Soto House, Monterey

The Lara-Soto Adobe at 460 Pierce Street was built in 1842 by Francisco Soberanes. Also called Casa Jesus Soto, Soto was the 2nd owner. It is now a historic monument used by the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Steinbeck purchased this house from artist Josephine Blanch, who had restored it in 1940. Steinbeck lived here with Gwyn, his second wife, and Thom, his first son from 1944-11-10 - 1945-04-05, while he wrote The Pearl.