Los Angeles might be the capital of conspicuous consumption, but the other cliché about “La La Land”—that it’s a cultural wasteland—couldn’t be further from the truth. For every “Extreme Makeover—Club Edition” (in which would-be impresarios continually swankify their establishments in a relentless quest to be “the” hot spot du jour), there is a well-worn drinking hole full of history, serving up a far more elusive and seductive mix of stiff drinks, loose atmosphere and keep-it-real regulars. In Los Angeles’ Best Dive Bars, you’ll get the scoop and the poop on the city’s liveliest, lowlife n’ liquor-soaked landmarks. This essential booze bible has the lowdown on which bars serve free food, which have great—and not so great—karaoke, bars that appear in your favorite movies and much, much more. Whether you’re looking for a friendly spot where “everybody knows your name,” a filthy blackened cave where nobody ever will, a gently-gentrified hole specked with dive-obsessed hipsters or a dusty relic full of hip-replacements, you’re sure to find a spot to soak up—and get soaked in—here in these pages. LINA LECARO is the nightlife columnist for the LA Weekly. She has been patrolling Los Angeles’ most decadent after dark dens and its grungiest grottos with equal aplomb for over twenty years (i.e. before she could actually drink legally). A born and bred Angeleno, she’s no angel when it comes to digging deep into LA’s most harrowing drunkard-approved hovels . She might prefer her cocktails sweet, but her favorite bars (and barflys) have always been anything but.
"Informative, witty, and wonderfully atmospheric, Seely's thirsty travelogue should leave even the most pious Washingtonians praying that there'll be honky tonks in heaven."-Tom Robbins"Seely, managing editor of the Seattle Weekly, is a genuinely funny writer who doesn't need to get snarky to get laughs…A fair amount of Seattle's heritage resides on pages of 'Seattle's Best Dive Bars,' or at least reminders of a pre-pretense city…He's penned a neat little book. Raise your cups and do something for the town's culture."-Joel Connelly, Seattle Post-Intelligencer"It has some seriously funny moments. It also has the lowdown on an impressively large number of watering holes the likes of which I’ve never even heard, let alone experienced firsthand."-Jessica Voelker, Seattle Metropolitan"Is this the greatest book ever written? As a native Seattlite, and long time connoisseur of dive bars, I would have to say yes. Mike Seely, who is managing editor of the Seattle Weekly, really gets it right about these places."-Greg Barbick, Blog Critics.org Seattle’s Best Dive Bars offers opinionated reviews of one hundred of the grittiest and grungiest drinking establishments in the Emerald City. If you want to avoid the tourist traps listed in those “other” bar guides and find out where the anti-globalization, anti-Starbucks, anti-Microsoft crowd goes to get wasted, then Seattle’s Best Dive Bars, like its predecessors from New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, is your guide to the delightfully filthy underside of Seattle bar life. A native Seattleite, Mike Seely is the managing editor of Seattle Weekly, for which he writes a food column called “Bottomfeeder.”
Philadelphia's Best Dive Bars reviews the grittiest drinking establishments in the city of brotherly love. If you want to avoid the tourist traps listed in those other bar guides and find out where to get wasted after visiting the Liberty Bell, then this book is required reading.Brian McManus is the music editor and a contributing food writer at Philadelphia Weekly. He's written for Houston Press, San Francisco Weekly, Chicago Reader, Cleveland Scene, and Spin magazine.
This guidebook presents 30 walks in the New Forest in Hampshire and Wiltshire, Britain's smallest National Park. Easily accessible from Southampton, Bournemouth, Salisbury and Winchester, the New Forest encompasses varied landscapes, from ancient woodlands to open heaths, rivers and coastline. Routes of between 5 and 16km (3 and 10 miles) explore the Forest, mainly on fairly flat terrain, often on well-defined tracks and paths. Most walks are suitable for all the family and many can be combined to make longer outings. Each walk is described in detail, highlighting the many points of interest in this area – ancient sites and castles, picture postcard villages with thatched cottages or historic churches – with fascinating background detail. An extract of 1:25,000 OS mapping makes each route easy to follow, and suggestions for refreshment stops like pubs and tea rooms are included. All walks offer a good chance of seeing wildlife, including the famous New Forest ponies. This area has been protected and nurtured by ancient laws for over 900 years, and is the largest remaining area of lowland heath in Europe. It is this sense of history and the unique patchwork of habitats that make walking in the New Forest National Park such a rewarding experience.
This guidebook follows the Rota Vicentina, a 220km walking route along the marvellous Atlantic coastline in the Alentejo and Algarve regions of Portugal. The 12-stage trek combines two well-marked routes, the Caminho Histórico (the Historical Way) and the Trilho dos Pescadores (the Fishermen's Trail), to create a hike starting in Santiago do Cacém and ending at Cabo de São Vicente. The guide also describes an alternative circular route for those who would prefer an 11-stage loop, moving inland from Odeceixe and back up to Santiago de Cacém.
Whichever route is chosen, the Rota Vicentina is ideal for a two-week holiday in spring or late summer to autumn, offering walkers a remarkable range of landscapes from coastal fishing villages to wooded river valleys. The guidebook includes advice about accommodation options along the route, information about the surrounding area, and a glossary of Portuguese terms to aid with reading signs and maps.
Along the Rota Vicentina are many delights for walkers. This stunning coastal region is home to a variety of rare birdlife, including white storks that nest precariously on sea stacks. Another treat is the mouth-watering Portuguese cuisine, whether the famous custard tarts or less well-known goose barnacles. With its vibrant cultural traditions and rich history displayed in Arab-era castles and 15th-century Age of Discovery sites, this route offers pleasant surprises at every stage along the Portuguese Atlantic coast.
This guidebook provides a comprehensive and detailed description of the GR131, an island-hopping trail across the seven Canary Islands. The 560km (348 mile) route begins on Lanzarote and finishes on El Hierro and is presented in 32 daily stages. The route is well waymarked but some navigational skills are required, and the remote and occasional rocky sections need to be treated with care. Also included is an optional ascent of El Teide, the highest peak on Spanish territory at 3718m.
The guide is split into seven parts, one for each island. Overview statistics, detailed navigational description and 1:50,000 mapping is provided for each stage and the guide also includes key information about transport to and between the Canary Islands and availability of accommodation and services. There is background information on the geology, history, plants and wildlife and notes on local points of interest. An appendix contains a helpful glossary.
As a geologically young area, the Canaries boast rare wildlife across their dramatic volcanic terrain. The islands contain a number of national parks, and the landscape varies from semi-desert to forests and barren mountainsides. This month-long route is a great opportunity for walkers to fully immerse themselves in the diverse culture and scenery of the Canary Islands.
A comprehensive guide to walking in the Portuguese Azores, an archipelago of nine lush green islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. The 70 routes cover the three island groups: the Eastern Group (São Miguel and Santa Maria), Central Group (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial) and Western Group (Flores and Corvo). Routes range from hour-long strolls to full-day outings and most use the islands' network of official waymarked trails, including sections of the multi-day GR1. Also included is an ascent of Pico, the highest mountain on Portuguese territory.
The guidebook gives lots of practical information on travel to the Azores and between the different islands, as well as getting around by public transport. Full route descriptions are accompanied by 1:50,000 map extracts, plus notes on refreshment opportunities and local points of interest.
The routes promise verdant green landscapes and astounding volcanic landforms, taking in forests, rocky slopes, cliff coast and waterfalls as well as a rich built heritage including churches, forts, windmills and harbours. Whether you prefer a single-base trip or an island-hopping adventure, you'll find stunning scenery at every turn. The mild climate makes this an ideal destination for year-round walking.
This guide describes ascents of 25 Lake District fells that can be climbed from Langdale and the Vale of Grasmere. Easily accessible from the popular bases of Grasmere and Ambleside, this area offers stunning scenery and fantastic walking, from the 'small but perfectly made' Loughrigg – ideal for a Sunday afternoon hike – to eye-catching Helm Crag ('the Lion and the Lamb'), from the lofty heights of Bowfell to the iconic Langdale Pikes. England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, is also included in this volume.
Unlike other guidebooks which describe a single or limited number of routes to a particular destination, the aim of the Walking the Lake District Fells series is to offer all the options. These are presented as numbered sections which can be combined to create infinite possibilities – from simple ascents to longer ridge routes. You'll find the classics and popular routes alongside less traditional alternatives perfect for the wandering spirit. The series gives you both the freedom to devise your own routes and the information to make informed decisions, thanks to the clear descriptions of the routes, terrain, hazards, interesting features and safe descent paths should the weather close in. Also included are a handful of classic ridge routes for longer fell days. Mark Richards' inimitable text is complemented by HARVEY mapping and the author's own beautiful sketch topos and panoramas. Perfect for keen hillwalkers and peak-baggers alike and ideal both for pre-planning and use on the hill, Walking the Lake District Fells is the new incarnation of the Fellranger series, which sees the volumes updated and trimmed to a more practical size. These true connoisseurs' guides are sure to inspire you to get out and explore the beautiful fells of Lakeland.
This guide describes ascents of 25 Lake District fells that can be climbed from the valleys of Wasdale, Eskdale and Ennerdale. Quieter and wilder than the eastern side of the national park – though every bit as beautiful – this area is home to many of the region's most celebrated peaks, with highlights including iconic Great Gable, Pillar and Yewbarrow, as well as England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike.
Unlike other guidebooks which describe a single or limited number of routes to a particular destination, the aim of the Walking the Lake District Fells series is to offer all the options. These are presented as numbered sections which can be combined to create infinite possibilities – from simple ascents to longer ridge routes. You'll find the classics and popular routes alongside less traditional alternatives perfect for the wandering spirit. The series gives you both the freedom to devise your own routes and the information to make informed decisions, thanks to the clear descriptions of the routes, terrain, hazards, interesting features and safe descent paths should the weather close in. Also included are a handful of classic ridge routes for longer fell days. Mark Richards' inimitable text is complemented by HARVEY mapping and the author's own beautiful sketch topos and panoramas. Perfect for keen hillwalkers and peak-baggers alike and ideal both for pre-planning and use on the hill, Walking the Lake District Fells is the new incarnation of the Fellranger series, which sees the volumes updated and trimmed to a more practical size. These true connoisseurs' guides are sure to inspire you to get out and explore the beautiful fells of Lakeland.
This guide describes 20 walks and 7 short treks in Croatia. Around half the routes focus on the striking limestone ranges of Gorski kotar and Velebit, which form part of the Dinaric Alps, but there are also routes in Dalmatia and on the Istrian peninsula, as well as four walks centred around the capital, Zagreb. They are easily accessible from the coastal resorts and main cities such as Zagreb, Rijeka and Split, and the guide includes advice on the most convenient bases.
Showcasing Croatia's majestic scenery, the routes range from short, easy walks to more challenging treks and mountain traverses. Step-by-step route description is accompanied by clear mapping, and there are notes highlighting where refreshments are available on or near the trails. The treks make use of mountain huts and shelters, details of which are provided, although it is also possible to camp.
The guide also includes information on local points of interest, fascinating overviews of Croatian history, plants and wildlife and a comprehensive English-Croatian glossary. Many routes take in the dramatic karst landscapes and peaks of Croatia's mountains; others explore the country's stunning national and nature parks – including the breathtaking UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes; yet more visit local attractions and highlights, such as Vrelo Cave and Pazin's castle and gorge.