Two major screen adaptations invite travelers to explore the inspired landscapes, landmarks and marine wonders of Monterey County, California

MONTEREY, Calif., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From the verdant Salinas Valley to the vibrant waters of coastal Monterey, Monterey County takes the spotlight in two major screen adaptations this October. Netflix’s East of Eden limited series, based on John Steinbeck’s celebrated 1952 novel, premiered October 1, while Whalefall, the movie based on Daniel Kraus’s 2023 thriller, arrived in theaters on October 16. Together, the screen debuts invite travelers to rediscover the California central coast destination that has long been a muse for storytelling across generations and for writers including Henry Miller, Jack Kerouac and Nobel Prize author John Steinbeck. 

While East of Eden brings the agricultural heartland that shaped Steinbeck’s literary legacy into the limelight, Whalefall, with filming locations along the Monterey Peninsula, plunges audiences into the depths of Monterey Bay, one of the most diverse marine environments on the planet. As the destination unfolds as its own character, travelers are invited to move beyond the screen to experience the settings of these dynamic stories.

“Monterey County is a destination that sparks creativity and inspires storytelling,” said Rob O’Keefe, President and CEO of See Monterey. “Perhaps it’s our dramatically beautiful landscapes, or the diversity of people, pursuits and passions woven throughout our naturally connected communities. Whatever the inspiration, these two stories offer an invitation to discover Monterey County in new ways, from exploring Steinbeck’s Salinas Valley to the world-renowned marine life of Monterey Bay.”

East of Eden: Discover the real Steinbeck Country and the Salinas Valley 
More than 70 years after its publication, John Steinbeck’s East of Eden introduces a new generation to the timeless story through a Netflix series starring Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist and Ciarán Hinds. Born and raised in Salinas, Steinbeck drew inspiration from the region’s farm communities, sweeping landscapes and his own family history. The agricultural heartland he famously called the “Valley of the World” became more than a backdrop to the novel, emerging as a character as vivid and dynamic as his characters.

While the Netflix series was filmed outside of Monterey County, the places behind Steinbeck’s masterpiece beckon discovery:

• Walk the streets of East of Eden: Salinas‘ historic Main Street and the Chinatown district are both central to the novel’s setting. Visitors can discover local lore through History Phone, a free, self-guided audio tour through Oldtown Salinas.
• See Steinbeck’s childhood home: The historic Steinbeck House in Salinas, where the author was born and raised, welcomes visitors for lunch in the restored Victorian home. Steinbeck drew inspiration from his family, including his maternal Hamilton relatives, who are featured prominently in East of Eden. Steinbeck is buried in the Hamilton family plot at Salinas’ Garden of Memories Cemetery.
• Flip through the pages of Steinbeck’s literary legacy: The National Steinbeck Center in Salinas is one of the nation’s largest museums dedicated to a single author. Its exhibits, manuscripts, and personal artifacts illuminate Steinbeck’s life and the people and places that shaped his writing.
• Explore the “Valley of the World”: Travelers can explore the Salinas Valley’s rich agricultural heritage through farm-to-table dining and local businesses such as The Farm, an agricultural education center and farming business offering organic produce and baked goods seasonally, year-round farm tours, and special family activities such as u-pick days at the onsite flower farm. The Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum in King City also touts more than a century of farming history. The picturesque Monterey Wine Trail attracts visitors from all over the world for its scenic vineyards and tasting experiences, and leads to Pinnacles National Park, where rugged peaks, dramatic rock formations and hidden caves bring the landscapes of Steinbeck Country to life.
• Follow in Steinbeck’s footsteps: Beyond Salinas, visitors can explore Cannery Row in Monterey, the namesake of another of Steinbeck’s celebrated novels, or join The Steinbeck Experience for guided walking tours exploring the author’s life and literary connections along the waterfront. In Pacific Grove, the Steinbeck Cottage, where Steinbeck lived with his first wife Carol, is available to rent for long-term stays.

See Monterey curated a three-day Steinbeck itinerary to connect the places that inspired the author’s most enduring works.

Whalefall: Dive into Monterey Bay
Monterey County storytelling extends beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean in Whalefall, starring Austin Abrams, Josh Brolin and Elisabeth Shue. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the bay and its rugged coastline, Whalefall shines a spotlight on the stunning marine environments and delicate ecosystem that have earned the region its reputation as one of the world’s premier diving destinations.

While the film’s premise is fictional, the marine setting at the heart of its story is very real. Visitors captivated by Whalefall can explore Monterey Bay’s coastal landscapes and ocean experiences:

• Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium: Located along Monterey’s historic Cannery Row, the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium offers an up-close look at the wonders under the sea, including the bay’s unique kelp forest habitat and abundant diversity of wildlife.
• Explore Above and Below the Surface: Paddle through coastal waters with Monterey Bay Kayaks, where visitors encounter sea otters, harbor seals and other ocean animals in their natural habitat. For experienced divers, local outfitters such as Monterey Bay Scuba, an actual Whalefall filming location and the only full service Dive Shop and Dive Charter in Northern California, offer opportunities to explore the biodiversity of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary through courses and classes.
• Go whale watching year-round: Monterey Bay is among California’s premier whale-watching destinations, with opportunities to see humpback whales, blue whales, gray whales and orcas year-round. Local businesses including Princess Monterey Whale Watching and Monterey Bay Whale Watch offer excursions led by experienced marine biologists and naturalists, combining wildlife encounters with education and conservation with tours available all four seasons.
• Explore Whalefall‘s cinematic coastline: Film scenes unfold along the rocky shoreline of Pacific Grove, and visitors can take in sweeping views and watch for whales, sea otters, sea lions, and seals along the windswept dunes of Marina and the scenic coastal trails of Point Lobos Natural State Reserve, which has been called “the greatest meeting of land and sea in the world.”

From the landscapes and agricultural communities immortalized by Steinbeck to the ocean depths imagined by Kraus, East of Eden and Whalefall offer two compelling reasons to rediscover Monterey County through the stories inspired by its scenic land diversity, history and natural wonders.

Plan for a multi-day affair to be immersed amongst all the literary magic across Monterey County’s 12 distinct communities that offer more than 220 lodging properties at every price point. Stay One More Night and take advantage of a special offer extending a third free lodging night from more than a dozen participating hotels. Book between now and February 28, 2027, for stays November 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027.

Visit SeeMonterey.com to plan your visit and explore “Otterficial Intelligence” itinerary building. A gallery of images is available to download here.

About See Monterey
See Monterey is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization that drives tourism for Monterey County. Tourism is the largest industry on the Monterey Peninsula and the second largest in the county. See Monterey is a partnership of the hospitality community and local governments that aims to generate community prosperity and enrich economic vitality for Monterey County through the responsible growth of the tourism economy. In 2025, travel spending in Monterey County was $3.3 billion, supporting nearly 28,000 jobs and generating $346 million in state and local tax revenue that directly benefited the community. For more information, visit SeeMonterey.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Lou Hammond Group
seemonterey@louhammond.com

Jennifer Chiesa
See Monterey
jchiesa@seemonterey.com

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SOURCE See Monterey