Salinas Wedding

Salinas is the county seat and largest municipality of Monterey County in the U.S. state of California, and it is also known as the "Salad Bowl" of America. As of the 2000 census, the population within the city was 151,060, with a metropolitan area of 412,104. The city's development in the 19th century may have been a WASP response to the predominantly Italian fishing community of Monterey. Today, the city's population is very diverse, reflecting the demographic make-up of central costal California. While the city's economy is still largely based on agriculture, Salinas has over the past five years become one of the most expensive cities in the country.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 49.2 km (19.0 mi), all land.

The city lies approximately 18 meters (59 feet) above sea level and is located roughly eighteen miles from the Pacific Ocean coast, at the mouth of the Salinas Valley. The Gabilan and Santa Lucia mountain ranges border the city to the east and south, respectively. Both mountain ranges and the Salinas Valley run approximately 90 miles south-east from Salinas towards King City.