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February 2024 by Or Gun
Friendly welcome, nice book store.
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February 2024 by Bobbie R.
I am biased because my family and I are huge Steinbeck fans. I have been here before but brought our adult Son this time. We all loved it. Watched the 13 minute video, did the self tour. Lots to see. The best part was the camper truck used in Travels with Charley. Perused the gift shop. They allow you to come back in and bring food to eat in the courtyard and indoor tables. Parking garage next door. Lots of places to eat and boutique shops on the same street.
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January 2024 by Christine G.
This small, delightful museum is a must-see for Steinbeck readers. I went with a family member who has never read any Steinbeck and he still enjoyed the exhibits. The museum is well located near several charming dining options as well.
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January 2024 by Matthew Hill
Having a great time with family.
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January 2024 by Tony J.
Great museum. You start by watching a 15-minute film on his life, and then walk through the exhibits. Each room generally features one of his novels or other works, and they are not really arranged in any sort of chronological order. There are rare editions of his books, historic artifacts, textual descriptions, graphics, and short videos in each exhibit. The space is not large, but don't be fooled; 2 hours is not enough to see everything if you want to watch all the videos in their entirety and read all the text on the wall.
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December 2023 by Ry T.
A great place to learn about Steinbeck. Multiple rooms and exhibits geared towards books he wrote. He's wrote 27 books and it was the Grape of Wrath that earned him a Nobel Prize in Literature. The facility is clean and there's a small gift shop with lots of Steinbeck's books, tote bags, soaps, t-shirts, etc. 2 long blocks away is the house where Steinbeck was born and grew up with his parents and 3 sisters.
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December 2023 by Asuman Akcan
What a wonderful curation and storytelling!I felt like I was a “walk-on” in all of Steinbeck’s books as I strolled through the quote lanes, background information and the visuals presented.I particularly liked the enormous maps; the first one that welcomes the visitors by putting all the locations of the author’s works on map, the second one being the map of ‘Travels with Charlie, In Search of America”.This center really gives any Steinbeck reader a wholistic Steinbeck experience by filling in any missing information about a story or clarifying question marks that might have been lingering. I genuinely believe that this center does a great service not only to the reader but also to the Salinas region as well.2 hours of visiting time would not do justice to this center.If only the sound of the video next to the Tortilla Flat corner did not interfere with the reading experience nearby…
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November 2023 by Melissa S.
Here is a place you can spend the day in. I loved spending the day here. There is so much to see and learn. I wasn't that familiar with Steinbeck when I arrived and was an expert when I left. They play clips of many of the movies in their displays and it really came to life. The only downfall was the sound wasn't that great. If you are looking for a museum that brings things to life this is the place for you. If you are a Steinbeck lover you will love this museum. If you are only a novice like me you'll love this place. Either ways plan to spend the day here.
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October 2023 by Calvin
So meticulously assembled, clearly a lot of love was put into every display. Very cool to see the original Rocinante. I don't have any kids, but if I did I would definitely take them here. So many interactive exhibits that are engaging and educational. The books in the gift shop were fairly priced.
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October 2023 by Jakob Kaare-Rasmussen
Steinbeck has been one of the main reasons I still read! Amazing author and this is such a quaint little spot to honor his work! Rocinante is such a great part of the museum! Highly recommend for anyone interested in Steinbeck! The staff were also so sweet!
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September 2023 by sallyann grieshaber
What a great tribute to a great writer. Each of Steinbeck's writings and the detail of his life from boyhood onwards is imaginatively displayed using all manner of resources from paper to video, movies, information technology and everything in between. We were enthralled with the museum which takes about 2.5-3hrs to do justice to the creative portrayal of the man. Worth the small $investment. Very helpful Associates....they will make the lunch reservations at the Restaurant which is a different location close by! Enjoy...
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September 2023 by Sophie W.
The National Steinbeck Center is a literary treasure tucked away in the heart of Salinas, California. This museum pays a fitting tribute to one of America's greatest writers, John Steinbeck, and his enduring works. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, offering an immersive journey through the pages of his novels and the history of the region that inspired him. The center also delves into Steinbeck's social commentary, making it a relevant and thought-provoking experience. The interactive displays and memorabilia bring his stories to life. However, while the museum is informative and well-maintained, it could benefit from more hands-on activities to engage younger visitors. Overall, it's a must-visit for literature enthusiasts and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Steinbeck's literary legacy and the social issues he addressed. The National Steinbeck Center is a poignant reminder of the power of storytelling to shape our world.
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September 2023 by Brandon Stone
Great history of a great man. Amazing exhibits.
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August 2023 by Frank Caratachea
Awesome experience. Had no idea what to expect. My wife wanted to go so that meant I was going ( Happy Wife lol) anyway I was glued to all the info and the back stories through the videos. Would definitely recommend taking the time to ho through the museum.Thank you,Frank and Marie C. Escondido ca.
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July 2023 by Jacopo Schiavon
It is much more than a museum! I went there with relatively low expectations because, you know, a museum on a writer: how interesting could it be? Instead, it was incredible! I learned so much both on Steinbeck himself and on his books, but also on the topic he discussed: the mid California of the early 1900s, the politics of the first half of the century and so much more! The guides were super nice and it was, all in all, a beautiful experience!
