Channel Islands National Park, immediately adjacent to millions of southern Californians, sees relatively few visitors because of the logistical and physical challenges involved in visiting any of the islands. This guidebook provides detailed advice on planning a trip, what essential items to bring, expected weather conditions, sketches of the natural and cultural history of the island, and detailed descriptions of possible walks on the island, ranging from strolls of a few minutes to overnight backpack trips. The author describes several routes that are not listed among the official maintained trails on the island. Routes are rated by relative difficulty and safety measures and skill levels are described for the prospective visitor.

For the first time a thorough history of Santa Cruz Island's tumultuous past is provided. In pre-Columbian times it was a source of wealth to the indigenous peoples--the place where they made their shell bead money. During the Spanish-Mexican period it was a smuggler's haven, where fur hunters avoided the customs officials.

Channel Islands National Park, immediately adjacent to millions of southern Californians, sees relatively few visitors because of the logistical and physical challenges involved in visiting any of the islands. This guidebook provides detailed advice on planning a trip, what essential items to bring, expected weather conditions, sketches of the natural and cultural history of the island, and detailed descriptions of possible walks on the island, ranging from strolls of a few minutes to overnight backpack trips. The author describes several routes that are not listed among the official maintained trails on the island. Routes are rated by relative difficulty and safety measures and skill levels are described for the prospective visitor.

A guide to national parks in the West provides information on attractions, accommodations, restaurants, when to go, plants and animals, and activities for each park.

Fodor's correspondents highlight the best of the national parks of the West, including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion, and Rocky Mountain. Our local experts vet every recommendation to ensure you make the most of your time, whether it’s your first trip or your fifth. MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS from Old Faithful to Crater Lake PERFECT HOTELS for every budget BEST RESTAURANTS to satisfy a range of tastes GORGEOUS FEATURES on geysers and rafting the Colorado VALUABLE TIPS on when to go and ways to save INSIDER PERSPECTIVE from local experts COLOR PHOTOS AND MAPS to inspire and guide your trip

Rising from the waters of the Pacific off the southern California Coast, Santa Cruz Island captures the imagination. Once home to a large Chumash population, in the nineteenth century it became a self-sufficient island rancho. As with all islands of beauty and size, it attracted people from the coastline. But as author John Gherini tells us in his prologue: The attractions of the island, however, routinely led people into conflict, wrapping it in a shroud like its morning fog. The modern history of the island would witness the passion to own it, to protect it, to use it and to fight over it. For the first time a thorough history of Santa Cruz Island's tumultuous past is provided. In pre-Columbian times it was a source of wealth to the indigenous peoples—the place where they made their shell bead money. During the Spanish-Mexican period it was a smuggler's haven, where fur hunters avoided the customs officials. As a land grant, it passed through the hands of Andres Castillero, William E. Barron, and eventually was purchased by Justinian Caire. The island flourished under the direction of Caire and his family. It was a secluded paradise off the Santa Barbara Coast, with extensive sheep and cattle holdings, as well as an esteemed winery. Seeds of conflict were sown by Justinian Caire's will when the island was divided between family members. The Stantons, Rossis, Gherinis, the National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy all were involved over time. The tortured legal and family disputes are recounted for the first time in this important new work. Island ranching, hunting and recreation, and environmental challenges are described in detail. Recent historical events involving the establishment of the Channel Islands National Park are explored, as well. A handsome volume with notes, appendix, bibliography and index. Embellished with thirty-six photographs and maps from the author's family archives.

On January 1 of 2016, Stefanie Payne, a creative professional working at NASA Headquarters, and Jonathan Irish, a photographer with National Geographic, left their lives in Washington, D.C. and hit the open road on an expedition to explore and document all 59 of America's national parks during the centennial celebration of the U.S. National Park Service - 59 parks in 52 weeks - the Greatest American Road Trip. Captured in more than 300,000 digital photographs, written stories, and videos shared by the national and international media, their project resulted in an incredible view of America's National Park System seen in its 100th year. 'A Year in the National Parks, The Greatest American Road Trip' is a gorgeous visual journey through our cherished public lands, detailing a rich tapestry of what makes each park special, as seen along an epic journey to visit them all within one special celebratory year.

"Consistently rated the best guides to the regions covered."—National Geographic Traveler From the region’s laid-back beach towns to the jumble of Monterey’s Cannery Row, California’s Central Coast offers the most spectacular triptych of landscapes—surf, forests, and picturesque small towns—in the West. Includes coverage of the region’s vineyards, culinary gems, and coastal hideaways.