This publication contains background information and guidance for resource management professionals and landowners to understand and manage sudden oak death (SOD) in California forests. The publication is divided into three chapters: Chapter 1 discusses the epidemiology of SOD in California and includes information on biology of the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, host-pathogen interactions, disease spread, and environmental conditions that affect disease development. An understanding of these relationships is needed to choose the most appropriate strategies for managing SOD at a given location. Chapter 2 describes how to develop a plan to manage SOD within a stand and how to identify and prioritize areas that may be suitable for SOD management activities. Options for managing SOD are presented by stage in the disease epidemic: before the SOD pathogen has reached a susceptible forest; during the local epidemic, while disease is active in an area and many hosts are still at risk of becoming diseased; and after SOD has killed so many host trees that forest restoration needs to be considered. Chapter 3 provides descriptions of management techniques.