Catalina Island
Welcome to Santa Catalina Island. You have just arrived in Avalon, the island’s main town. The island is 21 miles long and eight miles wide, and Avalon itself is only about one square mile in size. It is this small size and its accessibility that make the island a peaceful and pleasant vacation spot.
For vacationers, one of the island’s greatest charms is its ease and convenience; all the major attractions are within four or five blocks of each other. In Avalon you can stay in hotels in the center of town and simply walk a block or two in either direction for entertainment, food, tours, and activities.
Considering the petite size of Avalon, the number of activities to be found is amazing. Just a few steps outside the hotels you can find swimming, fishing, golfing, biking, hiking trails, shopping, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, ziplining, parasailing, whale watching, scenic tours, an underwater semi-submersible tour, inland motor tour, glass bottom boat tour, sundown cruise, botanical garden tour, dining, beaches, and other water sports. There are more than enough activities to keep you busy for several days. Accommodations on the Island are plentiful. Visitors can choose something to fit any budget from historic Victorian hotels, to seaside motels, to quaint inns, and B&Bs, as well as, house and condo rentals and campgrounds. Accommodations, in general, are well-kept and charming. Further, the cooler weather there makes the island an excellent escape from the summer heat.
The most popular ways to get around Avalon are by walking or renting golf carts. Taxis and shuttle buses can take you to your destinations or you can rent bicycles. Vehicles are limited on the Island. Golf carts are used by the visitors and residents alike. There are no rental cars here and the town residents have a 10 year waiting list for a car. Its small size makes it a vacation where you can do everything—eat, sleep, tour and sight see within only a few blocks of each other. Not many vacation spots can claim that kind of ease. This centrality makes Catalina Island a great place for a short day visit or a long weekend.
Getting to Catalina is almost as easy as getting around on Catalina. Several companies operate cruises to and from the Island from four Southern California ports: San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach or Dana Point. The trip takes approximately 75 minutes each way and should be considered part of the vacation fun. The fast, smooth, and luxurious boats will get you there in comfort. The ride to Catalina is really part of the whole Island experience. During the short cruise you can sit on the top deck enjoying the fresh air or sit inside and watch the waves. This is a pleasant and relaxing way to start and end a Catalina vacation. In less time (only 15 minutes), but for a little more money, you can helicopter the 22 miles to Catalina. Helicopter services are available from Long Beach, San Pedro, Burbank Airport and John Wayne Airport/SNA. Private aircraft flights are also available to the island and you’ll land at the aptly named Airport in the Sky (with a 1,602 foot elevation) high above Avalon. In either case, the trip there and back is sure to add to your vacation memories.
Ongoing restorations of the city really shows off its history and appeal as an island town. Its appeal continues to grow for a new generation. And once you’ve been there, you won’t ever forget it. No matter how many islands you may have visited, this one is special.
A Catalina Island escape is a wonderful getaway vacation that is close to home and far from complicated!
TRAVEL TIPS
Since you will likely be traveling by boat to Catalina, consider some precautions for those disposed to travel sickness. Generally, the waters will be relatively calm and the boats stabilized, but be prepared for some good swells. When packing for the trip, remember that it is an ocean climate; Catalina Island will generally be cooler than it is in the Los Angeles area. Pack sweaters and plan to dress in layers during the evenings, even during the summer months. If traveling with the kids or grandkids, pack fun toys and items for the boat ride over and back and bring some snacks and games for evenings in the hotel room.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
http://www.catalinachamber.com/
For vacationers, one of the island’s greatest charms is its ease and convenience; all the major attractions are within four or five blocks of each other. In Avalon you can stay in hotels in the center of town and simply walk a block or two in either direction for entertainment, food, tours, and activities.
Considering the petite size of Avalon, the number of activities to be found is amazing. Just a few steps outside the hotels you can find swimming, fishing, golfing, biking, hiking trails, shopping, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, ziplining, parasailing, whale watching, scenic tours, an underwater semi-submersible tour, inland motor tour, glass bottom boat tour, sundown cruise, botanical garden tour, dining, beaches, and other water sports. There are more than enough activities to keep you busy for several days. Accommodations on the Island are plentiful. Visitors can choose something to fit any budget from historic Victorian hotels, to seaside motels, to quaint inns, and B&Bs, as well as, house and condo rentals and campgrounds. Accommodations, in general, are well-kept and charming. Further, the cooler weather there makes the island an excellent escape from the summer heat.
The most popular ways to get around Avalon are by walking or renting golf carts. Taxis and shuttle buses can take you to your destinations or you can rent bicycles. Vehicles are limited on the Island. Golf carts are used by the visitors and residents alike. There are no rental cars here and the town residents have a 10 year waiting list for a car. Its small size makes it a vacation where you can do everything—eat, sleep, tour and sight see within only a few blocks of each other. Not many vacation spots can claim that kind of ease. This centrality makes Catalina Island a great place for a short day visit or a long weekend.
Getting to Catalina is almost as easy as getting around on Catalina. Several companies operate cruises to and from the Island from four Southern California ports: San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach or Dana Point. The trip takes approximately 75 minutes each way and should be considered part of the vacation fun. The fast, smooth, and luxurious boats will get you there in comfort. The ride to Catalina is really part of the whole Island experience. During the short cruise you can sit on the top deck enjoying the fresh air or sit inside and watch the waves. This is a pleasant and relaxing way to start and end a Catalina vacation. In less time (only 15 minutes), but for a little more money, you can helicopter the 22 miles to Catalina. Helicopter services are available from Long Beach, San Pedro, Burbank Airport and John Wayne Airport/SNA. Private aircraft flights are also available to the island and you’ll land at the aptly named Airport in the Sky (with a 1,602 foot elevation) high above Avalon. In either case, the trip there and back is sure to add to your vacation memories.
Ongoing restorations of the city really shows off its history and appeal as an island town. Its appeal continues to grow for a new generation. And once you’ve been there, you won’t ever forget it. No matter how many islands you may have visited, this one is special.
A Catalina Island escape is a wonderful getaway vacation that is close to home and far from complicated!
TRAVEL TIPS
Since you will likely be traveling by boat to Catalina, consider some precautions for those disposed to travel sickness. Generally, the waters will be relatively calm and the boats stabilized, but be prepared for some good swells. When packing for the trip, remember that it is an ocean climate; Catalina Island will generally be cooler than it is in the Los Angeles area. Pack sweaters and plan to dress in layers during the evenings, even during the summer months. If traveling with the kids or grandkids, pack fun toys and items for the boat ride over and back and bring some snacks and games for evenings in the hotel room.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
http://www.catalinachamber.com/