Steinbeck’s California with Clay Jenkinson
September 21-27, 2025
7 days, 6 nights
Pricing: $4,495/person based on double occupancy

Join humanities scholar and author Clay Jenkinson for a weeklong exploration of the work and world of John Steinbeck. This exclusive adventure is a unique blend of adventure and literary discussion that offers the best of both Steinbeck and Steinbeck Country.

Jackson Benson, in his preface to John Steinbeck, Writer, wrote:

This is the story of a man who was a writer. He cared about language, and he cared about people. He didn’t want to be famous or popular – he just wanted to write books. But he became both. From among the many serious writers of our time, he became for a great many people, here and throughout the world, the one writer who counted, the one who touched them. He made words sing, and he made people laugh and cry. He also made them think – about loneliness, self-deception, and injustice. And in all that he wrote, he testified to his belief that everything that lives is holy.

For more than 80 years now, John Steinbeck has remained among the most read and admired authors around the world, his works translated into more than 50 languages. Clay has long been a Steinbeck admirer, and we are pleased now to offer this opportunity for you to join him in discussing and exploring some of Steinbeck’s greatest works in the very places that inspired them, the part of the world known as Steinbeck Country. You’ll spend a week in beautiful Monterey County as we hike along California’s rugged central coast, cross the dark and foreboding Santa Lucia mountains to explore the stunning Monterey waterfront that stretches from Steinbeck’s famed Cannery Row to Fisherman’s Wharf and Monterey Harbor, visit the lush Salinas Valley, the “Salad Bowl of the World,” and make our way up to the top of Fremont Peak in Steinbeck’s beloved Gabilan range to stand on the spot where he took his last, poignant survey of his world in 1960.

We’ll enjoy a private dinner in Steinbeck’s boyhood home, and you’ll visit his beloved Point Lobos south of Carmel Bay, the spot where his family held his final, private memorial service in late 1968. You’ll see Rocinante, the truck and camper that took Steinbeck and his poodle Charley around the country in 1960 in their effort to “rediscover America,” as well as the rest of the National Steinbeck Center, the largest museum in the country dedicated to a single author. You will even get the opportunity to visit the Center’s archives to view some of the Steinbeck treasures in their collection. Other highlights throughout the week include a visit to Ed Ricketts’ Lab on Cannery Row, one of the nation’s great literary landmarks and a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. You will have the chance to explore the tide pools along the coast where Steinbeck and Ricketts worked and played, discussing and developing their philosophy of the interconnectedness of life, the futility of man’s attempts to deny the dynamics of nature, and the way in which groups in the natural world have “purpose” that eludes the understanding of their individual members.

The intervals between these highlights will feature hours of literary discussion. Clay believes that coming to terms with Steinbeck’s California landscapes requires a significant encounter with his prose, his powers of description, his imagination, his political and social concerns, and his capacity to create narrative. Each day we’ll meet in our private room at the National Steinbeck Center for discussions of some of Steinbeck’s finest works. Throughout the week you’ll enjoy top notch accommodations, some amazing meals, free time to explore both Salinas and Monterey, and lots of other encounters with Steinbeck’s world.

NOTE: While this is not a strenuous tour, there is some hiking involved at Point Lobos State Reserve and at Fremont Peak State Park. Guests do have the option of skipping the hikes.

COST: $4,495 per person, based on double occupancy. There is an additional supplement of $700 if you prefer a hotel room of your own for the week. A $1,200 non-refundable deposit per guest is required to secure you spot(s) on the tour, and final payment is required within 75 days of the beginning of the tour (July 8, 2025). Price is all-inclusive except for airfare and three (3) meals-on-your-own days when we are out and about in Monterey and Salinas.

Basic Itinerary: September 21-27

Day One: We greet you at Monterey Regional Airport and transport you to hotel in Steinbeck’s hometown of Salinas. Bus to Tarpy’s Roadhouse for Opening Dinner.
Day Two: Day of discussion at the National Steinbeck Center, followed by a private dinner at the Steinbeck House.
Day Three: Visit Point Lobos for a morning of hiking at “the greatest meeting of land and water in the world.” Fine Italian dinner.
Day Four: A day on Cannery Row: Doc’s Lab, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the Sardine Factory.
Day Five: Another day of discussion at the National Steinbeck Center, followed by dinner on your own at Fisherman’s Wharf and an opportunity to hear Clay speak at a public event on Steinbeck.
Day Six: Hike to the summit of Fremont’s Peak, Garden of Memories Cemetery, Farewell dinner on the shores of Monterey Bay
Day Seven: A last breakfast, and then farewell and safe travels.

The tour begins and ends at the Monterey Regional Airport in Monterey, California. Guests should plan to arrive in Monterey by 4 pm on Sunday, September 21. We will meet you at the airport and transport you and your luggage to our hotel. We can also provide transportation back to the airport on Saturday, September 27 up until noon. 

We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your protection in case of unexpected events that might force you to cancel. We are not affiliated with any insurance company, and encourage you to contact your local travel or insurance agent for information.

Reading List

The material available by and about Steinbeck is seemingly endless. We are happy to expand upon this listen for anyone interested.

Full Itinerary

Day 1 — Sunday, September 21
Welcome to Steinbeck Country!

We will meet you at the Monterey Airport and transport you and your luggage to our hotel. The afternoon will be yours to get settled before we gather for a spectacular private dinner among the elegant stone patios and lush gardens of Tarpy’s Roadhouse. Here we’ll begin getting to know another and discuss our plans for the week ahead.
MEAL: Dinner.

Day 2 — Monday, September 22
National Steinbeck Center and a private dinner at the Steinbeck House

Today after breakfast we’ll settle in at the National Steinbeck Center, our host for the week as well as a sponsor of Clay’s recent trip around the country in the footsteps of Steinbeck and his dog Charley. Most of this day is reserved for literary discussion, but we’ll take a break for a private tour of the museum, spend some time with Rocinante, Steinbeck’s camper truck, and do a little sightseeing around Salinas during our lunch break. The day will culminate with a private dinner at the Steinbeck House, the author’s home from birth until he left for Stanford University in 1919. In addition to a spectacular meal, we’ll have the chance to view Steinbeck family photos, letters, and other memorabilia in this exquisitely maintained Victorian home.
MEALS: Breakfast and Dinner, with lunch on your own in Old Town Salinas.

Day 3 — Tuesday, September 23
Point Lobos

We’ll head out early to discover some of the natural wonders of Steinbeck Country. Point Lobos was so meaningful to Steinbeck that his family chose it as the site of his memorial service back in 1968. We’ll spend the morning hiking through this state reserve that artist Francis McComas called “the greatest meeting of land and water in the world.” On our way back to the Steinbeck Center, we stop a view of Castle Rock, a favorite rock formation where Steinbeck honed his imagination as a boy. Lunch awaits of back at the National Steinbeck Center to begin a full afternoon of discussion. Tonight’s dinner is fine Italian.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 4 — Wednesday, September 24
Cannery Row, Doc’s Lab, and Monterey Bay

Today after breakfast we’ll head inland to the famed Cannery Row. There will be plenty of time on your own throughout the day, but we will gather in mid-morning at Doc’s Lab, one of California’s great literary landmarks, for a private tour. The Lab was the setting for some of Steinbeck’s best-known fiction, but it was also a seminal part of his own intellectual and professional development. After this morning of literary discussion, we will step out into the real Cannery Row for sightseeing, a visit to the award-winning Monterey Bay Aquarium, which sits on the site of the old Hovden Cannery and features its own Steinbeck/Ricketts exhibit, and a chance to explore the rich shoreline. After a couple of hours of rest and discussion time overlooking Cannery Row and Monterey Bay, the day ends with a spectacular five-course meal at the celebrated Sardine Factory in the arched brick catacombs of its lavishly opulent wine cellar.
MEALS: Breakfast and Dinner, with lunch on your own at the Monterey Bay Aquarium or along Cannery Row.

Day 5 — Thursday, September 25
Salinas

After breakfast it’s off to the National Steinbeck Center for a day of literary discussion, punctuated by a visit to the Center’s archives. The Steinbeck House will send over a boxed lunch around noon. Later in the afternoon we will head to Moss Landing to see the famed Western Flyer, the recently restored fishing boat that Steinbeck took to the Sea of Cortez in 1940. Then it’s off to Fisherman’s Wharf for dinner on your own at any of its award-winning restaurants. The day ends with a public event at the nearby Museum of Monterey at the Stanton Center featuring Clay as the guest speaker.
MEALS: Breakfast and Lunch, with dinner on your own at Monterey’s famed Fisherman’s Wharf.

Day 6 — Friday, September 26
Fremont Peak

We’ll grab a packed lunch and head up to Fremont’s Peak. Along the way we’ll stop at the Garden of Memories Cemetery to visit the Steinbeck family plot. Once we arrive by coach to the State Park on Fremont peak, we’ll “climb the last spiky rocks to the top.” Here you’ll have the greatest of all views of Steinbeck Country, and fittingly, we will finish our discussions of Steinbeck’s work at the very spot where the author himself looked down on Steinbeck Country for the last time. We’ll return to the National Steinbeck Center in the afternoon for some final conversations before meeting one last time for a fabulous farewell dinner and celebration on the shores of Monterey Bay.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 7 — Saturday, September 27
Departure

Breakfast and transport to the Monterey airport. Safe travels!
MEALS: Breakfast.

Terms and Conditions

Deposits and Payments
A nonrefundable deposit of $1,200 per person will reserve your spot on the tour. Full payment is due in our office at least 75 days prior to departure.

Refunds and Cancellation Policy
We recommend you purchase travel insurance to protect you if for some reason you must cancel your reservation.

You will receive your full refund less your deposit and credit card transaction fees up to 75 days prior to the tour; a 50% refund if you cancel within 75 days prior to the event, minus any additional hotel or supplier expenses, which cannot be recovered. No refunds in the last 30 days prior to tour departure. Full refund is always available if you can find a replacement traveler.

Travel Insurance
We are not an insurance provider. If you are interested in purchasing travel insurance, please notify your travel insurance company at the time of your initial payment. Travel insurance information can be obtained from your local travel agency.

Tour Cancellation
We do not like to cancel tours. In the event a tour must be canceled, we will refund all monies paid to us.

Participation Courtesy
We ask there be no audio or video taping of presentations without the prior consent of the individual presenters. Participants are requested to refrain from smoking inside all modes of transportation, during group meals, and lectures or events.

Itinerary or Program Modifications
The itinerary is subject to modifications and change. Every effort will be made to carry out the program as planned, but alterations may still occur after the final itinerary is sent.

Responsibility
Our company acts only as the agent in making arrangements for the owner or operators of such transportation, accommodations, services or facilities engaged in our tours. Our responsibility is limited to that of an agent. We accept no responsibility for accidents, injuries, property damage or personal loss to you or to those traveling with you in connection with any accommodations, transportation or other travel or guide services, or resulting directly or indirectly from any occurrences or conditions beyond our control, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, defects in vehicles, breakdown in equipment, strikes or theft.