The weather is warming up, so now is the time to get out and explore what Southern California has to offer. The Newport Beach Public Library stocks many books on hiking throughout Orange County and the region, from the mountains to the coast to the deserts.
"Afoot & Afield in Orange County" by Jerry Schad has been in publication since 1988 and remains a popular hiking guide to this area. This book breaks down trails from beaches and bays to foothills to the Santa Ana Mountains. It contains introductory information on how to be prepared, what you might encounter and where, and how to be a courteous hiker. The information is presented with pictures of each locale, maps and guides to each path, complete with difficulty, distance and even the best times to visit.
Another short and to-the-point hiking guide is "Best Easy Day Hikes Orange County" by Randy Vogel. This book breaks down hikes by coastal hikes, foothills and mountains, but focuses on more introductory, less strenuous paths. It contains information on the type of hike (loop, out-and-back), distance, elevation gain and brief descriptions of the trails themselves.
