Product Description

The California coast, from the majestic redwoods and rocky shores in the north to the palm trees and wide, sandy beaches in the south, is an area of unsurpassed beauty and diversity. This revised and expanded sixth edition of the California Coastal Access Guide is an essential handbook for both new and seasoned visitors exploring California's majestic 1,100-mile shoreline. With up-to-date maps and information, it is a valuable guide for all beachgoers--hikers, campers, swimmers, divers, wheelchair users, joggers, and boaters--detailing where to go, how to get there, and what facilities and environment to expect.

The Guide contains:

o information on more than 890 public access coastal areas

o Clear descriptions of campgrounds, trails, recreation areas, transportation, and parking

o Addresses, phone numbers, websites, transit information, and hours of use

o Information on wheelchair-accessible facilities

o Easy-to-read charts listing facilities and topographical features

o 125 updated maps providing directions and driving distances

o 15 full-color county maps

o More than 300 illustrations

o Also contained in this handbook is extensive information on environmental issues, updated to account for changing ecological conditions and conservation strategies. Feature articles cover a broad range of topics, including natural history, marine and coastal wildlife, environmental issues, and sports and recreation.

Over thirty years ago California voters approved an initiative that led to the creation of the California Coastal Commission. Later, the California Coastal Act of 1976 established the Commission as a permanent state agency with a mission to protect, maintain, and enhance the quality of the coastal environment. One of the Commission's principal goals is to maintain public access and public recreational opportunities along the coast in a way consistent with environmental preservation. The California Coastal Access Guide, which was created with these objectives in mind, will prove indispensable to anyone with a desire to explore the magnificent diversity of California's beaches.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #55456 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Review
"An incredible publication--nothing short of a bible. . . . For people who want to day-hike, explore, camp, fish, dig for clams, or simply kick back, this guide provides the insight and knowledge to enjoy the treasured coastline. If a book could ever be considered a great emancipator, the California Coastal Access Guide would surely qualify. It is that valuable."--Pete Ottesen, The Record -- Review

Customer Reviews

Outstanding reference to the entire coast of California - obviously a labor of love
This gorgeous book really excited me when I found a copy at the San Diego REI store. The California Coastal Guide, by the California Coastal Commission, is a delicious menu of beaches, cliffs, boardwalks, marshy estuaries, tide pools and baysides. For under 25 dollars, this makes a great gift for anyone planning to move to or travel along the long, endlessly changing California coastline.

From San Diego, my plan was to drive along the coast to Seattle, camping and hiking enroute. This book showed me the BEST places to leave the highway and get to the water, and includes everything there is to see - even the tiny, hidden gems only locals know of. Each section includes a map of the local town or city, and how it fits into the coast at that area. Mileages are given between areas for reference.

Places to camp and hike on EVERY SECTION of the coast are included - thank goodness! It's hard to get this kind of information from any one resource. I didn't want to drive north with a gazillion guidebooks to each part of California.

The guidebook starts with the northern coast and works south, so I mentally had to read backwards while I traveled, which was fine. Each section of the coast is also given an introductory treatment with highlights of flora and fauna (ie. - want to identify sand verbenas and pickleweed? Know a sanderling from an avocet? Dig for clams? There's a lot of fun stuff here.

My main regret about this cool book was that it did not continue up into Oregon and Washington! I felt like I was abandoned once I crossed the border. Not their fault. :)

This book is a work of art and science for anyone who loves California and hiking along the sunniest beaches of the Pacific Ocean.

Coastal Camper Helper
Good reference for the camper. We love to camp on the state beaches and this is a very helpful ref.

Very nice book
Lets you know where you can go to swim and what the currents are. A must for people not familar with California. This book tells you about the coast and its condition. Where you can get to it and the terrain. Worth the money I spent on it.