With two of the nation’s largest megalopolises — Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area—California has the largest, wealthiest, and most urbanized population of any state in the nation. Yet it’s also an agricultural wonderland, a nature-lovers paradise, a wine-lover’s dream, an outdoor enthusiast’s ideal playground, and more. In fact, there’s so much to see and do in California that you’ll probably have to choose. With this guide, you can’t lose. It gives you the scoop on: Northern California, including San Francisco, the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, Redwood Country, Yosemite National Park, and more The central coast, including the Monterey Peninsula and the spectacular Big Sur Coast The Southland cities, including L.A., San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Beach, ritzy Palm Springs, and San Diego Major attractions like Hearst Castle, Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo, and Alcatraz Activities like hiking in the Yosemite Valley, biking along the Monterey coastline, cruising Sunset Boulevard, taking in the scenery on the Pacific Coast Highway, and more All kinds of dining options, ranging from foodie favorites like the French Laundry in Yountville and Campanile, Patina, and Providence in L. A. to good restaurants for picky eaters, and great places to enjoy a vegetarian meal or incredible Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican, or Thai specialties Can’t miss family destinations in various parts of the state, including Humboldt Redwood State Park, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the California Science Center, in L.A., and more All sorts of accommodations, from new Treebones Resort in Big Sur that houses you in a gorgeous yurt, L. A.’s Chateau Marmont, with its Art Deco and Beaux Arts castle-style main building and individual bungalows, the Grand View and Seven Gables inns in Monterey/Pacific Grove with their spectacular ocean views, Chateau du Sureau in Oakhurst for pure pampering and four-star dining, and more Like every For Dummies travel guide, California For Dummies, 4th Edition includes: Down-to-earth trip-planning advice What you shouldn’t miss — and what you can skip The best hotels and restaurants for every budget Handy Post-it Flags to mark your favorite pages Complete with all kinds of planning tips plus actual time-tested itineraries, this covers the must-see attractions, suggests things to see or do that are off the beaten path, and answers questions you might not even think to ask, like where to go to get down and wacky the way actual Californians do, where to find great inexpensive, gifts, and even where to find the graves of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. With this guide, you’ll soon be singing, "California, here I come."

An indispensible guide to coastal foraging and fishing in the intertidal regions of our Northern California coast where fish, small and large, plus abalone and many other tasty items can be found

From Hollywood and Disneyland to San Francisco, Yosemite, and the Napa Valley, California offers and endless supply of vacation fun. From the L.A. nightlife to the natural wonders, from great restaurants to fun outdoor activities, this friendly guide covers it all: Great itineraries for Northern California, Southern California, and the whole state Complete coverage of all the natural wonders Entire sections on Disneyland and Yosemite National Park Wacky events from sandcastle building contests to the Jumping Frog Jubilee Like every For Dummies travel guide, California For Dummies includes: Down-to-earth trip-planning advice What you shouldn’t miss — and what you can skip The best restaurants and hotels for every budget Lots of detailed maps

Find Joy in the Beauty and Wonder of Birds Birding is among the most popular outdoor activities—especially in California, where hundreds of different bird species can be seen and observed. Now is the perfect time to join the fun and let our feathered friends astonish and inspire you. Award-winning author, naturalist, and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela has written the best-selling bird identification guides for almost every state. In Stan Tekiela’s Birding for Beginners: California, he provides the information you need to become a skilled birder in the Golden State. The first section of the book presents “how to” information. Learn the basics of bird feeders. Get to know your birdseed. Create a bird-friendly yard—and even make your own bird food with do-it-yourself recipes. The book’s second section is an identification guide, featuring 63 California birds that are most likely to be seen at your backyard feeder or near your home. The species are organized by color, making it simple to identify what you see. If you spot a yellow bird, go to the yellow section to discover what it is. Each bird gets a full-page photograph with notations about key field marks, or identification characteristics. The full-color photos are paired with information ranging from the bird’s nest and eggs to favorite foods, as well as Stan’s fascinating naturalist notes. Give birding a try, and get started with the guidance of an expert. You’ll be amazed by how much joy birds can bring, and you’ll have a lifetime to enjoy them.

Here's help for any school or district that wants struggling first-year and beginning teachers to survive and thrive. Written by seasoned administrators and teacher leaders who know the ropes, this guide covers every aspect of the topic, including: Best ways to support new teachers; Stages they go through in their first year; Effective induction programs that last five days, all summer, or an entire year; Mentoring programs that benefit all teachers involved; Strategies for improving new teachers' teaching skills without damaging their morale; and Systemwide solutions that combine induction and mentoring programs with ongoing assessment and professional development. Case studies of successful programs and insights from veteran and novice teachers give you plenty of fresh insights on how to maintain new teachers' confidence and encourage them to innovate and grow. Note: This product listing is for the Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of the book.

Film Finance For Beginners provides a first-time film maker with the tools necessary to secure financing for their project. The book provides guidance in a wide variety of areas, including Getting the Public to See Your Movie, Managing Investor Attitudes, Preparing Budgets, Understanding Hollywood Accounting, Isolating Investment Risk, What Makes a Great Business Plan?, Financing Alternatives, Film Distribution, Film Tax Incentives and "The Internet Threat"

How far is too far? 60 cases illustrating modern bioethical dilemmas Bioethics for Beginners maps the giant dilemmas posed by new technologies and medical choices, using 60 cases taken from our headlines, and from the worlds of medicine and science. This eminently readable book takes it one case at a time, shedding light on the social, economic and legal side of 21st century medicine while giving the reader an informed basis on which to answer personal, practical questions. Unlocking the debate behind the headlines, this book combines clear thinking with the very latest in science and medicine, enabling readers to decide for themselves exactly what the scientific future should hold.