Explore Monterey | Chualar

Chualar, California is an unincorporated community located ten miles south of Salinas in Monterey County. Located off Highway 101, Chualar is nestled between two mountain ranges, Gabilan and Santa Lucia, and bordered by Chualar Canyon to the East.

Not currently a tourism destination featuring luxury hotels and restaurants, Chualar is significant and representative of the many regions of California that commercially produce food crops. Valley of the World tribute to Salinas Valley agriculture at the National Steinbeck Center is a $5.2 million agriculture museum featuring information about the Salinas Valley farm region that includes Chualar.

Chualar is a term from an American Indian language meaning "pigweed". This small, unincorporated community is home to Chualar Union Elementary School District and Chualar School, which was established in the 1800s.