Soledad

Soledad is a city in Monterey County in the Central Coast region of California. The town is home to one of the 21 Spanish missions found throughout the state and is the gateway to Pinnacles National Park, which is 10 miles (16 km) east of town. == 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 (40 km) north) and King City (21 mi (34 km) south). San Jose is another 60 mi (97 km) 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 (4.8 km) 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 (14 km) south of town in Greenfield. From Greenfield, County Rd G16 winds around 54 mi (87 km), 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 === 1 Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST), (bus stop). Public transportation in Monterey, Salinas, Marina and other points around Monterey County. The following are intercity buses serving Soledad via US Hwy 101: 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. == Get around == == See == 1 Mission Soledad, 36641 Fort Romie Rd (across the Salinas River from the town of Soledad. US-101 x 301 (Arroyo Seco Road), 1 mile to Fort Romie Road, right, then 1.5 miles to the mission), ☏ +1 831 678-2586. 10AM-4PM daily, except major holidays. The 13th California mission, founded by Fermin Lasuen in 1791. Burial place of José Joaquín de Arrillaga, first Spanish governor of Alta California. The mission was inundated by floods, and following secularization, the remaining buildings were looted for supplies. It was reconstructed in 1955 and today serves as a museum and Catholic parish. == Do == There are several wineries in the area (see #Wineries), making wine tasting a popular activity. == Buy == == Eat == == Drink == === Bars === 1 Soledad Bowl-Bar & Grill, 235 West St, ☏ +1 831-678-1726. 2 Watering Trough, 235 West St, ☏ +1 831-678-1726. A dive bar featuring "Thirsty Thursdays". (updated Nov 2015) === Wineries === 3 Hahn Family Wines, 37700 Foothill Rd, ☏ +1 831-678-4555. Daily 11AM-5PM. A winery with an excellent view; visitors are encouraged to bring picnics and enjoy the scenery. A walking tour of the winery is offered daily at noon for $25. (updated Nov 2015) 4 Wrath Wines, 35801 Foothill Rd, ☏ +1 831-678-2212. F-M 11AM-5PM. The tasting room offers views over the Santa Lucia Highlands and the Salinas Valley. (updated Nov 2015) == Sleep == 1 Motel 6, 1155 Front St (Hwy 146 & Hwy 101), ☏ +1 831-678-3833. Basic hotel. Pool, gym, onsite restaurant. Unusually, this hotel permits smoking in some rooms. $100. == Connect == 1 Soledad Post Office (US Postal Service (USPS)), 150 Kidder St (on Kidder St & Monterey St). M-F 9AM-4:30PM. Serving zip code 93960 (updated Oct 2022) == 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.