Serena Bartlett started the GrassRoutes Travel series with Oakland because it was a mystery why a vibrant energized city like that didn’t have a decent guidebook to call its own. So, to point residents, travelers, and sojourners to the best cafes, markets, music, art, contemplative places, and friendly scenes, here is the New View of the City Next Door. Turns out there is a there there, and totally cool. Whether it’s vegan organic or late-night literary, an urban bike tour or stalking fine art and architecture, this guide points the way. GrassRoutes Travel describes a new eco-urban adventure that reveals the lively metropolis always in the shadow of San Francisco. The travel guidebook category has gotten into a rut with cookie-cutter series galore. GrassRoutes guides do not recycle the same old tired info. The foundation of each guide is the actual experience of the writers—starting with series founder Serena Bartlett. What other guide to a city offers up an annotated listing of places to volunteer, encourages you to take the bus, and directs you to places to find inspiration?