Salinas is an unexpectedly lively base for multi-week contracts—steeped in John Steinbeck history, with a strong farm-to-table scene, weekly farmers’ markets, and easy access to valley trails and nearby coastal scenery so downtime feels active, not lonely.
You’re about 20–30 minutes from Monterey and Carmel (beaches, Monterey Bay Aquarium, waterfront dining) and roughly 45–60 minutes from Santa Cruz, so weekends can be filled with coastal hikes, kayaking and great seafood rather than being stuck in a dull posting.