. I knew he stopped writing fiction, and now I know why! Definitely worth the time to visit!

This is a great museum in the heart of old town Salinas. I didn't realize how many books he wrote nor what a well versed individual he was. The guides recommend you view a short film before entering the main part of the museum to get some background. This museum is divided into sections based on some of his books ie: Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, etc. with memorabilia and photos of each. There are also small movie screens constantly showing some of the movies made from his books. This museum tells the story of the individuals who moved west when the dust bowl hit and how harsh the conditions were. The museum tells of his life story and everything he accomplished in a short period of time. Well done museum and after reading every placard, which I did, it not only inspires you to read some his novels but the history of his life and Salinas keeps your interest. There is a parking lot next to the museum which charges $4.00 for the day which is well worth the price allowing you to visit the museum and explore old town Salinas as well. Small gift shop,

This was a very spiritual place for me. The greatest author. The films not only give the history of John Steinbeck but the Salinas area.

Was here for 75 minutes a couple years ago, while passing through Salinas. This time I allocated the day, and was there all day, from 10-5, as I'm quite a fan. It was great to be able to experience the exhibits more in depth! A criticism would be that the first film as you enter the museum (on a loop) skips and stops, due to technical problems. Also, some of the audios from exhibits overlap one another, making it hard to focus on the exhibit at hand. I found staff to be helpful and friendly on this second visit, like the first. I went on a Tuesday, so interference from other visitors was not an issue.

This is a brilliant place to visit if you love Steinbeck. There is lots to read and take in. If you don't know or like his works this is not for you.

The bookshop has lots of works in different formats. The main reason to visit Salinas.

I took my grandson 16 yrs old. He was impressed how that era was presented, and how much he learned just after 2 hours in the museum. I am sure it must be seen.

We visited on a Sunday afternoon and the center wasn't crowded. Two short films introduce his life and Salinas agricultural history. There is a large exhibit that traces all of Steinbeck's works in chronological order. I was especially interested in the Grapes of Wrath and Cannery Row exhibits as these books have such a local connection. If you are a history or literature lover, this is a must-see!

My wife and I were recently in California visiting our son and his wife in LA, CA.
We would spend a few days with them, take off for a short road trip, return to LA for a few more days, and then take off again. This past trip we ended up driving up the Pacific Coast Highway to San Francisco, something we did 35 years ago when we drove south from SF to LA. Over five days. You may all be aware of the drought that has been plaguing the west for a # of years now. Well, perhaps it is over. For the first couple of days, all it did was rain. And apparently it was worse in Northern CA, think the Oroville Dam. As it turns out the PCH, Route 1 was closed from Ragged Point to Big Sur, probably the most be-u-ti-ful stretch of that iconic highway. So, the detour took us inland to the 101 for about 100 miles. We were looking for some things to do and realized we would be in Salinas. Well, the John Steinbeck Center is the #1 attraction and that fact, coupled with my love for his writing, and the amazing person he was we immediately planned our morning there. I have read most of his books, from "Grapes of Wrath" to "Travels with Charlie in Search of America" to some of his lesser known works, "Dubious Battle" and "Once There was a War." It was all there. A tad on the juvenile side, but that was okay. It just convinced me that the man is more than the giant I thought he was. Troubled relationships, but still. Amazing writer. nd I found out that a friend of ours, Jay Parini, English Professor wrote a biography of him! THAT WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE GIFTSHOP.

If you are a fan of John Steinbeck, this is a must see. If you have never read his books, the center illustrates his career and life within the context of the times. Steinbeck was controversial because he was able to step out of the "filter" of the time and write with his conscience.

I ca say without any reservation I am not the biggest reader of his material even though he has written some classic material. The museum itself lets you look into the life of the man and understand where and how he developed some of his most famous characters. It wqas worth the stop.

This is a great place to learn about Steinbeck and what influenced a lot of his writings. Great displays about him and his family and growing up in the Salinas Valley. Great teacher discount too! A parking garage is close by.

The Center does a great job of not only bringing many of his awesome books to life, they had us leaving the center with even more respect for who he was as a man. If you are a lover of the works of Steinbeck, I highly recommend that you go out of the way to visit here. Their exhibits provide a wonderful context for seeing his writing through different eyes. It is a welcoming place for all age groups.

Was an interesting presentation of the life and times of John Steinbeck. The gift shop had a limited selection of items. It was mostly books (as you might expect) and not a great selection of t-shirts and the like.

We are big fans of Steinbeck's body of work & while wandering the area on the way up North we stumbled upon this gem. Staff was extremely helpful & knowledgeable. The docents give you an overview prior to touring the center; the displays are very interesting although some were a bit childish but overall we learned more about this genius of a writer...enjoy!

Absolutely fascinating museum. If you love Steinbeck then you'll love the place but to be fair, even if yous5never read any of his books it would still be intriguing.
It's a brilliant insight into life in the depression, what caused it, how and why people migrated and it's affect on America.
There are countless pieces of Steinbeck memorabilia too, his pens and manuscripts, some of his furniture and possessions and the undoubted centerpiece, the camper van he used to travel through America in "Travels With Charley"
A really brilliant homage to Steinbeck and a chronicle of the Anerica he lived in. An enthralling few hours and an absolute must see if you're in or near the area.

Lots of good food to choose from, Servers are very nice. Saturday teas are very well done. When I want to have a nice quite lunch with friends and family Steinbeck is the place.

well worth the short trip we took form monterey to discover this gem...wonderful museum which told the story of Stenbeck's life and accomplishments very well.very helpful staff.if passing through take the time to explore it sis well worth the time/effort

This is a lovely museum - very well laid out and a great mix of genuine Steinbeck memorabilia and the "Hollywood" idea of his novels. All very tasteful, however and something that he would probably approve of himself.

I first visited the museum when it opened in 1998. I really enjoyed this visit with the Silicon Valley Capital Club travel group. We had a docent give us an orientation before we went in the museum. They also had a very informative movie about Steinbeck in the theatre. The museum was not crowded and I was able to take my time and read the exhibitions. They have a good combination of audio presentations and visuals displays. After our visit, we had high tea at Steinbeck’s childhood home. Fun, informative day!

I brought my students here for years as part of our literature unit on local, American literature. The students loved the displays, interactive nature of the presentations, and enjoyed being part of Steinbeck's California.

The exhibits in the museum brought the writings of Steinbeck to life! We enjoyed the history and interactive displays. Learning more about this American author's life helped us gain a greater appreciation for his work. The information about the movie adaptations of many of his novels was fascinating! Two movies in the theater-the biography was interesting, the Salinas agriculture was not. We spent a little over two hours there.

Much better than I imagined. Lots of movie clips quotes from books put together in a very entertaining way. I cam out knowing a lot of history about the area too.
The restaurant is not to be missed. Very quaint and the waitresses give an account of the history whilst you are eating. Everyone is a volunteer and very friendly.

If you have read any Steinbeck (and even if you haven't), the museum is really intriguing. A very of the Old West, the struggle with migrant labor, the emergence of California as a national source of food, and a sense of nascent American literature befor and after the Second World War. A Nobel Prize winner and intriguing personality.

Great little museu. Kind of on the small side, but very informative and the docent was knowledgeable.

We had planned a birthday trip to "Steinbeck country" as he is one of our group's favorite author. By nothing more than dumb luck, we happened to hit the center on the weekend of the annual Steinbeck festival and were able to enjoy an excellent walking tour of Salinas' Main Street with an emphasis on how the locations are treated in Steinbeck' writings. We then proceeded on to the comprehensive museum and spent about 2 1/2 hours -- we could have spent another 3 hours and not had time to absorb all the information provided. The museum is informative and well laid out.

Pretty cool place, especially if you like John Steinbeck! Go check it out. only like 10 bucks and they give his whole history and the backgrounds to all his books. Hint: His books mostly took place in Salinas and Monterey Bay... So that's really cool.

We visited here along with Steinbeck House. This is a must see if you are visiting Monterey. Just a short drive through the beautiful Salinas Valley!

It is fascinating to see John Steinbeck, who he was, what he wrote, what movies were made if his books. The exhibit is beautifully presented.

This is a very well presented museum of prolific author, John Steinbeck. Film clips, readings from books, plays, personal life are all here. We could have spent the whole day here investigating. He wrote more than I have read. Now I am going to the library.

They call this the "National" Steinbeck Center, but I'm pretty sure this is a locally funded facility, as they offer a discount to local residents (determined by zipcode). I'd say its a very professionally done interactive type museum, although it seems just a bit over-the-hill.

The most interesting thing to me is what is not in the museum, namely, significant references to "The Grapes of Wrath". You would think its just some pot-boiler that he wrote in between "The Red Pony" and "Cannery Row" Steinbeck is a controversial person with the literary crowd, I think because of his vocal support of the Vietnam war. His reputation has suffered unfairly for it.

The rather bizarre diminishment of "The Grapes of Wrath" in the museum is more of a puzzlement. One spot in the museum has as a display a row of faux books by Steinbeck with "The Grapes of Wrath" missing. I can't tell if the local growers are still mad at him (Salinas had two book-burnings in Steinbeck's honor, according to the Center) or if the place has been Tea-Partied.

That Steinbeck remains a controversial figure 75 years later is a testament to his continued saliency to our culture.

If you want a quick lesson in the breadth and depth of Steinbeck’s genius, this is the place to come. The ten minute introductory movie is excellent (tho a bit blurry). The exhibits are very well done and offer interactive opportunities for all ages.

This a fantastic interactive showcase of John Steinbeck’s life, times and works.i loved the fact that it was an engaging exhibit, actively inviting you to explore more deeply into what is on offer. I also liked the way the exhibit leads you logically through the timeline of Stienbeck’s life. If you have ever read any of Steinbeck’s books, a visit here will give them more depth and will make you want to read them again. If you have never read any of Steinbeck’s books, you will want to after you have been here. There is nothing not to like. All you need to bring is a thirst for knowledge. You should allow a good half day for this visit. There is ample and very reasonably priced public parking right next door and as the Centre is right on Main Street, there are restaurants, and cafes nearby.

The museum does a good job of giving some background to Steinbeck's life, as well as setting the scenes for his many novels, and creating exhibits about local issues and conditions.

If John Steinbeck is just someone you had to read in high school, you owe it to yourself to spend an hour or two at the National Steinbeck Center. It's a fascinating look into how John Steinbeck grew up, how his childhood influenced his writing, how he got into movies, and how he understood America and Americans. Painless history interspersed with interesting clips from films made from Steinbeck's novels and stories.

Very well done, informative just an overall nice tour, excellent gift shop. Nice to bring out of town guest so that they can not only learn about Steinbeck but also the Salinas Valley.

I admit that I didn't read all the John Steinbeck I was supposed to read in school. And what I read, I don't really remember. So I was thinking of this visit as the obligatory cultural stop on my foodie weekend on the Central Coast of California.

But I was wrong. I loved the museum and how they used art and multimedia to bring Steinbeck's work to life and make it relevant not only to the region but to our humanity.

The docent was super nice and gave us some background on the museum and John Steinbeck before we entered the exhibit. Once we entered, we were in a crowded yet organized maze of audio, video, photos and manuscripts set in context by easy-to-read boards of explanatory information. I learned a lot about John Steinbeck that I didn't know.

We skipped the two short movies in the beginning. Even though they loop, we weren't able to catch the beginnings of them.

Definitely, this museum is worth a stop for an hour or two, while you are in or passing though Salinas.

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Although the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, CA is not right on the coastal route between San Francisco and L. A., it is less than 30 minutes from Monterey and is well worth the short trip. We easily spent a few hours at the Center, savoring the history that is presented there. If you are driving up (or down) the coast, take the time to visit this quality museum. You won't be sorry

You don't need to love Steinbeck or his work as much as I do to really enjoy and appreciate this lovely little museum. If you are visiting Carmel or Monterey it is only a short drive through the wide farm fields to Salinas. In his book Travels With Charley, Steinbeck lamented how Salinas had grown so rapidly to a population of 75,000 at the time he published his book. Yet more than 50 years later the population has only grown to 150,000 and it still has a small town feel. Drive and walk the streets of downtown for a completely different experience than the coastal towns of Carmel and Monterey.

The Museum itself is charming and it's docents will be there to greet you with enthusiasm. Watch the two films in the theater first as preparation. One is a Chamber of Commerce like film of the Salinas Valley and history and farming past. The other is a short black and white film biography of Steinbeck's life and work. The museum provides many exhibits of Steinbeck's life and work in literature and film against a backdrop of the history of the Salinas Valley. The exhibits walk you through his career with excellent photos of Salinas history, originals of letters and drafts of his novels, movie posters and many video screens showing parts of movie adaptations of his novels. You really get a sense of Steinbeck's creative process, his strong commitment to social justice and his close ties to his Salinas homeland. The museum has the feel of a large Steinbeck scrapbook and if you know his work well it will seem like visiting an old friend.

If you are hungry stop at Mi Tierra just outside of museum for a bite. Salinas is known for its many authentic Mexican restaurants and the tacos and enchiladas lives up to that.

Having read a couple of his books we decided to visit the Center when in the area and how glad we were we did. The staff were all really helpful and the presentation of the life and times of this man was first class. Even if you knew nothing about his work it would draw you in

very interesting all about John Steibeck. His life and his story Great museum.
Great places ot stay in Salinas and good food choices

We visited on a Sunday following lunch at nearby Patria Restaurant. The center was almost deserted during our walk-through of the several exhibits. My wife and I were highly impressed with the architecture and interior design of the center that lends itself to a chronological survey of Steinbeck's writings and films based on select novels. Very well worth the stop when near Salinas.

My husband and I were driving from San Jose to Los Angeles, but as we were passing by Salinas, we saw a sign for a Steinbeck museum. We'd both read Steinbeck in school, and I love writer museums quite a lot. We thought this would be a great place to stretch our legs.

The pricing was bit high for us, but we had a lot of fun. The short films gave a great summary of the city of Salinas and John Steinbeck's life. The displays were very informative and many were interactive (touchable), which makes it family-friendly (and friendly for me, because I love to fiddle with everything). Also, the displays put Steinbeck's novels in the right perspective, which allowed us to understand Steinbeck's influences. We both came away with a new respect for John Steinbeck, being so progressive in the time period he lived in.

We spent about an hour or so wandering around. The museum is medium-sized, so it's pretty walkable. Unfortunately, it seemed as if many of the interactive things weren't working when we were there. We'd pick up a telephone to hear a conversation, but it would only be static. Or, we'd look through a telescope and see nothing. Also, a lot of the biological specimens there seemed like they'd been there a long time (a few had broken in half, a couple seemed to be missing, and 1 jar in the gift shop had completely dried out). I feel like this museum was a bit outdated, and may need to repair/re-do some of the exhibits.

Otherwise, my husband and I had a great time. Definitely worth the unexpected stop.

Obviously a must visit for Steinbeck fans but even if you’re not this is an exemplary museum. A wonderful multimedia experience that is an informative interactive experience that can be leisurely enjoyed. If you’re going to enjoy the many video exhibits you could spend 2 hours easily.

Well laid out and clearly a tribute to the contribution Steinbeck made to the American persona. Makes me want to revisit his classic works.

It had been a long time ago that I read John Steinbeck books. My travel companion and I had an hour and a half to kill in Salinas waiting for a train. We happened to see the Steinbeck Center within 5 minutes walk to the train station and visited spur of the moment.
The center is very well arranged, highlighting various examples of Steinbeck's books. There were some movie clips of books that had been made into movies. A main Movie Theater shows a biography of John and his family. What really struck me is how relevant John Steinbeck's writings are, considering the current oppressive political climate. If you didn't know when the books were written you might think they were written today.
While the center is for old and young alike, it is particularly geared toward school children.
I will visit again and spend a bit more time.

Learned new things I didn't know about John Steinbeck. A really nice tribute to a local boy who had incredible talent.

Interesting artefacts and history of Steinbeck and his major works. Particularly good to see Rocinante which featured in his Travels with Charley.

The museum depicts Steinbeck's books with quotes, illustrations, interesting facts about the books' histories and impacts. It was well worth the visit. I only had one "free" day to tour the area and it was a Monday. Although the Steinbeck Center was open, and I enjoyed it, I was disappointed that the Steinbeck house was closed as well as many other places on the street leading up to the center.

Luckily, we came on their 19th anniversary and only had to pay 19 cents. If we'd paid the $12.50, we'd have been angry. There just isn't much to this center. It must be for research? Not much to see-- a few films and a room with displays representing periods in his life.

The reason for visiting Salinas was to get a 'feel' for the country Steinbeck lived in and which he wrote about. It was delightful to discover this centre which so well represented the writer and his work. All exhibits were thoughtfully and very effectively presented. Very well worthwhile!

For anyone interested in the life and works of John Steinbeck, the history of labor unions in California, or the history of Salinas, this is a must-see. It is a very well-equipped and hands on museum, following Steinbeck's life from his birth in Salinas (you can tour the house, about 5 blocks away) to his Nobel Prize for literature.
This museum is engaging for kids about 9 and up, with bus seats to sit on to watch films based on Steinbeck's books, blacksmith's tools, art, biology, and a lot of humor. It is also close to lots of nice things downtown: restaurants, antique shops, and movie theaters.

Amazing display, really great for kids and fans alike. Awesome bookstore. I have been here twice and feel like I never have enough time because it is so amazing.

The center is located in Old Town, so it was easy to park at the parking structure ($4.00 for the day) and then walk around. Once inside the center, I found the exhibits to be a real tribute to the man and his works. The introductory films help provide guests with enough information on Steinbeck, his history, and the history of the area to make the exhibits interesting and meaningful. The way each exhibit was constructed was impressive and captured the gist of each of his works. I was looking forward to purchasing something in the book store, but found it to be rather disappointing and not much above what is available in Barnes and Nobles, other than some touristy souvenirs.

It is such a great place. So fascinating. You refresh your love of reading. It takes about and hour to two - depending how quickly and how much you read.

They have made a very interesting and fact full hall of John Steinbeck life and works. A must stop off Hwy 101 between L.A. and San Francisco. See you at the Steinbeck Center.

Just like everyone else, this is beautiful museum for Steinbeck fans. There are 2, 12 minute videos in little theaters, one biography and one about philosophy, both are great. The museum is well-displayed, a biography of his life and books, and each book area has a sort video of the movie or about it. It's done really well, you can spend many hours here if you want to take it all in. Nice gift store, too.

Wonderful museum, simply blown away by it's presentation. Makes his literal works come to life. Went there to see the mural that was painted by my father in law some 20 years ago. Brought the original concept painting he used, had the opportunity to meet with some of the staff to share the original rendition of the mural. Very enjoyable visit, would recommend it to everyone. Want to take my grandchildren to the Children's corner.

I am a huge Steinbeck fan and believe him to be a forgotten literary genius and a figure not given his due for consistently creating amazing stories.

This monument to him does a fantastic job of educating, entertaining and inspiring; which is precisely what Steinbeck would've wanted.

If you're close by at all, do visit.

The John Steinbeck Center in Salinas is a must do event at least once a year. This beautiful building has been the cornerstone of Salinas attempts to revitalize itself and in this one block I have to say it has. A tribute to John Steinbeck’s genius and roots, it is a powerful walk down memory lane for anyone over 50 and a gateway of wonder to anyone younger. I love the huge transparent photo of Steinbeck that hangs in the cavernous entry way, you can feel his eyes watching you as you move through the hall. The exhibits of his childhood and the creation of his works of art are all cleverly interwoven with hands on, interactive exhibits all against a background of how Hollywood covered Steinbeck’s work. The guest exhibits are also usually superb and cover a myriad of local and international talents. I have been here for musical events and the acoustics were surprisingly good.
My only complaint is how dark the main exhibit is lighting wise. There is always a deserted air in the center and when I have attended business events the décor bland. I used to love the gift shop and frequently shopped there for gifts for out of town friends. They had a great selection of whimsical gifts based on Steinbeck’s sardonic humor. I went in last week and it has been completely stripped of all character and flavor and now looks like a public library of Steinbeck’s works.

We visited the National Steinbeck Center on a whim. Originally we had talked about making it part of our visit to the Monterey area but thought we wouldn't have enough time. When we had some extra time, we decided to drive to Salinas to see the museum.

We got there just under two hours before closing time. I wish we had gotten there sooner. There is a lot of see and take in. We simply ran out of time.

If you are a John Steinbeck fan, you will enjoy the displays. Many of which centered around his more famous titles. I can't speak for the films because we were not able to catch any of them.

The price for the self guided tour seemed rather steep for the short amount of time we spent at the museum. Staff was not rude but neither terribly helpful.

This is a hidden gem in the city of Salinas, and you can't help but get the sense that is it under appreciated. Still it is worth a visit. However, if you go give it the time that John Steinbeck truly deserves.

Let me say that the Grapes of Wrath is my favorite book. That said. I thought this was a really well done museum. They setup the museum to explain Steinbeck’s life according to the novels of his books. Lots of interactive aspects for my school aged kids but lots of stuff for adults too. Parking garage nearby makes parking easy. The museum took about an hour (a little steep for the price), and the shop isn’t much. However, overall it was a good stop to understand him and his works. I enjoyed it immensely.

It is worth the trip inland from the coast to go to Salinas and the Steinbeck Center. This is not a typical museum. It is a shrine to all that is Steinbeck. If you have read and love him, you will be in heaven. If you do not know Steinbeck you will be lost and confused. So, read your Steinbeck before you go.
There are little films, all his works, and tons of displays. Being there takes you to the place where Lenny and George stayed in Mice and Men, it takes you to the bus stop in Wayward Bus--if you don't know what I am talking about, read him first and then go.
John Steinbeck is a true American author. He wrote East of Eden and The Grapes of Wrath. Steinbeck lived in Salinas for a time (it is mostly farm area).
The Center is very pretty and whatever you want to know about John Steinbeck you will find there.
This is not for little kids. They will be bored.
I love it. I will go back again.

Being born and raised in California, I grew up reading most of Steinbeck's books. Now that hubby and I are seniors and traveling the USA, I wanted a more comprehensive peek into what made him tick. The museum was a wonderful experience and I came away knowing more details of his life than when I read his books. It is not as kid friendly as I expected but we didn't bring kids so the video's, reading material and personal items were a treat for us. We travel the USA in a motorhome with our fur child so we could relate to his Travels With Charlie and his thoughts about Americans in the early 1900's are eerily similar to those of Americans in this decade. Two thumbs up for us both.

Location: In the older, downtown area of Salinas;
Parking: We found easy parking near the museum;
Fee: Reasonable and fair.
Exhibit presentation: Liked the sequence and the subjects. Found the approach engaging and educational;
Staff: Somewhate indifferent, but ok.

Walked thru this museum with lots of Salinas history. Things for children to interact with and lots of information

If you have even a modest interest in American writers, a must see. You follow the exhibits from his early novels to later life, very entertaining. Lots of insight on Salinas valley, the ag-business in the valley and Monterey. While there, have a walk down Main Street Salinas, lots of local shops and restaurants.

Definitely not worth the money. The exhibits are not engaging or informative. I was very excited, which was deflated within 15 minutes. The information does not logically flow for those unfamiliar with his work. And for those that are familiar with his work, almost no new details are presented. The best thing in the museum is the short film about Steinbeck's life. Save yourself some time, money, and disappointment by checking out a Steinbeck novel from your local library.

We stayed in Monterey and had to see the Steinbeck museum. You have to go but I think once is enough.

Thank goodness for targeted advertising. (Did I really just say that?) After booking a night at Vision Quest Zoo Glamping, I got some alert of other things to do in Salinas, or I never would have heard of this place. The grandkids I was traveling with are not strong readers, but I wanted to give them some cultural exposure. In preparation for the trip, I would read a couple of pages from Grapes of Wrath and then summarize the rest of the chapter. (We did the whole book in a few hours!) We did the same with the Red Pony. At the museum, there were all these things they recognized and knew about. Learning had occurred! The museum lets kids climb in the car, sit on the horse and open doors at the migrant camp. Just down the street at John Steinbeck's childhood home we had a great lunch. i'm not sure my grandkids will actually read much of Steinbeck's writing but they know who he is, and I'm grateful for the visual/audio/tactile reinforcement this museum provided for my talking points. At lunch, when the waitress asked if the kids had read any Steinbeck, the 9 yo reply quickly "Yes, we've read Grapes of Wrath." That's some reinforcement.

Really worth a visit if you're a Steinbeck fan.
Lots of interesting facts and things to look at, helps give a real insight into his life and personal friendships.
Even kept my 14yo daughter interested!

I'm not sure what I expected but it wasn't this. The exhibits were very imaginatively put together by book but with plenty of background information on Steinbeck's family and the time period so putting everything in context. Very much worthy of a visit.

Well done, very informative. FYI, admission is free on your birthday. The Steinbeck house (not part of the museum fee) is walking distance down the street. Stop by for lunch.

If you are a Steinbeck fan this is well worth the detour off California Route 1 or Route 101. The exhibits are EXTREMELY well done and truly honor this author and the time within which he lived.

I put off visiting this for years. It was worth the wait, loved displays that helped explain how his characters were part of his rich life. Videos also helped add background that makes me want to read more of the novels he wrote. This is one more place that makes me trust TripAdvisor's reviews. It did not let me down and was a great way to learn about this accomplished Salinas writer. I highly suggest you include visiting the Steinbeck House a few blocks from this museum for lunch, I believe you need to make a reservation and the workers there will help you do that.

Be sure to allow plenty of time (say 2 hours) to see all there is to see here and learn all those little things you didn't already know about John Steinbeck's life and works. It is an amazing collection of facts and artifacts which give a really full picture of his life and times.

this is a great way to learn about a famous arthor and contributor to life events. The film are a must. It is well done. You should plan at least two hours and you could spend more.

We were very impressed with the National Steinbeck Centre, it is very well laid out with lots of fascinating displays about John, his life, his books and also Salinas and the Salinas Valley. There are lots of interactive things for the kids and a great little movie about John and the history of the area which I would recommend that you watch first, to set the scene before you visit the exhibitions. I learnt a lot about the author that I did not know before. The staff were also very helpful and knowledgeable and there is a good book and gift shop here. The admission price allows you entry for the whole day so you can go back and visit again after a lunch break if you want to.

Great representation of the famous Salinas Valley Author, John Steinbeck. Special exhibits keeps me interested.

I think it is a great museum and information source for John Steinbeck. I wish I had more time to look around. I do think it is a bit overpriced for this type of museum however.

It did inspire me to dig up more information on Mr. Steinbeck and read a few of his books.

Just about everything you wanted to know about John Steinbeck and migrant farm workers in California can be found in the National Steinbeck Center. Begin with the orientation film. Steinbeck's life and writings are explained in a way that is easy for almost anyone to understand. There are also display areas where the movies and plays created from Steinbeck's books can be previewed. When you leave the center, you'll want to go to the library and check out one or more of Steinbeck's books.

Yes, this is the main reason why I came to Salinas! I enjoyed the museum on a previous visit and made it a point to return. Pay attention to the schedule for special exhibits. A great place to visit if you enjoy California History and Literature!

I think that anyone who has enjoyed Steinbeck's novels would appreciate this center. There are lots of exhibits devoted to specific works that give you some insight into what inspired his writing. You will also learn about his life and the people important to him. Glad we stopped in Salinas and took the time to visit. The $14.95 admission is not unreasonable compared to some other attractions we have seen that charged a lot more. If you are a teacher you can take advantage of their teacher's discount but bring your photo teacher's i.d.