Driving though the John Steinbeck's novel "East of Eden", the Salinas valley's plush farmland stretches south east into the stomach of California. On its southern slope Arroyo Creek cuts though its velvety green slopes which nestle the vast majority of American produce. The Arroyo Seco Campground in the Los Padres National Forest is a secluded cliff lined sanctuary. The campgrounds themselves harbor all the amenities such as bathrooms and potable water sources . In the middle of the day after picnicking under the redwood gazebo and hiking through the holes, take a dip in Arroyo Creek where the water temperature varies between a frosty 45F in Spring and 75F during the summer. If you the adventurous type park in the back parking lot and hike approximately 2 miles down the fire road which penetrates into the Los Padres National forest where you can swim in any of the many gorges. Enjoy cliff jumping from formidable hight and sunbathing along the white sand lined shoreline. Continue upstream from the main gorge to experience a granite slot canyon that can be 15-30 feet deep depending on the season which leads to a waterfall nicknamed "The Waterslide".