Art Towns: California: Communities Celebrating Creativity-Festivals, Galleries, Museums, Dining & Lodging

Whether you're a beachcombing refugee from Arizona's triple-digit take on summer or a Boston Red Sox fan from Mattapoisett whose first-ever visit to the West Co...ast includes catching the first two games of a three-game Red Sox vs Oakland A's series in the East Bay, there's lots to be said about exploring parts of California that are off the beaten path. If your idea of travel rarely overlooks the opportunity to visit the exhibitions at a hidden gem of an art museum, or join in on the fun of a neighborhood art walk, then you'll probably love exploring at least an arm's distance removed from the mainstream of tourist-hungry places. "Art Towns California" covers 27 communities that offer their residents as well as visitors a wide range of ways to connect with the unique, local spirit of creativity. Some places, such as Laguna Beach, La Jolla, and Santa Cruz, are most appealing to visitors on their first, second or third journey to the state. Other communities have an enduring charm that never fades, such as Ojai, Mendocino, and Nevada City. This travel guide gives you an arts-focused look at nearly 30 communities whose special qualities include art centers, outdoor festivals, theater companies, music festivals, and art schools. If you've wondered how and where to discover great art in unusual places, this guidebook gets you to those spots. 30 black & white photographs.Detailed info »« Brief info