#Salinasisbeautiful

A High School Teacher Launched an Instagram Campaign to Change How the World Sees His Hometown

Kristy’s Donuts

Salinas train station

Birds of paradise at the Salinas courthouse

Fox Theater

J. H. McDougall Building

A sunset is in the Los Olivos neighborhood of Salinas

Valley Center Bowl

Salinas High School

Harvest Street

Juan Govea, a teacher at Salinas High School, is frustrated by the common practice of dismissing Salinas as a rough or dangerous place. What distinguishes his hometown, he says, is its beauty.

Salinas richest poor city bug

But how to change that misperception?

At the beginning of June, he decided to take matters into his own hands—and his smartphone. So he made a point of snapping photos of places that struck him as beautiful as he traveled around the city every day to teach, run errands, or visit family.

There were so many places and scenes to choose from. And, even though they were familiar to him, Govea was amazed by all the city’s distinctive buildings—from old Main Street storefronts to taquerias on Alisal. He photographed formal landmarks like the city train station and the Fox Theater on South Main Street. And he took photos of spots that wouldn’t necessarily draw the attention of visitors to Salinas, such as Valley Center Bowl and Kristy’s Donuts.

As a summer project, Govea posted one photo a day on Instagram, and used the hashtag #salinasisbeautiful. Here are some of the highlights from Govea’s photography of the city’s architectural landmarks and everyday pit stops. (Govea, of course, is interested in Salinas’ natural beauty, too. A gallery of those images is also available).


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