King City is located in the Salinas Valley on Highway 101, between the Santa Lucia and Gabilan Mountain Ranges. It is 155 miles south of San Francisco and 277 miles north of Los Angeles. It is located 47 miles south of Salinas, the county seat of Monterey County. The elevation is 330 feet and the climate is mild with an average rainfall of 10 inches.
The city is multicultural and family oriented, rooted in a strong agricultural economy. Agriculture contributes over $4 billion per year to Monterey County's economic output. Fort Hunter Liggett, located 26 miles from King City, also plays a role in the city's economic base.
With a gentle climate and varied topography, King City and Southern Monterey County offer year-round recreation. The area is home to Los Padres National Forest, spectacular Pinnacles National Park, San Antonio Lake, Arroyo Seco River and San Lorenzo Regional Park. A 30 minute drive away is Mission San Antonio de Padua.
King City has its own hospital (Mee Memorial), airport, golf course, Rec center with four swimming pools, a theater, college extension (Hartnell College), a skate board park, racquetball and pickleball courts, soccer and baseball fields, and its own newspaper and radio station.
Explore our local restaurants, serving up a variety of styles with regionally inspired dishes from Mexico and South America, as well as locally sourced handcrafted artisan fare at the Cork & Plough or King City Grill.
Stroll down Broadway and spend time at our local coffee shops, Hestia or Bloom. and check on a variety of family-owned shops, boutiques and the "Lil Bit of Country" antique store. Discover talented local artists at the Sol Treasures Art & Cultural Center.
At the other end of Broadway, visit the Monterey County Agriculture and Rural Life Museum, known locally as "MCARLM". MCARLM is located in San Lorenzo Regional Park.
These are only a few of the great things to enjoy in King City!
History
The City of King derived its name from pioneer Charles H. King who was born in New York State on May 3, 1844. In 1884 he purchased 13,000 acres of a Spanish land grant and founded the King Ranch. Charles King introduced the wheat crop to the Salinas Valley. His crops succeeded beyond the expectations of the other settlers in the area, causing the railroads to take note. Southern Pacific Railroad lines to the station called “King’s Station” were completed in July of 1886. In 1901, the Civic Improvement Club was organized for the purpose of improving the town and planting trees. This club was the parent of the present Chamber of Commerce, founded in August 1911, the same year the town was incorporated and named the City of King or King City. King City is located on Highway 101, as well as the main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad.