About Salinas, California

Salinas is the county seat and the most populous city in Monterey County, California with a population of 155,564 as of 2019. Salinas is an urban area located just outside the southern portion of the Greater Bay Area and 10 miles (16 km) southeast of the mouth of the Salinas River.

Salinas is the capital of the Salinas Valley, which has long been known as “The Salad Bowl of the World” for its fresh produce, and which is also renowned for its flowers and vineyards. More recently, the region is emerging as a world hub of agricultural technology, or agtech. Although agriculture is the foundation of the local economy, more than 100 manufacturing firms call Salinas home. Some of the largest employers in the area include: Dole Fresh Vegetable, the County of Monterey, Household Credit Services, and Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.

Monterey County’s largest shopping center, the Northridge Mall, is also located in Salinas. Featuring over 130 shops and restaurants, as well as a 14-screen movie theater, this Salinas mall is the home of many national chains.