Salinas is a city in northwestern California and seat of Monterey County, in the fertile Salinas Valley, near Monterey Bay. Agriculture and related businesses are the major economic activities; also important are the services and retail trade sectors. Besides food products, manufactures include electrical products and containers. A junior college is in the city, as are the Boronda Adobe and the Harvey-Baker House, mid-19th century buildings now run by the Monterey County Historical Society. Salinas is the birthplace of novelist John Steinbeck, in whose memory the Steinbeck Festival is held each August. Other annual events include the California Rodeo in July and the California International Air Show in early fall.

The name of the city is Spanish for "salt marshes," which are found along the Salinas River. Salinas grew as the commercial center for the surrounding valley and the base for the area’s cattle ranching. It incorporated in 1874.