San Diego's Back Roads Highlighted In New Book

There's more than just the Zoo, Sea World in San Diego County. Spectacular mountains, deserts and unique sites are explored in a book targeted at the driving enthusiast or someone who just wants to get off the beaten path.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) September 28, 2004 -- Fun in the sun, the San Diego Zoo, Sea World… and then what?

Well, there's a lot more, such as twisting mountain roads, wilderness areas, fantastic vistas and great places to shop and eat.

Your guide to another side of San Diego is author Jack Brandais in his new book, "Weekend Driver San Diego" (Sunbelt Publications, $14.95), now in its second printing.

"I've collected 20 of my favorite local drives -- these are places that even locals have never visited," said Brandais, who's been writing the "Weekend Driver" column for the "San Diego Union-Tribune" since mid-2000.

The routes are for driving enthusiasts, whether they have a sports car, motorcycle or SUV and visit places from Point Loma to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and from northern Baja California to southern Riverside County and Huntington Beach.

At 4,255 square miles (nearly the size of the state of Connecticut), San Diego County has one of the most diverse ecosystems in the country. The altitude is from sea level to 6,515 feet, while terrain ranges from beaches to Alpine forests to volcanic wastelands and a dry desert. "Weekend Driver San Diego" takes visitors to it all.

"We go to some very unique places, such as the Tijuana River Estuary, the historic Black Canyon Road Bridge, Indian casinos and the Palomar Observatory," said Brandais.

"Every weekend there are hundreds of driving enthusiasts exploring these back roads," he said. "This is a guide book for someone who has a hot sports car or a hot bike. It's also for someone who likes to get his or her SUV dirty."

Many of the drives appeared originally in the Union-Tribune, but have been expanded for the book. Each drive now includes a "Route-O-Matic," which tells readers if there are things for kids along the way, what type of vehicle is suited for the drive and the driving challenges along the way.

Trips are generally 30-50 long and include detailed directions from major San Diego locations.

The book is available nationally through Sunbelt's web site (www.sunbeltbooks.com), Brandais's web site (www.weekenddriver.com) and national online booksellers such as amazon.com. It was released in December 2003 and recently went into a second printing.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Review copies and high-resolution photos are available.
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