MONTEREY COUNTY Soledad Farther south along the Highway 101 corridor is Soledad, one of the fastestgrowing cities in California. This city’s history is rooted in agriculture, and is visible through a historic downtown flanked by generations of family farms. Today, while some Soledad farmers grow vegetables, most of them specialize in wine grapes. Local wineries include Marilyn Remark, Boyer, Blackstone, Pessagno, Manzoni Estate, San Saba, Chalone Vineyard, Hahn Estates/Smith & Hook Winery, Paraiso Vineyards, and Scheid Vineyards.
Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
The most visible historic landmark is the town’s namesake, the historic Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. This Spanish-style structure sits peacefully in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains, the range that separates Salinas Valley from the Big Sur coast. Founded The heart of the Salinas Valley Wine Corridor in 1791 by Father Fermín Francisco de Lasuén, the mission continues to celebrate cultural traditions such as the annual Mission Nuestra Señora de Soledad Grape Stomp Festival, Soledad Community Parade and Fiesta in June, and a barbecue with mariachi bands in October.
Now that you’ve had a quick tour of Monterey County, read more in the pages that follow. This guide points you toward the very best that Monterey County has to offer. But don’t take our word for it—get out there and see for yourself.
Photo courtesy Kodiak Greenwood
Visit our website at www.aliveistheair.com 27