Inspiration for the novel, East of Eden
John Steinbeck penned East of Eden, set in the Salinas Valley, in an effort to describe the sights, sounds, smells and colors of the birthplace he held dear. In this story of two families, one based on his maternal grandfather’s kin, we see the Valley through Steinbeck’s eyes, the beauty and the ugliness of both the landscape and the people who inhabit it.
While much in the Salinas Valley has changed, there are still enough Steinbeck landmarks to satisfy the most ardent fan.