Pacific

One of my favorite things to do is to travel down sections of the California coast. I do this whenever I can, and usually have an opportunity to revisit a favorite site at least once a year. One of the high points of being a teenager in California was taking a driving trip with my mother and sister where we covered almost the entire coast.

I was very impressed by this book. If you think you are interested in taking a trip to the California coast, I think this book is essential!

First, I couldn't find any sight that I have enjoyed visiting that was not included. For example, I have spent a lot of time near Laguna in Southern California in recent years. I found every activity that I enjoy doing in Laguna captured in the book, down the art galleries and museum I like to visit there.

Second, most books of photography cause you to have great envy for the skill of the photographer, with no idea how to take your own images. I was delighted when the book opened with a brief photographic note that explained what equipment was used for the photographs. It's all equipment that I can access and manage, which is also nice. The images of sunsets over the ocean are the best!

Third, the book brings in the environmental issues of defending the coastline from California's enormous population and heavy tourism industry. You will read about how development and wildlife are both being protected and brought together in complementary ways. Ms. Misuraca's text makes no bones about the smog and congestion near Los Angeles, and the photographs make those problems visually appalling.

Fourth, the writing is way above what I've come to expect for travel-related books. I thought that Jean-Michel Cousteau's Foreword was especially eloquent. "California is a fabled land . . . . From small, Hispanic-influenced farming towns to the cosmopolitan bustle of San Francisco and Los Angeles, it is host to a blend of cultures not seen since the days of ancient Rome."

Fifth, there's a balance in the subject matter that I found helpful. Many areas of California offer seasonal festivals related to fishing, harvesting or simply cultural history. Anyone who loves California enjoys visit those festivals. The book is quite complete in telling you about those activities. At the same time, you get ideas of where the architecture, hiking, photography, swimming, surfing, and nature observing are good.

This is probably the only book about California's coast that I have seen that both residents and potential visitors will treasure equally.

After you have finished enjoying this remarkable book, I hope you will plan to visit some of California's lesser known but remarkable locales. I particularly recommend the section of Route 1 that goes south from Carmel through Big Sur, the Lost Coast, Fort Ross, Muir Woods, Point Reyes, Drake's Bay, Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve, Morro Bay, Catalina, and Torrey Pines.

This book have complete guide for ocean side and srounding area in California. Excellent with chart of many sections such as fire pits, camp sites, etc. all covers along with coastal line on North to South of whole California. Also many terminology and explanations related with ocean and coastal environments, too. This is a must have guide book to looking for camping or barbequeing for family.

detailed listings of California Festivals with excellent cross indexing. Well worth searching for it

Going to a place for the first time like California, we felt innundated by choices of where to go and what to do. This guide provided everything we needed...from tips on getting around to the best places to stay and eat. It didn't dumb down and really sent us to the perfect places.

This book is a must-have for in-line skaters. I don't skate but my son does, and this book has shown me lots of new places to take him and his friends. In fact, after reading this book, I'm thinking about learning to skate myself!

As a transplanted Californian, I love this book. The pictures are beautiful, displaying the great diversity of the state. This is a great coffee table book that you, and your guests, will look through again and again. And when I get homesick, this is the next best thing to a trip home to cure it.

In 1986 I made a 10,000 mile auto trip from Florida across the country. I fell in love with California - the people, the landscapes, the golden sunlight, and the attitudes. A short time after my trip I came across this wonderful book at a local bookstore. It has been one of the best book purchases I have ever made. The photographs capture the essence of the same California that I fell in love with. To this day, when I open this book my senses come alive with the smell, feel, sounds, and sights of one of the most unique highways I have had the priviledge to drive. This is a wonderful book and still one of my all-time favorites! I am now at this site looking for other works by Mr. Wilkes and certainly hope I can find more of his wonderful work. If anyone is aware of other published works please notify me. Thanks.

I never realized how much (and how little) our state parks have to offer those of us who have mobility limitations. The Mitchell's have taken the time to visit every park in their book - and it shows. I was especially impressed with the detailed descriptions of trails and points of interest. Now I have a very good idea of whether I will be able to enjoy each park. Most importantly, I know which parks I do not want to miss. Thanks for your efforts and awareness of the needs of wheelchair users and others with limitations.

This book was very helpful in deciding which spas to to visit. Great description of services offered, lodging, and an approximate price range. This book was great, and I am local to an area where most of the spas are from. Her reviews of the spas themselves was great. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to go visit some wonderful and relaxful spas.

This is a great book to help plan a weekend or vaction trip around exploring California....and what a way to help children learn about the state's history.