Book excerpt: Coastal Weather Guide for Southern California and Western Mexico explains in great detail all the necessary information the boater needs to successfully return to his/her homeport safely. The book is broken down into ten chapters and includes: Mariner's source for weather information, Weather and Climate and the divisions between the various coasts, the Atmosphere and Weather Systems, outside influences on Southern California Costal Weather and by Seasons. This book explains the El Nino/Southern Oscillation and the local effects on Southern California weather: the last four chapters include Mexico, the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, and the various weather patterns in the area.