Guide to State Parks of the Sonoma Coast and Russian River [Paperback]

Stephen W. Hinch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998

An hour's drive north of San Francisco lies one of the most spectacular sections of Pacific shoreline in all of California. Stretching from Bodega Bay to Gualala Point, the Sonoma Coast extends across sixty miles of windswept cliffs, isolated beaches, and crashing surf. Four state parks help protect the natural beauty and historical significance of this magnificent coast, and two more lie a dozen miles inland. This detailed guidebook covers the environment, history, hiking and riding trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and points of interest for each park. Find the best beaches and hideaways at Sonoma Coast State Beach. Learn the history of an ancient Russian stockade at Fort Ross State Park. Explore miles of hiking trails at Salt Point State Park and Austin Creek State Recreation Area. Discover the cycle of rhododendrons at Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve. And marvel at the majesty of old growth redwoods at Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve. This acclaimed book includes 74 photos, 12 maps, and 19 line drawings, as well as tidepooling and whale/seal watching guides.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"a handy source of information on a wide range of subjects, well organized, clearly presented, and adequately indexed, with the added bonus of very legible and detailed maps." -- Rex Grady, Bodega Bay Navigator, May 24-30, 1998

From the Author

Considering that Sonoma Coast State Beach, with over 2.6 million visitors each year, is Northern California's most popular state park it's surprising that it has never before been the subject of a comprehensive guidebook. It's even more amazing when you consider the wealth of opportunities it offers, from hiking and horseback riding to beachcombing and whale watching. My stated purpose in writing this book, covering not only Sonoma Coast State Beach but also five nearby state parks, was to fill this glaring void, but frankly, I really viewed it as a chance to get out and enjoy the parks more often. It never hurts to do something you really like, especially if there's an outside chance you'll get paid for it! Not that I expect to get rich, especially since I'm donating $0.50 from each book sold to help fund ongoing interpretive programs in the parks. If you've only ever thought of Sonoma County as a wine country destination, this book will open your eyes to the fact it also has a spectacularly scenic coast.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Annadel Press (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966199928
• ISBN-13: 978-0966199925
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,668,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm an active hiker and outdoor photographer who likes to write books in my spare time. My most recent is "Outdoor Navigation with GPS," now in its third edition. I have taught classes in GPS navigation through Santa Rosa Junior College north of San Francisco since 1998. I've also taught classes for REI and other outdoor specialty shops.

I have over 35 years of management experience in the high-tech industry. I hold three patents and have authored three books. I especially like hiking and photographing the landscapes of the American southwest.