CALIFORNIA COASTAL ACCESS GUIDE by the...

CALIFORNIA COASTAL ACCESS GUIDE by the California Coastal Commission (UC Press: $15.95). This handsome book covers the entire 1,100-mile coastline of the state, from Pelican State Beach in Del Norte County to Border Field State Park in San Diego. The editors juxtapose listings of the facilities, special attractions and dangers of each site with short articles on clamming, riptides, marine-ammal protection and other germane topics. CALIFORNIA PUBLIC GARDENS: A Visitor’s Guide by Eric Sigg (John Muir Publications: $16.95). Since the beginning of the 20th Century, California has enjoyed a reputation as a realm of gardens: This engaging guide reveals the substance behind that myth. Sigg walks the reader through the state’s major gardens (Golden Gate Park, the Huntington, Descanso, San Simeon, Filoli et al) and a number of less famous botanical attractions, including the Luther Burbank Memorial in Santa Rosa and the UCLA Hannah Carter Japanese Garden.