Fodor's Upclose California

by Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc. (NA)

• ISBN13: 9780679034384
• ISBN10: 0679034382
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-01-01
• Publisher: Fodors Travel Pubns

Summary

Fodor's newest travel series is designed for travelers who want to travel well and spend less. With candid reviews and a fresh outlook, Fodor's upCLOSE points the way to authentic experiences that will take travelers away from the crowds and close to the culture -- without having to spend a fortune. Fodor's upCLOSE Californiais smart, fun, and informative. It gives you quirky, never-obvious facts about major sights, as well as the lowdown on the minor ones. It's in-the-know about what's going on. It reveals the essence of the Golden State and helps you get the most California for your travel dollar. In short, it's the best of all possible travel companions. All the places to go, from Hollywood to the redwoods The coast, the mountains, the cities, the lakes, the desert Hearst Castle, Universal Studios, the Wine Country, and Yosemite Seaside walks in Monterey, panning for gold in the Sierra foothills Roughing it in Death Valley, lazing away the day in Santa Barbara Tell-all reviews of small hotels, cozy B&Bs Where to stay that's charming (and doesn't cost an arm and a leg) Big Sur on a budget, Carmel for a song, San Francisco with class Country B&Bs, city hostels, ocean-view motels, and woodsy cabins Campgrounds in the wilds, civilized sites with all the amenities The buzz on restaurants, nightlife, and the arts The best of California cuisine, in town and on the road Nightclubs, wine bars, cybercafes, and discos Music everywhere, from the Hollywood Bowl to the California State Fair Practical info, great maps Airfare deals and how to get around Tips on traveling smart and losing the crowds Clear, easy-to-read maps

Table of Contents

Traveling up

Upclose

Introduction

Map of Northern California

Map of Southern California Basics Air Travel, Airports, Beaches, Bicycling, Bus Travel, Camping, Car Rental, Consulates, Consumer Protection, Customs

Duties, Dining, Disabilities

Accessibility, Discounts

Deals, Divers' Alert, Driving, Further Reading, Gay

Lesbian Travel, Hiking, Insurance, Kayaking, Lodging, Money, National

State Parks, Packing for California, Passports

Visas, Rock Climbing, Safety, Skiing

Snowboarding, Students, Surfing

Windsurfing, Telephones, Tour Operators, Train Travel, Travel Agencies, Travel Gear, U.S. Government, Visitor Information, Volunteering, When to Go, White-Water Rafting & Kayaking

San Francisco Basics

Map of San Francisco Where to Sleep Food Exploring San Francisco

Map of Downtown San Francisco

Map of the Haight, Castro, and Mission Districts After Dark San Francisco Bay Area Berkeley

Map of the San Francisco Bay Area

Map of Berkeley Oakland

Map of Oakland South Bay Marin County The Wine Country

Map of the Wine Country North Coast

Map of the North Coast (San Francisco to Westport)

Map of the North Coast (Westport to Oregon) Coastal Highway 1 U.S. 101 to Leggett U.S. 101 at the Top of the State Northern Coast Ranges The Cascades

Map of the Cascades Chico Red Bluff Lassen Volcanic National Park Redding Trinity County Mt. Shasta and the Upper State Gold Country Sacramento

Map of Sacramento Gold Country

Map of the Gold Country Lake Tahoe

Map of Lake Tahoe Reno

Map of Reno Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley

Map of the Sierra Nevada and San Joaquin Valley Yosemite National Park

Map of Yosemite National Park The Eastern Sierra and Inyo National Forest Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Map of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks San Joaquin Valley Central Coast

Map of the Central Coast Santa Cruz

Map of Santa Cruz Central Coast Drive Santa Barbara

Map of Santa Barbara U.S. 101 Los Angeles Basics

Map of Los Angeles Where to Sleep Food Exploring L.A.

Map of Downtown Los Angeles

Map of Hollywood

Map of West Los Angeles

Map of Santa Monica and Venice After Dark Outdoor Activities Near Los Angeles Pasadena San Fernando Valley Disneyland and Inland

Map of Orange County Santa Catalina Island Orange County Coast San Diego

Map of San Diego Basics Where to Sleep Food Exploring San Diego

Map of Downtown San Diego After Dark Outdoor Activities Near San Diego

Map of the San Diego North Coast Palm Springs and the Desert Death Valley National Park

Map of Death Valley Mojave Desert

Map of Mojave Desert Joshua Tree National Park Palm Springs

Map of Palm Springs AnzaBorrego Desert State Park Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon Las Vegas

Map of Las Vegas Grand Canyon

Map of Grand Canyon National Park

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Camp in a national park. Taste wine that's never traveled. Go to a festival. Catch a wave. Climb a mountain. Eat well. And if you want to experience the heart and soul of California, whatever you do, don't spend too much money.


The deep and rich experience of California that every true traveler yearns for is one of the things in life that money can't buy. In fact, if you have it, don't use it. Traveling lavishly is the surest way to turn yourself into a sideline traveler. Restaurants with whiteglove service are great -- sometimes -- but they're usually not the best place to find the perfect cassoulet. Doormen at plush hotels have their place, but not when your look-alike room could be anywhere from Düsseldorf to Detroit. Better to stay in a more intimate place that truly gives you the atmosphere you traveled so far to experience. Don't just stand and watch -- jump into the spirit of what's around you.


If you want to see California up close and savor the essence of its cities, deserts, mountains, or coast, and its people in all their laid-back glory, this book is for you. We'll show you the local culture, the offbeat sights, the bars and cafés where tourists rarely tread, and the B&Bs and other hostelries where you'll meet fellow travelers -- places where the locals would send their friends. And because you'll probably want to see the famous places if you haven't already been there, we give you tips on losing the crowds, plus the quirky and obscure facts you want as well as the basics everyone needs.



Our Gang

Who's "we"? We're artists and poets, slackers and straight arrows, and travel writers and journalists, who in our less hedonistic moments report on local news and spin out an occasional opinion piece. What we share is a certain footloose spirit and a passion for the Golden State, which we celebrate in this guidebook. Shamelessly, we've revealed all of our favorite places and our deepest, darkest travel secrets, all so that you can learn from our past mistakes and experience the best part of California to the fullest. If you can't take your best friend on the road, or if your best friend is hopeless with directions, stick with us.

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Excerpted from California by Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc. Staff
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.