Many of California's most alluring attractions are found along the coast from San Francisco Bay to Monterey Bay: Alcatraz Island, San Francisco's waterfront, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Point Lobos. This easy-to-use, up-to-date, comprehensive guidebook is the essential companion for all visitors--sightseers, hikers, swimmers, surfers, campers, birders, boaters, and anglers--who want to explore California's fabulous shoreline. The book describes some 350 shoreline destinations, including every known publicly accessible beach along the coast of Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties. The book also lists wildlife reserves, marinas, public parks, and includes descriptions of plants and animals, places where dogs are welcome, nature centers, aquariums, and much more. 54 color maps showing topography, roads, trails, bicycle routes, and other features 287 color photos sidebars on shipwrecks, railroads, aviation, and other aspects of California history. thorough descriptions including geologic formations, wildflowers, tidepools, and beaches information on recreational outfitters, whale-watching trips, surf shops, and more