The California Coast: A Traveler's Companion (Explorers Guide) (Paperback)

by Donald B. Neuwirth (Author), John J. Osborn (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The California coast is but one portion of the enormous state of California, but it's no paltry area. Stretching 1,100 miles from Mexico on up to the Oregon border, the California coast is replete with rocky crests and sandy beaches, secluded coves and surfer hangouts, whale-watch points, tide-pools, volleyball arenas, and trendy bars with fancy cocktails and dramatic views. Neuwirth and Osborn know every nook and cranny of the coast, but they also know the wonderful details of history, personalities, wildlife, and local myth. They share a passion for their subject that comes through in their personable yet informative guide. Sure, they tell you where the super-tube swells break, what the entrance fees are, whether dogs are allowed, and where to stay, eat, and recreate while you're there, but they also tell you how and when the rivers formed, where the dolphins herd fish through shallow waters, what trails are best for wildflowers, and which beaches have the friendliest ambiance. And best of all, they provide specific, accurate, reliable directions, so once you've set your sights on Point Reyes Kehoe Beach, you can actually find the trailhead and arrive at your destination before the sun sets on Drakes Bay. In short, whether you're looking for one particular experience or want to sample all there is to be seen, heard, felt, tasted, and smelled, it's worth thumbing through The California Coast before you put your convertible top down and hit Highway 1. --Stephanie Gold

From Library Journal
Here is a comprehensive guide to the spectacular coast of California. Drawing on his knowledge and experience as California's Coastal Access program manager, Neuwirth, along with Osborn (The Paper Chase, Houghton, 1971), has created a guide to beaches, nature preserves, sports, museums, lodging, and restaurants. Peppered throughout its pages are interviews with local experts who share bits of information concerning the part of the California coast with which they are familiar. Icons alert readers to the best places to take the family, find solitude, surf or hike, have a romantic rendezvous, or many other activities. A fine book for native Californians interested in exploring in greater depth their spectacular coastline. Travelers visiting California for the first time would be better off with a general travel guide. One disappointing feature of this book is the lack of color photographs. It is suitable for public libraries but not a necessary purchase outside of California.?Sandra Knowles, Sch. of Medicine Lib., Columbia, SC
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Countryman Press (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881503959
• ISBN-13: 978-0881503951
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,364,671 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for finding the right beach for your needs, August 9, 2000

By	jerseymca "jerseymca" (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I spent about an hour looking at various books on California beaches, with an eye to one that would tell me where to go and where not. This one had the right balance of useful information, easy to follow codes (like a symbol for surfing), and accuaracy (at least based on my own opinions). One of the authors used to do this for a living for the California Coastal Commission, and it's clear that they've done their homework - they know California's beaches.

2.0 out of 5 stars Where are the web addresses?, August 19, 2003

By	James F. Lacher "San Diego Native" (Littleton, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The California Coast: A Traveler's Companion, Second Edition (Paperback)

I bought this book at my local CostCo recently. I was very excited about a book dedicated exclusively to the California Coast line. I'm a native Californian and enjoy driving along the coast.

First, the positives. There are some good essays in the book. In each section there are various writers who give their own personal experiences. I also like the symbols used for the places described in the book. You can get a quick idea of what the area is about. i.e. "Family coast", "Quiet coast", "Sporting coast", etc.

Now the negatives. He uses symbols effectively with the coasts but doesn't when it comes to spending money. I'm sure you've seen various travel guides with $$$ signs to give you an idea of how much something cost. In the intro he categorizes the meals and hotels as inexpensive, moderate, and expensive. But when you get to the description of each place you have to read the whole paragraph to find out which it is. $ symbols would be much easier I think. And the most important thing missing (in my opinion) is the absence of web addresses. Virtually every hotel, beach, or park has some kind of web site associated with it now. Addresses to these places would be extremely helpful. He provides phone numbers but I guess he didn't want to take the time to find the web sites of all these places. I've all these "information" lines before and usually the person on the other end is not very helpful.

For the price, it's OK I guess. But I would not recommend. There are better guides out there.

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent and enthusiastically recommended resource, July 20, 2003

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The California Coast: A Traveler's Companion, Second Edition (Paperback)

Now in a completely revised second edition, The California Coast: A Traveler's Companion by John J. Osborn, Jr., offers travelers a one-of-a-kind fact-filled guide to the 1,100 mile California coastline. From romantic lodgings, to nature preserves, museums, and beaches, The California Coast offers up-to-date information about places to go and things to know. The California Coast is an excellent and enthusiastically recommended resource for planning a satisfying and fun-filled regional vacation.