Best Hikes Near San Francisco (Hiking Guide Series) Review

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(More customer reviews)When I first glanced through this book I was sure it would garner a 5 star review: bright pages with clear, well organized text, detailed maps and a great selection of trails. As I read more closely, I found I had a few concerns (do all photos come from Shutterstock these days?) but upon further reflection, this is still a five star review. The Bay Area has some of the most spectacular hiking of any urban area in America the 40 routes described here are among the best to be found. (20 "honorable mentions" round out this book.) On top of that, this book not only captures the best of Bay Area trails, it captures a Bay Area ethos as well.
The author, Linda Hamilton, assures us that her book will be different from other Bay Area hiking guides by offering new routes, some of which require permits, a sure fire way to cut down on crowds. (The extended loop at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is an example of this.) But for the most part, Hamilton simply reworks existing trails to form new loops for hikers. For example, she has those looking for a longer trek out of Muir Woods hike up the Bootjack trail, but return on the Dipsea trail instead of the more conventional Ben Johnson route. But having noted that, one simply cannot argue with the selections: An extended loop through Point Reyes National Seashore, the Waterfall Loop Trail in Big Basin Redwoods, Sibley Volcanic, ... the list of top hikes goes on and on. Coastal trails, open ridges, and heavily forested mountains are all well represented.
Of course, what would a good Bay Area guidebook authored by a resident be without lots of advice on how to go "green" while hiking? So, interspersed throughout the text are numerous bright green sidebars with "tips" like use rechargeable batteries and hiking is a "carbon free" winter activity. (Not entirely true, since you release carbon dioxide as a by product of the food you combust to exercise.) For the most part I find these sort of things trite and would not include them in most hiking books, but in this case I think it adds to the ambiance of planning day treks in the Bay Area. One piece of green advice, however, should be taken with some caution. The author recommends that you wear "organic cotton and other recycled materials." Now, aside from the fact that organic cotton is not a recycled material, you should be cautious about wearing it if there is a chance you will get wet on the trail. Hypothermia is a real possibility when wet even if temperatures are in the 50s. And a significant part of the Bay Area often has wet weather with temps in the 50s.
Also adding to the text are the wonderful (bright yellow) sidebars dealing with natural and local history. Discussions about Elephant Seals and the lifespan of Redwoods, reflections on Tao House and the old resorts that attracted tourists of years past (crookedest railroad, the Diablo Resort) really add to the text and one's appreciation of hiking. Finally, Hamilton includes an appendix in the book listing Bay Area hiking clubs. My favorite: the Commonwealth of Nature Fanatics Unofficial SF/South Bay Excursion Division, or CONFUSED for short. A similar Berkeley group, CHAOS, supports outdoor experiences, fun, and chocolate. What more could you ask for from hiking companions than that? Maybe a good book to help you along, and this is it.

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Who says you have to travel far from home to go on a great hike? In Best Hikes Near San Francisco Linda Hamilton details the best hikes within an hour's drive of San Francisco perfect for the urban and suburbanite hard-pressed to find great outdoor activites close to home. Each featured hike includes detailed hike specs, a brief hike description, trailhead location, directional cues, and a detailed map.

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