OK. What do Bison, golf-carts and chewing gum have in common?
Tick Tock. Tick Tock. Give up?
CATALINA ISLAND!
This small, fun, family destination is located less than 20 miles, yet worlds away from Los Angeles, California. Neither exclusive nor possessing of elusive charm…Catalina is a low-key isle that is part ‘junky beach town’ and part wilderness retreat.
Let me explain. Eighty-eight percent of the island is protected by the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy(www.CatalinaConservancy.org) and is home to thousands of species of native plants and animals, not to mention a bunch of NON-native wild bison who arrived on the isle courtesy of a film company in the 1920s. You can find isolated coves and beaches and explore valleys and mountains that would not be so pristine if William Wrigley, Jr. (yes, of chewing gum fame) had not purchased the island in the early 20th century. Yes, we have Double-Mint to thank for the Conservancy and Catalina’s still natural beauty. That said, the main town of AVALON…albeit a FAMILY PARADISE has a bit of kitsch goin’ on. Kitsch or no…this isle is a fun day trip or weekend excursion. Who cares? Kids love it!
I’m a native California girl and I vaguely remembered the isle from my childhood. So, one sunny day in July, I decided to jump on a ferry with my son and some devil-may-care friends. The journey is as simple as getting there, getting off the boat and doing ‘stuff’.
It’s a low-key excursion.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Summertime offers LOTS of choices of transportation. Catalina Express ferries take about an hour and leave from several locations: Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point (www.catalinaexpress.com) and the Catalina-Marina del Rey Flyer Catamaran takes about 90 minutes and leaves from Marina Del Rey. (www.catalinaferries.com) You can also take a 14-minute helicopter flight to Catalina and maybe next time we go we will give the bird a whirl. (www.islandexpress.com)
We took the Marina Flyer, a catamaran captained by a stoic guy and his friendly dog. During the journey the boat rocked back and forth enough so that the dog was able to play ball by himself. He would just put the ball down and wait until it rolled away and then run over and pounce on it. Endless enjoyment. We had front-row seats on our journey because my friend booked the ‘captain’s’ seats, which is a little lounge with comfy seats behind the captain. Not only did this cozy little private place ‘corral’ the kids, but we also avoided the relentless WIND and I avoided getting seasick since the seats are located in the steadiest part of the boat. We averted all potential disasters with one full swipe of the credit card and I suggest you do the same. Actually, it only adds $10 to your fare, so I say…go for it!
The kids LOVED the boat ride and we even spotted some spouting whales. We were having such a great time that Catalina snuck up on us, seeming to appear out of nowhere. Seeing the familiar and famous 1920’s CASINO building on the shoreline brought back old childhood memories. This former grand ballroom is just one of the reminders that Catalina is much like it was years ago, when the rich and famous danced the night away in Wrigley’s grand art deco creation. The isle’s historic, yet funky charm still works it’s magic on thousands of visitors a year.
WHAT TO DO IN ONE DAY
We arrived in Catalina around 11:30am and tumbled off the boat since none of us has our ‘sea legs’. We wandered into the town with no pre-set plans…but no worries! Catalina offers TONS of things to choose from and is very easy to navigate. You can just meander, eat, swim, snorkel, dive, ride horses, shop, play in the sand, spot fish from a semi-submersible ‘submarine’, jump on one of the island’s famous glass bottom boats and look for moray eels or rent a golf cart and tool around the island. There is also kayaking and camping and golf and…well, let’s just say there is a lot to do! Certainly more than we could stuff into one afternoon.
So, here is what we did on our one fun day in Catalina:
After a quick bite, we wandered down the main pedestrian walkway along the water. We popped into a couple of the cute shops where my son purchased his first pair of sunglasses. He wears the green specs every day without fail and they make me laugh hard because they make him look like a little tough guy. One more shop, a few more laughs and a couple of ice cream scoops later, we rented a golf cart and ‘took the tour’. ‘Putt-putting’ around the island, I felt as if we were in Disneyland on the Autopia ride…which is a good thing. I love that ride. Laughing and pointing our way through the island, I felt happy and close to my son and my friends. So low key. No expectations. So different than, let’s say, a trip to Paris.
Post golf cart, we jumped on a semi-submersible submarine and OOOHED and AHHHHED our way through giant kelp forests and gobs of fish. This undersea tour allows you to sit in a climate-controlled cabin as you watch neon orange garibaldi, opaleyes, rockfish, calico bass and more surround the submarine as the crew feeds them. Each kid got a cute button and a full color ‘fish finder’ guide as a souvenir. All in all a great deal despite the fairly pricey fare for the tickets.
Adults are $34.50 and kids are $17.25. For more information go to: www.visitcatalinaisland.com
After our sub adventure, we didn’t have much time left and so we walked the pier and then sat and ate some yummy ice cream…and talked. We talked a lot on this trip. And laughed. All in all…a casual and friendly day.
By land or by sea…Catalina is a fun jaunt and is a great little escape from the big city of Los Angeles. So, if you live in LA or are just visiting…give Catalina a go. It’s just a boat ride away.
For more information on places to eat and sleep try this LA TIMES article: CATALINA CLOSE UP by Beverly Beyette
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-catalina21may21,1,7548101.story
For more info on Catalina from ‘folks’ try this virtual tourist site:
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/California/Santa_Catalina_Island-755546/TravelGuide-Santa_Catalina_Island.html
