This is the most useful guidebook to the Golden State that this native Californian ever has seen. Riegert packs an astonishing amount of information into this conveniently-sized paperback. This guidebook, now in its eighth edition, clearly reflects extensive exploration and research. The book begins with general material on the California coast including a brief history, weather, wildlife, outdoor adventures, camping, a calendar of events, tips on what to pack, and advice to senior travelers, women traveling alone, gay and lesbian travelers, even foreign travelers. Each region of the California coast is introduced with a brief overview and capsule history, followed by details about scenic wonders, parks, beaches, hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, sports, shopping and nightlife. The author manages to maintain a lively style throughout five hundred pages of text. Included are colored AAA-style road maps of the most important coastal areas, supplemented by black and white maps of many regions and towns. Michael Michaud, Vienna, Austria

"The Hidden Coast of California" by Ray Reigert was a godsend that allowed New Yorkers to see a side of the California Coast that the residents appreciate every day. Starting with the San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon and Mr. Riegert's tips on lodgings, sights, and restaurants added up to a great vacation. Mr.Riegert's recommendations surpassed the two (2) other well known travel books. The tip to see the "La Purisima Mission" as the best of the twenty-one missions was pure gold and saved us valuable time that we alloted elsewhere. The recommendation on restaurants was absolutely priceless and the "Sojourner Coffeehouse" turned our dismal one night stay in Santa Barbara around. Our stays at both the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Parks cottages and The Asilomar Conference Center on the Monterey Peninsula were on the money and gave us the chance to combine our overnight stays with scenic views. I am now waiting for the release of the 1999 "Hidden Florida" before planning my next vacation.

This guide book covers all the bases, and even includes interesting historical digests of various districts in the Los Angeles area, the high desert and the low desert. The information is organized to assist tourists on short or longer visits, includes lots of "hidden" opportunities to eat, sightsee, or shop away from the beaten path, and is even helpful for a new resident to the L.A. area, who may not be sure where to start digesting this incredible city or the landscape around it. Highly recommended.

This guide gave me all of the information I needed to have a wonderful vacation. The information was candid, and thoughtfully presented. There were many tidbits of information/ sights I would never had thought to see if it wasn't for this book. My vacation consisted of renting a car at LAX touring along the coast (stopping at places recommended in the guide) Heading down to San Diego and then returning to LAX by traveling inland and seeing Temecula etc. It was a fun filled 10 days and all I used was this guide. If you just want the basic tourist jargon, buy a Frommers guide, not a hidden one... :-)

The High Priest of California is Russell Haxby, a used car salesman, who meets a woman at a dance club. The plot revolves around Russell waiting to get her in the sack. If you've read Willeford, you're familiar with his a-hole characters. Haxby is the king of the a-holes! As usual Willeford takes a tired, well-worn plot and puts his sick and addictive 'english' on it. In place of the juicy tidbits of art history insight you get in other works like Burnt Orange Heresy, Wild Wives and Pick Up, you get Willeford's sentiments on Joyce and Kafka! If you're a fan of Miami Blues then you'll see the roots of "junior" frenger in Haxby as well. High Priest is Willeford 1st, and one of his best!

The best thing about Charles Willeford's stories is that the characters are always horrible people. The kind of people who live all around us (maybe you're even one of them.) High Priest of California was Willeford's first novel, and it sets the tone for his later works: an amoral protagonist is willing to do anything to get what he wants.

As a Bay Area local, I've always stood in awe of the breath-taking views and natural wonders of the Marin coast. Attempts to conquer and explore this piece of jewel have never been better with the aid of this Marin hiking guide. It provides clear and detailed descriptions of over 120 trails in Marin, with illustrations, maps, and level of strenuousness. Featured in each trail are points of interests, what-to-see info, plants guide, and milestones.

I found the sections on Point Reyes National Seashore particularly useful. A land in motion, the Point Reyes Peninsula is an unusual, dislocated land that long baffled geologists. The rocks of this craggy coast match those of the Tehachapi Mountains some 310 miles to the south due to the constant motion of the Earth's crust. The varied surface patterns of Point Reyes are more obvious than the normally slow changes underground. You can see streams and estuaries cutting through the landscape of folded hills and valleys. Awaiting visitors are many miles of beaches within sight of Douglas-fir and Bishop pine forests.

Whether you're impressed with the motion of Point reyes and want to explore the San Adreas fault, of just a family planning on a weekend trip to Stinson Beach, or just a ride showcasing the beauty of the Pacific Ocean in Marin Headland, this Marin hiking guide has got the info you'll need. It is one of the best and thorough guide especially devoted to hiking in Marin.

I use an older copy of this book (it only lists 121 hikes), and I have found it a great guide. Grouping trails by the various geographies of Marin County, and Appendices that group some of the hikes in the book--like a listing of all the hikes that have great waterfalls, or places to see wildflowers in a particular season--are very handy. One thing I would have liked is to see the flowers in color: black-and-white line drawings are less effective representatives of what a hiker should see out on the trails. All in all, however, it is an excellent companion as one hikes a trail, describing major sights and milestones along the hike while marking out the distances and heights one might climb. Another useful item is that the hikes can be done in parts if, say, you can't do a whole 10-mile hike at the moment. The countryside around Marin is so wonderfully varied--seashores, redwoods, great views of the Bay Area--that this would be a great book for nature-types who like to explore.

If you were writing a report on music in the movies, Hollywood Rhapsody should be in your bibliography!!! It's a very compelling and funny factual book about music and the stories about the composers.

It is facinating to read about the behind scenes history of our most famous movies, and the men and women who made them. Also, very enlightening stories and facts about Hollywood and Los Angeles.

I remember Andy Southard,jr. when I had a custom body and paint shop in Oakland California. Andy was doing pinstriping and taking photos for some of the leading "Hot Rod" magazines. The amazing thing about Andy's photos, the quality is superior and really shows the true colors of the "Candy Apple" and Pearl paint jobs done by some really talented people, including the late Bill Cushenbery.

Andy was right there during the "Cool Days" of Rod and Custom car building in the 1950s-60s. I only regret that my own custom paint work was not in his collection (He was back east at the time). Andy's books are a real asset to anyone who loves the superior craftsmen that built these works of rolling art.

Excellent photography, well written, and, by a man who "knew them all" -- Andy Southard Jr. - wow! He has captured the custom car and hot rod culture of the 60's as no other could, with his fabulous photographic library and unparalled knowledge of the special vehicles and the personalities he writes about.

This is a "must read" for all who are interested in the history and art form of hot rods and custom cars, whether they be past or present enthusiasts. It is truly a "trip down memory lane" for all who participated either as an owner of one of these unique vehicles or who just enjoyed them as a spectator.

I can't wait for his books on the 70's and 80's that will hopefully follow! Congratulations to Andy Southard Jr, for a very well-done book!

I have to admit I'm an Avram Cohen fan. And House of Guilt is great because while it's fictionm it's really about what's relly going on in Israel. Highly recommended!

Well written, hugely timely, and a real page turner, House of Guilt is about Israel between the Hebron Massacre and Rabin's assassination. A story that takes the reader from the seediest sides of Tel Aviv night life to the strange minds of the fanatic settler movement, and all through the journey, Avram Cohen, the author's detective over four books, gives the reader an insider's view of what makes Israel tick. This book is a must read not only for mystery lovers -- and there's a geat mystery in it -- but for anyone who wants to understand what's going on in Israel.

Using this book and the CDRom we were able to learn exactly what we needed to do and how to complete all the paperwork necessary to obtain our nonprofit status. It will be a wonderful reference as our group goes through the normal process of growth and change.

I am working with a group in Sacramento to start a nonprofit French cultural group and school. Others suggested this jewel from Nolo press and it has been extrodinary. Initially, I checked it out from the library and found it so useful, I am purchasing it. The CD ROM provides all form letters and forms essential to register the organization. From state tax exemption, to federal tax exemption, to establishing a name and reduced tarriff postage, it's all there. They also provide step by step instructions to completing the dizzying federal tax exemption forms which will reduce days of your prep time. I strongly recommend this book!

I was referred to this book while discussing "Castle Doctrine" - quite simply, the ability to defend one's home without having to retreat first. Califoria's gun laws are spelled out in a very easy to read manner, examples are given, and statute data is provided. You are warned that this is not a "final legal answer" book, but it describes many situations and "what if" scenarios. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a CCW, is trying to get one, or anyone who keeps a firearm for self defense in their home or place of business.

I bought this book on the recommendation of instructor who was teaching a Basic Pistol Class at my local gun shop. This book gives you information on how to maintain your gun rights in California in a plain and effective manner.

Excellent description of habitat, habits and genetics in Wild Boar. Good example of the Armor Plate fascia on the side you have to punch through. Good directions on where to go and a good list of outfitters in the back..only book you'll need.

There is very little written on wild boar hunting in the Western United States, consequently, this book becomes a local bible if you can find it. Many good facts and much good advice on hunting the wild boar.