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(More customer reviews)In the mid-nineties I spent about a month living out of my car in California. I drove, camped, and couch surfed from Eureka to San Diego, and many points in between. Before returning home, I went to Lake Tahoe and then continued north to Washington State via Mt. Shasta. I didn't take a guidebook with me; it didn't occur to me since I knew I wouldn't be needing hotel and restaurant reviews. At the time I lived on an island, in a cabin, without a computer or internet. When I rolled into a town, I just picked up the local "city paper" or equivalent and found the friendliest looking coffee shop to go to and learn what I could about where I was. I read bulletin boards and just walked or drove around to see what was there.
The Rough Guide to California would have been a fabulous addition to this trip. The writers let you in on everything they know, and they are consummate travelers. You can get major hotel information, of course, but you also get hostel and camping information, the secret sweet spots in a city, and some history and bits of information that make travel that much more enjoyable. For instance, I was not aware that more lesbians are moving over to Oakland from San Francisco these days, but I feel like I am 'in the know' now that I do.
A lot of guides also forget about the details of visiting the deserts, mountains and park trails, and the best ways to go about seeing them, but here you can get that. Since my rubber tramp days, I have traveled to a lot of places around the world. And as my means increased, I utilized travel websites to get insider information on where to go and what to look for. I also incorporated the more standard guides into my research; Frommer's and Fodor's became companions of mine, along with Lonely Planet. From now on, Rough Guides will be included in my library.
I love to travel. I love the smells, the sights, the people, the food, the feel of a different place, and I want to understand why and how it all came to be that way. I am obsessed with finding the inside spots, staying in odd and eclectic places and avoiding tourist traps whenever possible. If you are like me in this predilection, the Rough Guides are a great find. Travel guides tend to tell you about what they find most interesting or worthwhile in a place, and in the 9th edition of The Rough Guide to California, you get to explore California with authors who are not only interesting and funny, but also witty and talented writers. I enjoyed reading it, even in the sameness of my own living room.
www.jennifermwilson.com
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A comprehensive guidebook to California with full coverage of the state's sights and attractions and detailed listings of accommodation – from budget to upscale - restaurants and nightlife. In-depth coverage of all the national and state parks and reserves, including Death Valley, Sequoia, Yosemite and Lassen, with detailed information on hiking, rafting, and other outdoor activities. A full-colour section introduces California, and three new full-colour inserts explore California food and drink, opportunities for outdoor pursuits and Californian music. From stuffing your face with tacos in San Diego to searching for Lemurians around Mt Shasta, this guide brings California to life.
Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to California
Click here for more information about The Rough Guide to California 9 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
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