Get the complete guide to the Point Reyes peninsula in California, and discover the history of the area, activities to enjoy, and 50 hiking and backpacking trips.Escape the urban hustle. Find the slow rhythm of time spent in nature. Just 30 miles from downtown San Francisco, the Point Reyes peninsula is a place apart—where trails weave through Douglas-fir forests, beaches rim the rocky coastline, whales swim in offshore waters, and coastal grasslands are swathed in wildflowers. Let Jessica Lage introduce you to this unparalleled area and guide you along its best trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, backpacking, and more.Wander old ranch roads that have been converted into trails. Go birding on a tranquil estero. Gaze at wildflowers on the site of a once-thriving dairy ranch. The Point Reyes wilderness protects a diverse ecosystem. Of every species of California plant, nearly 18 percent can be found there—as well as almost 10 percent of the world's marine mammal species. Plus, more than 45 percent of all North American bird species visit the seashore.Point Reyes is your guide to the entire area: the national seashore, Tomales Bay and Samuel P. Taylor state parks, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and towns in the vicinity. The book presents the natural and human history of the area, activities to enjoy, and 50 detailed trips for hikers and backpackers.Inside You'll FindComplete trail descriptions for 42 hikes and 8 backpacking excursionsUpdated color maps and photographs of the national seashore and adjacent parksSuggested activities, from kayaking to exploring tidepoolsThe natural and human history of the areaSmall-town highlights, such as galleries, eateries, and museumsMake your way to this recreational paradise. Whether you have a few hours, a weekend, or an entire vacation, a visit to Point Reyes is a trip you'll remember forever.

Jessica Lage lives in Berkeley with her family and has spent countless hours on the trails and beaches of West Marin since she was a kid. She is also the author of Trail Runner's Guide: San Francisco Bay Area (Wilderness Press). She has a PhD in geography from UC Berkeley and works as an independent researcher and writer.