Guidebook Looks at Highs, Lows of California

“California--the Ultimate Guidebook,” by Ray Riegert, details the state from below sea level to more than 11,000 feet in elevation amid redwood forests, sun-bleached mining towns, fishing villages, Spanish missions and remnants of old wagon trails.

The book divides the state into 13 areas and has 36 specific maps. From posh to economical, it provides a cross-section of places to eat, stay and see. Each entry comes complete with information on amenities, including vignettes of historical note, events or attractions. The text is bright with lots of information and doesn’t offer a clutter of photos (Ulysses: $13.95).

Arthur Frommer’s “1990 New World of Travel” may be among the best all-purpose guides. It details new destinations, modes of travel and inexpensive lodgings.

The guide demonstrates with sufficient photos how to separate yourself from tour buses, charter flights and camera-toting tourists. It also gives readers the opportunity to experience events, life styles, attitudes and cultures different from the normal.

More than 1,200 alternative-travel companies and resorts in the United States and abroad are listed.

The text discusses brainy tours, health expansion and in-depth explorations of the unusual, including classes in Balinese dancing, mask-carving in Bali, gourmet cooking, cattle-herding or gold-panning. While reading, you may wonder why you ever took some of those other expensive and sometimes dissatisfying vacations.

Information is complete for each destination. A real bargain at $17.95 (Prentice Hall).

So you had another boring and tiring trip on the road. Maybe it’s time to discover the unusual: a brief, relaxing, soothing dip into a pool of naturally warm springs.

“Hot Springs and Hot Pools in the U.S.,” by Jayson Loom, David Bybee and Marjorie Gersh, detail about 1,500 locations, many of them just short drives from each other.

These natural hot springs and pools are in primitive settings. While you soak away your tensions you can envision Indian tribes of the past that used the same springs for health and spiritual benefits.

The guide zeros in on many sites, some just a few steps from an icy cold stream, on cliffs overlooking the crashing surf or in secluded areas. Many of the mineral hot-springs resorts furnish massages, special cuisine and sports activities.

It includes maps and hundreds of photos. Not to worry about costs, because hot springs belong to everyone when they are on public land. The guide is comprehensive, with information by region and state (Publishers Group West: $17.95).

Most every community in the United States today hosts an annual festival or celebration. The Poppy State is no exception. Julie Hicks-Herman and Darrin Craig have listed more than 350 of these year-round events in “The 1990 Festival Hopper’s Guide to California.”

There’s the bean or garlic festivals and stagecoach or street-painting days. How about a cantaloupe roundup or crab races?

For an unusual adventure try snow golf and snow softball contests at Lake Tahoe. All events feature food booths, art and crafts, wine tasting, parades, live music and dancing.

For only $11.95, the guide is an excellent introduction to some unusual entertainment. It also discusses camping spots, RV facilities, and places to stay and eat. Each event is pinpointed on maps and offers phone numbers for more information. (Creative Chaos).

For your next vacation, why not stay in a condo? Pamela Lanier’s “Condo Vacations” lists more than 20,000 units available in the United States, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Canada.

Many feature suites with a minimum of one bedroom and sleeper sofas. Most have complete kitchens, heat and air-conditioning units and include color and cable TV. Daily maid service and baby sitters also are available. Many accommodations feature bathrooms with tubs or Jacuzzis.

If you want to cut costs, you can dine in the quiet of your own place instead of eating out. It’s sort of like having your cake and eating there, too.

Each entry furnishes phone numbers, addresses and tells where to get more information. It’s a bargain for $14.95 at bookstores from Ten Speed Prees.