Big Books of 2026

California Natural History Guides Series

94 primary works • 94 total works
From deserts and grasslands to glaciers and the spectacular Pacific coast, California is a naturalist’s paradise. The authors of the California Natural History Guides have walked into wildfires, plunged into shark infested waters, scaled the Sierra Nevada, peeked under rocks, and gazed into the sky to present the most extensive California environme…

Book 102

Natural History of San Francisco Bay (Volume 102)
by
3.84 · 32 Ratings · 6 Reviews · published 2011 · 6 editions
This complete primer on San Francisco Bay is a mul…

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    Book 101

    Introduction to Earth, Soil, and Land in California (Volume 101)
    by
    3.40     · 10 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 2010 · 5 editions
    Following his acclaimed guides to air, fire, and w…

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    Book 100

    Field Guide to Marine Mammals of the Pacific Coast (Volume 100)
    by
    4.30     · 10 Ratings · published 2010 · 4 editions
    From gray whales giving birth in the lagoons of Ba…

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    Book 99

    Introduction to California's Beaches and Coast
    by
    4.47     · 15 Ratings · 3 Reviews · published 2010 · 4 editions
    From sunny beaches where thousands escape the summ…

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    Book 98

    Field Guide to California Agriculture (Volume 98)
    by
    4.44     · 16 Ratings · 3 Reviews · published 2010 · 6 editions
    Anyone who travels California's byways sees the ma…

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    Book 97

    Introduction to Energy in California
    by
    3.83     · 6 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 2009 · 8 editions
    This key reference is a primer on energy in a stat…

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    Book 96

    California Indians and Their Environment: An Introduction
    by
    4.38     · 34 Ratings · 4 Reviews · published 2009 · 5 editions
    Capturing the vitality of California's unique indi…

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    Book 95

    Introduction to Fire in California
    by
    4.00     · 42 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 2008 · 9 editions
    What is fire? How are wildfires ignited? How do Ca…

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    Book 94

    The Natural History of the Point Reyes Peninsula
    by
    4.50     · 24 Ratings · 3 Reviews · 8 editions
    Jules Evens weaves history, science, and personal …

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    Book 93

    Field Guide to Owls of California and the West
    by
    4.40     · 20 Ratings · 3 Reviews · published 2007 · 4 editions
    Most owls are almost perfectly adapted to life in …

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    Book 92

    Field Guide to Butterflies of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento Valley Regions
    by
    4.63     · 19 Ratings · 5 Reviews · published 2007 · 7 editions
    The California Tortoiseshell, West Coast Lady, Red…

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    Book 91

    Field Guide to Plant Galls of California and Other Western States
    by
    4.94     · 17 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 2007 · 4 editions
    Oak apples, honeydew and ambrosia galls, witches’ …

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    Book 90

    Introduction to California Chaparral
    by
    4.54     · 46 Ratings · 7 Reviews · published 2006 · 9 editions
    The characteristic look of California Chaparral―a …

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    Book 89

    Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of the San Diego Region
    by
    4.25     · 8 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 2006 · 3 editions
    With its varied topography of coast, mountains, an…

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    Book 88

    Field Guide to Beetles of California (Volume 88)
    by
    4.45     · 11 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 2006 · 5 editions
    With perhaps 8,000 different species, beetles are …

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    Book 87

    Introduction to Air in California
    by
    3.33     · 6 Ratings · published 2006 · 6 editions
    What is air? Why is the sky blue? Why do people re…

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    Book 86

    Introduction to California Soils and Plants: Serpentine, Vernal Pools, and Other Geobotanical Wonders
    by
    4.18     · 22 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 2006 · 4 editions
    Carnivorous pitcher plants, pygmy conifers, and th…

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    Book 85

    Introduction to the Plant Life of Southern California: Coast to Foothills
    by
    4.16     · 38 Ratings · 5 Reviews · published 2005 · 7 editions
    Field guides often provide little ecological infor…

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    Book 84

    Introduction to Birds of the Southern California Coast
    by
    4.00     · 5 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 2005 · 7 editions
    This easy-to-use, concise, informative guide is a …

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    Book 83

    Introduction to California Birdlife
    by
    4.09     · 11 Ratings · 3 Reviews · published 2005 · 5 editions
    In almost every location and every season, Califor…

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    Book 82

    Raptors of California
    by
    4.70     · 10 Ratings · published 2005 · 7 editions
    Raptors―the charismatic group of birds that includ…

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    Book 81

    Introduction to the California Condor
    by
    4.55     · 11 Ratings · 4 Reviews · published 2005 · 5 editions
    The story of the California Condor―an awe-inspirin…

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    Book 80

    Geology of the Sierra Nevada
    by
    4.21     · 80 Ratings · 15 Reviews · published 1975 · 10 editions
    Writing with verve and clarity, Mary Hill tells th…

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    Book 79

    Geology of the San Francisco Bay Region
    by
    4.31     · 81 Ratings · 13 Reviews · published 2006 · 10 editions
    Why does a bit of ocean floor lie on top of Mt. Di…

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    Book 78

    Introduction to California Beetles
    by
    4.12     · 8 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 2004 · 6 editions
    The amazing armored bodies of beetles can bore int…

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    Book 77

    Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of California
    by
    4.17     · 6 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 2006 · 6 editions
    This popular book is the only field guide to all o…

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    Book 76

    Introduction to Water in California
    by
    3.94     · 105 Ratings · 18 Reviews · published 2004 · 13 editions
    It takes 8 gallons of water to grow a tomato; 616 …

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    Book 75

    Introduction to California Spring Wildflowers of the Foothills, Valleys, and Coast
    by
    3.82     · 22 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 2004 · 6 editions
    In the spring, California's rolling hills, green v…

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    Book 74

    Introduction to California Desert Wildflowers
    by
    3.79     · 14 Ratings · 3 Reviews · published 1962 · 9 editions
    Some of the most spectacular and famous spring wil…

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    Book 73

    Sierra Nevada Natural History
    by
    4.36     · 39 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 1963 · 9 editions
    The magnificent and much-loved Sierra Nevada, call…

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    Book 72

    Dragonflies and Damselflies of California
    by
    4.33     · 6 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 2003 · 6 editions
    The Exclamation Damsel, Bison Snaketail, Powdered …

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    Book 71

    Sharks, Rays, and Chimaeras of California
    by
    4.57     · 7 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 2003 · 6 editions
    This guide is the only complete reference to the s…

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    Book 70

    Pests of the Native California Conifers
    by
    3.67     · 3 Ratings · published 2003 · 4 editions
    This guide synthesizes the most current informatio…

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    Book 69

    Introduction to California Plant Life
    by
    4.00     · 26 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1974 · 4 editions
    California’s unique plants range in size from the …

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    Book 68

    Introduction to California Mountain Wildflowers
    by
    4.00     · 10 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1963 · 9 editions
    Many landscapes in California’s mountains are stil…

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    Book 67

    Introduction to Shore Wildflowers of California, Oregon, and Washington
    by
    3.29     · 7 Ratings · 3 Reviews · published 1965 · 11 editions
    The diverse coastal habitats of the spectacular Pa…

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    Book 66

    Mammals of California
    by
    4.38     · 16 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 2004 · 5 editions
    From river otters and minks to bobcats, pikas, and…

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    Book 65

    Introduction to Trees of the San Francisco Bay Region
    by
    3.80     · 15 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 2002 · 8 editions
    The mild Mediterranean climate of the San Francisc…

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    Book 64

    Introduction to Horned Lizards of North America
    by
    4.07     · 14 Ratings · published 2003 · 5 editions
    * Features detailed species accounts; gives inform…

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    Book 63

    Weather of the San Francisco Bay Region
    by
    4.38     · 104 Ratings · 22 Reviews · published 1962 · 8 editions
    Possibly no comparable area on earth displays as m…

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    Book 62

    Trees and Shrubs of California
    by
    4.11     · 47 Ratings · 3 Reviews · published 2001 · 12 editions
    California's varied landscape is characterized by …

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    Book 61

    Natural History of the Islands of California
    by
    4.11     · 18 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1999 · 9 editions
    Islands have always been fascinating places, their…

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    Book 60

    Sierra East: Edge of the Great Basin
    by
    4.10     · 10 Ratings · published 2000 · 7 editions

    The Eastern Sierra is a dramatic, unusual, mountai…

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    Book 59

    Glaciers of California: Modern Glaciers, Ice Age Glaciers, the Origin of Yosemite Valley, and a Glacier Tour in the Sierra Nevada
    by
    4.33     · 12 Ratings · 3 Reviews · published 1998 · 4 editions
    Glaciers in sunny California? Many people will be …

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    Book 58

    California Forests and Woodlands: A Natural History
    by
    4.45     · 20 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 1994 · 7 editions
    From majestic Redwoods to ancient Western Bristlec…

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    Book 57

    The Natural History of Big Sur
    by
    4.28     · 29 Ratings · 9 Reviews · published 1993 · 7 editions
    Each year millions of people visit the area of rug…

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    Book 56

    A Natural History of California
    by
    4.67     · 69 Ratings · 12 Reviews · published 1992 · 13 editions
    In this comprehensive and abundantly illustrated b…

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    Book 55

    Natural History of the White-Inyo Range, Eastern California
    by
    4.50     · 4 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1991 · 3 editions
    The White-Inyo Range--rising sharply from the east…

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    Book 54

    Lichens of California
    by
    4.38     · 8 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1988 · 4 editions
    A close look at rocks and trees is often rewarded …

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    Book 53

    Poisonous Plants of California (Volume 53)
    by
    0.00     · published 1987 · 4 editions
    This highly informative volume describes Californi…

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    Book 52

    California Mammals
    by
    0.00     · published 1988 · 6 editions
    'Fine sections on mammal study and their general b…

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    Book 51

    California Butterflies
    by
    4.00     · 6 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 1986 · 5 editions
    "this guide is small enough to be carried in the f…

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    Book 50

    Natural History of Vacant Lots
    by
    3.90     · 20 Ratings · 7 Reviews · published 1987 · 7 editions
    Vacant lots aren't really a surprising number of p…

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    Book 48

    California Landscape: Origin and Evolution
    by
    4.43     · 7 Ratings · published 1984 · 4 editions

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    Book 47

    Seashore Plants of California
    by
    3.00     · 1 Ratings · published 1982 · 5 editions
    This book offers to the layman a reliable guide to…

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    Book 46

    The Natural World of the California Indians
    by
    4.00     · 35 Ratings · 3 Reviews · published 1980 · 11 editions
    Excellent Book

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    Book 45

    Growing California Native Plants
    by
    4.13     · 38 Ratings · published 1980 · 11 editions
    This is the first comprehensive book to aid the ga…

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    Book 44

    California Insects
    by
    4.31     · 13 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 1979 · 7 editions
    California has a vast number of insect species: es…

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    Book 43

    Geologic History of Middle California
    by
    4.17     · 6 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 1979 · 2 editions
    Only recently has the astonishing modern theory of…

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    Book 42

    Mushrooms of Western North America
    by
    4.60     · 5 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1979 · 4 editions
    The authors give full reliable descriptions for ov…

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    Book 41

    Edible and Useful Plants of California
    by
    3.90     · 41 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1977 · 9 editions
    Both American Indians and the pioneers knew and us…

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    Book 40

    Water Birds of California (Volume 40)
    by
    4.00     · 1 Ratings · published 1977 · 4 editions
    A must-have for any birder worth his salt!

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    Book 39

    Underwater California
    by
    0.00     · published 1976 · 5 editions
    Provides information on habitats, communities, pla…

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    Book 38

    Tidepool and Nearshore Fishes of California
    by
    0.00     · published 1975 · 4 editions
    Supplies information on the physical characteristi…

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    Book 36

    Native Trees of the Sierra Nevada
    by
    4.20     · 5 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 1975 · 1 edition
    Native Trees of the Sierra Nevada (California Natu…

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    Book 35

    Introduction to California Plant Life
    by
    4.25     · 4 Ratings · 1 Reviews · 2 editions
    California's unique plants range in size from the …

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    Book 34

    Native Shrubs of the Sierra Nevada
    by
    5.00     · 1 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1974 · 3 editions

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    Book 33

    Grasses in California
    by
    3.67     · 6 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1974 · 5 editions
    This convenient pocket guide surveys the ranges an…

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    Book 32

    Sierra Wildflowers: Mt. Lassen to Kern Canyon
    by
    4.00     · 1 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1974 · 4 editions
    Sierra Wildflowers

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    Book 31

    California Amphibians and Reptiles
    by
    4.00     · 5 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1972 · 1 edition
    A guide to the identification of California amphib…

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    Book 30

    Teaching Science in an Outdoor Environment (California Natural History Guides)
    by
    0.00     · published 1972 · 2 editions
    Suggests activities, experiments, and field sites …

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    Book 29

    Marine Mammals of California
    by
    4.75     · 4 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 1972 · 3 editions
    This handy guide provides the information needed t…

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    Book 28

    California Marine Food and Game Fishes
    by
    0.00     · published 1971 · 1 edition
    Examines marine ichthyology and fish classificatio…

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    Book 27

    Introduced Trees of Central California
    by
    2.00     · 1 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1969 · 1 edition
    Introduced Trees of Central California (California…

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    Book 26

    Seashore Life of Southern California
    by
    4.00     · 6 Ratings · published 1969 · 5 editions
    The dry land is one world and the wet sea is anoth…

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    Book 25

    Deep-Water Teleostean Fishes of California,
    by
    0.00     · published 1968 · 2 editions
    From the If all the fishes in the world's oceans c…

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    Book 24

    Native Shrubs of the San Francisco Bay Region (Volume 24)
    by
    4.33     · 3 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1968 · 2 editions
    University of California Press, 1968, by Roxana S.…

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    Book 22

    Mushrooms and Other Common Fungi of the San Francisco Bay Region
    by
    3.00     · 2 Ratings · published 1962 · 5 editions

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    Book 19

    Seashore Plants of Southern California
    by
    5.00     · 2 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1966 · 4 editions
    Seashore Plants of Southern California (California…

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    Book 18

    Cacti of California (Volume 18)
    by
    0.00     · published 1966 · 6 editions
    12mo, 1971, PP.64, California Natural History 18

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    Book 17

    Weather of Southern California
    by
    4.60     · 5 Ratings · 3 editions

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    Book 16

    Ferns and Fern Allies of California (Volume 16)
    by
    4.00     · 2 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1966 · 7 editions
    This book describes all ferns commonly found in Ca…

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    Book 15

    Native Shrubs of Southern California
    by
    3.67     · 12 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1966 · 5 editions

    Southern California, with its valleys, high mounta…

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    Book 14

    Native Trees of Southern California
    by
    3.80     · 5 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 1966 · 4 editions
    Explains the rules, tactics, and basic strategy of…

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    Book 13

    Introduction to the Natural History of Southern California
    by
    3.00     · 1 Ratings · published 1966 · 3 editions
    Sm Octavo, , PP.150,

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    Book 11

    Spring Wildflowers of the San Francisco Bay Region
    by
    3.67     · 3 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 1965 · 6 editions
    Octavo, PP.192

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    Book 10

    Early Uses of California Plants
    by
    4.40     · 25 Ratings · 4 Reviews · published 1962 · 11 editions
    Information from many sources has been compiled he…

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    Book 9

    Introduction to Seashore Life of the San Francisco Bay Region and the Coast of Northern California
    by
    4.60     · 5 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1962 · 9 editions
    This book treats a representative selection of all…

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    Book 7

    Evolution of the Landscape of the San Francisco Bay Region
    by
    3.00     · 1 Ratings · published 1962 · 4 editions
    book

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    Book 5

    Rocks and Minerals of the San Francisco Bay Region
    by
    0.00     · published 1962 · 9 editions
    Rocks and Minerals of the San Francisco Bay Region…

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    Book 4

    Native Trees of the San Francisco Bay Region
    by
    4.00     · 5 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 1961 · 8 editions
    What is a tree, coniferous trees, broadleaf trees…

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    Book 3

    Reptiles and Amphibians of the San Francisco Bay Region
    by
    5.00     · 1 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1959 · 3 editions
    Author, Robert Stebbins and Publisher, University …

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    Book 2

    Mammals of the San Francisco Bay Region
    by
    4.00     · 1 Ratings · 1 Reviews · published 1959 · 2 editions
    New

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    Book 1

    The Natural History of the San Francisco Bay Region
    by
    3.00     · 4 Ratings · 2 Reviews · published 1959 · 3 editions
    San Francisco nature guide.

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