Drawn by extravagant promises of "a beautiful village of 500 inhabitants, studded with orange trees and grapevines," the Hammond family arrived in Encinitas in 1883 only to find that advertisements had rather overstated the case. Undeterred, these 11 English settlers remained and, in doing so, doubled the town's population overnight. Subsequent pioneers brought wide-ranging talents to this fledgling California coastal town--none more so than the Ecke dynasty, whose flower fields established Encinitas as the poinsettia capital of the world. Today, the city encompasses five distinct communities, and while it boasts many famous celebrities, it is the ordinary folk whose passion and daring have made Encinitas the place their forebears long ago envisaged.

A collision of cultures in a seaside resort community, Carlsbad sits on a seven-mile stretch of white-sands beach idyllically located on the Pacific coast of north county San Diego. The idea of Carlsbad began in the late 1880s when two small groups of entrepreneurs ascended, simultaneously, from both the north and the south. The first group discovered natural mineral springs, which they promoted to tourists as having healing powers. As a result, the town became a very popular resting point for the rich and famous when traveling by train from Los Angeles to the famed Del Mar horse races. Subsequently, the Mexican Revolution began to the south and drove a second group of visionaries to Carlsbad. Thus, the quaint downtown area, known as the Village, was created along with a vibrant Barrio. Incorporated in 1952, Carlsbad remains, today, a tight-knit community of multigenerational and uniquely talented locals.

Through four generations, back to 1906 when German patriarch Albert Ecke originally settled in California, the Ecke Ranch name has been synonymous with the crimson poinsettia. With the transplanting of the Ecke business into the heart of the sleepy township of Encinitas in 1923, the area became known as the “Flower Capital of the World.” Now a diverse 20-year-old city embracing five distinct communities, the “split personality” of the area reveals itself as an eclectic mix of suburban and rural, historic and contemporary, laid-back and energetic. Nestled between the Batiquitos Lagoon to the north and the San Elijo Lagoon to the south, Encinitas dominates six miles of spectacular San Diego County coastline. From the pioneer Hammond family to famed skateboarder Tony Hawk, Encinitas is a notable city with memorable citizens. Through four generations, back to 1906 when German patriarch Albert Ecke originally settled in California, the Ecke Ranch name has been synonymous with the crimson poinsettia. With the transplanting of the Ecke business into the heart of the sleepy township of Encinitas in 1923, the area became known as the “Flower Capital of the World.” Now a diverse 20-year-old city embracing five distinct communities, the “split personality” of the area reveals itself as an eclectic mix of suburban and rural, historic and contemporary, laid-back and energetic. Nestled between the Batiquitos Lagoon to the north and the San Elijo Lagoon to the south, Encinitas dominates six miles of spectacular San Diego County coastline. From the pioneer Hammond family to famed skateboarder Tony Hawk, Encinitas is a notable city with memorable citizens.

Written by locals, Fodor's travel guides have been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. California is one of America's most popular vacation destinations--its diversity draws every type of traveler, from foodies to families. Fodor's full-color California guide covers all corners of the state, from the northern coast to Wine Country and from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park. Fodor's California includes: UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE: Travelers can road trip with ease with a chapter dedicated to California's quintessential drives, now with even more destinations covered. From advice on how many days to stay at each destination to must-see stops along the way, this is an essential trip-planning tool. New hotels and restaurants are also included throughout. ILLUSTRATED FEATURES: In-depth features detail popular attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, as well as Cable Cars and Chinatown in San Francisco. A must-have for wine buffs is the Wine Tasting in Napa and Sonoma feature, which suggests a tasting itinerary, teaches the proper wine tasting technique, and describes how grapes are grown, harvested, and pressed. INDISPENSABLE TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS: Top ¬Attractions and Top Experiences help readers choose activities based on their interests. For outdoorsy types, dedicated national parks chapters include planning tips and highlights. DISCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS: Fodor's California offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their visit. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks in every category. COVERS: San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs, Yosemite National Park, Big Sur, Napa and Sonoma, Monterey Bay, Lake Tahoe, Mendocino, and more.

SPECIAL BONUS SECTION: On the Cusp includes the first three and a half chapters of the author's new astro-mystery novel, Wall Ride!In this book based on a series of blogs that was written just as Pluto was preparing to enter Capricorn, Philip Brown brings to life our world on the cusp of a momentous transformation. Explore how the lens of astrology can be used to look at science, books, movies, and the world around us. How does astrology relate to modern neuroscience, robotics, and mobile technology? How can astrology help us make sense of a discordant world? Using illustrations from his own life, as well as news and people in the world around us, the author applies both Western and Vedic astrology to take the reader on a trip across the rapidly transforming cultural landscape. The author explores timeless reflections on topical events through astrology, capturing the astrological zeitgeist while still maintaining a focus on the bigger picture. On the Cusp also includes exclusive new forecasts for trends to expect with Uranus in Aries and Neptune in Pisces.As a special added bonus, On The Cusp contains the first twenty pages of the author's new astro-mystery, Wall Ride. One of the main characters is a Tarot card reader and the story includes astrological symbolism as a clue in a baffling death. The narrator of Wall Ride is a fourteen year-old girl skateboarder who stands on the cusp of a life-altering discovery and personal transformation. The book should be available in Spring, 2011.

The Best Restaurants, Markets & Local Culinary Offerings The ultimate guides to the food scene in their respective states or regions, these books provide the inside scoop on the best places to find, enjoy, and celebrate local culinary offerings. Engagingly written by local authorities, they are a one-stop for residents and visitors alike to find producers and purveyors of tasty local specialties, as well as a rich array of other, indispensable food-related information including: • Favorite restaurants and landmark eateries • Farmers markets and farm stands • Specialty food shops, markets and products • Food festivals and culinary events • Places to pick your own produce • Recipes from top local chefs • The best cafes, taverns, wineries, and brewpubs

“Takes us to a place of almost mythic power and tells a story that unfolds like a long ride on a killer wave . . . compellingly written.” —Sebastian Junger, New York Times–bestselling author Rising from the depths of the North Pacific lies a fabled island, now submerged just fifteen feet below the surface of the ocean. Rumors and warnings about Cortes Bank abound, but among big wave surfers, this legendary rock is famous for one simple (and massive) reason: this is the home of the biggest rideable wave on the face of the earth. In this dramatic work of narrative nonfiction, journalist Chris Dixon unlocks the secrets of Cortes Bank and pulls readers into the harrowing world of big wave surfing and high seas adventure above the most enigmatic and dangerous rock in the sea. The true story of this Everest of the sea will thrill anyone with an abiding curiosity of and respect for mother ocean. “A terrific, deeply researched tale about a truly wild place. You couldn’t make up Cortes Bank, or the characters who’ve tried to make it theirs.” —William Finnegan, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life “A first-rate account of an amazing phenomenon and the people who tried to conquer and exploit it. A great read.” —Winston Groom, New York Times–bestselling author of Forrest Gump “After reading Chris’ most excellent account of the monstrous waves of the mysterious Cortes Bank—the Bermuda Triangle of the Pacific—I never thought I would ever consider riding a wave like this. But after surviving a five-foot, head-first fall from the stage earlier this year, I think I might be ready.” —Jimmy Buffett

"Eccentric characters shuffle and strut in and out of Doyle's tale and breathe life into this unusual history of surfing." - Honolulu Star Bulletin "Full of humor and inside stories that capture the youthful joy and innocence of the formative years of the California beach culture." - San Diego Union-Tribune "Morning Glass is a thoughtful portrait of a man enthralled with the ocean." - Orange County Register "Mike has an incredible story to tell and every surfer who believes surfing is more than just a hobby must read it.” - Surfing Magazine "He came from a period when surf heroes were individuals, each with a distinct personality and character.... I suspect his revelations may ruffle a few feathers." - Steve Pezman, Surfer's Journal