"Those of us born and raised along the California coast know and treasure the great beauty, diversity and natural wonder of the most remarkable coastline in the world. This wonderful book gives you a chance to share that great experience of California's beaches and parks so that perhaps you too will understand why we care so much about protecting this unique coastal resource for the future."—Leon E. Panetta, Panetta Institute
From the majestic redwoods and rocky shores in the north to the palm trees and wide, sandy beaches in the south, the California coast is an area of unsurpassed beauty and diversity. The California Coastal Access Guide is an essential travel handbook for both new and seasoned visitors exploring California's majestic 1,271-mile shoreline. With up-to-date maps and information, it is an invaluable travel guide for all coastal visitorsbeachgoers, hikers, campers, swimmers, divers, surfers, anglers, and boatersdetailing where to go, how to get there, and what facilities and environment to expect.
Many of California’s most alluring attractions are found along the coast from San Francisco Bay to Monterey Bay: Alcatraz Island, San Francisco’s waterfront, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Point Lobos. This easy-to-use, up-to-date, comprehensive guidebook is the essential companion for visitors—sightseers, hikers, swimmers, surfers, campers, birders, boaters, and anglers—who want to explore California’s fabulous shoreline. The book describes some 350 shoreline destinations, including every known publicly accessible beach along the coast of Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties. It also lists wildlife reserves, marinas, and public parks, and includes descriptions of plants and animals, places where dogs are welcome, nature centers, aquariums, and much more. The guide features: • 53 color maps that show topography, roads, trails, bicycle routes, and other features • 299 color illustrations • Sidebars on shipwrecks, railroads, aviation, and other aspects of California history • Descriptions of geologic formations, wildflowers, tidepools, and beaches • Information on recreational outfitters, whale-watching trips, surf shops, and more
This edition of the bestselling Coastal Access Guide has updated maps and text. It should be in every coast-lover's car next to their Thomas's Guide. An invaluable reference for every Californian and California tourist looking to enjoy the coast.
This comprehensive and authoritative guide to the natural and cultural resources of California's magnificent 1,100-mile coastline is the companion to the best-selling California Coastal Access Guide. Whereas the Access Guide stressed public access to the California coast, the Resource Guide focuses on the rich and varied natural resources of the coast and its diverse habitats, including detailed descriptions of flora and fauna; the Guide also features accounts of the history of the coast, and includes numerous striking and informative drawings, photographs, and maps. Part One consists of sections of statewide interest divided into three categories: the first is coastal geography, which includes descriptions of coastal mountains, rivers, marine terraces, beaches, wetlands, nearshore waters, and the open ocean; the second is living resources, covering the flora and fauna of the coast; and the third is cultural resources, treating history, architecture, recreation, and economy, including such topics as parks and beaches, recreational fishing, amusement parks, lighthouses, offshore oil, tourism, agriculture, and other coastal industries. Part Two is composed of individual sections on each of California's coastal counties, as well as San Francisco Bay, the Farallon Islands, and the Channel Islands. This portion of the book includes 150 maps, lists of species of interest, a summary of each county's history, and site-by-site descriptions of parks, beaches, rivers, wetlands, coastal towns and cities, missions, museums, and other coastal resources; detailed information on the habitats, wildlife, and history of each site are included, as well as its address, and, where applicable, the phone number. Copiously illustrated, accessible, and above all, entertaining, this book is an indispensable reference guide for residents and vacationers as well as a fun book to browse in for anyone interested in California's coast.
