Are you getting curious about rocks? Want to know more about the fossils you’ve spotted in the creek at Nisene Marks, or the cliffs at Seacliff? Want to learn more about the Sand Hills of Henry Cowell, or how to “read” the history of our area hidden in stone? You’re in luck – local author Frank A Perry has written a comprehensive guide to the geology of our home! There’s even information about the history of adobe bricks, and the restoration of the Castro Adobe State Historic Park! 

The northern Monterey Bay region has more interesting geologic features packed into a small area than almost any other part of California. Its dynamic history has been shaped by dramatic uplifts, volcanic eruptions, rising and falling sea levels, and the ever-moving San Andreas Fault. The book explores in simple language an amazing diversity of topics. These include rocks, fossils, earthquakes, beaches, minerals, water, marine terraces, and the Monterey Submarine Canyon. The author places each within the context of human history, and the book includes activities, places to visit, and sources for further reading.

An essential item for your next spring hike!

This portable guide covers 60 of the most common wildflower species in California, including perennials, annuals, and biennials, both native and naturalized.

This newly expanded and updated guide is a must-have for the tree-curious Californian!

From the publisher:

For more than ten years, A Californian’s Guide to the Trees among Us has taught Californians the what, why, and how of trees in our cities and towns. This edition has been updated by the author to reflect new trends in urban forestry, with a revised introduction, updated taxonomy and nomenclature, and more than ten additional species featured.

Matt Ritter introduces us to over 160 of California’s most commonly grown urban trees in this expanded edition of his best-selling book. Whether native or cultivated, these are the trees that muffle noise, create wildlife habitats, mitigate pollution, conserve energy, and make urban living healthier and more peaceful. Used as a field guide or read with pleasure for the liveliness of the prose, this book will allow readers to learn the stories behind the trees that shade our parks, grace our yards, and line our streets. Rich in photographs and illustrations, overflowing with anecdote and information, A Californian’s Guide to the Trees among Us opens our eyes to a world of beauty just outside our front doors.