The Inns of California hotel in Salinas sits right off Highway 101, which means you’re positioned perfectly for exploring the whole Monterey County area. Monterey and Carmel are less than an hour away, and you can reach the coast without much fuss. If you’re traveling with your dog, this location gives you easy access to get out and explore rather than feeling stuck in the middle of nowhere.

The hotel has 96 rooms spread across two floors, and you can request a room with garden views if you want something more pleasant than looking at a parking lot. Free high-speed wireless internet is available throughout the property, both in your room and around the grounds, so you can handle work or stay connected without worrying about data usage.

If golf is part of your trip, there are several courses within reasonable distance of the hotel. The selection runs the gamut from challenging layouts that will test experienced players to more forgiving courses where someone new to the game won’t spend the whole round frustrated. You could head out for a morning round and still have time to drive toward Monterey or Carmel with your dog in the afternoon.

The hotel offers discounts for guests with valid AAA, Mobile, or AARP memberships, which can help bring the cost down a bit if you qualify. It’s the kind of straightforward, practical setup that works well if you’re using Salinas as a base for exploring the region rather than trying to spend several days in town itself. The real advantage here is the highway access — you’re not tucked away somewhere remote, which matters when you want to make day trips with your dog to the coast or other nearby destinations.