Moving from a small, very wet and green town on the East coast, I was both exhilarated and disappointed to arrive in downtown San Diego, on one very dry and brown-looking July day. The desert climate fascinated me; trips to Joshua Tree delighted me with everything I hadn’t seen growing up in Connecticut. But after some time, I began to fiend for green. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of plants in San Diego, some of them the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, but I missed that feeling of being submerged in a thick forest, of being away from the concrete jungle. So rather than move, I decided it was high time to seek out these places. I knew they existed somewhere—it was just a matter of finding them. I stumbled upon McGregor’s 60 Hikes within 60 Miles and my green prayers were answered. This cohesive guide is perfect for all levels of hikers, and provides trails in north, south and east counties. A great resource, with details on hiking time, trail length, difficulty, accessibility, as well as nearby activities and recommendations for those with dogs, children, those looking for autumn colors (another thing I miss!) and more. To find you your very own chunk of green paradise in San Diego go to www.menasharidge.com or call 800/243-0495. –JD