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National Steinbeck Center
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tue-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
7 reviews for National Steinbeck Center
We visited this museum on a whim. My family had been traveling for a few hours and decided we needed to take a break before driving on to Monterey. Salinas seemed quaint but there didn't seem to be that much to do or see. That is why we chose to visit the museum.
I found the museum to be fairly priced and I enjoyed all of the educational exhibits. However, if you are not into reading books or find agricultural history to be boring, this is not the museum for you! I noticed there were quite a few high school students who seemed to be bored out of their skulls!
Visiting this museum would be a great companion piece to reading either The Grapes of Wrath or Cannery Row. I wish there were more museums like this!
In case you need to know: The Moon is Down is my favorite Steinbeck novel :)
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Loved the Steinbeck Museum. Exhibits are very well done, lots of historical recreations as well as the *real* Rocinante, the RV from Travels with Charley. The museum also hosts California-themed art exhibits.
Important: The ancient, flowery Steinbeck HOME is not to be missed! My friend and I had lunch served to us by an octagenarian in a floor length lacy flowery dress. The menu is probably based on meals that Steinbeck actually ate. I think we had casseroles and quiche as well as the famous 'Steinbeck Tea.' Once in a lifetime experience.
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I love it when I am pleasantly surprised by things that I didn't expect to be so great. For someone whose book I didn't particularly love in high school, John Steinbeck sure had a fun museum! His writing is brought to life through creative exhibits that are interactive and interesting. Had I known about it back in the 9th grade, perhaps I would have read "The Grapes of Wrath" with more enthusiasm.
The other unexpected highlight in the Steinbeck Center is the Valley of the World Museum. This museum features agricultural life in the Salinas valley. More hands on, interactive exhibits created in the same style as the Steinbeck exhibits. I honestly never knew that vegetables could be so much fun, but they are, it turns out.
The only drawback is that the museum is located in Salinas, which isn't exactly the center of excitement, but if you happen to be nearby, then why not? Perhaps, like me, you'll find that John Steinbeck is a pretty cool guy after all.
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True story: I went to the John Steinbeck museum TWICE before actually boning up and paying the money to go through the actual exhibits. For some reason I remember the museum being outrageously expensive (to this frugal student) but when my boyfriend and I finally went there for realsies last week it was an "acceptable" price. And worth it. The museum is very well put together and interactive. In fact, it's almost weird how it seems geared towards an age group that has yet to put down a Goosebumps book in exchange for Cannery Row....but of course the little kid in me loved hopping onto the Red Pony.
Another funny thing about this museum -- it assumes that you have already read all of Steinbeck's books. Watch out for a couple of spoilers if you haven't!
It's a little pricey at $10.95 for adult admission, but you do get 3 museums in 1. Good trip for kids too. Lots of stuff to play with, climb on, touch and listen to while Mommy is taking in the exhibit on a grown-up level. The 2-year-old loved playing in the Model T Ford and brushing the horse's tail, the 8-year-old enjoyed the movie clips. I sell this place to the 8-year-old by telling him that Steinbeck was born about 100 years before him and that he'll get a small glimpse of what life was like for kids that were living then.
I also enjoy visiting the Rabobank Agricultural Museum that is included with admission to the Center. This exhibit covers farming from who decides what will be planted right through to the kitchen table. Fortunately, they have a big rig the kids can play in while I'm enjoying the rest of the exhibit.
The third exhibit you get to visit with your one admission is a small gallery with changing shows. We saw a show of vintage rock art posters when we were last there.
Love this place! It is half Steinbeck and his life and his works and travel. The other half is a general history and current structure of the Salinas Valley. The docents are super and are prepared to answer any questions and encourage them. A previous knowledge of Steinbeck is definitely useful, but not necessary. Beautiful location and pretty neat little gift shop!
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Low key and interesting center and museum devoted to the memory of my second favorite American writer. Various rooms portray elements of his life as well as depictions of settings and themes from his book. I liked the way they interspersed historical material about his life with his work. It's also fascinating to look back at a California that has, sadly, largely disappeared. We did not get to go into the nearby Steinbeck home, because it closed at 2pm the day we visited. Salinas seems to have a quaint main street with some interesting restaurants, antique shops, and other business, so it makes a nice day trip or stopoff on the way to Monterey and Carmel.
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