Best Coast Hikes of Northern California: A Guide to the Top Trails from Big Sur to the Oregon Border [Paperback]

Marc J. Soares (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sierra Club Books Publication | Publication Date: July 13, 1998

In this comprehensive guide to the spectacular Northern California coast, Marc J. Soares describes 75 scenic trails for people of all levels of hiking skill. Hikes range from gentle afternoon walks for the whole family to more strenuous full- and multi-day adventures.
Each listing includes the length of the hike, the degree of difficulty, directions to the trailhead, a route map, and the best seasons to enjoy the wildflowers, views, and waterfalls. Appendices include hikes that are best for bird watching, trails suitable for horseback riding, wheelchair-accessible hikes, and trails on which dogs are permitted.
Hikers will discover:
Humboldt and Del Norte Counties: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Miner's Ridge Trail, and Tall Trees Grove and Redwood National Park
Mendocino and Sonoma Counties: The Lost Coast, Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, Bodega Dunes, and Russian Gulch Falls
Marin County and San Francisco Bay Area: Tomales Point, Point Reyes National Seashore, Mount Tamalpais, Stinson Beach, Inverness, Muir Beach, and Angel Island
Big Sur and Monterey: China Beach and Sea Lion Rocks in Point Lobos State Park, Big Sur River, and Soberanes Canyon
Best Coast Hikes of Northern California is an invitation to residents and travelers alike to discover and enjoy incomparable trails along one of the world's most scenic coastlines.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Best Coast Hikes of Northern California presents 75 scenic trails for hikers and nature-lovers of all skill levels. From gentle afternoon walks for the whole family to more challenging full- and multi-day adventures, the carefully chosen routes offer a magnificent blend of stark bluffs and secluded beaches, tidepools and clear creeks, quiet marshes and mighty waterfalls, lush green canyons and jagged rock outcrops.
-- Trails are grouped from north to south and include little-known routes through many of California's state and national parks.
-- Listings include the length of each hike, the degree of difficulty, directions to the trailhead, a route map, estimated hiking time, and the best seasons to enjoy the wildflowers, views, waterfalls, and wildlife.
-- Advice is offered on safety, climate, wilderness ethics, clothing, and things to do for added enjoyment.
-- Appendices list hikes that are best for bird watching, trails for horseback riding, wheelchair-accessible hikes, and trails on which dogs are permitted.

About the Author

Marc J. Soares is a naturalist and photographer and the co-author of One Hundred Hikes in Northern California. He lives in Redding, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Sierra Club Books (July 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871569043
• ISBN-13: 978-0871569042
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,683,921 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great guide to the lesser-known trails!, August 6, 2000

By A Customer

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This review is from: Best Coast Hikes of Northern California: A Guide to the Top Trails from Big Sur to the Oregon Border (Paperback)

Original Post (2000): This book is great if you're looking for places that are off the beaten path. For example: instead of going to Muir Woods to see redwoods (and hordes of tourists), head off to Heritage Grove in La Honda for a chance to be one-on-one with the mighty trees (and check out the banana slugs as well!). I've only hiked about 4 of the 70+ trails so far, but they have all been worthwhile. Highly recommended!

Update (2003): Wow - I'm glad "13 out of 13 readers" found my review useful! :-)

Three years later, this now lovingly-worn book has accompanied me on a dozen more hikes, from Mendocino to Big Sur. Friends and visitors are always amazed at how I've been able to magically find these spectacular places! The Appendices with Suggested Hikes are quite useful -- I have yet to be disappointed with the "Grand Views" of various parts of the Bay Area, for example. I can thank this book for providing many special memories, photos, and aching limbs (hey, the author was not joking about those "strenuous" hikes!).

Oh, I also purchased another Marc Soares book, "100 Hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area". While some hikes do overlap with this book, I'd recommend as a nice companion volume -- especially if you live inland (like me) and don't always have time to head to the coast.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Book for what it Does, August 2, 2009

By 

Paul Heiney (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best Coast Hikes of Northern California: A Guide to the Top Trails from Big Sur to the Oregon Border (Paperback)

I recently used this book, together with "101 Hikes in Northern California" by Matt Heid and "California Hiking" by Stienstra and Brown, as a guide for a series of day hikes out of Santa Cruz. The hikes were all well chosen, and I found the descriptions accurate. My only complaint is that it is somewhat limited: only 75 hikes are included, and they are almost all beach hikes, with just a few in the coastal range. On the plus side, it is light enough to slip into a daypack and take along with you! Also, I liked the occasional photos which give a good feeling for what the hike will be like.