Hidden Coast of California

by Ray Riegert

Book Overview

No other guide offers coverage of this fabled shoreline as comprehensively as Hidden Coast of California, focusing on the many miles of unspoiled beach-long famous stretches to dozens of hidden... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1569751056
• ISBN13: 9781569751053
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Ulysses Press
• Length: 478 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 5.0" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

There are enduring reasons why California has been a premier tourist destination for more than a hun

There are enduring reasons why California has been a premier tourist destination for more than a hundred years. A compact, easily portable, 550-page travel guide specifically focused on its Pacific shoreline communities and environs, "Hidden Coast Of California" by travel expert Ray Riegert is a superbly organized and comprehensive compendium of information that includes recommended historic inns, scenic drives, beaches and parks, weekend getaways, prospecting opportunities for gems and precious metals, and even whale-watching! Covering the sights and recreational opportunities of San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Francisco, and Mendocino, "Hidden Coast Of California" is illustrated with occasional maps, peppered with traveler tips, provides an 'Outdoor Adventure Symbols' chart for ease of use, and so much more. Of special note is the opening chapter covering a variety of issues ranging from California coast geology, Native Americans, coastal plant life, animals (both on land and in the ocean), a calendar of events, visitor centers, traveling with children, disabled and senior travelers, women traveling alone, foreign travelers, camping, permits and more. Now in an expanded and updated eleventh edition, "Hidden Coast Of California" is the ideal resource for planning itineraries and for taking maximum advantage of what California has to offer travelers and vacationers along it's spectacular coastline. Also very highly recommended for both personal and community Travel Guide reference collections is Ray Riegert's companion book from Ulysses Press: "Hidden Southern California: 10th Edition" (9781569755396, $19.95).

Very Informative, Buy it today!

"Hidden Coast of California" is a well written book-- very easy to read and divided into neat sections. The book goes from northern California to southern, from beginning to end, so it is especially helpful for those who are going on a "real" California roadtrip.This book has been especially helpful with the planning of my future trip to California. Even though I haven't been able to test out the accuracy of the book, I feel as though I've lived there for years because of all the detailed information the book offers. Planning a trip down the coast of California isn't easy especially when you have a time limit, but this book has helped me sleep at night knowing that I have the knowledge to get the most out of my trip (and money).I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is planning a trip to California and those who want to see some little known hideaways.

An outstanding guidebook

This is the most useful guidebook to the Golden State that this native Californian ever has seen. Riegert packs an astonishing amount of information into this conveniently-sized paperback. This guidebook, now in its eighth edition, clearly reflects extensive exploration and research. The book begins with general material on the California coast including a brief history, weather, wildlife, outdoor adventures, camping, a calendar of events, tips on what to pack, and advice to senior travelers, women traveling alone, gay and lesbian travelers, even foreign travelers. Each region of the California coast is introduced with a brief overview and capsule history, followed by details about scenic wonders, parks, beaches, hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, sports, shopping and nightlife. The author manages to maintain a lively style throughout five hundred pages of text. Included are colored AAA-style road maps of the most important coastal areas, supplemented by black and white maps of many regions and towns. Michael Michaud, Vienna, Austria

An invaluable aid for leaving the tourist trail.

"The Hidden Coast of California" by Ray Reigert was a godsend that allowed New Yorkers to see a side of the California Coast that the residents appreciate every day. Starting with the San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon and Mr. Riegert's tips on lodgings, sights, and restaurants added up to a great vacation. Mr.Riegert's recommendations surpassed the two (2) other well known travel books. The tip to see the "La Purisima Mission" as the best of the twenty-one missions was pure gold and saved us valuable time that we alloted elsewhere. The recommendation on restaurants was absolutely priceless and the "Sojourner Coffeehouse" turned our dismal one night stay in Santa Barbara around. Our stays at both the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Parks cottages and The Asilomar Conference Center on the Monterey Peninsula were on the money and gave us the chance to combine our overnight stays with scenic views. I am now waiting for the release of the 1999 "Hidden Florida" before planning my next vacation.