Corral de Tierra, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Corral de Tierra
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Gas station in Corral de Tierra
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 Corral de Tierra
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Monterey County |
| Elevation | 404 ft (123 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1873397 |
Corral de Tierra is a special place in Monterey County, California. Its name comes from Spanish and means "Pen of Earth." It's an unincorporated community, which means it's not a city with its own government, but a group of homes and businesses. This community sits in the beautiful Corral de Tierra Valley, about 404 feet (123 meters) above sea level.
About Corral de Tierra
Where is it?
Corral de Tierra is located right along Highway 68. This highway connects the city of Salinas with the Monterey Peninsula. It's like a midway point between these two important areas.
Highway 68 is about 20 miles long. It is also part of the DeAnza Trail. This trail was once a route that linked all of California’s mission settlements. These missions were built during the Spanish Colonial era.
In the 1950s and 1960s, there were plans to make Highway 68 a bigger freeway. However, people worried about the environment. These concerns stopped the expansion plans. Today, many people use this road every day. About 13,500 residents live in nearby areas like Toro Park, San Benancio, and Corral de Tierra.
Corral de Tierra is close to many other cities. It is 10 miles from the City of Monterey. It is 7 miles from the City of Salinas. The City of Seaside is 9.8 miles away. The town of Del Rey Oaks is 8 miles from Corral de Tierra.
Its Story and Culture
The beautiful valley where Corral de Tierra is located has a rich history. In 1836, Governor Guiterrez gave this land to Francisco Figueroa. This area later inspired famous author John Steinbeck.
Steinbeck wrote a collection of short stories called The Pastures of Heaven. This book was published in 1932. The stories are set right in this valley. When he was young, Steinbeck and his sister, Mary, played near Castle Rock. This rock is thought to be the "fence of earth" that gave Corral de Tierra its Spanish name.
Over the last 50 years, small neighborhoods have grown in the valleys near the Monterey-Salinas Highway. People living in the community of Corral de Tierra (California 93908) have developed a strong sense of identity. They feel like a close-knit community.
