Gonzales, California is surrounded by prime agricultural land in the heart of the 90-mile long Salinas Valley between the Sierra de Salinas and Gabilan Mountains. The City is located 17 miles south of Salinas, 111 miles north of San Luis Obispo, and 35 miles southeast of the Monterey Peninsula. The view traveling on Highway 101 is a patchwork quilt of farms and hillside vineyards ranging in size from 20 to several hundred acres. The valley has some of the most fertile soils in California making agriculture the area’s strongest economic industry. Small Town/Main Street: Bar, General Store, Restaurants, Hair Salon; Tree-lined Streets, Brick Buildings, 2 Lane Street.