Here's why:
* His Hometown: Steinbeck was born and raised in Salinas, and his childhood experiences in the town heavily informed his literary themes and characters.
* The Setting of Many Novels: Salinas served as the setting for many of his most famous works, including:
* "Of Mice and Men"
* "Tortilla Flat"
* "East of Eden"
* "The Grapes of Wrath" (while set during the Dust Bowl migration, it uses Salinas as a point of reference)
* The Salina Valley: The agricultural landscape, the diverse population (including migrant workers), and the social issues of the Salinas Valley became central to Steinbeck's writing.
* The "Salinas Valley" Series: Steinbeck even wrote a series of novels focused on the region, which explored the lives and struggles of its inhabitants.
While Steinbeck later traveled and wrote about other places, Salinas remains a powerful presence in his work, reflecting his deep understanding of the area's people, culture, and landscape.