Hollywood actor Henry Fonda may have brought The Grapes of Wrath to life on the silver screen, but it was California author John Steinbeck who penned the American novel in 1939 about a poor Oklahoma family forced from their land and their struggles to keep their family together as they look for work in California. Any California school child has come across the works of John Steinbeck in their required reading list. A visit to the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, California, brings history to life with engaging, interactive exhibits.
National Steinbeck Center
Located two hours south of San Francisco, the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, California is where John Steinbeck grew up riding horses with his younger sister. The Steinbeck museum has a life-sized horse on display in the center representing The Red Pony exhibit. Teenage girls were taking selfies astride The Red Pony during my visit.
Travel through Steinbeck’s world
The National Steinbeck Center features the author’s work such as East of Eden, Of Mice and Men, Grapes of Wrath, Cannery Row, all of his classics, as well as a focus on his Nobel prize winning speech.
Insider Tip:
Did you know that the National Steinbeck Center is home to the actual pickup truck/camper John Steinbeck named Rosinante and drove in his book Travels with Charley? For additional insider tips follow Northern California Travel Writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter and the Steinbeck Center on Twitter @steinbeckcenter.
If You Go:
National Steinbeck Center (831) 796-3833
One Main Street
Salinas, California 93901
Article, photos and YouTube video by Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of National Steinbeck Center in conjunction with Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau. All opinions are my own.
Interesting.
@Laura
Yes, The National Steinbeck Center is an interesting experience.
Yes, indeed. Thanks for presenting it to us.