Essential books, guides and charts

Cruising Guide to the Lower Gulf by Gerry Cunningham See larger photo Paperback - 131 pages (July 1, 1998) Cruising Charts; ISBN: 0964245078 This Guide covers the east coast of Baja from Cabo San Lucas to Puerto Escondido, where it overlaps the Cruising Guide to the Middle Gulf. It includes the anchorages on the islands of Cerralvo, Espiritu Santo, Partida, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Santa Catalina, Monserrat, and San Cosme. Over 85 areas with their anchorages, personally anchored in and surveyed, 103 photos, 56 detailed charts and 77 GPS positions recorded on the spot, in 131 pages. Shorelines are taken from the Mexican 1:50,000 topographical maps, the only modern survey of the Gulf. Comments: Gerry's guides and charts are the definitive reference for cruising the Sea of Cortez.

The Complete Cruising Guide to the Middle Gulf by Gerry Cunningham 174 pages Cruising Charts; ISBN: 0964245019 Starting with Candelero Chico, this Guide overlaps the Cruising Guide to the Lower Gulf, covering the Baja coast , including the offshore islands of Carmen, Coronados, and San Marcos, thence north to Bahia de los Angeles and across the Midriff Islands to Bahia Kino on the mainland. In 174 pages, it covers anchorages in 120 areas with 120 photos, and 75 detail charts personally surveyed and described by the author. Many GPS coordinates are given, taken on the spot. Shorelines are taken from the only modern survey of the Gulf, the joint USA and Mexican aerial survey which produced the Mexican 1:50,000 topographical map series. Spiral bound. Comments: Gerry's guides and charts are the definitive reference for cruising the Sea of Cortez.

Cruising Guide to the Lower Gulf by Gerry Cunningham See larger photo Paperback - 131 pages (July 1, 1998) Cruising Charts; ISBN: 0964245078 This Guide covers the east coast of Baja from Cabo San Lucas to Puerto Escondido, where it overlaps the Cruising Guide to the Middle Gulf. It includes the anchorages on the islands of Cerralvo, Espiritu Santo, Partida, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Santa Catalina, Monserrat, and San Cosme. Over 85 areas with their anchorages, personally anchored in and surveyed, 103 photos, 56 detailed charts and 77 GPS positions recorded on the spot, in 131 pages. Shorelines are taken from the Mexican 1:50,000 topographical maps, the only modern survey of the Gulf. Comments: Gerry's guides and charts are the definitive reference for cruising the Sea of Cortez.

Charlie's Charts of the Western Coast of Mexico by Charlie E. Wood, published by Charlie's Charts Paperback 7th edition (January 1999); Charlie's Charts; ISBN: 0969726562;

Baja Boater's Guide : The Pacific Coast : The Definitive Guide for the Coastal Waters of Mexico's Baja California by Jack Williams Paperback - 2 pages 2 edition Vol 001 (January 1989) Hj Williams Pub; ISBN: 0961684313 A large format book covering San Diego to Cabo San Lucas. Excellent general information ,aerial photos, sketches, anchorages and facilities.

Baja Boater's Guide Volume II - Sea of Cortez by Jack Williams, published by H. J. Williams Publications Paperback - 2 pages 3rd edition Vol 2 (October 1996); H. J. Williams Pub; ISBN: 0961684380;

Cruising 101: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Paradise by Amy L. Sullivan, Kevin J. Donnelly Comments: Offers a very different, very fresh view of cruising, and covers subjects that most "how-to-cruise" books do not. Amy & Kevin had the dream that many of us share: To escape the daily grind and go cruising. They did it in a way that the small boat sailor can really relate to. They didn't buy a 40ft floating palace, and circumnavigate. On a very limited budget, they refurbished a late 60s Cal 30, and headed for the Sea of Cortez, were they spent 16 months, on a budget of about $250 a month. The book is divided into two parts. The first part is pretty brief, and describes their preparation and their first 101 days of cruising. It is significant because it details because it is about their difficult transformation from land dwellers to real cruisers. It offers a very honest portrayal of the emotional, physical and monetary realities of making such a drastic change in one's life. The second, much longer sections covers a number of subjects including setting reasonable expectations and attainable goals, finding and equipping your budget cruiser, dealing with on-board relationships, provisioning and cruising etiquette. The chapters on expectations, goals, relationships and etiquette are really refreshing, because they are generally not covered by other "how-to-cruise" books. There coverage of boat selection and preparation is a bit unusual, because they do not take the "equip the boat with every modern convenience" approach, but rather deal with things in terms of planning and implementing realistically for your individual needs. This is the book I wish I had had before I started cruising. That Amy and Kevin choose the Sea of Cortez as their cruising grounds was certainly a plus for me, but most of their advice applies everywhere. The book is only 191 pages, and was a very easy, quick read. I enjoyed the authors' style and attitude. I have added this book to my list of essential reading. Highly recommended.

MexWX: Mexico Weather for Boaters by John E. Rains Perfect - 112 pages 2 edition (March 1, 1998) Point Loma Pub; ISBN: 0963847015 A great guide to marine weather for the Pacific coast of Mexico and the Sea of Cortez. Updated edition includes information on El Nino, Internet weather resources, weather frequency listings, charts, satellite photos,etc. Explains the cruising seasons, best times for north or south passages, winds, currents and storms.

Diving Baja California (Aqua Quest Diving Series) by Susan Speck Paperback (November 1995) Aqua Quest Pubn; ISBN: 188165205X Both the Sea of Cortez, with its many unique species, and the rich Pacific waters (including the Socorro Islands) that adjoin Baja are covered in this guide. Divers from all over the world visit Baja to see manta rays, humpback whales, schooling hammerhead sharks, sea lions and other marine life. Eleven maps pinpoint 75 dive sites, many of wich are little known. Also included are accommodations ranging from luxury resorts to barebones campsites, topside sightseeing, restaurants, dive operations, boat launching ramps, and marine life. 128 pages, 7x10, paper, color photos, maps, index.

Other recommended books

Launch Ramps of Baja California by Michael C. Bales Paperback (February 1992) Launch Ramp Publications; ISBN: 0963218808

Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Guide to Baja California (Diving & Snorkeling Guides) by Walt Peterson Paperback - 128 pages (January 1999) Pisces Books; ISBN: 0864425724 Lonely Planet Guide. This full-color richly illustrated guide includes important dive sites on the Peninsula's Cortez and Pacific coasts, as well as many that have never been described before. Includes specific information on depths, currents and required diving expertise, detailed maps, natural history, conservation, local accommodations, transportation, currency, customs, dive operators, and health and safety.

The Log from the Sea of Cortez (Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics) by John Steinbeck, Edward Flanders Ricketts, Richard Astro (Introduction) Paperback Reprint edition (November 1995) Penguin USA (Paper); ISBN: 0140187448 Steinbeck's classic work, recounting his trip on a sardine boat with biologist Edward Ricketts.

Insight Guides: Mexico by John Wilcock (Editor), Karl Muller (Editor) Paperback 6th edition (January 1998) Apa Productions; ISBN: 0887297110 Insight Guides are more than another travel guide. Top writers and photographers seek out the most exciting information on the area, beginning with a lively history, followed by a series of essays designed to give insight into the lives of the people. An illuminating text, accompanied by vivid photographs, combine to give you a sense of place before you get there, so that your time can be spent enjoying instead of with your nose in a guide book.

Insight Pocket Guides Baja Peninsula by John Wilcock Paperback Book&Map edition (January 1998) Apa Productions; ISBN: 0887298338 Insight Guides are more than another travel guide. Top writers and photographers seek out the most exciting information on the area, beginning with a lively history, followed by a series of essays designed to give insight into the lives of the people. An illuminating text, accompanied by vivid photographs, combine to give you a sense of place before you get there, so that your time can be spent enjoying instead of with your nose in a guide book.

A Cruising Guide from Acapulco to the Panama Canal by Charles Goodman Paperback (November 1993) Paradise Cay Publications; ISBN: 0939837137 The passage between Acapulco and the Panama Canal offers some of the best and some of the least known cruising areas in the world. In early 1988 a group of gathered for a meeting at the Acapulco Yacht Club to compare notes, ideas and personal information about the trip to the canal. Very little had been written about anchorages, supplies, and the sailing tactics en route. This cruising guide contains detailed descriptions of 51 Anchorages between Acapulco and the Panama Canal. Also included are 40 charts, 15 photos, a list of Radio Nets and a Bibliography. Includes charts and illustrations.

Baja Camping - The Complete Guide : Featuring Every Campground from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucos, Including 1,000 Miles of Shoreline by Fred Jones, Gloria Jones Paperback - 300 pages 2nd Rev edition (January 1998) Foghorn Pr; ISBN: 1573540137

The Baja Catch : A Fishing Camp; Camping Manual for Mexico's Baja California Peninsula by Neil Kelly, Gene Kira Paperback 3rd Rev edition (July 1997) Commonwealth Pubns Inc; ISBN: 0929637046

Baja Handbook : Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas (3rd Ed) by Joe Cummings Paperback - 380 pages 3rd Rev edition (September 1998) Moon Pubns; ISBN: 1566911206 Includes recommendations on hotels, resorts, and campgrounds, plus restaurant reviews, and extensive details on recreational activities. 69 photos. 50 illustrations. 50 maps.

Baja to Barrow; A Pacific Coast Wildlife Odyssey by Erwin A. Bauer, Peggy Bauer (Contributor) Hardcover (September 1995) Willow Creek Press; ISBN: 1572230223 Midwest Book Review Join a husband and wife team as they tour the Baja coastline in search of wildlife from the tip of California to Alaska's most remote settlement. This photo odyssey blends travel lore with plenty of nature observation along the way, presenting many gorgeous photos of animals in the wild.

By the Lake of Sleeping Children : The Secret Life of the Mexican Border by Luis Alberto Urrea, John Lueders-Booth (Photographer) Paperback (October 1996) Anchor Books; ISBN: 0385484194 The award-winning author of Across the Wire delves into the post-NAFTA and Proposition 187 border purgatory of garbage pickers and dump dwellers in By the Lake of Sleeping Children. In 16 indelible portraits, Urrea illuminates the horrors and the simple joys of people trapped between the two worlds of Mexico and the United States--and ignored by both. 10 photos.

The Cave Paintings of Baja California : Discovering the Great Murals of an Unknown People (Sunbelt Natural History Books) by Harry W. Crosby, Lowell Lindsay (Editor) Library Binding 1st edition (February 1998) Sunbelt Publications; ISBN: 0932653235

Field Guide to Pacific Coast Fishes of North America : From the Gulf of Alaska to Baja California by William N. Eschmeyer, Earl S. Herald Paperback - 336 pages (April 1983) Houghton Mifflin Co (Pap); ISBN: 0395331889 Carol Verderese - Choice: This excellent field guide is one of the better books in 'The Peterson Field Guide Series.'. . . Some unusual individual fish specimens will still leave the user uncertain as to specific identity, but this book will guide most 'ichthusiasts' to the right place. . . . Illustrations, many in color, are excellent but small, and the user should read the short text on each species in order to make a more positive identification. It took many years to prepare thisguide, and its contents have been reviewed carefully by specialists on each of the fish families. As a guide to the Pacific Coast fishes from Alaska to Baja California, it has no peer. It should be in the hands of all West Coast fishermen, beachcombers, and, of course, libraries

Hidden Baja (1st Edition) by Richard Harris Paperback - 350 pages (June 1998) Ulysses Pr; ISBN: 1569751242 From rugged mountains to white-sand beaches and brilliant coral reefs, Baja offers both adventurous and rejuvenating getaways. "Hidden Baja" covers all the options and lists resorts, campgrounds, haciendas, and numerous seaside restaurants--all the information needed to get away from it all! 10 illustrations. 10 maps.

Lonely Planet Baja California by Wayne Bernhardson Paperback - 328 pages 4th edition edition (January 1998) Lonely Planet Publications; ISBN: 0864424450 Insider tips on exploring Baja, from popular border towns such as Tijuana to the resorts of Los Cabos and everything in between. Highlights recreational options such as whale-watching, snorkeling, diving, surfing, and biking. Includes 40 maps.

Sea Kayaking in Baja by Andromeda Romano-Lax Paperback - 153 pages (September 1993) Wilderness Pr; ISBN: 0899971571 The only guide in print for sea kayaking the Baja.

Seasonal Guide to the Natural Year : A Month by Month Guide to Natural Events : Southern California and Baja California (Seasonal Guides) by Judy Wade Paperback (April 1997) Fulcrum Pub; ISBN: 1555912710 At last, a book that allows you to see what will be happening at a destination at the time of year you will will there. No more missed whale-watching opportunities (unless you are looking for gum), or wishing you had gone someplace LAST week instead. The monthly arrangement is very useful, and the index at the back is cross-referenced so you can look up places you are interested in by location as well as time of year. A welcome addition to my travel book shelf.