GrassRoutes Oakland and Berkeley, Second Edition: Urban Eco Travel [Paperback]

Serena Bartlett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 2009 | Series: GrassRoutes

Serena Bartlett started the GrassRoutes Travel series with Oakland because it was a mystery why a vibrant energized city like that didn’t have a decent guidebook to call its own. So, to point residents, travelers, and sojourners to the best cafes, markets, music, art, contemplative places, and friendly scenes, here is the New View of the City Next Door. Turns out there is a there there, and totally cool. Whether it’s vegan organic or late-night literary, an urban bike tour or stalking fine art and architecture, this guide points the way. GrassRoutes Travel describes a new eco-urban adventure that reveals the lively metropolis always in the shadow of San Francisco. The travel guidebook category has gotten into a rut with cookie-cutter series galore. GrassRoutes guides do not recycle the same old tired info. The foundation of each guide is the actual experience of the writers—starting with series founder Serena Bartlett. What other guide to a city offers up an annotated listing of places to volunteer, encourages you to take the bus, and directs you to places to find inspiration?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The founder of GrassRoutes Travel, Serena Bartlett grew up in New York City and traveled the world before settling in Oakland, CA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sasquatch Books; Second Edition edition (June 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157061606X
• ISBN-13: 978-1570616068
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,154,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Darling book about a treasured city, September 30, 2010

By 

Rail - See all my reviews

This review is from: GrassRoutes Oakland and Berkeley, Second Edition: Urban Eco Travel (Paperback)

There's so much *to* Oakland that you almost need to be a local to see, do, go, or understand the incredible food, the amazing weather, the dramatic views, the fascinating history, the waterfront, the fact that you can actually park your car near all of this awesomeness without wasting your day trolling for parking spaces, unlike our, ahem, more internationally recognized neighbor.

The Grass Routes guides could well be the only book published that does justice to this lovely city. The author delights in shedding light on this underrated city. She shares the darling nooks & crannies, pointing the reader to year-round farmers markets, hidden and not-so-hidden gems of restaurants, cute walking neighborhoods, the best views and parks, the many opportunities to do or see art. The tone of this book is completely new to this genre: bright happy descriptions, line drawings & hand drawn maps, and a single-minded focus on experiencing locations like a local. It's unlike any other guide book out there.

5.0 out of 5 stars great gift for someone new to Oakland and Berkeley, July 30, 2011

By 

VKB - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: GrassRoutes Oakland and Berkeley, Second Edition: Urban Eco Travel (Paperback)

I gave this as a gift and the recipient raved about it. She found so many useful tips and great places to go. Definitely a worthwhile gift to someone new to that area.

5.0 out of 5 stars Grassroutes Guides are great for locals and tourists!, March 7, 2011

By 

Jamie R Freedman - See all my reviews

This review is from: GrassRoutes Oakland and Berkeley, Second Edition: Urban Eco Travel (Paperback)

I love the Grassroutes guides! Yes, yes, there are so many guide books out there, how can this one be any different? These guides are so helpful for locals and tourist alike wanting to support businesses that really take care of the community and participate eco-business.

I wish there was a Grassroutes guide for every city I visit!