California is my adopted state and combines the best of my two worlds: Europe and Australia. The Bay Area down to the Middle Kingdom and Santa Barbara is Europe and everything below (SoCal) is Oz. Thanks to my family being kicked out of the other countries, the Golden State became our home...because Cali accepts anyone. Bear Flag Rising, baby.

So, how amazed was I that I hadn't seen some of the towns and villages listed in this book! Ballard? Say what? Yes, I always see the signs to Los Olivos, but never have I taken the road. That changes right now because of this book! A true coffee table volume (lots of color photos), I had a hard time putting this book down when it came to the rest of my reading rotation. By the time I finished the book, I already had my list of next-travel-destinations, readily assisted by the map at the end.

Fun to read and a reminder of my parents' good fortune to have been born poor. Thank you, Cali.

Book Season = Year Round (car or Amtrak) ( )