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DAVID WEINTRAUB WRITING/EDITING/PHOTOGRAPHY
for a complete description of each book
Hiking enthusiasts love the North Bay, and I was lucky enough to explore the area for my second book with Wilderness Press, North Bay Trails: Outdoor Adventures in Marin, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. This book, now in its second edition, is the first comprehensive hiking guide for the superb parklands north of San Francisco. While not neglecting such favorite areas as Mount Tamalpais, the Marin Headlands,
In addition to detailed route descriptions, North Bay Trails contains driving directions from major North Bay highways and brief summaries of each hike, so you know exactly what to expect in terms of mileage, level of difficulty, and special attractions such as wildflowers and scenic views. Each route description contains an up-to-date map, and the book is illustrated with photographs I took along the trails, some of which are dislayed here.
East Bay Trails: Outdoor Adventures in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties is the most complete and up-to-date trail guide for Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Designed primarily for hikers, the book also appeals other outdoor enthusiasts, including fitness walkers, runners, equestrians, and bicyclists. East Bay Trails describes 53 trails in the East Bay parklands, including the East Bay Regional Parks, lands of the East Bay Municipal Utility District, Mt. Diablo State Park, and the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. In addition to detailed route descriptions, East Bay Trails features precise driving directions to each trailhead, information about trip length, time, difficulty rating, regulations, trip highlights, and facilities available at the trailhead. There are lively descriptions of the plants and animals you're likely to encounter along the trail, as well as relevant tidbits about the area's fascinating human history as well. The book contains easy-to-read maps and photographs taken by the author, a professional photographer.
Monterey Bay Trails is your comprehensive guide to exploring the outstanding parklands of the Monterey Bay Area. Colorful as the monarch butterflies that migrate here by the thousands and awe-inspiring as the coast redwoods in its parks, the Monterey Bay area--from Santa Cruz to Carmel, and inland to the Salinas Valley--has long attracted visitors from around the world. This guide contains 48 hikes in more than 25 parks, The book features detailed driving directions to each trailhead, trail maps, complete route descriptions with length, time, difficulty rating, regulations, phone/website, trip highlights, and facilities available at the trailhead.
The Top Trails series represents a new look for Wilderness Press, combining the best trips for a particular region with easy-to-use route descriptions, trail milestones marking each important junction, and superb maps by noted cartographer Ben Pease. This book is the second in the series, and covers the entire San Francisco Bay Area, including the North Bay, East Bay, South Bay, and Peninsula. Old favorites, such as Mt. Tamalpais, Mt. Diablo, and Henry W. Coe State Park are included,
In addition to detailed route descriptions, Top Trails contains precise driving directions to each trailhead and brief summaries of each hike, so you know exactly what to expect in terms of trail use, length, vertical feet, difficulty, trail type and surface, trailhead facilities, and features such as wildflowers or great views. There is a map for each trip, showing the described route and all major connecting trails, and the book's photographs, some of which are dislayed here, will hopefully encourge you to lace up those hiking boots and hit the trail!
Joining Wilderness Press's popular "Afoot & Afield" series, Afoot & Afield San Francisco Bay Area is the most up-to-date and comprehensive of all the Bay Area hiking guides on the market.Covering all nine Bay Area counties, this guide has more than 100 trips that range from short, child-friendly strolls to rigorous 12-mile treks. Even if you think you know all the great hiking spots, this book may open your eyes to new possibilities on or around Mt. Tamalpais,
Precise driving directions get you to the trailhead from the nearest Bay Area roadway. Along with detailed hiking directions and an easy-to-read map, each trip includes at-a-glance information about distance, hiking time, elevation gain/loss, difficulty, best times to visit, the overseeing agency, and a recommended map. Trip highlights give a summary of the route, and sidebars provide information about features of human and natural history you're likely to encounter along the trail.
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District was created in 1972 by voters concered with urban sprawl in northern Santa Clara County. Today, the District oversees about 50,000 acres, mostly in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Many of the District's preserves are draped across the spine of the Santa Cruz Mountains, but others are on the doorstep of busy Silicon Valley. This book was commissioned by the District as both a history and a trail guide--thus the title Peninsula Tales & Trails.
In addition to telling the District's story, the book features detailed route descriptions for 38 trips on 24 preserves, along with precise driving directions to each trailhead, information about trail use, length, time, difficulty, trail highlights, and relevant aspects of human and natural history.
Outdoor Adventures in Marin, Napa and Sonoma Counties
or Point Reyes National Seashore,
this guide will introduce you to spectacular routes in the Wine Country, in the Russian River redwoods, and on the Sonoma coast. Although intended primarily for hikers, many of the 56 routes in North Bay Trails can be enjoyed by bicyclists, equestrians, runners, and fitness walkers.The routes described range from easy nature walks suitable for children to rigorous all-day outings.
Outdoor Adventures in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
In addition to the route descriptions, the book contains maps, photographs, historical information, and descriptions of East Bay plants and animals. 
A second edition of East Bay Trails, completely revised and updated, will be available in 2005.
Outdoor Adventures in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties
Now you can discover wave-washed beaches, rollings grasslands, historic ranches, forested canyons, and wind-swept ridges.
nature preserves, and other public lands. Whether you seek a challenging hike, a saunter through woodlands with your dog, or a stroll along marshlands or beaches, you will find new places for outdoor recreation in Monterey Bay Trails. The book covers Asilomar, Fort Ord, Pebble Beach, Carmel, the Salinas River area, Big Basin and Henry Cowell redwood parks, as well as the hauntingly beautiful Pinnacles National Monument in San Benito County.
as are lesser-known treasures such as Annadel State Park, Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Almaden Quicksilver County Park, and Fremont Older Open Space Preserve.
Innovative trail-feature tables make it easy to select the perfect trip, whether you are a hiker, runner, fitness walker, or mountain bicyclist. Routes range in length and difficulty from easy strolls suitable for the whole family to rigorous treks that take you up some of the Bay Area's tallest peaks--truly "Top Trails"
Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Mt. St. Helena, Mt. Diablo State Park, Henry W. Coe State Park, and lands of the Marin County Open Space District, Sonoma County Parks, 
East Bay Regional Park District, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Santa Clara County Parks, and San Mateo County Parks. Many of the hiking routes described can also be enjoyed by runners, fitness walkers, equestrians, and mountain bicyclists.
Celebrating the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
While preparing this book, I interviewed about 30 people involved with the formation and management of the District, including some of the founders, former land owners, rangers, land managers, board members, and staff. I also had access to District archives. 
But this wasn't just a desk job! I sampled all of the District's preserves that are open to the public, and enjoyed walking many, many miles of beautiful trails in all seasons.
Kayaking has become incredibly popular on the Cape in recent years. Martha's Vineyard, an island below the Cape's bicep, has great paddling too. 
Until now, however, information on where to paddle and where to find legal parking and access to launch sites, especially during the busy summer months, has not been readily available.