If your preferences in casual travel tend to lead off the beaten path, veering toward places offering vibrant art galleries, exciting art festivals, innovative theatre companies, art-filled coffee bars, and nightclubs showcasing local music talent, Art Towns California is the Golden State travel guidebook you've been waiting for.

From the pristine shores of Lake Tahoe to the secluded beaches of Encinitas, this latest title from the author of The 100 Best Art Towns in America examines the culture of creativity flourishing in 27 communities. Concise profiles give travelers a sense of historical perspective as well as an up-to-date overview of each Art Town's outstanding creative, cultural, and artistic assets. Each community profile includes indexed details about art venues, events, dining and accommodations.

An ideal resource for travelers whose journeys are enhanced through experiencing the creative spirit of a place, Art Towns California can also be used by artists and art lovers seeking to discover dynamic, friendly and supportive creativity centers whose quality of life is embellished through their connection to the arts. Whether your travel agenda involves a quest for small town Shangri-la or more simply is about enjoying an unusually entertaining weekend immersed in local culture, Art Towns California is a resource you'll enjoy using.