Product Description
California's picturesque villages and small towns and its stunning landscape, from rugged sierras and fog-laced headlands to golden sand beaches and rolling oak-studded ranchland.

California is nicknamed "The Golden State," and though the name applies literally to the color of its state flower, the golden poppy, it is also a metaphor for the hopes and dreams that have lured generations of settlers. There are villages that grew up around the famed Spanish mission trail, and communities that boomed because of Gold Rush fever. There are places whose natural beauty nurtured artists and writers, and fertile valleys that were home to vintners and cattlemen.

The state is known for reinventing itself, yet a surprising number of its towns and villages still offer charming glimpses into its history and heritage. Their architecture may be quaint, historic, or gracious and their physical settings may take the breath away, but they are also vital communities, prized for their small-town values, their lifestyle, food, and wine. This book showcases the most beautiful villages and towns of California in Nik Wheeler's stunning photography and Joan Tapper's perceptive commentaries. These evoke not just historic houses, but also streetscapes, parks, and physical surroundings.

The book is divided into four regions: Northern California Coast, Northern California Mountains and Valleys, Central and Southern California Coast, and Central and Southern California Mountains and Valleys. In addition, there are photographic essays on the wine country, missions, and ghost towns, plus essential information for tourists on places to stay and to eat. 323 color photographs.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 7 reviews)

A SUPER PHOTO BOOK

TRULY WORTH THE PRICE. AN EXCELLENT BOOK OF CALIFORNIA PHOTOS AT AN EXCELLENT PRICE AND FAST DELIVERY- THANKS !
July 15, 2008

Beautiful lush photography but...

This book is filled with colorful lush photographs of California towns and villages. It is for memories and admiration, not information. The photos are carefully posed for the most romantic interpretation and atmosphere. Some of them present an illusion.

I live in one of the towns and had to laugh. In one group of photos, if the photographer had simply turned 180 degrees you would have seen a 4 lane boulevard heavy with semis, trucks and cars on weekdays and tourists on weekends. In another series of pictures just up the road, the 101 freeway was less than 50 feet behind the photographer. It is choked with cars at all times of the day and night and comes to a standstill if there is an accident.

Still, the book presents a lovely picture of a California that exists as a Shangri-la. It is enjoyable with the above caveat for those of us who live here.
May 06, 2008

The Most Beautiful Villages and Towns of California

Was a gift for my husband and he was thrilled. We both loved the photography and reminisced as we had visited alot of the places in it. Can't wait to return. This is a great book for those who think that California is just freeways and clogged cities without charm and visible beauty.
January 20, 2008

A photographic journey of small-town California

A book worthy a beautiful state! Images of glitzy LA or cosmopolitan SF frequently overshadow the many other destinations featured in this book. Of course being an overview, the towns listed here are given as cursory highlights without much depth. Nonetheless, the book tantalizes like a plate of appetizers. The diner will have to follow up with his own entree should he want to savor a particular site.
January 12, 2008

The most beautiful villages and towns of California

Nice book with good color photographs of CA villages and towns. This is a neat series of books for a trip souvenir or a gift, etc.
December 10, 2007

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

The California Coast: The Most Spectacular Sights & Destinations
by Karen Misuraca

California Wild
by Timothy T. Palmer

California the Beautiful
by Galen Rowell

One Hundred and One Beautiful Small Towns of Italy (101 Towns)
by Paolo Lazzarin

The Seventy Wonders of China
by Jonathan Fenby