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A person in a brown jacket and jeans walks along a sandy path towards a beach Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds - Pacific Grove California
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Steinbeck’s Asilomar

Walk in the Footsteps of a Literary Legend

In Monterey County, California, literary history comes alive at every turn. Renowned American author John Steinbeck, a Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winner, called this region home and used it as the backdrop for many of his iconic works. During your visit to Monterey, you can walk the paths he once traveled and explore the places where he lived and worked.

A Step in Steinbeck’s Shoes

In addition to its rich history, Asilomar is surrounded by the sights and sounds of Monterey County that inspired John Steinbeck’s work. Take a step in his shoes with our itinerary that highlights the life of this literary giant.

  • Guest Inn Cottage

    The Cottage is the only stand-alone dwelling at Asilomar State Beach & Conference Grounds. Originally purchased by John Steinbeck’s sister, Esther, in 1932, it became Steinbeck’s personal retreat, where he wrote Sea of Cortez in 1941. In 1972, California State Parks acquired the cottage, incorporating it into our grounds.

  • The National Steinbeck Center Museum

    The Center pays homage to the life and legacy of John Steinbeck. This interactive museum features a full sensory experience that immerses visitors into his stories and brings his world to life.

  • The Steinbeck House

    This historic home, built in 1897, is the birthplace and boyhood residence of John Steinbeck, whose family moved into the home in 1900. In 1974, on the 72nd anniversary of Steinbeck’s birth, the house was purchased and restored by the Valley Guild. It now operates as a restaurant, offering a unique opportunity to dine in the home of one of America’s greatest authors.

  • Cannery Row

    Immortalized in two of John Steinbeck’s most famous novels, Cannery Row now features a bronze statue of the author in Steinbeck Plaza. Once a hub for sardine factory workers, it is home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a re-purposed cannery that highlights Monterey’s fishing heritage and the coastal waters Steinbeck knew well.

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