Page Contents for Soledad, California

Statistics & Facts

Location

Weather & Climate

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The California state capital is Sacramento.
The population of Soledad is approximately 26,203 (2005), 25738 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 1,650 (1990), 3664 (2010).
The amount of land area in Soledad is 4.552 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Soledad is 4.2 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Soledad to Washington DC is 2519 miles.
The distance to the California state capital is 143 miles. (as the crow flies)
Soledad is positioned 36.43 degrees north of the equator and 121.32 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Soledad elevation is 190 feet above sea level.
Soledad median income is $ 42,602 (2000).
The Soledad median home price is $ 153,800 (2000).

Location

about 25 miles south of Salinas on Highway 101 near the California Coast. Nearby communities include King City, Paso Robles, Gonzales, Greenfield, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Marina and Carmel-by-the-Sea.
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Climate

moderate with an average temperature ranging from about 50 degrees in winter to about 70 degrees in summer. High temperatures may be up to 90 degrees in summer with lows averaging in the mid-30's in the winter. Rainfall is minimal but does fall mostly in the winter and late fall months.
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History & History Related Items

The word, Soledad, in Spanish, means solitude. This solitude is felt in the area and is why is was named such. The Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, founded over 200 years ago, is the city's namesake. Soledad has about 80% Hispanic residents.

The community of Soledad began in 1874 with a few buildings and stores. By 1886, it was divided up into lots which were sold by the Munras Family. Soon the Southern Pacific Railroad laid rails and began serving the area. This was an important step in getting the produce grown here to market as quickly as possible. Besides agriculture, Soledad also is home to the California Department of Corrections Soledad Training Facility. It was three miles north of the city until 1990 when it was annexed and has expanded, adding the Salinas Valley State Prison.

Here is a history page for Soledad.

FOOTSTEPS OF HISTORY home page
Click here for the California Missions trail.
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Attractions

Soledad is located in what is known as the "World's Salad Bowl," a 90 miles section of the Salinas Valley. Soledad is known as a good place to purchase produce, nursery plants and flowers.

The area has a number of annual festivals and fiestas. Among them are the Grape Stomp Festival and BBQ held each October and the Soledad Community Parade and Fiesta held each June.

Salinas Valley State Prison - Levels 1, 4
PO Box 1020
Soledad, CA 93960-1020
Phone: (831) 678-5500 Personnel x5584

Also located next to the prison is the Correctional Training Facility(CTF)
Highway 101 North
Soledad, CA 93960
P.O. Box 686
Soledad, CA 93960-0686
Phone: (831) 678-3951

Pinnacles National Monument
There are sign in Soledad to direct you to this monument off Hwy 101. These rock structures were formed from volcanic actions many years ago. Picnic areas, hiking and camping are available. The hiking in the park is challenging.
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Soledad City Government

City of Soledad
248 Main Street
P.O. Box 156
Soledad, CA 93960
Phone: 831/678-3963

Soledad Chamber

Soledad Mission Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 335
Soledad, CA 93960
Phone: 831-678-2278

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Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
243 El Dorado Street, Suite 200
Monterey, California 93940
Phone: 831-648-5360

Soledad Organizations

Soledad Mission Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 335
Soledad, CA 93960
Phone: 831-678-2278

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Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
243 El Dorado Street, Suite 200
Monterey, California 93940
Phone: 831-648-5360

Soledad Libraries

Monterey County Free Libraries
Soledad Branch
401 Gabilan Dr.
Soledad, CA 93960
Phone: 831-678-2430

Soledad Schools

Soledad Unified School District
1261 Metz Rd.
P.O. Box 186
Soledad, CA 93960
Phone: 831-678-3987 Soledad

Miscellany

The population of Soledad was:
1990 - 7,146
1991 - 13,900
1992 - 13,850
1993 - 14,600
1994 - 15,300
1995 - 15,400
1996 - 15,600
1997 - 20,050
1998 - 22,100
2005 - 26,203
figures include incarcerated population