Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Paperback)

~ Tracy Salcedo-Chourre (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Point Reyes National Seashore, located just north of San Francisco Bay, and the adjacent Golden Gate National Recreation Area encompass some of the most spectacular landscapes on the West Coast. From the rugged coastline, with its historic lighthouse and far-reaching beaches, to the pasturelands and thick forests that clothe its eastern reaches, the park is a major recreational destination for travelers from northern and central California and from out of state. Together, Point Reyes NS and Golden Gate NRA host more than 16 million visitors annually. This comprehensive guide includes detailed information on the natural and cultural history of the area; recreational opportunities, including hiking trails, bicycling trails, sea kayaking and canoeing, and horseback riding; and historical exhibits.

From the Back Cover

The Point Reyes National Seashore, located just north of San Francisco Bay, and the adjacent Golden Gate National Recreation Area encompass some of the most spectacular landscapes on the West Coast. From the rugged coastline, with its historic lighthouse and far-reaching beaches, to the pasturelands and thick forests that clothe its eastern reaches, the park is a major recreational destination for travelers from northern and central California and from out of state. Together, Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area host more than 16 million visitors annually. This comprehensive guide includes detailed information on the natural and cultural history of the area; recreational opportunities, including hiking trails, bicycling trails, sea kayaking and canoeing, and horseback riding; and historical exhibits. For travelers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to experience a taste of all that an area has to offer, this series features short hikes, biking trails, and other outdoor recreation opportunities, plus travel information and natural history. Features include: • Best time of year to visit • Facilities, fees, and recreational activities • RV sites and campgrounds • Nearby points of interest • Detailed maps of each area (6 x 9, 288 pages, b&w photos, maps) Tracy Salcedo-Chourré is a professional writer, indefatigable researcher, and the author of more than a dozen previous guidebooks. She lives with her husband, Martin, and their three sons in Glen Ellen, California.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Falcon; 1st edition (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762722134
• ISBN-13: 978-0762722136
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #802,962 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hiking, Kayaking, Beaches, and Reflections from Falcon's Best Author., June 2, 2007

By	Fritz R. Ward "dayhiker" (Crestline, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

The Bay Area is blessed with three very different national parks: Point Reyes National Seashore, Muir Woods National Monument, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. People wanting to explore these parks have the further blessing that Tracy Salcedo-Chourre is the Falcon author who has written the guidebook to this area. Ms. Salcedo-Chourre is far and away the best current Falcon writer. Her books are full of natural history, wonderful similies, thoughtful reflections, and like most other Falcon books, accurate route descriptions so you won't get lost on your hike.

This book, however, is far more than just a hiking guide. Of course, it does describe in considerable detail 47 trails, ranging from under a half mile to over 13. The trails in Point Reyes tend to be longer, while those in GGNRA are 1-4 mile strolls. All are winners. But these parks are truly multi-use areas and the author does a fine job detailing other recreational opportunities in these places. People interested in kayaking the bays or oceans, walking their dogs, mountain and backcountry road biking, and beach combing will all find something for themselves in this book. Indeed, although these parks are intended primarily for day use (none have established car campgrounds as such) Salcedo-Chourre also devotes two sections of the book to backpacking and exploring the established trail camps in these regions. Not as rugged as the Sierras or even the Santa Cruz Mountains to the south, these backpacking routes are excellent for beginners and those seeking to stay in shape in the off-season. Hopefully the Park Service can be induced to put in more such camps as these fill on a regular basis.

In addition to describing the many recreational opportunities in these parks, the author also offers a number of reflections on the problems of management in urban areas. The National Park Service is committed to an ideology that parks are to be managed as if humans hardly existed. But this is hardly practical in urban areas and Ms. Salcedo-Chourre, rather than simply gloss over the problems, offers a number of thoughtful comments. Should dogs be allowed? The Park Service says no generally, but is their policy really appropriate for a recreation area? When and where should dogs be allowed? Are leashes always necessary, or is voice control sufficient? Regarding Point Reyes, she also discusses the real benefits of leaving the ranches in the Park, despite possible pollution hazards. The ranches are a part of the history of Point Reyes and contribute to its unique scenery. (Hikers wanting to experience this rural-wildlands interface should take Drake's Estero trail.) I would add here that the white fallow deer, while not native to the park, enhance the lives of many tourists and the park's decision to exterminate them (rather than actively manage the herd) goes against the values of most park visitors and virtually all local residents. Finally, the author challenges readers who hike in GGNRA to question the role of military spending. It is certainly true that the Marin headlands are dotted with military installations, many of which were outdated as soon as they were built. Such spending is wasteful, and Chourre feels no compunction about saying so in this book. She is correct, but as I read the book and recalled my time in GGNRA, I was left with the realization that had this land been put to more "productive" uses in the 19th century it would all be urban landscape today. So in effect, we can thank the military for literally preserving our heritage in this wonderful land.

In all, this is an excellent guidebook. Thoughtful, thorough, and well written, it is a gem. I hope Ms. Salcedo-Chourre will see fit to revise it regularly. It is the single best comprehensive guide to these three Bay Area parks.