California

One of the first videos produced in the AAA Travel Video Series, California is an excellent overview of the state and its numerous points of interest. Beginning with a general introduction, the tape goes on to examine four major areas and their local environs: San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento. The program begins where California itself began in the San Diego region, and visits the missions, the Maritime museum, Sea World, and the San Diego, among other scenic treats. In L.A., viewers get a close-up look at Little Tokyo and Chinatown, as well as the glitter and glamour of Hollywood. On the drive north, visitors can stop off in Santa Barbara to see the Museum of Art, and then visit the Hearst Castle. And in San Francisco, viewers see the bustle of Fisherman's Wharf, the busy street trolleys, and the snakelike Lombard St. The sights are too numerous to list, but the tape does a superb job of showing potential travelers the many options that are available along California's highways. Top-notch video and audio qualities together with an interesting and informative script make California an excellent choice for library travel video collections. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (Available from: AAA, 1000 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746-5063; 1-800-875-5000.)