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Cursed awards, haunted estates, and deadly sets.   Hollywood is supposed to be the place where dreams come true, but it's also where nightmares come to life. Spirits haunt the halls of renowned studios, legendary cafes, and lavish estates, while rumors of curses lurk in the shadows of the rich and famous. It's said that stars like James Dean, Carrie Fisher, and Prince once predicted their own deaths, while slain screenwriter Paul Bern tried in vain to warn Sharon Tate about her own fate. Ghosts reportedly linger in the corners of the El Coyote Café and the Falcon Lair boasts sightings of Rudolph Valentino long after his death./ Join author and paranormal historian Brian Clune for a star-studded tour of the dark side of Hollywood.

What do Vincent Price, Harrison Ford, Jackie Chan, and Uma Thurman all have in common with Frank Lloyd Wright? Answer: The Movies.

The influence of Frank Lloyd Wright on architecture can’t be overstated, and his unique creations have also left a lasting impression on movie audiences.

From the Marin County Civic Center’s starring role in George Lucas’s first feature film to the famous Ennis House appearing in multiple movies, eight of Wright’s California buildings have served as dramatic settings for stories about power, wealth and dystopian futures. Inspiring generations of filmmakers, these sites—both public and private—remain some of the most iconic places captured on film. With behind-the-scenes production facts and a peek into Wright’s design process, author Mark Anthony Wilson recounts the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture in the movies.

This book features:

• 120 color and black and white images, including scenes from popular Hollywood films such as Blade Runner, Black Rain and A Summer Place, as well as cult favorites like House on Haunted Hill, Permanent Midnight, and Cannibal Women in The Avocado Jungle of Death.
• Little known facts about how Frank Lloyd Wright's work influenced Alfred Hitchcock and about Wright's friendship with Walt Disney and his comments about some of Disney's most famous films.
• Detailed information about how to visit those Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in this book that are open to the public.
• The controversies created by several of these films that caused members of some audiences to leave the theater in moral outrage and caused other audiences to scream in horror.
• Behind-the-scenes comments by Hollywood directors and producers about why they chose to use Frank Lloyd Wright buildings or design features in their films.
• A look at how Frank Lloyd Wright's design philosophy influenced the style of Hollywood films and how some of his strong-willed female clients got him to change the design of their homes.
• Why Frank Lloyd Wright was accused of being a "communist sympathizer" and "un-American" near the end of his career, and why this nearly derailed the construction of one of his most famous buildings.

Island Escapes, South Seas Adventures, and Musical Surf Parties of Midcentury Cinema

Tiki Culture arose as the defining expression of American pop culture during World War II and its influence continued through the 1960s. The essence of Tiki featured heavily in films of the era, depicting palm-tree and cocktail-laden escapes that captivated audiences nationwide. Films like South Pacific and The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit were a hodgepodge of jungle imagery and World War II Pacific theater memories. A fascination with the new State of Hawaii was reflected in Elvis’s Blue Hawaii, while balmy youth flicks like Beach Blanket Bingo and Gidget showcased surf, sun and fun.

Join authors Jason Henderson and Adam Foshko as they explore films about the experiences of war filtered through the tropical splendor that defined an era.

How Long Beach caused the death of John A. Lamb.

Immediately after his 1914 election as mayor of Long Beach, Louis Napoleon Whealton fired the chief of police and raided the city treasury. To replenish the funds, Mayor Whealton concocted a scheme to collect fines from any male “who made advances toward other men.” Two special police officers entrapped and arrested thirty-one men, dragging them before a judge to pay up or risk a public trial. When one victim refused to play along, newspapers were quick to publish the names of everyone accused, including local pharmacist and popular churchman John A. Lamb. His suicide made headlines, but the city continued to target gay men well into this century.

Author and historian Gerrie Schipske uncovers the story of a tragic death with far-reaching consequences in Long Beach.

Two paranormal investigators turn their spotlight on the haunted history behind the scenes at the famous movie studio.

Talented entrepreneur Carl Laemmle led and won the fight against Thomas Edison's filming monopoly and built Universal City out of the dirt of Hollywood. He created a place of wonder and imagination, and now, decades later, Universal Studios is filled with rumors of ghosts. 

Frank Stites, an aviator killed while performing stunts during the grand opening celebrations in 1915, is said to still roam the backlot. Lon Chaney, a silent film actor, plagues sound stage no. 28, while Alfred Hitchcock haunts Steven Spielberg's office. Even Lucille Ball has been spotted more than once long after her death.

Authors Brian Clune and Bob Davis explore the eerie and haunting history behind this entertaining façade.

As one of America's most notorious prisons, Alcatraz has been a significant part of California's history for over 155 years.

The small, lonely rock, known in sea charts by its Spanish name Isla de los Alcatraces, or Island of Pelicans, lay essentially dormant until the 1850s, when the military converted the island into a fortress to protect the booming San Francisco region. Alcatraz served as a pivotal military position until the early 20th century and in 1934 was converted into a federal penitentiary to house some of America's most incorrigible prisoners. The penitentiary closed in 1963, and Alcatraz joined the National Park Service system in 1972. Since then, it has remained a popular attraction as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Experience the complex and dark history of San Francisco’s Alcatraz Island in 15 historic black-and-white postcards.

Homes of Hollywood Stars highlights the souvenir postcards and folders that were sold to millions of tourists who visited Hollywood between 1920 and 1970—an era known as the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Some of the actors of those years permitted their elegant residences to be photographed for the pleasure of their fans who wanted to know something about the off-screen lives of their favorite players.* Usually located in exclusive communities like Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Pacific Palisades, or Palm Springs, the houses were designed to show that the performer had achieved the sort of wealth and acclaim that only Tinseltown could grant.* This book highlights screen favorites such as Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, Gloria Swanson, Norma Talmadge, Rudolph Valentino, Clara Bow, Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Norma Shearer, Bing Crosby, Ginger Rogers, Gary Cooper, and Marilyn Monroe.*

One candy heiress, two bullets and three suspects.

The small Southern California island of Coronado rarely makes news for violent crime. But in the spring of 1975, World War II widow and retired librarian Ruth Quinn was murdered, execution-style, in her cottage. Her death sent a shock wave through the community. The granddaughter of Jujubes and Jujyfruits creator Henry Heide, Ruth was found fully clothed with her shoes on, in her bed, dead from two gunshot wounds. To this day, her murder has never been solved, but whispers about her brother, her son and even a local petty thief still swirl.

Author Taylor Baldwin Kiland sifts through the dirt for the facts about Ruth’s life and her untimely end in Coronado.

On July 27, 1903, spurred into action by inmate Richard ‘Red’ Gordon, thirteen men attacked their jailers and made a run for freedom.Folsom Prison had only been open for 20 years and was already one of the toughest and most brutal prisons in the country. It had one major flaw—no walls. A statewide manhunt ensued, following a deadly trail of attacks, kidnappings, and murder. Among the escapees were Joseph Theron and Frank Case, both sentenced to life in prison for robbery, and Joseph Murphy, burglar and poet. Sightings were reported from San Franciso to Reno and in the end, five of the prisoners were never found.Join author Josh Morgan as he recounts the violence and heroism of Folsom Prison’s biggest breakout.

The story of the makeup artist who changed the film industry—and the world of modern cosmetics.

When Polish wigmaker and cosmetician Max Factor arrived in Los Angeles at the dawn of the motion picture industry, “make-up” had been associated only with stage performers and ladies of the oldest profession. Appalled by the garish paints worn by actors, Factor introduced the first “flexible” greasepaint for film in 1914.

With a few careful brush strokes, a lot of innovation, and the kind of luck that can happen only in Hollywood, Max Factor changed the meaning of glamour. His innovations can be experienced in every tube of lipstick, palette of eye shadow, and bottle of nail lacquer used today. 

Join author Erika Thomas as she reveals the makeup guru's expert beauty tips and the story of how he created the most iconic golden-era looks that are as relevant today as they were nearly a century ago.

Underneath a façade of sunshine and beaches lies a darker side of Southern California.

From the Vallecito Stage Stop deep in the desert where a phantom bride eternally seeks her lost love to the town of Lone Pine where the shades of US Cavalry and Paiute natives still battle for land rights, Southern California is haunted by its sordid past. Ghosts relive their days of fun at Universal Studios and Disneyland and remember their days sailing on the majestic RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach. Even her Missions host the spirits of the long-departed.

Join author Brian Clune as he uncovers the spooky side of Southern California.

Iconic vistas, eerie roadside attractions and celebrity ghosts.

From the stark beauty of the Mojave Desert to the haunted Santa Monica Pier, California’s Route 66 is a truly spirited road trip. The road is lined with ghost towns such as Ludlow, a town that lived and died twice, and Goffs, now a dusty museum where the shades of the past walk the streets. In Barstow, a hundred-year-old rail station hosts long-dead passengers still waiting for their trains, and in Monrovia, the Aztec Hotel entertains spirits from a bygone era, as does the Pasadena Playhouse, the official state theater of California.

Join author and paranormal historian Brian Clune as he explores the haunted history of the Mother Road.

Ghost stories from America’s most infamous prison have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

Welcome to the spooky island of Alcatraz!

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms. 

Did you know a ghost nurse wanders the halls in search of prisoners to heal? Or that nobody has ever escaped from Alcatraz…and lived to tell the tale? Can you believe Cell 14D is haunted by a mysterious, red-eyed monster? 

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see Alcatraz and have you sleeping with the light on! 

Beneath the teeming streets of California’s largest city lies a dark history of serial killers, riots and strange encounters.

Spirits are said to mingle with the tourists on Olvera Street, and there are rumors that a curse placed on Griffith Park still causes deaths to this day. Do the victims of a massacre at Union Station still haunt the halls there, and does Dodger Stadium host the shades of the residents it displaced during its construction? Even the old Los Angeles Zoo is said to be a hotspot of animal apparitions reluctant to move on.

Author and paranormal historian Brian Clune explores the spooky side of Los Angeles. 

Hosting icons and legends of folk, blues, bluegrass, jazz, spoken word and world music since 1969.

A decade after Gerald McCabe opened up a guitar repair shop in Santa Monica, California, legendary folk musicians Elizabeth Cotten and Mike Seeger came looking for a way to earn money to get back home. Their inaugural performance kickstarted a concert series that has featured some of the world’s finest musicians—including Doc Watson, Jackson Browne, Bill Monroe and Linda Ronstadt—in one of the most intimate performance spaces on the West Coast.

Against a backdrop of guitars in a room often packed to the rafters, music rang out to fill every corner. But audiences weren’t the only ones who left with cherished memories. Enjoy behind the scenes stories from artists like Rosanne Cash, Taj Mahal, Lucinda Williams, Arlo Guthrie and many more as they look back on their experiences at McCabe’s. From picking up a new hobby to serendipitous meetings of future bandmates, there was never a dull moment in the shop.

This is your backstage pass to the untold stories of one of California’s most celebrated music venues and those who performed live at McCabe’s Guitar Shop.

The long history of San Jose has accumulated a remarkable amount of ghostly tales, from things that go bump in the night to its most famous haunt, the Winchester Mystery House.

A ghostly bride stalks the corridors of the Sainte Claire Hotel, and a spectral janitor still carries out his duties at Overfelt High. At the La Forêt Restaurant, long-dead miners from New Almaden are rumored to appear in rooms they once called home. The ancestral land of the Ohlone people might now be the home of high tech, but its haunted past remains.

Author, educator and lifelong resident Elizabeth Kile brings to life the memories of those who came before — and those who never left.

Ghost stories from San Diego, California have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! 

The haunted history of San Diego comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Wander into the shops of Old Town, just keep your eye out for shoppers who might have died long ago. Or check into the Cosmopolitan Hotel for a glimpse of guests who checked in but never checked out. Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

Ghost stories from the Grey Ghost herself have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

The RMS Queen Mary’s famous haunted history comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Meet Little Jackie, the ship’s most playful ghost, see Winston Churchill, who hangs out at the restaurant, and explore the spectral vortex in the first-class pool. Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

In 1974, one of San Francisco’s most horrific unsolved serial murder cases began.

In less than two years, the man police called “The Doodler” took at least five lives, terrorized the LGBTQ community, and left three survivors forever changed. Initial reports claimed the murderer didn’t approach his victims with the knife he used to kill them, but that the suspect shared skilled drawings—sketches of faces and animals—before leaving a string of gay men to bleed out on the sands of Ocean Beach. Police investigations and activist efforts to uncover the killer led to several suspects, but no definitive identification of the artist of death.

Author Kate Zaliznock shines a light on this riveting cold case.

Welcome to San Diego! Parent and child Pandas tour America's Finest City in best-selling author-illustrator Martha Day Zschock's Hello! board book series for children. In Hello, San Diego! join the pair as they visit the beach, spend the day at Balboa Park, tour the Bay on a boat, and discover tide pool creatures at Cabrillo National Monument. Along the way they stop for tacos in Old Town, ride a roller coaster, wave to sea lions, watch hang gliders, and end their day roasting marsh-mallows on Coronado Island! For ages 0-3. Made in the USA.

Readers who enjoy the peacefulness of cemeteries and those who are interested in the history of California alike will enjoy this insightfully crafted guide to the cemeteries of Sacramento County. Beneath the oak canopies and sun-drenched fields of Sacramento County lie silent witnesses to more than a century of local history. Sacramento County Cemeteries takes readers on a visual journey through the region’s burial grounds, from early family plots to expansive memorial parks, capturing the evolving story of the community through the places where its people rest. Guided by compelling imagery and thoughtful context, this book explores the cultural legacy of Sacramento through its cemeteries. Each site reveals a piece of the past—stories of native peoples, performers, civic leaders, immigrants, and even a few beloved animal companions—preserved in stone and landscape. More than a pictorial archive, this book is a tribute to the lives, memories, and past that continue to shape the region.

Colette Kavanaugh is a resident and business owner in Arden-Arcade, Sacramento. She is a member of the Old City Cemetery Committee and performs annually in the Lantern Tours at the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery. She has also published a book celebrating the Arden-Arcade community. Photographs in this book come from the Sacramento Room at the Sacramento Public Library, the Center for Sacramento History, the California State Library, and local historical societies.

Burbank is known as a haven from the craziness of nearby Hollywood, but the city has a dark underbelly.

Nellie May Madison shot her husband to death at their home in 1934 and became the first woman to be condemned to death in California. The brutal 1953 murder of Mable Monohan inspired an Oscar-winning movie, but that didn’t save Barbara Graham and her killer collaborators from the gallows. In the decades that followed, infamous and violent offenders such as the “Dating Game Killer,” the “Toolbox Killers,” and “Night Stalker” Richard Ramirez hunted for victims in the area, while slayings of detectives, private eyes, bookies, and secret gamblers piled up in the cold case files of the police department.

Award-winning author and journalist James T. Bartlett explores the sinister side of Burbank history.

Murder, mystery and misdemeanors in Solano County’s seat.

From the very beginning, Fairfield hosted its fair share of criminal activity. City founder Robert Waterman, a famed sea captain accused of beating his own crew during the “hellship trials,” walked away a free man, but the fallout paved the way for seamen’s rights. A spree killer set the state mass murder record in the 1920s, and several decades later, Fairfield was chosen as the location for serial killer Juan Corona’s trial. Mass murders, missing children, political scandals and even a case involving an Armijo High School graduate turned Russian spy all have their roots in this California town.

Author and accidental historian Tony Wade shines a light on the dark past of Fairfield, California.

Delve into a world of cold cases, serial killers, and false confessions pulled straight from the archives of the San Diego Police Department.

From a rash of attacks in Balboa Park to the slayings of two police officers that remain unsolved to this day, detectives have investigated several vexing and violent cases over the years. In 1931, the murder of ten-year-old Virginia Brooks was initially linked to serial slayer Gordon Stewart Northcott, later hung for his crimes, while the mysterious death of young Dalbert Aposhian languished for seventy-two years before modern forensics closed it.

Join author Steve Willard as he pulls back the curtain on San Diego’s dark side.

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door. Learning about San Francisco’s interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Did you know that San Francisco was one of the most popular places to secure a fortune during the Gold Rush? Or that you can still visit Alcatraz, the country’s most secure Federal prison, to this day? From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, to the Mexican-American War, Super Cities!: San Francisco covers it all, and is sure to engage any reader with fun facts about the history, culture, and people who make this city great. Stroll along Pier 39, explore Chinatown, and try delicious chocolate at Ghirardelli Square, all right here. Take a peek inside to learn more about the impressive, unusual, super history of San Francisco!

The Ponzi scheme that devastated Napa Valley.

In 1988, a daring San Francisco drug bust led investigators straight to a massive financial fraud scheme in the Napa Valley. Hundreds of residents, many of them elderly, had entrusted their life savings to respected businessman David Hanson only to lose everything as his scheme unraveled. The destruction spread like ripples in a pond, with victims losing retirement savings, houses, and more. Multiple arrests were made, and every trial revealed another twist.

Join author and retired Napa Superior Court judge Raymond A. Guadagni as he tells the story of the pursuit of justice for the citizens of Napa.

Spine-tingling tales of restless spirits.

San Diego is known for its sunshine and beautiful beaches but a dark history lurks beneath the surface. Shades of gamblers, thieves, and gunfighters wander the streets, and the spirit of a young woman who died mysteriously haunts the halls of the Del. On the oldest sailing vessel in San Diego Harbor, the ghost of a small child stowaway plays with guests, and the Old Town Saloon occasionally hosts an eerie visitor seeking libations. Wyatt Earp haunts the very room he stayed in at the Horton Grand Hotel, and the former crew of the USS Midway steadfastly man their posts, even after death.

Join authors Brian Clune and Bob Davis as they recount the eerie tales of what may be California’s most haunted city.

Sheltered between marsh and flatlands, the Montezuma Hills of Solano County are home to generations of farmers, fishermen, and folks seeking respite from cities. The community began in 1846 with a lone adobe house, built on a hillside for a future Mormon colony. The Mormons never arrived; however, many others did. Homesteaders, tradesmen, and innovators found a river of bountiful salmon, fields lush with wild oats, and opportunities to build new lives. Thriving villages sprouted along the sloughs—Collinsville, Birds Landing, and Denverton. Although these towns are nearly forgotten, the pioneers’ legacy has left an enduring imprint on the land. This book honors the community, the people who settled the area, and their descendants, whose generous contribution of time, memories, and photographs has made this book possible.

Jolie Anderson Gallagher, a fourth-generation descendant of Danish immigrants, was born and raised in the Montezuma Hills. After earning a degree in English/creative writing at the University of California, Davis, she worked as a reporter for the Dixon Tribune before launching a 35-year career in technical writing. Although now retired in the Colorado mountains, Gallagher will forever be that farm girl who ran barefoot through fields of wheat. 

From the foggy northern coasts to an inland agricultural empire, Northern California has a little bit of everything—including its fair share of the paranormal.

In the state capital of Sacramento, a haunted steamboat sits, a home to spirits that never returned from their merry voyages. Not far away, a B-29 bomber from World War II returned from duty with a ghostly crew member. In San Jose, a woman with a tragic family history built a house meant to deter the spirits haunting her every step, while deep in the mountains, the restless shades of miners linger at the sites of their doom.

Author Brian Clune explores the spooky side of Northern California.

From inspiring Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho to providing the stalking ground for serial killers, Surf City, USA, has a spooky history with a West Coast twist.

Though generally a peaceful coastal city, the dark stains from Santa Cruz’s past still linger...

A former Spanish Mission, Holy Cross Catholic Church harbors a dark history of a brutal revolt of native Ohlone people that killed the cruel Fr. Andres Quintana. Frequented by mobsters and celebrities in its heyday, the famous Brookdale Lodge’s most talked-about guest is the ghost of a little girl who died nearby in 1892 after nearly drowning. Terrorized by three different serial killers during the 1970s, the city earned the nickname of “the Murder Capital of the World.” Local resident Alfred Hitchcock derived inspiration for his iconic film Psycho from the haunted mid-nineteenth-century Hotel McCray.

Tracing the city’s eeriest incidents back to their roots, historical researcher and paranormal investigator Maryanne Porter details these and many more stories of local legend and lore.

In 1974, the brutal murder of Anita Fagiani Andrews shook the small working-class town of Napa.

Detectives, criminalists, and forensic experts raced to identify who’d struck down Anita, a 51-year-old ex-beauty queen and mother of two, in her own bar to no avail. Despite their best efforts, the case went cold. Decades passed, during which the town grew into a world-renowned wine region and tourist destination, but the case remained an open question. After 37 years, thanks to DNA evidence, the killer—imprisoned for another murder—was finally found and brought to justice.

Join author and retired judge Raymond A. Guadagni as he tells the story of the shocking murder, the investigation and the subsequent trial over which he presided in 2011.

From the vistas of Big Sur to the streets of Monterey, the souls of the dead still linger.

The Mission San Carlos Borromeo, today known as the Carmel Mission, is the site of numerous unmarked graves from centuries past. Monterey’s Cannery Row once housed the lab of marine biologist Ed Ricketts, who was struck by a train there in 1948—some say on a quiet night you can still hear the sound of the wreck. In Salinas, the Steinbeck House is known for its charming atmosphere and delightful meals, as well as visits from John Steinbeck, despite the fact that he died in 1968. Join writer Patrick Whitehurst as he explores tales of the supernatural and Monterey County’s haunted locales.

In this intimate true crime biography, the author recounts his great grandfather’s journey from local grocer to Prohibition-era crime boss.

Sicilian immigrant “Big George” Niotta did exceptionally well for a grocery wholesaler. That’s because his biggest clients were bootleggers. He delivered hundreds of pounds of sugar to illegal liquor operations across California, supplying an essential ingredient and making sweet profits. But his criminal operations didn’t end there.

Niotta rose to prominence thanks to his magnetic charm, collaborating with infamous bootlegger Frank Borgia and influential gambling baron Jack Dragna. Dogged by the IRS, Niotta expanded his enterprise into ringer horses, a multimillion-dollar lottery, and a notorious gambling parlor. Through extensive research and interviews with family members, J. Michael Niotta explores three decades of L.A. crime, including a rare insider's look at the Eagle Brewing Company and other survivors of Prohibition.

“The book includes parts of Campbell’s history at the turn of the century, theories of what may have provoked the killings and the manhunt that never led to Dunham’s capture.”—The Mercury News

On the morning of May 27, 1896, the peaceful township of Campbell awoke to shocking news. Six people were brutally murdered at the home of Colonel Richard P. McGlincy, one of the town’s most respected citizens. The suspect, James Dunham—the colonel’s son-in-law—fled the scene and disappeared into the hills of Mount Hamilton overlooking Santa Clara County. This heinous crime triggered a massive, nationwide manhunt while investigators pieced together the details.

Author Tobin Gilman examines the mind and motives of the killer, the sensational media coverage and the colorful personalities associated with the protracted and unresolved pursuit of justice.

Welcome to Los Angeles! Parent and child golden retrievers tour Los Angeles, California in best-selling author-illustrator Martha Day Zschock's Hello! board book series for children. In Hello, Los Angeles! join the pair as they visit Universal Studios, make instruments at the children's museum, and see animals at the zoo! Along the way, ride a pony at Griffith Park, eat a taco on Olvera Street, and catch a concert at the Hollywood Bowl! For ages 0-3. Made in the USA.

Well known for its picturesque setting, Napa Valley is also home to crimes perpetrated in the name of greed, love and rage.

Shocking incidents have rocked the small communities nestled among the vineyards, like that of greedy young Billy Duvall, who killed his parents as they slept, and Bob Edwards, who suffocated his beloved wife in a misguided attempt to keep a promise. Two victims of domestic violence came to very different ends--one murdered and the other offered a second chance at life after a jail sentence.

Join author and retired Napa Superior Court judge Raymond A. Guadagni as he offers his unique perspective on these notorious court cases and the criminal justice system.

San Francisco is probably best known for its hills, ubiquitous fog, dungeness crab and the Golden Gate Bridge. But jazz music's threads are similarly woven into the fabric of the city and its environs.  Whether performed in renowned clubs like So Different, Jimbo's Bop City, Black Hawk, and the Jazz Workshop or in halls like the Primalon Ballroom and Great American Music Hall, jazz has infused the city from the Barbary Coast to the Fillmore, thrilling audiences for over a century. San Franciscans have grooved to and incubated scores of jazz acts, hot and cool, raucous and contemplative.

Haunted Islands of San Francisco Bay: Ghosts, Crime, and Dark Histories

Alcatraz, Alameda, Mare Island, Angel Island, Yerba Buena, and Treasure Island loom out of the dark waters of San Francisco Bay. Even when they aren’t shrouded in mist, the islands are haunted by a past swirling with criminal violence, fatal epidemic, environmental disaster, and explosive sabotage. From an infernal duel on Angel Island to the cursed cells of Alcatraz and the Old 84 naval prison, Jeff Dwyer steers adventurous readers through a haunted history full of phantom ships and open graves. 

"As the captain of the USS Midway I was never more proud of the young men, mostly teenagers, under my command. USS Midway: America's Shield tells their story, straight from the flight deck. It's real American history everyone should know."�;Rear Adm. Riley Mixson, U.S. Navy (ret.), former captain, USS Midway

"USS Midway: America's Shield carries the reader along from one great event of the latter twentieth century to another. An odyssey fueled by remarkable young men from every corner of America. An inspiration to us all!"�;Lou Reda, documentary filmmaker, History Channel

The USS Midway first set sail in 1945 with thousands of young men on board. By the time it made its final return to port in 1992, approximately 200,000 Americans had served on the carrier. During those years, the crew�;whose average age was nineteen�;witnessed significant world affairs, such as Cold War espionage missions, an attack by an Israeli aircraft, confrontations with Mao Tse-tung, and the liberation of Kuwait.

Beginning with World War II, this collection of memoirs chronicles individual accounts of sailors who served on the Midway. All of the stories offer a glimpse into the early days of the sailors' lives and detail the contributions that they made at sea. This collective biography relates their compelling tales of empowerment and optimism, while presenting America's past. One hundred pictures provide a visual reference.

Ghost stories from Southern California have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

Welcome to spooky Southern California!   

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms. 

Did you know the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is home to ghostly movie stars? Or that some ghosts get to spend eternity at Disneyland, “The Happiest Place on Earth?” Can you believe spirits from all over have turned Silver City into a literal Ghost Town?  

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see Southern California, and have you sleeping with the light on! 

Welcome to San Francisco! Parent and child Pelicans explore The City by the Bay in best-selling author-illustrator Martha Day Zschock's Hello! board book series for children. In Hello, San Francisco! join the pair on their fun-filled visit to this famously foggy city as they ride cable cars up steep hills, shop on Fisherman's Wharf, and cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Along the way they eat fortune cookies in Chinatown, look up at the redwood trees in Muir Woods, and make some new friends at the San Francisco Zoo! For ages 0-3. Made in the USA.

Sometimes the coolest places are right outside your front door.

Learning about Yosemite's interesting and unique culture has never been so super fun!

Puzzle your way through the Golden State

Discover the Great State of California through this 150-puzzle puzzle book in the best-selling Great American Road Trip series. Eureka! You've found it. From Avenue of the Giants to Zzyzx Road & Mineral Springs in Baker, the word finds and other puzzles will be sure to entertain, educate and whet your appetite for a real or armchair journey through the Golden State.

Ghost stories from Northern California have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! 

Welcome to spooky Northern California! 

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms.

Did you know that Alcatraz Island is home to evil phantoms and ghostly prisoners? Or that the Winchester Mystery House is swarming with spirits? Can you believe the old captain who wanders the decks of the Delta King Hotel late at night . . . might be a ghost? 

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see Northern California forever, and have you sleeping with the lights on!

Ghost stories from the Capital of Silicon Valley have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms.

Did you know a ghostly bride stalks the corridors of the Sainte Claire Hotel? Or that a spectral janitor still carries out his duties at Overfelt High School? Can you believe that at the La Forêt Restaurant, long-dead miners from the New Almaden are rumored to appear in rooms they once called home? 

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see San Jose forever, and have you sleeping with the lights on!

Ghost stories from America’s “Jewel of the Sierras” have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

Welcome to the spooky shores of Lake Tahoe!

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms.

Did you know Tahoe has a lake monster named Tessie? Or a prehistoric flying beast roaming the skies? Can you believe you might bump into ghostly legends like Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe—and even Elvis!—just hanging around your hotel?

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see Lake Tahoe, and have you sleeping with the light on!

Bursting with laugh-out-loud jokes and fun facts, LOL Jokes: San Francisco combines the best of humor and history for young readers!

Inspired by all the wonderful sights, sounds, and . . . smells of the Golden Gate City, this local joke book delivers kid-friendly punchlines that will have readers laughing ’til they cry! Alongside hilarious jokes and puns are fascinating facts, goofy tidbits of local history, and engaging graphics that will keep readers chuckling and sharing with friends. LOL Jokes: San Francisco is sure to deliver hours of knee-slapping entertainment.

Judge: Why did the painting from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art get sent to Alcatraz?
Jury: It was FRAMED!

COMEDY GOLD! The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco has been declared “One of the Modern Wonders of the World!” Nearly two miles long, it is one of the most photographed bridges in the world. The span-tastic Golden Gate was built to withstand 90-mile-per-hour winds and magnitude 8.0 earthquakes!