Gonzales is called the "Wine Capital of Monterey County." But before it earned that title it was thought of as "The Heart of the Salad Bowl" because it was located right in the heart of the agricultural valley.
Gonzales is located in beautiful Monterey County, California. The city is located just 16 miles southeast of Salinas. The last census in 2010 listed the population at over 8,000 residents and the city is growing. In the past 10 years, the population has increased by 11 percent as people are drawn to the area.
Moving to Gonzales
Your Relocation to Gonzales
The location of the city is in a great spot, surrounded by employment opportunities and close to bigger communities, and most people enjoy only about a 25-mile commute or less to work. Transportation is easy for travel outside of Gonzales with the Soledad and Salinas Amtrak stations located nearby. Before picking out a spot right from an online listing, be sure to check the local newspaper and postings throughout town. Sometimes, you'll find that immersing yourself in the neighborhood can reveal rewarding benefits. And you wouldn't want to miss out on an opportunity as good as a great home, now, wouldn't you? Another important note to remember -- don't forget to bring bank statements and credit scores! Potential landlords will definitely want to see those items before accepting you.
Neighborhoods
Gonzales is a small town, but there are a few cornerstone locations that locals consider neighborhoods. City Center and Chualar are some popular neighborhoods in Gonzales.
Chualar: Chualar is home to medium and single-family homes and apartment rentals in Gonzales. Most of the buildings were built between 1970 and 1999, although some are newer.
City Center: City Center is comprised of small-to-medium living opportunities. Each of these splendid neighborhoods will put you in an area that is close to everything.
Living in Gonzales
Moving to Gonzales will put you right in the middle of an area that is a huge force in the wine world. There are several wineries located around Gonzales. Some of the most popular include Blackstone, Rex Goliath, the Robert Talbott Vineyards, Paul Masson Vineyards, Pisoni Vineyards, Constellation Wines, Boekenoogen Winery, and Salinas Valley Vineyards. The city is named after its founders, Mariano and Alfredo Gonzales. The cost of living in the city is about average for the nation.
Dining out in Gonzales means you will be able to choose from an endless list of local favorites. Try some of the best places to eat in the city like the Lucky Bamboo, Carlitos, Canton Garden, and Taqueria El Famoso. Mexican, Chinese and Italian are all represented.
The city offers many kinds of recreational opportunities throughout the year. Central Park has places for residents to barbecue and picnic and is home to basketball courts and sand volleyball. The Gonzales Community Pool is open during the summer and is a great spot for recreational swimming or for swim lessons.
An apartment search in the area will be a rewarding one. When looking to relocate you will look at premier apartments and houses for rent among other living situations. Each will leave you excited to call this fascinating city that is alive with the winemaking process your home.