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With the Sea Beside Me: An intimate guide to California's central and north coast
In this second, updated edition, imagine being an adventure traveler setting out to explore the California Coast. Then imagine climbing in beside someone with intimate local knowledge of the coast and all its opportunities for outdoor exploration and enjoyment. With the Sea Beside Me is a guide book, a running narrative and a collection of travel literature vignettes, a book that can be read for entertainment before departing and then referred to along the road. From Santa Barbara to the Oregon border, Fischer points out the great places to camp, outstanding hikes, kayaking and surfing spots, brew pubs, restaurants, lodging, interesting back roads and some of the fascinating people the traveler should stop to meet along the way. The road stories give the reader a sense of the places and the people, making each area feel familiar before arriving. Fischer brings over a quarter century of adventure travel to the traveler in this entertaining and informative road trip, featuring almost 200 photos and 17 maps.
205 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 29, 2021
Transcendent and engrossing travel guide...
Meade Fischer confirms that whenever and wherever we travel it is the experience that matters, the here and now, and crucially how that changes us, rather than confirms what we expected or anticipated when we decided to go there. In an age where we are told that travel experience can be bought as a package, it is interesting and instructive to travel through the eyes of another, both refreshing and enlightening to share another visitor's insight from a different time as we explore a new experience of travel ourselves.
With the Sea Beside Me the descriptions are lyrical and vivid. As the synopsis explains: ‘… imagine being an adventure traveler setting out to explore the California Coast. Then imagine climbing in beside someone with intimate local knowledge of the coast and all its opportunities for outdoor exploration and enjoyment. With the Sea Beside Me is a guidebook, a running narrative and a collection of travel literature vignettes, a book that can be read for entertainment before departing and then referred to along the road. From Santa Barbara to the Oregon border, Fischer points out the great places to camp, outstanding hikes, kayaking and surfing spots, brew pubs, restaurants, lodging, interesting back roads and some of the fascinating people the traveler should stop to meet along the way. The road stories give the reader a sense of the places and the people, making each area feel familiar before arriving...’
If you've ever wanted to experience the California Coast, this is a great book to start with. If you love to travel, you will absolutely love reading about Meade's experiences. If you are nervous about traveling, then become an armchair traveler by starting with this book; you may just find that it makes you brave and ready for an adventure. Another great read by this author for all travel lovers. Highly recommended.
Meade Fischer confirms that whenever and wherever we travel it is the experience that matters, the here and now, and crucially how that changes us, rather than confirms what we expected or anticipated when we decided to go there. In an age where we are told that travel experience can be bought as a package, it is interesting and instructive to travel through the eyes of another, both refreshing and enlightening to share another visitor's insight from a different time as we explore a new experience of travel ourselves.
With the Sea Beside Me the descriptions are lyrical and vivid. As the synopsis explains: ‘… imagine being an adventure traveler setting out to explore the California Coast. Then imagine climbing in beside someone with intimate local knowledge of the coast and all its opportunities for outdoor exploration and enjoyment. With the Sea Beside Me is a guidebook, a running narrative and a collection of travel literature vignettes, a book that can be read for entertainment before departing and then referred to along the road. From Santa Barbara to the Oregon border, Fischer points out the great places to camp, outstanding hikes, kayaking and surfing spots, brew pubs, restaurants, lodging, interesting back roads and some of the fascinating people the traveler should stop to meet along the way. The road stories give the reader a sense of the places and the people, making each area feel familiar before arriving...’
If you've ever wanted to experience the California Coast, this is a great book to start with. If you love to travel, you will absolutely love reading about Meade's experiences. If you are nervous about traveling, then become an armchair traveler by starting with this book; you may just find that it makes you brave and ready for an adventure. Another great read by this author for all travel lovers. Highly recommended.
September 17, 2021
This is an authentic traveler’s guide to California’s Central and North Coast by a person who just loves to travel. It is like no other traveler’s guide that you ever read since it provides an intimate experience of this breathtakingly picturesque area on the California coast.
Fischer’s book is a collection of vignettes about the Central and North Coast of California. It is a book that can be read for either entertainment before departing for Northern California and/or as a guide when you are traversing this wonderful land and coast.
Fischer’s book explores a wide area from Santa Barbara to the Oregon border. Fischer points out picturesque and quaint places to camp, hike, kayak, and surf. The book also contains a list of pubs, restaurants, lodging, interesting back roads and some of the popular people the traveler would stop to meet along the way.
The road stories that Fischer captured will give the reader an intimate portrayal of the kinds of places and people along the North coast, making each area feel familiar before you arrive to explore the area in your own way.
There are so many natural treasures in our world. And this is one area that I would love to visit. The pictures are breathtaking and transporting. Now that I have read this wonderful and intimate portrait of this place, I have put it on my bucket list to visit for the near future. I loved the book, and I will be re-reading it right before I depart for the California coastlands.
Website: www.meadefischer.com
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Beside-Me-...
Fischer’s book is a collection of vignettes about the Central and North Coast of California. It is a book that can be read for either entertainment before departing for Northern California and/or as a guide when you are traversing this wonderful land and coast.
Fischer’s book explores a wide area from Santa Barbara to the Oregon border. Fischer points out picturesque and quaint places to camp, hike, kayak, and surf. The book also contains a list of pubs, restaurants, lodging, interesting back roads and some of the popular people the traveler would stop to meet along the way.
The road stories that Fischer captured will give the reader an intimate portrayal of the kinds of places and people along the North coast, making each area feel familiar before you arrive to explore the area in your own way.
There are so many natural treasures in our world. And this is one area that I would love to visit. The pictures are breathtaking and transporting. Now that I have read this wonderful and intimate portrait of this place, I have put it on my bucket list to visit for the near future. I loved the book, and I will be re-reading it right before I depart for the California coastlands.
Website: www.meadefischer.com
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Beside-Me-...
September 14, 2021
Passionate at heart, Meade's writing will make anyone want to head out to the Californian Coast like yesterday! An incredible, detailed and genuine guide for a travel lover, this is a must-have especially if you love adventurous trips, kayaking, camping, etc.
He has detailed all the special places here and even a native Californian will have something new to find from this book - it's that elaborate and well-thought out. He has given all the information a traveler will need - eat out spots, hidden trails, places to hike, surf, camp, lodge, or even places that might interest everyone compete with photos. What more can you ask for?
You feel like you've visited the place already and experiencing it first hand, is just the next step to complete the journey you started. Are you ready? Make your travel more meaningful and enjoyable, spend less time hunting for stuff and enjoy the ride!
He has detailed all the special places here and even a native Californian will have something new to find from this book - it's that elaborate and well-thought out. He has given all the information a traveler will need - eat out spots, hidden trails, places to hike, surf, camp, lodge, or even places that might interest everyone compete with photos. What more can you ask for?
You feel like you've visited the place already and experiencing it first hand, is just the next step to complete the journey you started. Are you ready? Make your travel more meaningful and enjoyable, spend less time hunting for stuff and enjoy the ride!
April 27, 2026
With the Sea Beside Me by Meade Fischer feels like traveling with someone who truly knows the California coast inside out. Covering the stretch from Santa Barbara to the Oregon border, the book blends practical travel advice with personal road stories, making it both useful and enjoyable to read.
What makes it special is how naturally it mixes information with experience. You’ll find suggestions for camping spots, scenic hikes, kayaking and surfing locations, along with places to eat and relax. But instead of just listing them, the author adds small stories and insights that help you connect with each place. The photos and maps also make it easier to picture the journey and plan your stops.
For me, this felt like more than just a guide, it’s something you can read before your trip to get excited and then carry along for reference. The writing is simple, warm, and easy to follow, which makes the whole experience feel personal. If you enjoy slow travel and discovering places beyond the usual tourist spots, this book makes you want to pack your bags and start exploring.
What makes it special is how naturally it mixes information with experience. You’ll find suggestions for camping spots, scenic hikes, kayaking and surfing locations, along with places to eat and relax. But instead of just listing them, the author adds small stories and insights that help you connect with each place. The photos and maps also make it easier to picture the journey and plan your stops.
For me, this felt like more than just a guide, it’s something you can read before your trip to get excited and then carry along for reference. The writing is simple, warm, and easy to follow, which makes the whole experience feel personal. If you enjoy slow travel and discovering places beyond the usual tourist spots, this book makes you want to pack your bags and start exploring.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews