California is home to spectacular natural features that are made even more interesting when you know something about their geology. As Katherine Baylor observes in California Rocks! about the landscape of the Golden State, " This spectacular tableau is the culmination of hundreds of millions of years of geologic processes, from the collision of tectonic plates to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, to glaciation, sea level changes, erosion, and deposition."

Geology-wise, California has it all. You can see the evidence of the slippage of the San Andreas Fault at Point Reyes National Seashore, visit active hydrothermal features at Lassen Volcanic National Park, and see the remains of prehistoric animals at La Brea Tar Pits to name just a few. Even the massive surf break at Mavericks is because of the seafloor topography of tightly folded sedimentary rocks.

With lively prose and beautiful photographs, California Rocks! explores sixty-five geologic sites at parks and other publicly accessible places. Helpful location maps are included for each site and color photographs illustrate the geologic features. California Rocks! A Guide to Geologic Sites in the Golden State will have you looking at some of your favorite places in a whole new way.