A guide to exploring the natural beauty and historic sites of the Pacific coast via a selection of lesser-known scenic routes throughout California.From sprawling beaches to dramatic cliffs, the landscapes carved out by the mighty Pacific Ocean have been a destination for adventure and discovery since the earliest Spanish explorers arrived in the 1600s. While here and there the coastal wilderness has given way to California's largest and most cosmopolitan cities, th...

A fun, fresh tribute to the Golden State, illustrated with gorgeous color photography, fascinating historical images, and cool memorabilia. Learn anew the legends, landmarks, and lore of historic sites, such as Bodie, Point Reyes, the Knights Ferry Bridge, Mission Santa Barbara, Carson Mansion in Old Town Eureka, Death Valley, Glacier Point, and Alcatraz.Delving into the people, places, and activities that have defined California through the years, this book explores all that makes...

Lee Foster writes about and recommends the best nature/outdoors attractions and the best cultural travel experiences in Northern California. He helps a local or a visitor make informed travel decisions for visiting places as diverse as Yosemite National Park, the intriguing Russian fort at Fort Ross along the Sonoma coast, or the wondrous Big Sur Coast. What are the best travel options to explore when contemplating Northern California? Lee Foster has spent 40 years refining the answers. Le...

In this edition in the popular series, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy presents the best of the West. With 70 rural, suburban, and urban trails threading through 1,050 miles, Rail-Trails West covers 60 trails in California, eight in Arizona, and two in Nevada. Many rail-trails offer escapes from city life, like the Mount Lowe Railway Trail, high above the buzzing Los Angeles basin on a rail line vacationers once took to a mountaintop resort. Others offer the pure sensory thrill of...

This beautiful hardback takes the reader on 75 of the most amazing adventures on the planet. From the ultimate challenge of climbing Mount Everest to less strenuous but equally inspiring experiences like kayaking with orcas in Canada and cycling Vietnam's backroads, this is the definitive companion to the world's most spectacular adventures.With stunning photographs, sumptuous descriptions and practical information, this inspirational coffee table book will delight armchair explore...

With maps and insider tips, this smart travel guidebook will lead you through the Aloha States most popular gems: Maui, the Valley Isle (and its smaller islands of Molokai and Lanai) and Kauai, the Garden Isle! Heres what to see and do, and where to eat, drink, shop, stay, and playfrom sun-drenched beaches to cloud-covered volcanoes, from posh resorts to wild emerald-green valleys. Includes Top Picks. 10 maps (5 for Maui, 1 each for Moloka'i and Lana'i, and 3 for Kaua'i).

This book begins where basic trail guides and maps leave off. For each section of the trail, the authors describe the route in detail and recommend the best day hikes and short backpacks from each trailhead. They describe the plants and animals hikers will see, tell stories about local history, explain plate tectonics, and in a thousand other ways enrich your experience of the journey.For many people, the Pacific Crest Trail is the ultimate long-distance hiking tra...

Beyond the bright lights of one of the city's fastest growing metropolitan areas is some of the most rugged, beautiful, and remote country around. Popular destinations such as Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Death Valley, and Mt. Charles are covered, plus lesser-known areas such as Anniversary Narrows, Arrow Canyon, Bowl of Fire, and the Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness. Each trip showcases the diversity of this region, from the geological wonders and rare life forms surviving in Mojave N...

This easy-to-use book is packed with practical information and enticing facts that make it fun to read: A clean, attractive layout makes it easy to find what you're looking for within each of the book's six sections, whether it be suggestions for finding the best food, lodging, kayaking, fishing, or shopping; even driving directions are included.  After a detailed introduction to Tampa and Florida's West Coast, the guide zeroes in on Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Also included are ...

Details of all the state and national parks. This describes them all, from the vast national parks to little-visited wilderness preserves. Facilities, hiking trails, fees, campgrounds, fishing, canoeing, history, nearby attractions, directions - everything you need. Park maps show what to find and where to find it. Filled with contact numbers and addresses. Photos throughout. The guide describes 43 different state parks of New Mexico, with contact info, how to get there, and what to see & ...

This illustrated Travel Guide is designed for optimal navigation on eReaders and other electronic devices. It is indexed alphabetically and by category, making it easier to access individual articles. Articles feature information about attractions, landmarks, cultural venues, dining, history and more.TABLE OF CONTENTS:Essentials: A-Z INDEX Lodging Stay safe1. General: History Biology Coastline Glaciated mountains Temperate Rainforest Recreation2. Maps: Washington regions Olympic Region Lak...

  Our illustrated travel guide will take you to the Death Valley National Park.  It is a United States National Park that is located primarily in the Southern California Desert, with a small portion extending into Nevada. Many potential visitors ignore the park due to the misconception that it is simply a lifeless, empty landscape, but this 3.4 million acre park is not only the largest national park in the contiguous 48 States of the USA (although Adirondack state p...