Food and Wine

Calcott, Katy. The Food Lover’s Guide to Seattle Seattle: Sasquatch Books, 2004. A comprehensive look at the city’s rich crop of greengrocers, bakeries, cheese shops, wine specialists, and much more.

Gregutt, Paul. Washington Wines and Wineries: The Essential Guide. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2007. A refreshing primer on the state’s favorite libation, with details on varietals, growers, and tasting rooms.

Matthews, Sara. Washington: The State of Wine. Portland, OR: Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company, 2006. A vivid pictorial of Washington’s vitocultural scenery.

Rex-Johnson, Braiden and Jackie Johnston. Pacific Northwest Wining and Dining. Indianapolis: Wiley, 2007. A storytelling cookbook featuring regional recipes, stories about area dining institutions and a collection of photos that will satisfy the eyes if not the stomach.

History and Culture

Clark, Ella. Indian Legends of the Pacific Northwest. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2003. Learn the folktales of regional natives.

Hayes, Derek. Historical Atlas of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle: Sasquatch Books, 2002. Very informative atlas depicting the many faces of the Northwest in map form, from the earliest explorers to the present day.

Kirk, Ruth, and Carmela Alexander. Exploring Washington’s Past: A Road Guide to History. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1996. A town-by-town description of hundreds of historical sights around the state.

Roe, Joann Ranald MacDonald: Pacific Rim Adventurer. Pullman: Washington State University Press, 1997. The incredible story of a man almost unknown in America but revered in Japan. MacDonald was an adventurer whose daring exploits helped open Japan to the outside world.

Speidel, William. Sons of the Profits. Seattle: Nettle Creek Publishing Co., 2003. Written by the quirky founder of the Seattle Underground Tour, this is an offbeat look at the colorful characters of Seattle’s past.

Swan, James G. The Northwest Coast Or, Three Years’ Residence in Washington Territory. 1857. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1992. A fascinating report of life on the frontier with both whites and Native Americans depicted.

Natural Sciences

Alt, David D., and Donald W. Hyndman. Roadside Geology of Washington. Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Publishing Co., 1986. A great book for anyone with an interest in geology, with easy-to-understand descriptions of how volcanoes, glaciers, floods, and other processes shaped the state’s topography over the eons.

Duane, J. The Beachcomber’ S Guide to Seashore Life in the Pacific Northwest. Vancouver, British Columbia:Harbour Publishing, 1999. Identify shells, rocks and other seaside finds with this handy tome.

Kozloff, Eugene N. Plants and Animals of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1978. It may be older than this author, but still the most thorough book of its kind.

Whitney, Stephen and Rob Sandelin. Field Guide to the Cascades & Olympics. Seattle: The Mountaineers, 2004. An easily-packable, waterproof guide to flora and fauna perfect for long hikes and camping trips.

Hiking and Climbing

Beckey, Fred. Cascade Alpine Guide: Climbing and High Routes. Seattle: The Mountaineers, 2000-2009. Four volumes of very detailed Cascade climbing routes, plus historical information and photos.

Burton, Joan and Ira Spring. Best Hikes with Children in Western Washington. Seattle: The Mountaineers, 2006. Having kids doesn’t have to mean the end of your days on the trail. A two-volume guide to short hikes, all featuring lakes, waterfalls, views, or other points of interest that will motivate kids of all ages.

Copeland, Craig and Kathy. Hiking from Here to Wow North Cascades. Berkeley: Wilderness Press. Skip the standard hikes and go straight to the ones that make you say “Wow” by perusing the lineup in this guide.

Landers, Rich. 100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest. Seattle: The Mountaineers, 2003. Descriptions, photos, and maps of hikes in eastern Washington plus parts of Idaho, Montana, and Oregon.

Manning, Harvey and Penny Manning. Walks & Hikes in the Foothills and Lowlands Around Puget Sound. Seattle: The Mountaineers, 1995. No recent updates, but still a classic. This is a great guide to easy summer strolls and snow-free winter hikes.

Molvar, Erik. Hiking Olympic National Park Helena: Falcon Press, 2008. A popular guide to the Olympics.

Wood, Robert L. Olympic Mountains Trail Guide. Seattle: The Mountaineers, 2000. Detailed trail descriptions, maps, and photos of national park and national forest trails on the Olympic Peninsula.

Other Outdoor Recreation

Blair, Seabury. Backcountry Ski! Washington: The Best Trails and Descents for Free-Heelers and Snowboarders. Seattle: Sasquatch Books, 2002. Telemark skiers and other backcountry ski afficianados on the hunt for the best drops would do well to flip through this guide.

Landers, Rich, Dan Hensen, Vern Huser and Doug North. Paddling Washington: 100 Flatwater and Whitewater Routes in Washington State and the Inland Northwest. Seattle: The Mountaineers, 2008. Whether you’re looking for a quiet canoe trip or a roaring raft ride, this volume is for you.

Mueller, Marge, and Ted Mueller. Exploring Washington’s Wild Areas. Seattle: Mountaineers, 2002. This book provides an overview of Washington’s wilderness areas and national parks, with brief descriptions of hiking and climbing in each. An excellent introduction to these wild places. Nicely illustrated, too.

Mueller, Marge, and Ted Mueller. North Puget Sound: Afoot & Afloat. Seattle: The Mountaineers, 2006. Painstakingly detailed guide to North Puget Sound from Point Roberts to Whidbey Island and west to Neah Bay, helpful to both boaters and landlubbers. Boat launches, parks, points of interest, plus photos and maps.

Mueller, Marge, and Ted Mueller. TheSan Juan Islands: Afoot & Afloat. Seattle: The Mountaineers, 2004. A thorough guide to “the big four” and numerous lesser islands in the San Juan chain. Includes boating, biking, sightseeing, and more, with maps and photos.

Poffenbarger, Amy and Mark. Mountain Bike America: Washington. Guilford, CT: Globe Pequot, 2001.

Spring, Vicky and Tom Kirkendall. 100 Best Cross Country Ski Trails in Washington. Seattle: The Mountaineers, 2002.

Stienstra, Tom. Moon Washington Camping. Berkeley: Avalon Travel, 2006. The authoritative guide to public and private campgrounds around the state.

Woods, Erin, and Bill Woods. Bicycling the Backroads. Seattle: The Mountaineers, 1994-97. Three volumes—Around Puget Sound, of Northwest Washington, and of Southwest Washington—provide in-depth information on bike routes, terrain, elevation gain, and points of interest, plus explicit directions and plenty of maps.

Seattle in Depth

Bergman, Ann. Out and About Seattle with the Kids. Seattle: Sasquatch Books, 2009. Family places around Seattle.

Dwyer, Jeff. Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Seattle and Puget Sound. Gretna, LA: Pelican Publishing Company, 2008. Hang around Seattle’s best haunts with help from this eccentric book.

Elenga, Maureen. Seattle Architecture: A Walking Guide to Downtown. Seattle: Seattle Architecture Foundation, 2008. Architecture buffs and urban explorers are sure to enjoy the site histories and descriptions detailed in here.

Fischer, Monica. Seattle Best Places. Seattle: Sasquatch Books, 2008. The list format can be a bit wearing, but this guide offers a very comprehensive compendium of Seattle dining choices.

Lucas, Eric. Seattle Survival Guide. Seattle: Sasquatch Books, 2005. This guide offers useful info and a great overview for those recently relocated to the Puget Sound.

Moon Metro Seattle. Berkeley: Avalon Travel, 2003. A handy map-based guide offering tips on Seattle’s hotspots.

© Ericka Chickowski from Moon Washington, 8th edition