Geology Underfoot in Southern California

I taught geology at a community college in southern California for many years. This is my go-to book when people/students want to know more about the geology of southern California. It's not a comprehensive guide to geology, but rather a series of vignettes that illustrates important and interesting geologic features that help people/students appreciate geology. It's easy to read and does a nice job explaining both geology and the importance of many geologic features. I say people/students because I when people ask where they can get more information about southern California geology I recommend this book and I have used it as an optional text for classes.

This book covers a wide range of areas around Southern California. However, it does need updating and color photos. I'm not sure if the places mentioned are still accessible or if outcrops have been covered up by development. Of the three books I read, R.G. of N.&C. Calif., R.G. of So. Calf., and this one, only this book discusses the Nipomo Dunes. 5 stars if updated.

A nice guide if you plan on going out into the field and exploring the world around you. It inspired me to get out of the car and do more walking so I could see geology at work for myself. If you were just looking for a book to explain geological places and processes in California it probably would not suffice. I would compare it to a travel book about the hidden places in a certain area rather than a general guide.

For geology enthusiasts who live in Southern California, this book is both interesting and useful. One could plan many field trips (group or personal) using this book.

It is easy to use for beginners and has more interesting places in the area to visit with recent as well as past geographic changes.

This book provides lots of very interesting information on just about every interesting Geological location in Southern California. If you live in Southern California and are interested in Geology you need to own this book.Only cons is that none of the images are colored and they are rather bad quality.

At 85 years old I decided to learn something new, so aftet a trip to Death Valley I got the book underfoot in death valley and then this one,both very well written, interesting, educational, and I have learned many things.

This well-prepared and engaging work provides an excellent way for the layman to appreciate points of geological interest in the area. The style is approachable and seeks to simplify, without over-simplifying, and to solicit the reader to use his or her imagination. It is well researched and practical, giving no problems finding places, parking and so on. This book is recommended.