Moon Handbooks

For more than 30 years, Moon Handbooks have appealed to an eclectic group of travelers, from backpacking students to solo adventurers to families on vacation (and a budget). With expert writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon Handbooks ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience—and a few new stories to tell.

Moon Handbooks

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Moon Cabo

Eighth Edition
Nikki Goth Itoi

Mexico enthusiast Nikki Goth Itoi knows the best ways to experience Cabo—from hiking in the Sierra de la Laguna to visiting the amazing Pulmo Reef, the only coral reef system in the Sea of Cortez. Itoi draws on her extensive knowledge of Cabo to provide themed trip ideas, such as Surf and Dive Spots and Cabo Nightlife, plus in-depth coverage of the many activities available to travelers. With insightful advice on finding secluded beaches, diving shipwrecks, and grabbing a bite in La Paz, Moon Cabo gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Corresponding Author QA: 

Moon California

Second Edition
Liz Hamill Scott

Writer and native Californian Liz Scott covers the best that the Golden State has to offer, from day hikes through awe-inspiring Yosemite Valley to rest and relaxation at the resorts of Palm Springs. Liz offers many unique trip strategies, such as PCH Road Trip and a Food & Wine tour. Including expert advice on wine tasting in Napa Valley, exploring the Big Sur coast, and finding Gold Country ghost towns, Moon California gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon California Road Trip

Avalon Travel

The top destinations in the West are within a day’s drive of one another. See them all with Moon California Road Trip as your guide.

Detailed driving instructions tell you how far you’ll have to drive, how long it will take, and which highways you’ll need to follow—including information on alternate routes and the best places to stop along the way.

Day-by-day itinerary suggestions tell you the best ways to spend your time:
The 14-Day Best of the West
Three Days in San Francisco
Three Days in Los Angeles
Three Days in Las Vegas
One Day in Yosemite
One Day in the Grand Canyon
Day Trips to Wine Country

And 36 easy-to-use maps keep you oriented along the way.

Moon California Wine Country

Third Edition
Philip Goldsmith and Michael Cervin

Locals and wine lovers Philip Goldsmith and Michael Cervin have the inside scoop on how to best experience California's Wine Country, from swirling and sniffing lessons at Yountville's Goosecross Cellars to glider rides over scenic Santa Ynez Valley. Goldsmith and Cervin offer great trip ideas, including Weekend Wine Warriors, Understanding California through Wine, and Highway Hugging. Whether you're planning on doing some serious wine-tasting or simply taking a leisurely trip through some of California's most beautiful areas, Moon California Wine Country gives you the tools you need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Cambodia

Tom Vater

Author, journalist, screenwriter, and researcher Tom Vater leads you on an adventure through Cambodia, from the bustling markets in the capital Phnom Penh to the almost deserted tropical beaches around Sihanoukville and the lush jungles of Mondulkiri. Vater’s insider knowledge guides readers to the temple ruins of Angkor, traces of French colonial architecture, and Cambodia’s hardest road—from Sen Monorom/Mondulkiri to Ban Lung/Rattanakiri. With unique travel strategies such as The Wild North East and Seven-Day Tour from the Thai to the Vietnamese Border, Moon Cambodia gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Corresponding Author QA: 

Moon Canadian Rockies

Seventh Edition
Andrew Hempstead

Canada resident and avid outdoorsman Andrew Hempstead offers his firsthand advice on experiencing the Canadian Rockies—from rafting on the Bow River and hiking Lake O'Hara to staying in a remote log cabin. Hempstead includes unique trip ideas, such as A Week Under the Stars and Exploring the Canadian Rockies with Children. Complete with details on escaping the crowds at Lake Louise, viewing wildlife at Moraine, and dining in Banff, Moon Canadian Rockies gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Cancún and Cozumel

Tenth Edition
Gary Chandler and Liza Prado

Experienced Mexico travelers Gary Chandler and Liza Prado know the best way to travel Cancún and Cozumel—from a relaxing getaway in Tulum to diving and snorkeling Islas Cozumel and Holbox. Chandler and Prado include engaging itinerary ideas for a variety of trip experiences, including The Best of the Riviera Maya and An Eco-Adventure Tour. Complete with details on the best beaches, recommendations for must-see attractions, and advice on where to stay, Moon Cancún and Cozumel gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket

Second Edition
Jeff Perk

Travel writer and photographer Jeff Perk offers his extensive knowledge on this classic New England destination, from friend clams and proper “chowda” to canoeing, windsurfing, and sailing. Jeff narrows in on the unique charm of the region, where travelers can sit on the beach alongside celebrities and then go eat friend clams on picnic tables and catch a drive-in movie. With details on accommodations, dining, and coverage of the lesser-known paths and waterways, Moon Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Charleston & Savannah

Fifth Edition
Jim Morekis

Connect Savannah Editor-in-Chief Jim Morekis shares the must-see sights and local secrets of Charleston and Savannah, from exploring the French Quarter to kayaking in the Golden Isles. Morekis includes unique trip strategies like Literary Lark—following the life and work of authors Robert Louis Stevenson, Edgar Allen Poe, and John Berendt—and his Kayaker’s Paradise tour. Including expert advice on walking the squares of Savannah’s Historic District and dining on she-crab soup in Beaufort, Moon Charleston & Savannah gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

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Moon Charlotte

Jodi Helmer

Freelance writer and green living advocate Jodi Helmer offers her firsthand experience as a Charlotte local, covering the best of the city—including artsy NoDa, the industrial South End, and the vibrant center of nightlife in Uptown. She also spotlights neighboring NASCAR Country—particularly Mooresville, Concord, and Kannapolis—the cities NASCAR fans flock to for race shop tours and a chance to glimpse their favorite drivers. Helmer provides a variety of unique travel strategies, including The Best of Charlotte, Fun and Free: Charlotte on a Budget, and Family-Friendly Charlotte. Complete with expert tips on the best bars, museums, and shopping areas, Moon Charlotte gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

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Moon Chesapeake Bay

Second Edition
Joanne Miller

Seasoned travel writer Joanne Miller provides expert advice on exploring the Chesapeake Bay, from re-visiting the past at Colonial Williamsburg to soaking up the sun at Virginia Beach. Joanne includes unique trip ideas for a wide range of travelers, such as History on the Bay and Exploring the Eastern Shore.

Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Chesapeake Bay has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many regional, area, and city-centered maps. Offering endless options, from a day of family fun at Busch Gardens Williamsburg to a boat trip through the waterways of the upper Necks, Moon Chesapeake gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Chiapas

Liza Prado and Gary Chandler

Spouses and writing partners, Liza Prado and Gary Chandler cover the best of Chiapas—from the ruins of Palenque to San Cristóbal de las Casas, one of Mexico’s most charming colonial cities. Prado and Chandler include unique trip ideas for a variety of travelers, such as Eco-tour of Chiapas and Colonial Towns and Missions. Including expert advice on the best plaza cafés, rugged forest hikes, and where to experience Mayan arts and culture, Moon Chiapas gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Chile

Fourth Edition
Wayne Bernhardson

Seasoned author and South America expert Wayne Bernhardson covers the best of Chile’s rich history and culture, from skiing in the boroughs of Santiago to wine-tasting in the country's heartland. To help travelers plan for their trip, Bernhardson includes insightful and fun suggested itineraries, such as Adventure in the Andes; The Best of Santiago, Valparaíso, and Wine Country; and Wildlife Encounters. With information on climbing volcanoes in the Sur Chico, following the path of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, and exploring the remote corners of the Atacama desert, Moon Chile gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Cleveland

Douglas Trattner

Award-winning journalist and Cleveland native Douglas Trattner uncovers every nook and cranny of his favorite city, sharing his love of this often overlooked mecca, from the 20,000 acres of Cleveland's Metroparks, to the famous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Douglas provides unique trip strategies including the Three-Day Best of Cleveland, Foodie Fun in Ohio City, and Take the Kids: Baseball, Hot Dogs and Foul Tips. Moon Cleveland is packed with insider's information on dining, transportation and accommodations. Complete with details on hot-air ballooning over Amish Country, angling for Walleye on Lake Erie, and zipping through town on a segway, Moon Cleveland gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Coastal California

Third Edition
Liz Hamill Scott

Travel writer and native Californian Liz Hamill Scott covers the best of Coastal California, from hiking through redwoods in Big Sur to lounging on the famous beaches of Malibu. Scott is the perfect tour guide, offering unique trip ideas for a wide variety of travelers including Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip and a complete tour of California’s best beaches. Including expert advice on Touring the Hearst Castle, visiting the Channel Islands, and enjoying the nightlife of LA and San Francisco, Moon Coastal California gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Coastal Carolinas

Second Edition
Jim Morekis

Moon South Carolina author Jim Morekis covers the best of the North and South Carolina coasts, including Beaufort, Wilmington, the Cape Fear Region, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and the Lowcountry. Morekis offers his inside knowledge on the best beaches, golfing, historic parks, and seaside dining from the Down East to the Grand Strand. Whether you’re looking for a coastal weekend getaway or a longer vacation, Moon Coastal Carolinas caters to a range of travel budgets. With unique travel strategies such as Maritime Legacy and The Green Coast: An Environmental Tour, Moon Coastal Carolinas gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Coastal Maine

Fourth Edition
Hilary Nangle

Award-winning writer and Maine native Hilary Nangle offers her unique perspective on this famed stretch of New England coastline, from the gourmet restaurants of Portland to the idyllic island community of Monhegan. Nangle suggests itineraries for great trips, such as Icons of the Maine Coast and Lighthouses, Lobster, and L.L. Bean. With detailed information on finding deals at outlet stores and eating in the open-air lobster wharves of Penobscot Bay, Moon Coastal Maine gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Coastal Oregon

Fourth Edition
W. C. McRae and Judy Jewell

Outdoor enthusiasts W. C. McRae and Judy Jewell share their extensive knowledge of coastal Oregon, from the best places to grab a seaside snack to the most scenic hikes along the Coastal Trail. McRae and Jewell also outline a variety of suggested travel strategies, including Riding the Pacific Waves, Foraging the Coast, and Coastal Road Trip—a 10-day itinerary for a tour of the entire coast. With endless options for inn-hopping and surfing along the state's southern beaches, Moon Coastal Oregon gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Corresponding Author QA: 

Moon Colorado

Eighth Edition
Steve Knopper

Steve Knopper shares his insider knowledge of Colorado, covering sights and activities ranging from skiing at one of the state's twenty-five resorts to catching a show at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre, widely considered the best outdoor concert arena in the United States. Knopper also offers unique trip strategies for a variety of travelers, including History Buff's Two-Week Tour and 5 Days in the Rockies. Including information on ice-fishing on Grand Lake, grabbing a buffalo burger and a beer at My Brother’s Bar in Denver, and mountain biking the ski trails in Steamboat Springs, Moon Colorado gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Costa Rica

Eighth Edition
Christopher P. Baker

Award-winning travel writer Christopher P. Baker shows travelers the way to the best of Costa Rica—whether it's surfing the beaches of Golfo Dulce, hiking in Corcovado National Park, or dining in the upscale Escazu barrio in San Jose. Along with his in-depth coverage, Baker includes unique trip ideas, including The 21-Day Best of Costa Rica, The Offbeat Experience, and Seven Days for Active Vacationers. Complete with details on the best beaches for surfing and a variety of opportunities to get outdoors, Moon Costa Rica gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Croatia and Slovenia

Shann Fountain Culo

Travel writer and Croatian local Shann Fountain Culo shares her love of the locale from the wooden village houses, folk festivals, and wineries of Croatia to the rafting, skiing, and cave-exploring opportunities that abound in Slovenia. Shann includes unique itineraries such as the 14-Day Best of Croatia and Slovenia, A Culinary Tour of Istria and Dalmatia, and Sailing the Croatian Islands. Moon Croatia & Slovenia is packed with information on the best dining, transportation, and accommodations. Complete with expert advice on when to explore the city sans-tourists, participate in the grape harvest season or ski in the Julian Alps, Moon Croatia & Slovenia gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Moon Cuba

Fifth Edition
Christopher P. Baker

Award-winning travel writer Christopher P. Baker highlights Cuba's best lesser-known local hotspots, including Finca Manacas (the birthplace of Fidel), Parque Lennon, and Rumba de Salvador's Alley. He also offers fun and creative travel suggestions, such as A Week in Havana, 10 Best Scenic Drives, and Cars, Cigars, and Cabarets. With in-depth information on Havana and complete coverage of the island—tip to tip—Moon Cuba gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

This travel guide contains up-to-date information on US law and travel to Cuba, immigration and customs, and advice on getting there and getting around.

Moon Cusco & Machu Picchu

Ross Wehner and Renée del Gaudio

Former Peru residents Ross Wehner and Renée del Gaudio cover the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the city of Cusco, and Peru's most popular destination, Machu Picchu. The husband-and-wife team offer their seasoned advice on can't-miss attractions, and offer unique trip ideas such as The Seven-Day Best of Cusco & Machu Picchu. Complete with tips on shopping in Pisac, hiking Huayna Picchu, and exploring the legendary Lost City of the Incas, Moon Cusco & Machu Picchu gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

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For more Moon travel information, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter for updates on new travel guide releases, travel tips and trip ideas for those seeking adventure or relaxation, and expert advice from our on-the-go Moon travel authors.

Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.