King City was named for Charles Henry King who established the city in 1886, to coincide with the Southern Pacific railroad extension into the Salinas Valley. In 1890 John Steinbecks father and married his wife Olive Hamilton. His father ran a bookkeeping and flour mill business. Parts of the John Steinbeck books "East of Eden" "The Red Pony," Travels with Charley" "Of Mice and Men" and "To a God Unknown"were set in King City. John Steinbecks grandparents homesteaded a ranch a few miles south of King City know as the old Hamilton Ranch. The Ranch is now private property. The city has a Municipal Airport and a Public Golf Course. San Lorenzo County Park is the site for a Rural Life Museum, Exhibit Barn, La Gloria One Room School House, 1898 Spreckels Farm House, Train Depot, and many camping and recreational facilities on the banks of the Salinas river it is a great place for a family outing. There are many traveler services in this bustling City.