From the Marin headlands north of San Francisco's Golden Gate to the majestic Big Sur coastline, this book takes you beside and beneath the waters of the nation's largest marine sanctuary.

Explore the breathtaking habitats and incredible sea life that make this the crown jewel of the sanctuary system. It's a place where playful sea otters tumble in the near-shore kelp forests, flocks of shorebirds scurry on wave-swept beaches, and mysterious vampire squid hunt in the perpetual night of a vast submarine canyon. Includes species lists, appendices, suggestions for further reading, glossary, index and over 300 photographs, illustrations, scientific diagrams and maps.