In addition to tourist attractions such as the Fisherman’s Wharf, this guide presents the authentic Northern California experience. Explorer’s Guide Northern California offers the most up-to-date information on the region, from Big Sur to Yosemite, north to the Oregon Border while, urging travelers to understand the impact of their footprint on the land. With detailed descriptions of lodging options, honest reviews of restaurants, from taco trucks to upscale bistros, cultural attractions, natural wonders, recreation, transportation, history scattered throughout each listing, over 100 photos, and maps, readers will feel like they are getting a tour around this beautiful land from an old friend.
Featuring key campground features, facilities, and activities, this guide's 130+ maps take you right where you want to go. This is the most complete, map-packed, best-organized camping guide you can own.
Explore the beauty of Northern California’s natural landscape with this guide to 80 of the best easy-to-walk day hikes located throughout Northern California. From hikes just outside of San Francisco to long strolls in the Sierra Nevada, here are the 80 best easy day hikes in Northern California, perfect for aging baby boomers, seniors, those traveling with small children, and anyone else interested more in a stroll than a climb. Hikes include: Lady Bird Johnson Grove • McCloud Falls Trail • Pomo Canyon Trail • Table Rock • South Yuba Independence Trail • Tomales Point Trail • Purisima Redwoods Loop • Sardine Lakes Trail • Devils Postpile • Rainbow Falls • and more! Written in a personal but informative tone by outdoors expert Ann Marie Brown, The Creaky Knees Guide Northern California is a perfect resource anyone can use to explore the beauty of Northern California without breaking too much of a sweat. In addition to a full-trip description, each hike includes: • Clear, up-to-date driving directions • Elevation gains • Topographical map • Mileage and estimated hiking time • Trail conditions, effort level, best season, map references, exploring options, access, permits required, and where to find more information. Other titles in Creaky Knees easy hike series include Creaky Knees Oregon, Creaky Knees Washington, and Creaky Knees Arizona.
* Northern CA waterfalls reached by car, on foot, or by canoe or raft * Falls rated from one to five stars for their appeal * At-a-glance table for selecting waterfalls by scenic rating, form, how to access, best season, and waterfall type * Organized according to highway routes and popular day trip or vacation itineraries in each region On the road and seeking prime waterfall drive-up views? Feeling like a short stroll or longer hike to bask in a refreshing spray up close? Looking for a beautiful backdrop for a family picnic? Waterfall Lover's Guide to Northern California will tell you where to find the falls that fit the occasion. To help you select, each waterfall is keyed for accessibility by car, on foot, by canoe, or raft, and rated for magnitude and aesthetic value. The Danielssons note which falls can be seen from the road, cast a rainbow from their base, pour directly into the Pacific Ocean, or spin wheels of water along their flow.
The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Northern California covers the northern region of California from approximately Santa Cruz/Monterey to the Oregon state line. This guide includes: Drive-up Adventures: Places that can be reached via car or accessible transportation that offer sweeping views or beautiful surroundings without having to go out on trail. Where trails that meet the guidelines are also available, they will be referenced and a trail guide provided. Wheelchair-Accessible Trails: Descriptions of verified wheelchair accessible trails. Trails will be reviewed for adherence to accessibility guidelines and inaccessible features will be noted (this is a fairly common occurrence). Descriptions of trail surface, grade, and detailed directions will also be provided. Wheelchair users need more information than simply listing whether a trail is “wheelchair accessible” or not. Hiking Trails: Listings will include trails with varying difficulty levels. The majority of trails will be in locations associated with developed recreations areas. There will also be options for backcountry or wilderness area hikes as well as lesser-known trails.
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.
From hikes just outside of San Francisco to long strolls in the Sierra Nevada, this book covers 80 of the best easy-to-walk hikes throughout the region, providing elevation gains, detailed maps, and up-to-date driving directions. It also includes hike mileage and estimated hiking times, trail conditions, access and permit requirements, and ratings of each hike's difficulty, from "Stroll in the Park" to "Prepare to Perspire." Offshoot hikes are featured for those who reach the end of the hike but want to extend their workout. Written in a personal but informative tone by outdoors expert Ann Marie Brown, the Creaky Knees Guide is a perfect resource anyone can use to explore the beauty of Northern California without breaking too much of a sweat. Ann Marie Brown has written more than thirteen guidebooks on California recreation. Her writing has been featured in Sunset, VIA, and Smithsonian magazines. She lives in Lake Tahoe, CA.
The California coast, from its majestic redwoods and rocky shores to its palm trees and sandy beaches, is an area of unsurpassed beauty. The new fifth edition of the California Coastal Access Guide is an essential handbook for anyone exploring the 1,100 miles of one of the world's most diverse and spectacular shorelines. With up-to-date maps and information, this is an indispensable guide for all beachgoers -- hikers, campers, swimmers, divers, wheelchair users, joggers, and boaters. Details on where to go, how to get there, and what facilities and type of environment to expect are readily accessible. The handbook also contains articles on a broad range of topics, including natural history, marine and coastal wildlife, environmental issues, and sports and recreation.c
