Trailblazer is the only outdoor adventure guide that details all the parks and wild lands north and south of the Golden Gate—in San Francisco and Marin. With more than 200 photographs and concisely written histories and cultural tidbits, Trailblazer gives travelers a unique look at both parklands and towns alike. You’ll get to know the place—and to share the author’s love for it. First-time visitors to the Bay Area will have a trusty guide to hit the highlights; life-long residents are guaranteed to find new ways to make weekends more exciting. Inside are clear directions for more than 300 hikes and walks, both in nature’s wonder and to the cultural attractions that lure international tourists. Presented are the Presidio, Golden Gate National Recreational Area, Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, Point Reyes National Seashore, and several state parks, including Mount Tamalpais, Angel Island, and Samuel P. Taylor. You’ll also find the tucked-away treasures in the Marin Open Space, including high peaks of the oak savannah and the wetlands on the Richardson, San Pablo, and San Rafael bays. All noteworthy city parks are also covered, starting with San Francisco’s renowned Golden Gate and continuing with a long list of neighborhood gems.
All these place names translate into redwood and conifer forests, waterfalls, peaks, lakes, beaches, coastal bluffs, bays, lagoons, gardens, woodland forests—all of the amazing scenic diversity that makes the Golden Gate region a world-class natural treasure.
City strollers can choose from several walks in San Francisco to take in Chinatown, Fishermen’s Wharf, Nob Hill, Union Square, North Beach, Haight-Ashbury, Palace of Fine Arts, Alcatraz, and the rest of the all-star attractions. Walks are also offered for Marin County’s host of remarkable towns, from upscale Tiburon, Sausalito, and Mill Valley, to funkadelic Bolinas, Point Reyes, and Fairfax. You’ll be entertained as well as exercised.
With all these offerings, it’s easy to overlook Trailblazer’s cycling sections. The knarly mountain trails are all there, along with the more leisurely pedals on bike paths and roads. Cross-town routes are also given, making it possible to find the best and most-scenic route available across a the enire landscape.
Seventeen maps and spot-on driving directions and trail descriptions make getting there easy. Navigating the text is made simple by sharp graphics and thoughtful organization—a Trailblazer trademark.
Trailblazer’s extras include a special list of Doggie Trails and a Trailblazer Kids section that will keep families busy from when the kids are in strollers until they’re old enough to drive (stroller paths, neighborhood parks, bike rides, hikes, day trips, museums, and more). The book’s Best Of section asks ‘What do you want to do today?’ and then provides responses in the form of activities to suit the day and your mood—a welcome resource considering the book’s wealth of activities. You’ll also find a list of contact numbers for camping, parks, museums, attractions, as well as favorite restaurants and accommodations.
