California

50 Classic Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Summits in California offers some of the finest ski and snowboard descents in California, ranging over a 550-mile span from the Cascade Range in the north to the Sierra Nevada in the south. Grouped into nine geographical regions, these summits represent the best of the best-from well-known destinations to more remote areas to a sampling of the highest peaks. Historical anecdotes about each region round out the guide for an entertaining and informative read.

Trips range from a half day to seven days, and while all can be completed on either snowboard or skis, the author makes specific recommendations for the best snowboard descents. Each trip description includes a complete narrative of the ascent and descent plus information on trip highlights, trip duration, level of difficulty, mileage, elevation gain, and access. The appendix includes a list of California's highest peaks.

This is the most complete information available in one volume, featuring the widest selection of premier ski mountaineering and snowboard routes in California. With 70 b&w photos and 60 maps.

In 1774, as the American colonies were preparing to break away from the powerful British crown, Spain was trying to strengthen its hold on Alta California. The Spanish viceroy of Mexico sent Juan Bautista de Anza, captain of the Presidio at Tubac (in what is now Arizona), to lead two expeditions: the first to find a safe overland route to Monterey, and the second to return Anza to California with 240 men, women, and children to establish a colony in San Francisco.

But where the Mayflower had carried only Anglo passengers, the Anza expeditions brought together a diverse group, including Spaniards, criollos (American-born Spaniards), mestizos (mixed-race "citizens"), and Native Americans. And whereas the United States’ policy of manifest destiny had led to the subjugation and extermination of native peoples on the continent, New Spain’s needs demanded a more mixed—even tolerant—society.

Another League Before Dark synthesizes firsthand documents and diaries from the Anza expeditions to retell the story of the exploration of the Southwest and the settlement of the San Francisco Bay Area. But it also tells, on a more personal level, the story of four very different characters—Anza, the criollo commander; his partner, Francisco Garcés, a Spanish priest and explorer; Sebastían Tarabal, a Native American and accidental guide; and Salvador Palma, chief of the Yuma nation—men who overcame and in many cases benefited from their differences to ensure the success of the expeditions.

Vladimir Guerrero’s original translations and fresh commentary illuminate this little-known chapter in the history of American immigration.

If your preferences in casual travel tend to lead off the beaten path, veering toward places offering vibrant art galleries, exciting art festivals, innovative theatre companies, art-filled coffee bars, and nightclubs showcasing local music talent, Art Towns California is the Golden State travel guidebook you've been waiting for.

From the pristine shores of Lake Tahoe to the secluded beaches of Encinitas, this latest title from the author of The 100 Best Art Towns in America examines the culture of creativity flourishing in 27 communities. Concise profiles give travelers a sense of historical perspective as well as an up-to-date overview of each Art Town's outstanding creative, cultural, and artistic assets. Each community profile includes indexed details about art venues, events, dining and accommodations.

An ideal resource for travelers whose journeys are enhanced through experiencing the creative spirit of a place, Art Towns California can also be used by artists and art lovers seeking to discover dynamic, friendly and supportive creativity centers whose quality of life is embellished through their connection to the arts. Whether your travel agenda involves a quest for small town Shangri-la or more simply is about enjoying an unusually entertaining weekend immersed in local culture, Art Towns California is a resource you'll enjoy using.

Backcountry skiing and snowboarding is the fastest growing outdoor winter sport in North America, and California's Eastern Sierra is one of the most dramatic and historic venues in which to experience this amazing activity. While toiling up a mountain in the winter with skis on your back just for the sake of one run down may seem like a lot of work to some, those who have had even a small a taste of this sublime pursuit will be hooked forever; endless untracked snow, astounding views, a great workout, time spent in the wilderness with friends, and the unparalleled exhilaration of pointing the tips of your skis or snowboard over the summit of a great peak define it as poetry in motion.
Dan Mingori and Nate Greenberg have been backcountry disciples of the Mammoth Lakes, CA, area for many years, and have compiled an epic list of descents and advice in their new guidebook Backcountry Skiing California's Eastern Sierra, 166 Ski and Snowboard Descents in the Range of Light between Tioga Pass and Bishop Creek. Dan is a dedicated split-board snowboarder and photographer, and Nate is a knee-dropping telemarker who helps run the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center.
The best backcountry skiing in the Eastern Sierra is centered on the town of Mammoth Lakes, and Dan and Nate have made sure that nothing is left out of the broad area covered in the book, extending from Tioga Pass in the north to Bishop Creek in the south. From the backyard runs on the Mammoth Crest to the roadside accessible Tioga Pass, and the epic wilderness peaks like Mt. Tom and Laurel Mountain, this guide serves as both the ultimate introductory resource and the experienced hard-man's hit list.
The book is printed in color, 240 pages, and packed with useful information. It includes scores of annotated color topographic maps and hundreds of color photographs. The authors give a written description for each approach and descent along with useful statistics for gauging conditions and seriousness, including the slope, aspect, and angle, vertical gained and mileage of the approach, and a seriousness rating.
The extensive use of color action and peak shots makes this book an incredible exposé of the Sierra in winter. Regardless of skiing ability, any mountain enthusiast will drool over this book. It will set the bar for generations of backcountry ski and mountaineering guidebooks to come.