Get to know the sea otters you'll see off Monterey Bay. Discover how these enchanting creatures survive in cold waters (really warm fur), how they eat (in the water, floating on their back), why sea otters rest with their paws up (conserves heat), and more. Gorgeous close-up photographs. (Picture book)

Find out about the fascinating elephant seals that come to this part of the coast – habitats, social life, what all those barking noises mean, migrations. Plus, all about California sea lions and harbor seals, residents of the coastal waters here. Fabulous photographs. (Picture book)

Before you view the monarch butterflies at Natural Bridges State Park, find out about the life cycle of the monarch and migration in fall and spring, plus activities to do – raise a monarch butterfly, grow milkweed, make mobiles, T-shirts and puppets. (Activity book)