Walkabout Northern California

Europe is renowned for romantic inn-to-inn vacation opportunities on paths worn by centuries of travelers. Modern-day trekkers can hike the Alps or Southern France, explore the British Isles at three miles an hour, or pilgrimage through Northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela, stopping each night at a hostel or inn. Now adventurers in California are creating a new tradition of multi-day treks from inn to inn in the U.S. Walkabout Northern California: Hiking Inn to Inn describes twelve walks (or "walkabouts") along the wild Pacific Coast, through the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains, in the Cascades and through the parklands around the San Francisco Bay. Each walkabout, organized by individual chapters, contains all the information to create a memorable and invigorating vacation, with a sketch map, recommendations for optional maps, mile-by-mile details of the route, and logistical tips on places to stay and eat. Many trips contain variations for different lengths of time and budgets. With a light daypack and a few reservations, hikers can travel for days on California's breathtaking coastline or in mountain ranges. Each day on a walkabout ends with a comfortable bed, a glass of wine, a good meal and maybe even a hot tub. Some of the hikes can take a week, but many can be enjoyed in a weekend. Some are challenging, but the majority are perfect for the casual hiker. The accommodations for the walkabouts include a B&B perched on the cliffs above the Pacific, a resort on the shore of a Sierra lake, a historic hotel in a coastal village, a hostel in a national park, and a retreat center that soothes the soul.

Walkabout Northern California introduces 14 walkabouts that guide readers on daily hikes that end with a relaxing stay at a noteworthy inn.

Seasoned outdoors authors Tom Stienstra and Ann Marie Brown know the best hiking trails in Northern California. This brand-new guidebook leads beginner and expert hikers alike to the best trails the northern part of the state has to offer. Complete with detailed regional maps, hiking tips, difficulty and quality ratings for each hike, Moon Northern California Hiking provides hikers with all the necessary tools to head outdoors.

Pack a lunch, lace up your boots, and head out to discover the best hiking trails in NorCal with Moon Northern California Hiking. A Hike for Everyone: Pick the right hike for you, from breathtaking coastal walks to challenging backcountry treks, with options ranging from easy day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips Best Hikes Lists: Choose from strategic lists like the best hikes for majestic redwoods, bird-watching, refreshing swimming holes, wheelchair accessibility and more Essential Planning Details: Each hike is marked with round-trip distance and hiking time and rated for scenic beauty and trail difficulty Maps and Directions: Find easy-to-use maps, driving directions to each trailhead, and details on where to park Skip the Crowds: Have the trail to yourself with Moon Northern California Hiking's many off-the-radar hikes Expert Advice: Seasoned hikers Tom Stienstra and Ann Marie Brown offer their experienced insight and honest opinions on each trail Tips and Tools: Advice on gear, first aid, ethical hiking, and camping permits, plus background information on climate, landscape, and wildlife Whether you're a veteran or a first-time hiker, Moon's comprehensive coverage and honest expertise will have you gearing up for your next adventure. Exploring more of the Golden State? Try Moon California Hiking. Hitting the road? Check out Moon California Road Trip.

Frommer’s Best Walking in Northern California is intended for people for whom a good hike is an integral part of their vacation plans. It highlights the "best-of-the-best" of Northern California's many hiking choices, focusing on accessible day hikes for a variety of abilities, plus some of the country's most popular multi-day options. The book will follow Frommer's usual highly organized approach: clear, thorough instructions on how to prepare for their trip; detailed breakdowns of the hikes themselves with easy-to-understand route instructions; star ratings and reasons to go; and lots of maps. In addition, the book will provide accommodation and dining options geared to the outdoor enthusiast; GPS directions for trailheads; and a full-color naturalist’s guide for wildlife identification. In addition to the hikes themselves, each chapter will contain: hike index, trailhead map, 1-2 page write-up on the unique characteristics of the area, and an accommodation and dining guide. The hikes will cover the entire region, including: Day hikes within easy reach of San Francisco, including the Presidio, the Golden Gate Bridge and beyond, and Muir Woods The best walks through wine country, such as Jack London State Park and Sugarloaf Ridge The legendary routes of Yosemite National Park, including the Yosemite Valley Loop, Glacier Point, and Half Dome The finest vantage points on Northern California’s mighty redwoods and lush landscapes, such as Tall Trees Grove, Humboldt Redwoods, and the Mendocino Headlands The hidden gems that dot the spectacular Highway 1 along the coast between San Francisco and Big Sur The best of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, including the John Muir trail and Mt. Whitney The stunning views of the Eastern High Sierras near Lake Tahoe, including the Tahoe Rim Trail, Ellis Peak, and the best of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Explore the beauty of Northern California’s natural landscape with this guide to 80 of the best easy-to-walk day hikes located throughout Northern California. From hikes just outside of San Francisco to long strolls in the Sierra Nevada, here are the 80 best easy day hikes in Northern California, perfect for aging baby boomers, seniors, those traveling with small children, and anyone else interested more in a stroll than a climb. Hikes include: Lady Bird Johnson Grove • McCloud Falls Trail • Pomo Canyon Trail • Table Rock • South Yuba Independence Trail • Tomales Point Trail • Purisima Redwoods Loop • Sardine Lakes Trail • Devils Postpile • Rainbow Falls • and more! Written in a personal but informative tone by outdoors expert Ann Marie Brown, The Creaky Knees Guide Northern California is a perfect resource anyone can use to explore the beauty of Northern California without breaking too much of a sweat. In addition to a full-trip description, each hike includes: • Clear, up-to-date driving directions • Elevation gains • Topographical map • Mileage and estimated hiking time • Trail conditions, effort level, best season, map references, exploring options, access, permits required, and where to find more information. Other titles in Creaky Knees easy hike series include Creaky Knees Oregon, Creaky Knees Washington, and Creaky Knees Arizona.

101 Hikes in Northern California by Matt Heid benefits readers by narrowing down the nearly infinite options for hiking in Northern California to the very best of the best adventures. It is distinct from other similar guidebooks in that it covers the northern two-thirds of the state, including nearly the entirety of the Sierra Nevada south to Kings Canyon National Park and the entire Big Sur region along the coast south to Silver Peak Wilderness. It also provides significant geographic diversity; hikes are spread out across the entire region. No matter where you are in northern California, you can find a hike in the book within a short drive. The guide is unique in the amount of natural history information it provides, especially the geologic stories of the featured destinations. It provides not just the essential directions for completing a hike, it enhances the experience by telling the story of how the landscape came to be the way it is.

From hikes just outside of San Francisco to long strolls in the Sierra Nevada, this book covers 80 of the best easy-to-walk hikes throughout the region, providing elevation gains, detailed maps, and up-to-date driving directions. It also includes hike mileage and estimated hiking times, trail conditions, access and permit requirements, and ratings of each hike's difficulty, from "Stroll in the Park" to "Prepare to Perspire." Offshoot hikes are featured for those who reach the end of the hike but want to extend their workout. Written in a personal but informative tone by outdoors expert Ann Marie Brown, the Creaky Knees Guide is a perfect resource anyone can use to explore the beauty of Northern California without breaking too much of a sweat. Ann Marie Brown has written more than thirteen guidebooks on California recreation. Her writing has been featured in Sunset, VIA, and Smithsonian magazines. She lives in Lake Tahoe, CA.

Medicinal Herbs of California is the first statewide field guide to more than 70 common medicinal plants of California. This vital addition to the California naturalist’s shelf will introduce readers to the principles of herbal remedies, history and roots in native cultures, scientific information, and how to find and incorporate medicinal plants into daily life. Inside you’ll find: Photos and descriptions to help with positive identification Common and scientific names and the plant families Conservation status Modern and traditional uses The science behind natural phytochemicals that have earned these plants a place in Native American medicine for thousands of years.