101 Hikes in Southern California: Exploring Mountains, Seashore, and Desert

Probably no two writers have had as much influence on southern California's hiking community as John W. Robinson and Jerry Schad. The former, a local historian, wrote extensively on California's great mountain ranges, the Angeles, San Bernardino's, and San Jacinto's. Schad, a physicist, covered local parks, open space preserves, and forest service lands in San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles counties. It speaks volumes of David Money Harris that both of these fine authors choose him to update their works. Schad passed on last year and now Harris has updated his most ambitious work, a guide to the 101 best hikes in Southern California.Readers who have read earlier editions of 101 Hikes will find the same structure that made the earlier books so easy to use. Each hike has a series of icons that quickly describe the type of trail. Miles, difficulty scale, and user groups are quickly found at the heading of each trail. Trails are also organized by their location in the south land, from the Santa Monica mountains east to Palm Springs, and then south into San Diego County, from coastal parks like Torrey Pines State Reserve to the Anzac Borrego Desert. Harris has added several hikes to this edition to replace trails that have been damaged by fire or become overgrown. Some, like the "moderate" (only 4,000 ft elevation gain) route up San Jacinto are true classics and should have been in the first edition. Many of the other new hikes are in and around the Palm Springs area. As I read this book, I realized I really need to take the trek from Desert Divide through Palm Canyon, a route I've never attempted, or was even aware of until I read Harris.And so it is with the whole book. Readers will find many of the same great hikes they have come to expect from Wilderness Press. Even with a new author, the book hasn't missed a beat. So if you love the year round hiking Southern California offers, pick up this book and see what's available. From easy strolls along the coast to the most challenging hike (in terms of vertical relief) in the lower 48 states, this guide has it all and deserves a place on your bookshelf, or better yet, your backpack.

This book has so much helpful information on trails in California from top to bottom of the state.

Printed books have a real disadvantage when it comes to informing readers of where to go. Face it, the internet is far better and easier to update. So keep in mind that this book can't tell you if last year's storms washed out Angeles Crest. But it does give you a well vetted foundation that most web-based products fail to deliver. Schad does a great job breaking down the basics of the hike (i.e. how to get there, the degree of difficulty, out & back vs. loop, etc.). I have the previous edition and a few logistics updates along with the added hikes (oh...and my previous copy was worn). Above all, I'd call this a great book for beginning southern California hikers or those of us who can't decide where to hike next.

Came in as expected. Really liking the book so far. It has alot of hiking trails in sand diego that i never knew existed.

It's a good book but know that most of the "hikes" on here are those with less than 1000 feet of elevation gain and not as challenging as you would hope. Personally I would not purchase a book to tell me about a hike a couple of hours away with 200-400 feet of elevation gain....I would not think that would be worth mentioning in a book about hiking trails. With that said, it is still a good book and provides useful information once you find a suitable hike on the list.

This has really been a great add to our hiking adventures. It clearing lists all the local trails and all the attributes associated with like if it an easy hike, okay for kids or seniors, level of terrain, if there is parking, eating areas, etc. I have given this book to friends and they have loved it as well. A well needed add to any hiking backpack.

bought used from dealer and it was in the excellent condition as advertised. also book is by one of the hiking gurus of southern California. Borrowed numerous times from the library, now have own copy for library.

Bought as a gift for my son & his girlfriend. They went on one of the hikes soon afterward and thanked me for the book. Makes a great "doing" present for couples, friends, & families. :-)