At long last, the National Steinbeck Center opens this week in Salinas. Will tourists flock to see our county''s most famous literary son? That depends on who''s asked.

Gerhard Beuttler

and M. Maltzahn

Age

s: 59 and 60

Reside: Stuttgart, Germany:

Occupation: Retired

What''s your favorite Steinbeck book? East of Eden.

Would

you drive to Salinas to see the new National Steinbeck Center? Yes, if we weren''t going south tomorrow.

Do you think Steinbeck is the main reason Cannery Row is a historical area? Well, yes. Him and the fishing business.

Will you read Cannery Row now? Definitely.

Daniela Allion

Age:16

Resides: Del Rey Oaks

Occupation: Student

What is your favorite Steinbeck book? The Red Pony. I read most of Cannery Row, but I just couldn''t finish it.

Will people drive to Salinas for the Steinbeck Center? I think it would have a better shot here in Monterey. I don''t know if tourists will go out there, unless they''re really into him.

David Tran

Age: 27

Resides: San Francisco

Occupation: Works for a nonprofit youth advocacy group

What''s your favorite Steinbeck book? Well, I haven''t read any since high school. What was that one? Grapes of Wrath.

Do

you think Steinbeck is important to the area? I know he lived here...

Do you think people will drive to Salinas to visit the new Steinbeck Center? Probably-if they''re interested in Steinbeck.

Is Steinbeck important to Cannery Row? He certainly adds some history, but I''m here to take my aunt to the Aquarium.

Ricky Kriner

Age: 39

Resides: Fairfield

Occupation: Works for C&H Sugar

What''s your favorite Steinbeck book? Well, to be truthful, I haven''t read any of them.

Do you think Steinbeck is important to this area? The little I''ve heard, I would say yes.

Will people go to Salinas to see the new Steinbeck Center? I''d go see it. I''ve seen all the so-called hot spots, Carmel, Cannery Row, and other places. So yes, I think they will.

Anita Petty

Age: 33

Resides: Monterey

Occupation: Student, Naval Post-Graduate School

What''s your favorite Steinbeck book? I read Tortilla Flat and Cannery Row. Cannery Row is my favorite.

Do you think people will drive to Salinas to see the Steinbeck Center? Since this tends to be a big tourist town, I don''t think so. I think people are here to see Monterey and the bay.