A guide to 52 trips that have been selected by the author as the area's best kayaking spots. Choose from a wide variety of adventures, from day-long paddling expeditions along the spectacular Big Sur coast, to scenic tours of san Diego's historic harbor. Also journey out to the unique Channel Islands to explore mysterious sea caves or venture inland to catcha glimpse of the fascinating wildlife at some of the lakes and rivers of Southern California.

A guide to 52 trips that have been selected by the author as the area's best kayaking spots. Choose from a wide variety of adventures, from day-long paddling expeditions along the spectacular Big Sur coast, to scenic tours of san Diego's historic harbor. Also journey out to the unique Channel Islands to explore mysterious sea caves or venture inland to catcha glimpse of the fascinating wildlife at some of the lakes and rivers of Southern California.

Paddle the premier inland waters of the Western States, where the scenery ranges from the fjord-like Ross Lake, nestled in the shadow of Washington State's Cascade Range, to the eroded, red-rocks of Utah's Lake Powell. Expert kayaker Don Skillman describes a range of varied trips to satisfy every type of kayaker.

Discover what the Pilgrims missed when they moved to Plymouth after landing on Cape Cod. Explore the numerous bays, ponds, harbors, marshes, and tidal creeks of this New England treasure. In the expanded second edition of this classic book, author David Weintraub adds kayaking adventure off Martha Vineyard's shores. From one-hour trips to all-day excursions, kayakers of every skill level will find a route to explore.Trip descriptions, maps, launch sites, and driving directions, plus nearby historical and scenic attractions: this book is a must-have guide to the solitude and beauty of these regions.

Sea Kayaking covers the basics of equipment and technique, including types of paddles and strokes, as well as such essential skills as how to read the weather and the water, how to navigate with and without GPS and how to travel with a group. Still regarded as “the bible” for both new and experienced kayakers after more than thirty years in print. Drawing on his many years of experience paddling in all climates, John Dowd presents practical advice on dealing with potential hazards (from surf to sea ice to sharks), carrying out rescues and planning for long-distance expeditions. New for this edition are hints about digital technologies for planning and navigating while kayak touring as well as lots of tips for outfitting boats, adapting equipment and finessing fishing technique while kayak angling—whether casting and jigging for fun on a day trip or trolling for dinner on a longer expedition. Also fully updated are the sections on managing risk and the inspiring stories of adventure, including Freya Hoffmeister’s record-breaking circumnavigation of Australia and Japanese paddlers’ increasingly challenging trips around the islands and beyond. As a sport, sea kayaking continues to evolve. Once the sport of a very few long-distance paddlers embarking on international expeditions, then the recreational pursuit of many weekend tourers, sea kayaking is now popular with many day trippers as well. As more and more paddlers take to the water—for the day, the weekend or many months, this classic guide continues to be required reading for those seeking adventure on the open ocean.

The most comprehensive manual on how to kayak safely in a wide variety of sea environments--from inland waterways to ocean rock gardens, tide rips, surf zones, and the open ocean. Aimed at beginners through experienced kayakers, this book describes how to deal with hazards, not just avoid them, using real-life, extensively tested techniques proven to work. You'll learn fundamental skills for recovery and rescue, and master safe paddling techniques in ocean conditions. Numerous photos accompany step-by-step descriptions of the Eskimo roll, towing methods, self- and partner-rescues, backup strategies, and group dynamics. The second edition has a fresh chapter on fine-tuning your strokes, which will significantly increase kayaking fun and safety.

This 224-page title is a comprehensive guide to the skills and adventure of canoeing, kayaking, rafting and other forms of fun in paddle boats. Informative essays tell you how to get started, choose the right craft, plan your trip, and locate the top paddle destinations in the USA. A Travel Tips section gives selected details about touring, lodging and camping. The work is lavishly illustrated with more than 250 spectacular photographs as well as 18 specially commissioned maps.

With two of the nation’s largest megalopolises — Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area—California has the largest, wealthiest, and most urbanized population of any state in the nation. Yet it’s also an agricultural wonderland, a nature-lovers paradise, a wine-lover’s dream, an outdoor enthusiast’s ideal playground, and more. In fact, there’s so much to see and do in California that you’ll probably have to choose. With this guide, you can’t lose. It gives you the scoop on: Northern California, including San Francisco, the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, Redwood Country, Yosemite National Park, and more The central coast, including the Monterey Peninsula and the spectacular Big Sur Coast The Southland cities, including L.A., San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Beach, ritzy Palm Springs, and San Diego Major attractions like Hearst Castle, Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo, and Alcatraz Activities like hiking in the Yosemite Valley, biking along the Monterey coastline, cruising Sunset Boulevard, taking in the scenery on the Pacific Coast Highway, and more All kinds of dining options, ranging from foodie favorites like the French Laundry in Yountville and Campanile, Patina, and Providence in L. A. to good restaurants for picky eaters, and great places to enjoy a vegetarian meal or incredible Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican, or Thai specialties Can’t miss family destinations in various parts of the state, including Humboldt Redwood State Park, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the California Science Center, in L.A., and more All sorts of accommodations, from new Treebones Resort in Big Sur that houses you in a gorgeous yurt, L. A.’s Chateau Marmont, with its Art Deco and Beaux Arts castle-style main building and individual bungalows, the Grand View and Seven Gables inns in Monterey/Pacific Grove with their spectacular ocean views, Chateau du Sureau in Oakhurst for pure pampering and four-star dining, and more Like every For Dummies travel guide, California For Dummies, 4th Edition includes: Down-to-earth trip-planning advice What you shouldn’t miss — and what you can skip The best hotels and restaurants for every budget Handy Post-it Flags to mark your favorite pages Complete with all kinds of planning tips plus actual time-tested itineraries, this covers the must-see attractions, suggests things to see or do that are off the beaten path, and answers questions you might not even think to ask, like where to go to get down and wacky the way actual Californians do, where to find great inexpensive, gifts, and even where to find the graves of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. With this guide, you’ll soon be singing, "California, here I come."