As a California resident who loves to day trip and road trip on the coast, appreciates coastal photography, is a surf enthusiast, foodie, and lover of adventurous autobiography, I was IMMEDIATELY drawn to “Coastal California: 130 Recipes From a Road Trip” and it did not disappoint—it’s quite the compendium—it has everything:

Appeals to nostalgia for meals and trips I’ve had in the past, while inspiring me to future meals and trips.

Recipes easily accomplished, and recipes to whet the appetite, inspire, and aspire to.

Compelling autobiographical anecdotes resonate, as did the coastal coffee table book pictures.

“Coastal” should be sold at farmers markets, surf shops, REI, coastal B&B nooks and crannies, lighthouse gift shops, and my local Copperfield’s Books etc. It’s a gem.

If you've ever dreamed of capturing the laid-back magic of California’s coast in your kitchen, Coastal is the cookbook for you. Scott Clark combines his fine-dining expertise with his love for the Pacific Coast Highway to create a mouthwatering collection of 130 recipes that celebrate everything that makes California cooking so special.

This book is more than just recipes—it’s a road trip in cookbook form. From Furikake Popcorn for snacking to Dungeness Crab Rice and Matcha Mochi Waffles, the dishes reflect the coastal vibe: fresh, flavorful, and totally unpretentious. Organized by themes like “Fishing and Foraging on the Coast” and “Lunch in the Vineyard,” you’ll find plenty of inspiration whether you're hosting a dinner party or just looking for something fun to try on a weekend.

What sets Coastal apart is its storytelling. As you flip through the pages, you're transported to the fishing docks, vineyards, and roadside diners that define the West Coast. The stunning photos by Cheyenne Ellis make you want to pack up your car and head straight for the PCH (or at least pretend you’re there while making a plate of Lingcod Ceviche).

Clark’s recipes are approachable, full of bold flavors, and influenced by the incredible cultural diversity of California. From Portuguese to Korean-inspired dishes, it’s a celebration of the many communities that make California cuisine what it is today.

Whether you're a seasoned cook or just want to daydream about coastal sunsets while eating CA Muddy Buddies, Coastal brings a little piece of California into your kitchen. It’s the perfect blend of delicious, fun, and inspiring—just like the state itself.

Intense at times, endearing at others.

Burned out by the elite restaurant life, Chef Scott Clark finds peace on the remote central California coast. His stories center on his restaurant Dad’s Luncheonette (crafted from a caboose), his daughter Frost, and a host of interesting neighbors that have the same values as he does. The recipes range from simple upward. Photographs by Cheyenne Ellis give you a sense of place. If you have ever traveled that road, her photographs take you right back.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I loved the photographs in this book, and there were a few good recipes, but it's not a book that I need to purchase for myself.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. The book leans more towards Asian influences but there’s also a mix of vegetarian and seafood as well. The photos were gorgeous and I’ll definitely be trying several of these recipes.

Some very gorgeous photos in this book as well as interesting back story and recipes added of course. I love traveling the coast of California so I was excited to read this especially see lovely coastal Cali photos on top of it. The recipes have much more of an Asian influence than I expected, I thought would be have more Mexican influence on food but both make sense since both populations have lived there since official statehood and even predating that for some. Sadly the recipes weren't my palete but I'm sure they would work well for someone else. Thanks netgalley and publisher for this arc.

Beautiful book full of inspiring California coastal cuisine. Very evocative of the place. What a gorgeous cookbook. I’m excited to try many of the recipes.

Visually stunning, the photographs in this book are amazing. I also really enjoyed reading all about the California Coast, Scott's winding road to where he is, and was so impressed with the breadth of knowledge about food, the sea, and the coast.

The recipes are inventive, unique, and sound so good. This book would be just as at home as a coffee table book, or in the kitchen to use to cook.

Thank you Netgalley and Chronicle Books for the ARC!

Coastal is a sampler of the sights and flavors of the beautiful central coast of California. Full of photos of both food and scenery, the book is a feast for the eyes. The story follows a chef with high-end dining creds to his roadside sandwich shop that embraces local and straightforward foods and on a trip down the coast with inspired menus along the way. After an introduction where readers can learn a bit about the chef and his path, tools and pantry staples, the chapters break into menus for each stop. The first chapter, "the go-tos" are the building blocks and basics (like mayo, pickled items and spice blends) for many of the recipes. "Afternoon at dad's " takes readers into Scott Clark's luncheonette, with recipes from his menu to reproduce at home if Half Moon Bay isn't a quick drive away. And then we are off with "road trip snacks", because every road trip needs snacks between stops. "Post-break breakfast" sets out multiple ways to start a morning off right. "Visit to the seaside farmers" is a vegetarian dream and treat for omnivores as well. "Fishing and foraging" handles coastal California seafood in a way to showcase local ingredients while "after the hunting trip" highlights local meats. The menus set out for "lunch in the vineyard", "grilling on pismo beach", and "sailing to the channel islands" are well thought out dishes that compliment each other and the setting that they were made for. And finally, "back home with the kid" finishes off the trip on a high note with some treats for kids as well as adults as they unpack and unwind. Recipes throughout the book highlight the ingredients locally found but can be adapted to those found around the country. They are structured with a header brief; ingredient list, which is broken down by the component parts of a dish; instructions on how to make each component; and bullets for time, yield, and special equipment; and the occasional pro-tip. The book was a feast for the eyes and a pleasure to read and I can't wait to try several of the recipes in my own kitchen.
I received access to this ebook thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Chronicle Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Delicious, California-inspired recipes that I cannot wait to try! As a CA native-turned-southerner, some of these look so mouthwatering and yummy. Love the premise behind this book and the narratives throughout!

Coastal was an accumulation of a variety of recipes that I was not expecting! There were a huge selection of cultural recipes that I had never heard of, but am eager to try out! The book caught my interest almost immediately with a recipe for pear butter! The recipes were in depth and easy to follow and were accompanied by stunning photos!

As a native Californian, born and raised in Monterey, this book checks all the boxes. The cuisine in Central California is fresh, fun and not one bit fussy - just like the recipes in the book. I love that most recipes give the option to be vegetarian or not. Very fish heavy which I appreciate since that is such a big part of food culture here on the Central Coast. Overall a lovely book with fabulous recipes and gorgeous photography that captures the essence of Central Coast living.