Frommer's California Day by Day (Frommer's Day by Day - Full Size) [Paperback]

Having visited California last year and already planning another trip back in due course we found this book really to be really informative! The book is broken down into sections and recommends what to do and see in a particular city or area if you are visiting for 1 day or up to a week!
Lots of maps and ideas - definately recommended.

This is an excellent source of useful information. It's packed with glossy, colour photographs and the graphic design work is beautiful. The format of the book makes it easy to use and is very reader friendly.

The fold out map is a very useful backup, in case my TomTom or phone GPS fails.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Los Angeles has art & architecture - it isn't all red carpet and botox(!)

The form-factor is perfect for carrying around with you.

This is another high quality production in the Frommers `Day-By-Day' series. Having been impressed by other books in the same series, I'm pleased to report that this guide to California continues to hold to the same high standard of quality. The book is dense, printed on high quality paper, and loaded with an almost innumerable amount of photographs - one every page, or thereabouts, which do a good job in helping the reader visualise the features under discussion.

The big `feature' of the Day-By-Day guides is the itineraries - they aim to look at a specific region in a larger area (e.g. San Diego, or Wine Country), and then provide an itinerary for different ranges of days, allowing the reader to experience `the best of' that area that is available for their time span. Thus, you get "The Best of San Diego" in one day, two day, three day etc. variants. Each itinerary is unique, though, as mentioned in other reviews, they overlap - so the three day itinerary may contain items which are already present in the one and two day versions.

Each area is covered in a startling amount of depth, with descriptions and discussions of attractions, both cultural and natural, as well as reviews of the best places to dine, and the best places to eat out. All seem to be articulate, intelligent pieces of analysis from writers who clearly know the area, and are enthused to be sharing their information with you. The maps for each large metro area are also nice, as is the fantastic fold-out map included on the inside back cover.

My one real complaint, as with other day-by-day guides, is the sheer size of the book. It doesn't fit handily in a pocket, and it's a bit heavy and wide to keep carrying around in your hand, though it's probably perfect for the sort of car-centric tourism encouraged in California! Still, if you're planning on walking through San Francisco, I'd advise using this book to plan in the hotel beforehand, or having it stowed in a backpack for the occasional referral.

Overall, this is a great, in-depth guide to the region, and heartily recommended (just get someone else to carry it!).