Catalina Island is a 22 mile long island approx 29 miles off the coast of California. It is a must see for those travelling to the region. Take a day or two and enjoy the beach, tours, boats, hiking, food, and sights. My family and I took the plunge in the month of January (2018) in celebration of the Travel Wizards Birthday.
I recommend planning this adventure in advance because this is California and there are lots of people; tickets sell fast. Start by looking for lodging. I guarantee if you are going to make this a day trip you will be too tired to drive any long distance after a full day on the island. There is some AMAZING hotels on the island and in Los Angles. Or you could always get creative like we did. We hopped on Airbnb and found something truly unique and different; a sailboat called Fun Times Cabin Cruiser Sailboat - Redondo Beach! I did shamelessly put the link in there at no profit to myself just so the reader could book or view the very boat we lodged on. What fun was it to sleep on a real sailboat and wake up to coffee in the harbor. We stayed up late and drank beer while we watched the sunset several nights in a row. The sailboat lodging turned out to be a highlight to this trip.
The next important step in planning is to purchase your tickets on the Catalina Express. This means you will have to decide what harbor to port at. There are two options: Two Harbors or Avalon. You can depart from Dana Point, Long Beach, or San Pedro. The cost is 30 to 50 is dollars depending on your choices, per person. We chose to leave from San Pedro and to travel to Avalon, which is the only incorporated city on the island. The 29 mile journey was very pretty and the boat was a pleasure to ride. This is a great opportunity to take some pictures.
Avalon is so magnificent you might spend your first day in town shopping, walking, eating, and swimming if it is warm enough. Right on the beach there is several restaurants with craft beer and outdoor seating, and a great pizza spot with an arcade.
While it is fun to walk all day, you might decide it is also exhausting and time consuming. There are options! First thing you step off the boat you are on a giant dock. There is one road which leads to Avalon with a pretty view and wide sidewalk. Get ahead of the other passengers and scurry right down that lane to the golf cart rental offices. As I recall there are two different businesses which offer this within a block of each other, but they only accept cash (pretty sure I had to walk to an ATM). What you are buying is some freedom and a few less sore muscles. No matter how fit you are, some of these sights are up steep hills and you will tire out.
One must see stop not far from town is the Wrigley Botanical Garden, named after William Wrigley Jr who developed the island in the 1920s into a tourist destination. You can drive your golf cart to it. Just drive through the center of town, minding any one ways, and eventually the only road left is Avalon Cyn Road. You will pass a golf course and parks and lots of unique architecture. There is several trail heads up this way if you are feeling extra adventurous. Many of them take you across the ridges of the mountains on the island.
Pebbly Beach Rd follows the beach south from Avalon. It isn't very long but it is very scenic with lots of beach access and a pleasant restaurant called Buffalo Nickel. At Wrigley Rd take a sharp right and follow it up the mountain. There are two scenic overlooks to enjoy. You get the best pictures at the second one called Three Palms.
On your Catalina Island adventure remember to watch the clock if you have rented transportation or are planning on catching the ferry back to the mainland. Your trip can change drastically if you miss a boat, etc.
Bring a warm coat, light gloves and hat for your boat ride. Even in summer the wind can blow. The evenings are always a little cool on the coast unless it is high summer.
Give yourself time to go on a tour or two. There are glass bottom boat tours and tours on the island you can not drive to. You are limited on where you can drive so taking this extra step will reveal many things you might have missed!
Of course, one final stop must be the round theater and casino at the edge of the harbor in Avalon. While it was closed the day we visited we still felt the awe of going back in time and seeing something from yesteryear. A unique structure to walk around and enjoy. You can picture the parties that must have happened here in the 1920s.
Catalina Island has a lot more to offer than I experienced on my journey, but I can tell you once you have a taste you will want more. The curiosity of what might be around the bend, what type of fish you might catch, what type of beer is at the next restaurant, which trail has better views...well you get the idea. Go and see for yourself.
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