This year’s Travel & Outdoor Recreation holiday gift guide is filled with fun and accessible books for exploring the Pacific Northwest and West Coast! From the Cascade Mountains to the shores of Puget Sound, from spectacular cities to drives along the Pacific coast, there is something for every adventurer on your list.
The Mountains are Calling
by Nancy Blakey
Looking for easily accessible yet off-the-beaten-path outdoor adventures you can do year-round in the mountains near Seattle, Portland, and Bend? Look no further! This beginner-friendly guide will show you where to go, what to do, and what to look for while you’re there. Get inspired to get outdoors all year long with beautiful photography and illustrations, evocative descriptions, maps, and all the basics you need to know to go.
Northwest Know-How: Beaches
by Rena Priest; Illustrated by Jake Stoumbos
Entertaining and educational, Northwest Know-How: Beaches showcases the majestic, quirky, and unique beaches of the Washington and Oregon coastline through facts, history, legend, and lovely illustrations. Sure to delight the avid beachcomber and curious visitor alike, this makes the perfect gift and guide for PNW beach-lovers and nature enthusiasts.
The Pacific Crest Trail
by Joshua M. Powell
The Pacific Crest Trail as you’ve never seen it before! A visual feast for the senses, this highly designed paperback showcases the PCT through clever infographics, modern illustration, and insightful text. The book captures both the grandeur of the West Coast as well as the tiniest things that a thru-hiker notices and experiences during a 140-day trek.
The Best Coast: A Road Trip Atlas
by Chandler O’Leary
Go on the ultimate West Coast road trip with The Best Coast—a full-color illustrated travel guide to all the must-visit roadside attractions, beloved landmarks, hidden histories, and offbeat delights on Washington, Oregon, and California’s historic highways, including the Pacific Coast Highway!
By the Shore
by Nancy Blakey
Explore and celebrate the Pacific Northwest coast like a local with this visual treat of an adventure guide that includes activities, crafts and recipes. From whale watching to squid jigging to making your own sea salt or fish prints, this adventure guide highlights the wild beauty of the Northwest Coast.
The Portland Book of Dates
by Eden Dawn and Ashod Simonian
This highly visual book marries style and substance to give Portland and the people who love her the guidebook they deserve: a curated and creative collection of more than 130 outings in and around Portland to inspire romance and adventure. Secret spots, beloved locales, and unexpected destinations offer endless options for date night or a weekend getaway.
The Creaky Knees Guides
by various authors
Creaky Knees hiking guides lead hikers to the best easy hikes in parks and wilderness areas in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. Featuring the 100 best low-impact day hikes in each state, these day hike guides are perfect for older adults, seniors, those traveling with small children, and anyone else interested more in a stroll than a climb.
A Woman’s Guide to the Wild
by Ruby McConnell; Illustrated by Teresa Grasseschi
Hike, camp, backpack, and navigate the wilderness like a pro with this personable guide to outdoor adventure. This fun, practical handbook covers everything that you’ll need to make the most of your time in the wilderness. Get inspired to get out on your own or with your girlfriends, explore the wild, and get a little dirty.
Day Hike! Series
by various authors
Discover the very best day hikes in Washington State. In these easy-to-use hiking guides, each trail is rated from easy to extreme, giving first-time or veteran hikers the variety they want, as well as topographical maps, trail descriptions, and more. The Day Hike! series of full-color hiking guides is for people who want to spend their days in the mountains and their nights at home.
