Books by Stuart Thornton

Moon Monterey & Carmel: With Santa Cruz & Big Sur (Travel Guide)

by Stuart Thornton

Quirky galleries, deliciously fresh seafood, and dramatic hikes and drives: discover what the locals love about these seaside towns with Moon Monterey & Carmel. Inside you'll find:

Flexible, strategic itineraries including long weekends in Monterey, Carmel, and Santa Cruz, and a three-day road trip from Big Sur to Cambria Top sights and unique experiences: Visit the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium or take a whale-watching tour to catch a glimpse of sea otters, harbor seals, and migrating whales in the wild. Stroll along soft sand beaches or browse artisan galleries and boutiques in Carmel's idyllic downtown. Cruise along the Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur and pull over to soak up the breathtaking ocean view, or wander the halls of the opulent Hearst Castle. Catch happy hour at a historic brewery, or dine on fresh seafood as the sun sets over the bay Outdoor adventures: Explore the stunning coastline on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, dive into a kelp forest, or rent a surfboard and catch a wave. Honest advice from Monterey local Stuart Thornton on when to go, how to get around, where to eat, and where to stay, from budget motels to historic inns Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Handy tools including tips for seniors, visitors with disabilities, and traveling with kids Helpful resources on COVID-19 and traveling to Monterey and Carmel Background on the culture, history, weather, and wildlife Full coverage of Monterey, Carmel, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Cambria, San Simeon, Morro Bay, and Salinas

Experience the best of Monterey & Carmel with Moon's practical tips and local insight.

Hitting the road? Check out Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip. Looking for more outdoor adventures? Try Moon Northern California Hiking.

About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

Moon Monterey & Carmel: With Santa Cruz & Big Sur (Travel Guide)

by Stuart Thornton

Quirky beach towns, deliciously fresh seafood, and dramatic hikes and drives: discover what the locals love with Moon Monterey & Carmel. Inside you'll find:

Flexible, strategic itineraries including long weekends in Monterey, Carmel, and Santa Cruz, and a three-day road trip from Big Sur to Cambria The top sights and unique experiences: Visit the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium or take a whale-watching tour to catch a glimpse of sea otters, harbor seals, and migrating whales in the wild. Stroll along soft sand beaches or browse artisan galleries and boutiques in Carmel's idyllic downtown. Explore the stunning coastline on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, dive into a kelp forest, or rent a surfboard and catch a wave. Cruise along the Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur and pull over to soak up the breathtaking ocean view, or wander the halls of the opulent Hearst Castle. Catch happy hour at a historic brewery, or enjoy a dinner of fresh seafood as the sun sets over the bay Honest advice from Monterey local Stuart Thornton on when to go, how to get around, where to eat, and where to stay, from budget motels to historic inns Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Handy tools including tips for seniors, visitors with disabilities, and traveling with kids Background on the culture, history, weather, and wildlife Full coverage of Monterey, Carmel, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Cambria, San Simeon, Morro Bay, and Salinas

With Moon Monterey & Carmel's practical tips and local insight, you can plan your trip your way.

Driving through? Check out Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip. Exploring more of the Golden State? Try Moon Northern California.

Moon Northern California Road Trips (Travel Guide)

by Stuart Thornton, Kayla Anderson

Explore an iconic city, stroll along the foggy cliffs of the coast, or climb the peaks of the Sierra Nevada: Answer the call of the open road with Moon Northern California Road Trips.
Pick Your Road Trip: Find flexible getaways throughout NorCal like three-day routes through Wine Country, Lake Tahoe, Monterey and Big Sur, and more, or combine them for an epic 21-day driving tour Eat, Sleep, Stop and Explore: With lists of the best places for hikes, wine-tasting, water sports, and more, you can take on the steep streets of San Francisco, sample wine at its source in Sonoma, and pitch a tent in the pines of Yosemite. Spot whales in Bodega Bay, hike through towering redwoods or up to the peak of Mount Lassen, and raft down the Sacramento River Maps and Driving Tools: Easy-to-use maps keep you oriented on and off the highway, along with site-to-site mileage, driving times, detailed directions, and full-color photos throughout Local Expertise: Northern Californians Stuart Thornton and Kayla Anderson share their tips on where to stop and what to see How to Plan Your Trip: Know when and where to get gas and how to avoid traffic, plus tips for driving in different road and weather conditions and suggestions for LGBTQ travelers, seniors, and road-trippers with kids Coverage of San Francisco, Wine Country, the Sonoma and Mendocino Coasts, the North Coast and Redwoods, Shasta and Lassen, Lake Tahoe, the Eastern Sierra Lakes, Yosemite National Park, Monterey and Big Sur, and Ashland, Oregon With flexible itineraries for weekend getaways and practical tips for driving the full loop, Moon Northern California Road Trips gets you ready to fill up the tank and hit the road.

Looking to explore more of America on wheels? Try Moon Southern California Road Trips. Spending more time in the area? Check out Moon Coastal California.

Moon Coastal California (Travel Guide)

by Stuart Thornton

From foggy cliffs and towering redwoods to warm sands and legendary surf, explore the best of the golden coast with Moon Coastal California. Inside you'll find:
Flexible itineraries including six days in Central California, five days on the North Coast, and multiple road trip itineraries that can be combined into an epic two-week Pacific Coast road trip Strategic advice for families, adventure seekers, romantic getaways, outdoor enthusiasts, foodies, and more The top beaches for surfing, wildlife viewing, solitude, scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, and more Unique experiences and can't-miss highlights: Soak up the solitude and rugged beauty of the North Coast beaches, or opt for sun and sand in San Diego. Explore the world-class museums and plunging city streets of San Francisco, sip your way through Napa and Sonoma, or gaze at skyscraping redwoods in Muir Woods. Catch a wave in a classic surf town, explore sea caves by kayak, or hike winding cliffside trails. Feast on local Dungeness crab, sample stouts at a coastal microbrewery, or find the best tacos in Los Angeles Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Expert advice from Monterey local and surfer Stuart Thornton on where to stay, where to eat, and how to get around Background information on California's landscape, plants and animals, history, and culture Handy tips for international visitors, seniors, families with kids, LGBTQ+ travelers, and travelers with disabilities With Moon Coastal California's local insight and practical know-how, you can plan your trip your way.

Hitting the road? Try Moon California Road Trip. Headed to the national parks? Check out Moon Death Valley National Park or Moon Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon.

Moon Coastal California (Moon Handbooks)

by Stuart Thornton

Travel writer and longtime California resident Stuart Thornton covers the best of Coastal California, from hiking through redwoods in Big Sur to surfing the waves at Black’s Beach in San Diego. Moon Coastal California is the perfect tour guide, offering unique trip ideas for a wide variety of travelers, including Pacific Coast Road Trip and Romantic Getaways. Packed with expert advice on everything from choosing the best beaches to whale-watching to planning a fun side trip to Disneyland, Moon Coastal California gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Coverage includes:
San Francisco and the Bay Area
Wine Country
North Coast
Monterey Bay
Big Sur and the Central Coast
Santa Barbara and Ventura
Los Angeles and Orange County
San Diego

Moon California Road Trip: San Francisco, Yosemite, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Los Angeles & the Pacific Coast (Travel Guide)

by Stuart Thornton

Hit the Road with Moon Travel Guides!

From the waterfalls of Yosemite and the colorful Grand Canyon to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Golden Gate Bridge, cruise through the best of the West with Moon California Road Trip. Inside you'll find:
Maps and Driving Tools: Over 40 easy-to-use maps keep you oriented on and off the highway, along with site-to-site mileage, driving times, and detailed directions for the entire route Eat, Sleep, Stop and Explore: With lists of the best hikes, views, restaurants, and more, you can ride a cable car in San Francisco or hike Half Dome, descend deep into the Grand Canyon, or hit the waves in a classic SoCal surf town. Wander through history at Alcatraz, snap a photo at Big Sur, or marvel at jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Chow down on an authentic Mission burrito, lunch on fish tacos by the beach, or watch the sunset from a rooftop bar in Los Angeles Flexible Itineraries: Drive the entire two-week route from San Francisco to Yosemite, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Los Angeles, and Southern California, mix and match sections for shorter road trips, or follow strategic itineraries for spending time in big cities and small towns along the way
Local Insight: Surfer and adventurer Stuart Thornton shares his thirst for the next secluded beach, quirky pit stop, and mountaintop vista Planning Your Trip: Know when and where to get gas, how to avoid traffic, tips for driving in different road and weather conditions, and suggestions for international visitors, LGBTQ+ travelers, seniors, and road trippers with kids With Moon California Road Trip's practical tips, detailed itineraries, and local expertise, you're ready to fill up the tank and hit the road.

Doing more than driving through? Check out Moon California, Moon Grand Canyon, or Moon Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon.

Moon Monterey and Carmel: with Santa Cruz and Big Sur (Eighth Edition) Coastal Getaways, Scenic Drives, Hiking and Kayaking

by Moon Travel Guides, Stuart Thornton

Quirky galleries, deliciously fresh seafood, and dramatic hikes and drives: discover what the locals love about these seaside towns with Moon Monterey & Carmel. Inside you'll find:

- Flexible, strategic itineraries including long weekends in Monterey, Carmel, and Santa Cruz, and a three-day road trip from Big Sur to Cambria
- Top sights and unique experiences: Visit the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium or take a whale-watching tour to catch a glimpse of sea otters, harbor seals, and migrating whales in the wild. Stroll along soft sand beaches or browse artisan galleries and boutiques in Carmel's idyllic downtown. Cruise along the Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur and pull over to soak up the breathtaking ocean view, or wander the halls of the opulent Hearst Castle. Catch happy hour at a historic brewery, or dine on fresh seafood as the sun sets over the bay
- Outdoor adventures: Explore the stunning coastline on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, dive into a kelp forest, or rent a surfboard and catch a wave.
- Honest advice from Monterey local Stuart Thornton on when to go, how to get around, where to eat, and where to stay, from budget motels to historic inns
- Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
- Handy tools including tips for seniors, visitors with disabilities, and traveling with kids
- Background on the culture, history, weather, and wildlife
- Full coverage of Monterey, Carmel, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Cambria, San Simeon, Morro Bay, and Salinas

Experience the best of Monterey & Carmel with Moon's practical tips and local insight.

Hitting the road? Check out Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip. Looking for more outdoor adventures? Try Moon Northern California Hiking.

About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell-and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you.

For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

Moon Northern California Road Trips Drives Along the Coast, Redwoods, and Mountains with the Best Stops Along the Way

by Stuart Thornton, Kayla Anderson

Explore iconic San Francisco, stroll along foggy coastal cliffs, or climb the peaks of the Sierra Nevada: Answer the call of the open road with Moon Northern California Road Trips.

• Pick Your Road Trip: Find flexible getaways throughout NorCal, like three-day routes through Wine Country, Lake Tahoe, Monterey and Big Sur, and more, or combine them for an epic 21-day driving tour
• Eat, Sleep, Stop and Explore: With lists of the best places for hikes, day trips, wine-tasting, and more, you can take on the steep streets of San Francisco, sample wine at its source in Sonoma, and pitch a tent in the pines of Yosemite. Spot whales in Bodega Bay, hike through towering redwoods or up to the peak of Mount Lassen, and raft down the Sacramento River
• Maps and Driving Tools: Easy-to-use maps keep you oriented on and off the highway, along with site-to-site mileage, driving times, detailed directions, and full-color photos throughout
• Local Expertise: Northern Californians Stuart Thornton and Kayla Anderson share their tips on where to stop and what to see
• How to Plan Your Trip: Know when and where to get gas and how to avoid traffic, plus tips for driving in different road and weather conditions and suggestions for LGBTQ travelers, seniors, travelers of color, and road-trippers with kids
• Coverage of San Francisco, Wine Country, the Sonoma and Mendocino Coasts, the North Coast and Redwoods, Shasta and Lassen, Lake Tahoe, the Eastern Sierra, Yosemite National Park, Monterey and Big Sur, and Ashland, Oregon