Synopses & Reviews
Tired of the same old tourist traps? Whether youre a visitor or a local looking for something different, let Northern California Off the Beaten Path show you the Golden State you never knew existed. Follow the bloodstained trail of Sam Spade and other characters from The Maltese Falcon in San Francisco; overnight at a bed-and-breakfast located inside a working lighthouse on East Brother Island; or eat at a restaurant in Castroville that specializes in artichokes cooked two dozen different ways. So if youve "been there, done that" one too many times, get off the main road and venture Off the Beaten Path. *Head to Gilroy, famous for its annual Garlic Festival, and dont miss Garlic World (located off US 101), where you can find just about anything related to the stinking rose”braids, gifts, souvenirs, and gourmet items like garlic ice cream! Page 86.
Synopsis
Northern California offers places to visit away from tourist areas, including the Whiskey Flat Saloon (established in 1862) in Volcano; Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian style mansion near Lake Tahoe; and Niles, the movie-making capital of California before Hollywood was on the map.
About the Author
Mark Williams is a freelance writer whose travel articles have appeared in such publications as the International Herald Tribune, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Travel/Holiday, and Westways. He is a native of the Golden State and lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and dog.