Describes sixty-five scenic trips through the back roads of southern, central, northeastern, and northwestern California

Earl Thollander leads adventurers or armchair travelers to sights and pleasures off the beaten track, offering bits of local history, anecdotes, and scenic routes throughout the state. Featuring charming illustrations and hand-drawn maps. Also available are Back Roads of Washington and Back Roads of Oregon.

Wander off the beaten path with artist Earl Thollander and discover some of the most picturesque areas of the state. In hand-written text and vivid illustrations, Back Roads of Washington guides readers through 6,000 miles of scenic beauty. This regional classic captures the memorable details of back roads that can be enjoyed on the way to a destination, on a Sunday drive, or sitting in a comfortable armchair. -- Amazon.

His first original book in nearly thirty years, but also sadly his last, Back Roads to the California Coast is Earl Thollander's final tribute to the back roads in his beloved home state. "One can live a lifetime in California and not know it," Thollander said, and then he set out with traveling partner and co-author Herb McGrew to depict fifteen of the state's most enchanting scenic byways, those that travel to and along the coast. With full-color illustrations throughout in Thollander's inimitable style, and described with engaging narrative by McGrew, these drives are through country that is stunning and dramatic: the mystical Ojai Valley to Ventura; Carmel Valley to Big Sur; and the wine-lover's favorite, Highway 128 through Napa Valley to Mendocino. No other California guidebook is organized using roads to the coast, which makes this the perfect gift for anyone devoted to the enjoyment of meandering about the Golden State.

Annotated line drawings and maps introduce the traveler to forty country and desert roads.