Weekend Adventures in San Francisco & Northern California

by Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Book Overview

Weighing in at over a pound, this thoroughly revised and updated eighth edition is packed with interesting places to visit. First published in 1977, it is the longest-running guide to Northern... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0917120191
• ISBN13: 9780917120190
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Carousel Press
• Length: 469 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent guide to North California

Really good suggestions and help for a family that's just moved here. All the things we've tried from this book have been a success!

Enjoy life in the Bay Area!

My husband and I bought this book along with several others after living in the Bay area for a while. We were hoping to get ideas on things to do on weekends, and we have found that this book has been incredibly useful and has inspired us to go much farther and really take advantage of the interesting destinations in the area. We usually pick a direction that looks interesting, plan a few stops along the way and take off for a fun day trip or (occasionally) overnight trip, and she never leads us astray. While we are budget travelers and thus some of her suggestions are out of our price range, especially for hotels, we've enjoyed many of the restaurants, specialty shops, museums and factories in the area and learned a lot about what Northern California has to offer thanks to this book. I highlight places as we go there and write notes in the margins- and my book is getting pretty marked up! I absolutely love this book, and think it's perfect for adventurous couples of all ages. It was the best travel book purchase I think that I have ever made, if you measure it by frequency of use and enjoyment. One thing I think could be improved on is the complete lack of maps- just having this book is not enough- You MUST also bring along road maps, and printing out some google maps pinpointing specific destinations is extremely helpful. I can't tell you how long it took us to find the Ace Cider Pub in Sebastapol- we had to ask a local for directions. Otherwise though, fabulous book. -happy grad student traveler

For readers pursuing anything from a cup of coffee to a long-term getaway in Northern California

One can have the time of their life every weekend in California if they know what they're doing. Now in a newly updated and expanded ninth edition, "Weekend Adventures: In San Francisco & Northern California" is a guide to vacationing or just enjoying oneself throughout Northern California. Drawing on the author's immense experience throughout the state, "Weekend Adventures" outlines the countless activities, fine and not-so-fine lodgings, and much more. "Weekend Adventures" is for readers pursuing anything from a cup of coffee to a long-term getaway in Northern California.

Must Have Travel Guide Book

Carole Terwilliger Myers, author of the 8th Edition of Weekend Adventures in San Francisco & Northern California, points out in her introduction that there is nothing more disappointing than returning home from a vacation and finding out that you had missed an interesting attraction or you overpaid for your hotel accommodations. I would have to concur, and as I am a stickler for preparing my travel itineraries well in advance-I just hate surprises and disappointments. Although there may be several travel guides available pertaining to San Francisco and Northern California, each seeking its own market niche, the Weekend Adventures in San Francisco & Northern California is built around providing information that will aid the reader to quickly ascertain what is of special interest in the area he or she is planning to visit. Moreover, the guide contains useful advice concerning bargain rates, welcoming of families, aesthetically pleasing, historic significance, etc. In addition, the author provides phone numbers, toll-free numbers, fax numbers, and websites. The 469 pages of the guide is bigger, thicker, and longer than most and it is divided into sixteen sections, a substantial index, and many well-chosen black-and-white photos. The author commences with San Francisco, and as pointed out, all other destinations radiate from here. Chapters are devoted to Coast South, Coast North, 101 South, 101 North, 1-80 North, 1-880 South, 1-5 North, Highway 49-Gold Rush Country, The High Sierra, Santa Cruz Mountains, The Delta, Wine Country, Lake Tahoe, Winter Snow Fun, and finally Miscellaneous Adventures such as family camps, houseboats, river trips, pack trips, and camping. Excellent suggestions are offered as to annual events, what to do, where to stay and eat. For example, if you read the section pertaining to Monterey, you will notice that some of the events listed are the Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival, the Grand Prix auto races, the Jazz Festival, and Christmas in the Adobes. As for the last one, we are informed, that each year a group of historic adobes are festively decked out with period decorations and illuminated only by candlelight. Terwilliger Myers' writing is brisk and entertaining, and you can see she has done her homework, as evidenced by her well-researched and useful information. All in all, the guide makes an excellent reference to visiting San Francisco and Northern California and is a must-have for anyone traveling in the region. Norm Goldman Editor Bookpleasures

Absolutely fantastic!

I was born in San Francisco, and I still live in the Bay Area. This guidebook is the best I've ever found for the Bay Area -- I always check them out because I like to have a good guidebook available in our guest room. If you live near San Francisco, you get lots of houseguests! This guidebook is so good that my husband and I use it to explore our own surroundings. Written with candor and freshness by Carole Terwilliger Meyers, it's fun to read, full of useful info -- just delightful and invaluable. We rely on it. If you're looking to visit the SF Bay Area, this is the best book for your money. Trust me, I've lived here for decades. The next best thing to having a longtime native show you around.