A big thanks to Netgalley and Artisan Books for this pdf. But in the future, please try to offer something on Netgalley that can be read on a Kindle.

The watercolor cartoon-like illustrations are worth the price of admission or cost of this guidebook featuring the Pacific Coast from Southern California to Vancouver Island, British Columbia. They are just superb. Kroll, the artist and author, made lots of good suggestions on where to stop and what to do. She did seem a little partial to hikers and antique lovers as she mentioned lots of places to engage in those activities.

As a travel writer myself who specializes in Washington State, I found some significant misses, but I also learned some things I didn’t know about. I thought Seabrook and Westport both worth a mention. I frequently get to Oregon and definitely would have included the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria. But I also give the author kudos for featuring John’s Beachcombing Museum which not many people know about.

With Covid still being the elephant in the room, I think this book should include a disclaimer in the introduction about calling before you go to certain restaurants, hotels and other places that might not have survived the pandemic.

If I was taking this trip, I’d definitely buy this guidebook and will recommend it to other readers. I would even by it for a gift.

Pacific Coasting is a tutorial, planning, and inspiration guide to driving the Pacific coast of the USA. Due out 16th March 2021 from Workman Publishing on their Artisan imprint, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is a really engaging and appealing homage to the All-American road trip with some specific destination suggestions and a wealth of information for dreaming, planning, and execution. The introduction includes some good general info - what the pack, how to plan, and what the Pacific coast has to offer.
The following chapters are arranged more or less from southerly destinations toward the northwest (she explains why in the book). The chapters include lots of fun destinations for day trips, longer trips, or the ultimate marathon road trip from Southern California to Washington. Each of the chapters - So. Cal, No. Cal, Oregon, and Washington contain side info on different destinations and seasonal information.
The text is accompanied by a number of the author's own paintings of areas and landmarks (and whimsical maps) of the area and destinations. This is a beautifully written, illustrated, and inspirational book. I'm sitting in front of my living room window at the end of September and it's rainy, overcast, and grey, and I'm definitely California dreamin' - sunshine, palm trees, picnics, and breezes sound wonderful.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This is fun travel guide along the Pacific Coast From San Diego, California to Seattle, Washington. The book is divided into four trips or if you have the time you may take one long trip. The author offers all sorts of tips and suggestions of what to see and do along the way. I really loved the author's illustrations. The book was well written and makes a fun armchair journey if you are unable to travel now. Enjoy the adventure

Nonfiction | 12-Adult
I began reading this book in the early weeks of the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in March 2020. I had to put it aside. Our travel plans for the year have been shelved, and now it’s June, and it’s quite clear I won’t be visiting the United States at all this year. Maybe not next year either. I’ve toured up and down this coast, and I love it all. The stormy seashore, the kitschy shops, the delicious food, the sound of shore birds, the salty air, cool Portland and rather snooty San Francisco – all of it. And I miss it, and travel. So it’s with a bit of melancholy that I’m reviewing this book today.
It’s a trip down memory lane for me, rather than a planner. Sigh. Onward! Let’s begin with the fact this isn’t a typical travel guide. Unlike most coastal guides, this route goes from south to north, reflecting the author’s preference, and the fact she lives in Los Angeles. She’s also a watercolourist, and so the book is packed with illustrations of everything from sunscreen to a scene from <i>The Birds</i>! Almost every page has a bit of whimsical imagery, that serves to celebrate the beauty and the appeal of this nearly 3000-km stretch of coast, that takes you right up to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island! In addition to the typical highlights of each region, Kroll steers you into lovely hidden gems like the Henry Miller Memorial Library, hikes around Big Sur, the Washed Ashore Gallery in Bandon, Ore., and even the goats on the roof in Coombs, for those who venture onto the Island. Along the way are pages filled with maps and helpful information from safety to animal and plant info, and a fun car window scavenger hunt for younger travellers. Kroll doesn’t say much about most places – she gives you a short teaser and lets you explore it yourself. It won’t do as your only road guide, of course, but it will inspire you to pack up the car and hit the road. With camera in hand. My thanks to Artisan Books for the digital reading copy provided temporarily through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
More discussion and reviews of this book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52460993

If I were to name the one road trip route that weaves throughout my life, it would be the one illustrated in Pacific Coasting from Vancouver Island to the Southern most beaches of California. I have driven and been a passenger along these roads my entire life and each stop along the way brings back layered memories and nostalgia. There are quintessential parts along the way that have remained relatively unchanged and others have become unrecognizable with each new passing through. Danielle Kroll’s illustrations, ponderings and instructions are spot on and her special mention of the bookshops along the way are especially poignant as I am one who cannot pass through a place without looking for those places too.

This book is like a "Cliff's Notes" travel book for the Pacific Coast. Descriptions are brief, but helpful. It would be a good "first look" resource for someone who's thinking about traveling along the Pacific Coast. You'd want to then go to other resources for more details. Illustrations are lovely drawings, from sea life to landscapes. Content focuses on mostly on sights (natural and historical) rather than things like hotels or shopping or restaurants. An emphasis on respectful travel provides the reader with the proper attitude for enjoying the sights along the coast.

The watercolor illustrations here are delightful, but don't expect your usual travel book. Driving up the coast of US Route 101, this book puts the emphasis on nature and small towns. You'll finds plenty of information about places to hike and beach walk, but you won't find many of the more usual places to stop, It also lacks much practical information.

It's a charming companion for travel but it should not be the only guide on your trip.

Pacific Coasting is just amazing! It is informative, helpful, entertaining, and downright GORGEOUS. Subtitled “A Guide to the Ultimate Road Trip, from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest,” it covers the entire Pacific Coast of the Continental U.S., with clearly defined sections for the various regions in each of the three states. It includes interesting places to visit, things to look at (whales, agates, trees, wildflowers), it is completely spectacular.

I plan to buy a copy for myself, as well as for a few special friends who will appreciate it both as an information resource and a piece of art. Seriously, it is wonderful! Five stars. Thanks to Artisan Books and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for this honest review.

Beautifully illustrated guide to traveling the Pacific Coast, from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest. Broken down into separate destinations in each state, it covers interesting places to visit at each location. Along with things to look for at each (agates, whales, wildflowers, etc). I have visited many of the places the author mentions, but will now have to go back and look again, just to find all her suggestions.
This book is definitely going onto my trip planning bookshelf. And a copy for the glove box of my vehicle, too!
Very enjoyable!

Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for an ARC.

What a gorgeous book!! I love travel journals and this one does not disappoint. Kroll shares her knowledge, experience, and artistry with the reader on the glorious west coast shoreline. With tied bits of history complemented by Kroll's paintings, you will fall in love with the Pacific Northwest.

I hope there are more installments of travel throughout the nation!

Beautiful and evocative illustrations, and tight, clear information. Pacific Coasting is an excellent guidebook for those who love the area, or those who want to fondly remember a trip up the 101. I'll be adding this to my library collection, and I'm sure it will fly off the shelf.

Review to be posted to Goodreads and Instagram upon publication.

An absolute gem! What a delightful read. I will be purchasing a copy in May (and talking someone into taking a road-trip with me ASAP). The artwork is gorgeous, the information is concise and informative, and the author seems to portray an intimate/personal knowledge of the subject matter.