Best Los Angeles California Travel Books of 2026

The Route 66 Travel Guide - 202 Amazing Places is a must-have for all Route 66 travelers. This guide takes you on a journey from Santa Monica to Chicago, visiting 202 places in the order they appear on the route. With QR codes, GPS coordinates, and addresses, you'll never get lost. The guide also includes lists of recommended overnight stays and RV parks, speed limits for each state, a road trip soundtrack, and a logbook to fill out each day with your personal experiences. Authored by Mark Watson, a California-based traveler who has traveled the entire U.S. Route 66 seven times on his Harley-Davidson. This guide is unique with its "Scan QR and go" feature for easy navigation. Highly recommended!

The California Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal is a comprehensive travel guide that features over 50 must-see destinations in California. The guide provides detailed information about each location, including how to get there, what to look for, and what to bring along. It also includes GPS coordinates, maps, and information about the best time to visit and average expenses. This guide is perfect for anyone looking to explore California's natural wonders and immerse themselves in its beauty. The book is well-written and informative, making it an essential guide for anyone planning a trip to California.

The Ultimate Los Angeles Kings Trivia Book is the perfect read for any die-hard Kings fan. The book contains 15 challenging quizzes with 300 questions and 150 interesting historical facts that cover everything from the club's humble beginnings to the end of the 2019-20 NHL regular season. Readers will learn fascinating tidbits such as how much it cost to bring the Kings to Los Angeles and who wore number 17 from 1992 to 96. This book is a must-have for any Kings fan looking to become the ultimate team trivia and facts expert.

The StreetSmart Los Angeles Map by VanDam is a comprehensive guide to the city's top attractions, museums, hotels, beaches, and shopping destinations. The map is incredibly legible, with a scale of 1:21,000 and 3-D building illustrations. It covers the entire Southland and LA Metro Area, including Downtown LA, Bel Air, Westwood, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood, and East LA. The edition even includes a map of the Greater LA Area and Pasadena. The typography is easy to follow, and the cover maps turn the city's icons into collectible graphic art. Overall, this laminated pocket-sized map is an excellent resource for anyone traveling to Los Angeles.

The Hidden Secrets & Stories of Disneyland is a fascinating book that reveals over 250 secrets and story elements hidden throughout Disneyland, complete with more than 220 photos. Readers will discover stories behind the attractions, including how a guest recognized an error with the Disneyland telegraph and fixed it, and the story behind the "Cigar Store Indian" on Main Street, U.S.A. The book also includes the first-ever published connection between the Mutoscopes of Main Street, U.S.A. and a young 12-year-old Walt Disney. Overall, this book is a must-read for Disneyland enthusiasts and anyone who loves discovering the hidden magic in the happiest place on earth.

The enCYCLEpedia Southern California 3rd Edition is a must-have book for recreational cyclists who love scenic bike rides while avoiding car traffic and major hill climbs. This book presents over 200 options for beautiful rides ranging from beaches and mountains to wine country and historic city centers. The book includes e-bike info, more map detail, and some new rides for 2021. It also has downloadable maps that depict paved or novice mountain bike trails, or pleasant on-road routes for regular or e-bikes. The book's website contains additional ride details and updates for book owners. Overall, this book is a comprehensive guide for cyclists seeking easy and scenic bike rides in Southern California.

The book "Los Angeles on Instagram" showcases over 300 photos from fifty influential Instagram photographers, capturing the vibrant and creative energy of the city. It features fresh perspectives of iconic cityscapes, little-known urban oases, and the stunning beauty of the Pacific Coast, providing a celebration of the SoCal experience via the lens of an incredible community of photographers. Dan Kurtzman, a travel and landscape photographer based in California, curated this book, which is a must-read for anyone with a love of Los Angeles and Instagram. Overall, it is a glamorous and gritty portrait that highlights the best of L.A. on Instagram.

Gourmet Ghosts - Los Angeles is a fascinating guide that explores more than 40 haunted bars and restaurants in Los Angeles. The book offers a mix of history, mystery, and eyewitness accounts, along with photographs and newspaper archives to verify the stories. From Downtown to Hollywood to West Hollywood, the book provides tips on the best food, drink, and Happy Hours while introducing you to the ghosts that haunt these places. The book is a must-read for foodies, drinkys, and anyone interested in paranormal activities. Overall, the book is a classic in its genre, and it's a perfect blend of history, mystery, and culinary experiences.

The Ultimate Los Angeles Chargers Trivia Book is a must-have for any die-hard Chargers fan. This book is packed with interesting facts, trivia quizzes, and fun information about the team's history, taking readers on a journey through the highs and lows of the franchise's 60-year history. From the team's secret weapons to its best seasons and players, this book has it all. Whether you're a Chargers fanatic or just an NFL superfan, you'll enjoy learning new, interesting facts about this storied franchise. Overall, this book is a great addition to any Chargers fan's collection.

111 Places in Los Angeles That You Must Not Miss is an unusual guidebook that goes beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to discover the quirky culture of The City of Angels. This book explores 111 of the city's most interesting and unknown places and experiences, including iconic architecture, gorgeous open spaces, quirky museums, hidden vistas, and obscure stories about the starlets, moguls, personalities, and players who have made Los Angeles their playground. Written by Laurel Moglen, an experienced NPR journalist, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to fall in love with the real Los Angeles.