Soledad

Understand

It's in the Salinas Valley, 25 miles south of Salinas.

• City of Soledad website

Get in

By car

• El Camino Real passes through town between Salinas ((25 mi north) and King City (21 mi south). San Jose is another 60 mi north of Salinas on US Hwy 101
• to Metz-Soledad Rd runs parallel with US Hwy 101 between Soledad & King City via Metz. The turn-off on Shirtail Canyon Rd (CA-Hwy 146) towards Pinnacles National Park is 3 mi south of town via Metz Rd.
• from Carmel Valley Rd to Elm Ave. County Rd G16 begins/ends as Elm Ave at US Hwy 101 at 9 mi south of town in Greenfield. From Greenfield, County Rd G16 winds around 54 mi, through Carmel Valley, to Carmel by the Sea south of Monterey. It begins/ends as Carmel Valley Rd at its intersection with CA-Hwy 1

By bus

* 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. Going south from King City the #84 continues towards Paso Robles. Nearest connections to Amtrak and Greyhound are in Salinas. Greyhound also have another stop in King City.

Go next

• Pinnacles National Park - Ten miles east of Soledad, rising out of the chaparral-covered Gabilan Mountains, are the spectacular remains of an ancient volcano. Massive monoliths, spires, sheer-walled canyons and talus passages define millions of years of erosion, faulting and tectonic plate movement. Hiking through the impressive rock formations is the primary recreational opportunity, although bird watchers will enjoy the possibility of seeing the highly endangered California condor.
• Salinas - Located 26 miles northwest of Soledad, fans of Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck will want to visit the National Steinbeck Center and soak in the sights that were the inspiration for much of the author's work. The historic downtown dates back to the town's founding in the mid-1800s, while the surrounding countryside is filled with vineyards and both floral and vegetable cultivation. Events include the California Rodeo, which is held during the third week of July.
• King City - King city is located 21 miles south of Soledad on Highway 101. While the town might just be a place to spend the night while driving along Highway 101 for most travelers, those who visit in early May can attend the Salinas Valley Fair, an event which offers a rodeo, livestock competitions, and a chance to experience the agricultural character of the area. The town is also home to the Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum, which offers a history of the area's agricultural development and the opportunity to tour a historic school house and rail depot.