Overview
King City is a city in the central region of California between San Jose and San Luis Obispo. Considered the mid-way point between Central and Southern California, King City is both a popular pit-stop for drivers, and a nice little town to visit.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about King City
Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum
This museum offers hands-on interpretive exhibits about the region's agricultural heritage and history from 1875 through World War II. The museum complex includes three interpretive buildings: the Exhibit Barn, Olson Bla…
Salinas Valley Fair
Held annually in early May, the Salinas Valley Fair features rides, cowboys, horse shows, a rodeo, bull riding, fair food, wine tasting, live music, and the Miss Salinas Valley Fair contest. There are also talent shows (…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 37°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MRY Monterey Regional Airport, Monterey — 48 mi away. Directions
- SBP San Luis County Regional Airport, San Luis Obispo — 73 mi away. Directions
- FAT Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno — 87 mi away (major hub). Directions
* 23 comes from Salinas to King City via Chualar, Gonzales, Soledad and Greenfield on US Hwy 101. Passengers transfer to other MST bus routes in Salinas. * 84 continues south to Paso Robles via San Lucas, San Ardo and Bradley on US Hwy 101
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $90–$100 a night (typical $100), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$130, mid-range ~$180, comfortable ~$270.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum
- Lunch King City Grill
- Afternoon Salinas Valley Fair
- Dinner Cork & Plow
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Chain restaurants are located near the freeway and the hotels. For example, just off the northern exit include Taco Bell, McDonald's, and Denny's. There are a number of Mexican restaurants in central King City.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Climate
Get in
By car
- passes through town as a freeway between Salinas at (48 mi north) and Paso Robles (84 mi south).
- & to John McVeigh Jr Memorial Hwy Hwy 198 is 10 mi south of King City in San Lucas. From San Lucas it's another 61.5 mi to Interstate 5 on Hwy 198 & 33 through Coalinga. From Interstate 5, go west on Hwy 33 from Exit 335.
By bus
Go Greyhound Lines & American Star Tours
Connects San Francisco to Los Angeles (via Oakland, Hayward, San Jose, Gilroy, Salinas, King City, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara and Oxnard). American Star Tours also run the same route as the above but with additional stops in Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Grover Beach, UC Santa Barbara and UCLA. Tickets with American Star Tours can be booked with Greyhound or Amtrak. They also have another stop over at McDonald's on 1350 Broadway Cir at US Hwy 101 (San Antonio Dr @ Exit 282B).
* 23 comes from Salinas to King City via Chualar, Gonzales, Soledad and Greenfield on US Hwy 101. Passengers transfer to other MST bus routes in Salinas. * 84 continues south to Paso Robles via San Lucas, San Ardo and Bradley on US Hwy 101
Get around
By car
To find the 'real' town, hop off the freeway on Canal Street and go east to where it dead-ends on Broadway.
To get back on the freeway, continue south on Broadway until it dead-ends in First Street, and circle west back to the freeway.
See
See Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum
This museum offers hands-on interpretive exhibits about the region's agricultural heritage and history from 1875 through World War II. The museum complex includes three interpretive buildings: the Exhibit Barn, Olson Blacksmith Shop, the History of Irrigation Museum; the latter two are only open Friday through Sunday. In addition, there are three historic buildings that are only open Friday through Sunday: the Spreckels House (1898), the La Gloria Schoolhouse (1887), and the King City Train Depot (1903). Guided tours are also available Friday through Sunday.
Do
Do Salinas Valley Fair
Held annually in early May, the Salinas Valley Fair features rides, cowboys, horse shows, a rodeo, bull riding, fair food, wine tasting, live music, and the Miss Salinas Valley Fair contest. There are also talent shows (advised for those that enjoy teenage dance groups) and 4-H exhibits. Children's activities range from petting zoos to kid's karaoke.
Eat
Chain restaurants are located near the freeway and the hotels. For example, just off the northern exit include Taco Bell, McDonald's, and Denny's. There are a number of Mexican restaurants in central King City.
Eat La Potranca
If you're hungry and just passing through, skip the fast food and instead go for something local. Make your way south on Broadway to Second Street, and stop at a little taco stand for traditional Mexican food and drinks.
Eat Cork & Plow
Modern restaurant featuring local ingredients, local craft beer, local wine, and specialty cocktails featuring house made mixers and fresh squeezed juices.
Eat King City Grill
Diner for breakfast or lunch. Eggs Benedict, omelettes, and French toast for breakfast, or burgers, sandwiches, and salads for lunch. Kids' menu. Booth-style seating.
Sleep
There are several hotels in King City, as it is one of the few cities along U.S. 101 between Paso Robles and Salinas. Many of them are near exits to U.S. 101.
Stay Fireside Inn
Stay Queen Motel
Go next
- Soledad — 21 miles north of King City on Highway 101, Soledad is the western gateway to Pinnacles National Park and also home to Mission Soledad, one of 21 historic Spanish missions in California. The town is also home to several wineries, with tasting rooms that offer magnificent views over the Santa Lucia Highlands and the Salinas Valley.
Nearby
Soledad
City / town · 8 listings · 18 mi away
Pinnacles National Park
Park · 18 listings · 19 mi away
Big Sur
Rural area · 38 listings · 28 mi away
Carmel Valley
City / town · 3 listings · 39 mi away
San Simeon
City / town · 9 listings · 39 mi away
San Miguel
City / town · 3 listings · 40 mi away
Salinas
City / town · 36 listings · 44 mi away
Cambria
City / town · 10 listings · 45 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.