This book was very helpful in deciding which spas to to visit. Great description of services offered, lodging, and an approximate price range. This book was great, and I am local to an area where most of the spas are from. Her reviews of the spas themselves was great. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to go visit some wonderful and relaxful spas.

Its the best book of all, all I want is to get a copy cause they dont have it down here.....

John Carroll and Virginia Rainy have done a marvelous job on the California the Beautiful Cookbook. The book is an excellent addition to anyone's coffee-table collection, as well as an inspiring work for the moderately experienced cook. John has spent years as a personal chef in California - his experience, excellent taste, and personal warmth are infused in this wonderful cookbook. His recipes are practical and incredibly delicious. My personal favorite is the crab-salad sandwich on sourdough, I've served it to many guests and always with rave reviews. This cookbook is divided into regions of California. In becoming acquainted with the book you are becoming acquainted with the culinary traditions of a myriad of cultures and flavors. This is a must-have cookbook for the serious collector - I can't believe it's out of print - do yourself a favor and find a used copy of California the Beautiful, a cookbook you will use and enjoy over and over again!

I purchased this book many years ago at a used bookstore. At the time I was developing a teaching unit for a class I would be doing for 4th grade students on the development of art in California from the time of the Native Americans through the gold rush. This book became the basis for my course.

It is full of hard facts plus fascinating antidotes that really brought the subject alive for my students. Since it is impossible to talk about the art of any culture or area without the historic background, I found this book to be my new best friend.

I would recommend it to anyone interested in history on any level. Joan and Gene Olson are excellent writers who write with a twinkle in their eye.

Thank you Joan and Gene!

After the civil war Texans did not have much to work with except 5000 plus long horns grazing free and wild in the breaks, a tight thorny hug bush. The cattle belong to those who are brave and tough enough to get them out and then drive them through Indian nations over mountains and across deserts. The California Trail is such an adventure. A great read.

This is a great book to help plan a weekend or vaction trip around exploring California....and what a way to help children learn about the state's history.

We initially bought this book thinking it was a reference book on California wildflowers. Its not. It's a picture book and a darn nice one at that. It's smaller size makes it perfect as an easily-transportable gift for visitors to California. (At least it proves California is not all freeways.) The colors are beautifully reproduced in a clean, simple layout. A quotation accompanies each photograph and compliments the serenity of the image. This book is for those moments when you need to wind-down from the stress of the commute.

A pleasure to read in that there is just enough educational information that you will stay interested and remember some of what you learn. There are some very nice photos too. Perfect for giving to the kids for a car trip to California.

I love to go out into nature and view any type of wildlife, especially birds. My husband and I enjoy weekend driving trips in California where we live. The California Wildlife Viewing Guide has been a constant companion for us since we purchased it about two years ago. In fact, I purchased a second copy when I could not find my original copy and we were driving to the Central Valley of California. We wanted to view the migratory ducks and geese that come to that area each winter but needed to know where to go and how to get there. This book provides detailed information on wildlife viewing areas throughout the state with directions and maps and great pictures. It lists what can be seen at what times of the year and what to watch out for (eg. rattle snakes, heat, road conditions, etc.) I found out that the publisher, Falcon Press, publishes these same guides for most of the US states. These guides are apparently the official series of guides for The National Watchable Wildlife Program whose sponsers include Defenders of Wildlife, The USDA Forest Service, BLM, The US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Bureau of Reclamation and The National Park Service along with state sponsers depending on which state the guide is for. As an added plus, as you are driving along, there is often a sign with a binnocular that points to the wildlife viewing spot you are headed for, making it even easier to find the desired location. Wow! Now when I decide to go out of state, I make sure that I have the Wildlife Viewing Guide for that state. I just ordered four more books for a birding trip to Texas, passing through Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico.

I am not a lover of "recommendation books," and usually prefer to experiment and find my own "jewels" and "coal."
But, in this case, I am happy to report, I was wrong. This book has given me many a wonderful taste of "B&B cuisine" and a delightful weekend or two.
Buy this book and enjoy its many delights!