Avalon/ Catalina Questions
May 27th, 2015, 12:10 AM
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Avalon/ Catalina Questions
Hello,
To celebrate my brother’s 50th birthday this coming weekend, I planned a Sunday and Monday stay in Catalina for our family of 5 adults and 1 child: my brother (the birthday boy), his wife, their four and a half year old daughter, Mom and Dad (very active late 70s), and me (active female in my early 40s). We have never been to Catalina before. I’ve booked The Beach House at Hotel Metropole in Avalon (http://www.hotel-metropole.com/accom...he-beach-house). Figured we could just wait and see what my little niece wants to do once we get there, but found out just now that Bud Light’s “Whatever USA” is happening in Avalon on the same weekend, which means tons of people, closed streets and beaches, packed restaurants, much noise, etc.
I need your help to plan our time there in advance, so that I can buy tickets and make any reservations necessary. My brother’s family is flying in from out of state for this, so postponing the celebration is not an option. We’ll be checking in at 3pm, checking out at 11 am. They are willing to hold our bags before and after. Here are my questions:
1) what time should we arrive on the Island and what should we plan to cover on Sunday?
2) The house has a fully equipped kitchen. I was thinking since the restaurants might be loud and full due to the Bud Light’s event, it might be more relaxing for us if I plan to make dinner at the house on Sunday night, maybe purchase some fresh caught fish to make with a couple of side dishes. Is it possible to buy fish directly from a fisherman on Sunday early afternoon or would my only option be Vons?
3) If we end up going to a restaurant on Saturday night, which would you recommend for our group and given that this is a special celebration?
4) How many activities would you fit in Sunday and Monday with a 4.5 year old and what would they be?
4) Is there a bakery on the island that would accept an order for a birthday cake?
Thank you very much in advance!
Sonia
To celebrate my brother’s 50th birthday this coming weekend, I planned a Sunday and Monday stay in Catalina for our family of 5 adults and 1 child: my brother (the birthday boy), his wife, their four and a half year old daughter, Mom and Dad (very active late 70s), and me (active female in my early 40s). We have never been to Catalina before. I’ve booked The Beach House at Hotel Metropole in Avalon (http://www.hotel-metropole.com/accom...he-beach-house). Figured we could just wait and see what my little niece wants to do once we get there, but found out just now that Bud Light’s “Whatever USA” is happening in Avalon on the same weekend, which means tons of people, closed streets and beaches, packed restaurants, much noise, etc.
I need your help to plan our time there in advance, so that I can buy tickets and make any reservations necessary. My brother’s family is flying in from out of state for this, so postponing the celebration is not an option. We’ll be checking in at 3pm, checking out at 11 am. They are willing to hold our bags before and after. Here are my questions:1) what time should we arrive on the Island and what should we plan to cover on Sunday?
2) The house has a fully equipped kitchen. I was thinking since the restaurants might be loud and full due to the Bud Light’s event, it might be more relaxing for us if I plan to make dinner at the house on Sunday night, maybe purchase some fresh caught fish to make with a couple of side dishes. Is it possible to buy fish directly from a fisherman on Sunday early afternoon or would my only option be Vons?
3) If we end up going to a restaurant on Saturday night, which would you recommend for our group and given that this is a special celebration?
4) How many activities would you fit in Sunday and Monday with a 4.5 year old and what would they be?
4) Is there a bakery on the island that would accept an order for a birthday cake?
Thank you very much in advance!
Sonia
May 27th, 2015, 12:35 PM
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Can't help with your other questions but did you know if it is your birthday, the Catalina Express ferry out of Long Beach and San Pedro gives a free ride to the birthday person? I imagine you have to show proof, drivers license or something.
May 27th, 2015, 01:23 PM
#3
First of all, lucky you to have snagged the Beach House -- it is awesome!
1. Arrive as early as you can. Leave the bags at the hotel. Day activities abound -- it is really a day place.
2. I don't think I've seen a place where you can buy fish from fisherman, but you can buy fresh fish off the green pier at the seafood place.
3. Avalon Grille on Crescent. Second option, Bluewater Grill also on Crescent. Third option -- should be reopened by now -- the bar/grill at Descanso Beach, on the other side of the Casino.
4. The only activity you could not do with a 4.5 year old would be the ziplining. Having said that, you HAVE to do this, and need to get reservations right now! Yesterday, in fact. You could book a pair of lounge chairs (or even a cabana!) at Descanso Beach (I have ours already booked over the 4th July!!) and have your parents hang out there with the kid (plenty for her to do and not get in much trouble . . . wading into the calm water, playing with rocks, finding seashells, playing in the sand) while the rest of you trek up behind the beach area to the place where you start the zipline tour. That will take about 2 hours. But the weather should be perfect (sort of cloudy, but a warm 75).
Other activities: the submarine tour is fun for everyone and if you combine it with the night-time flying fish tour, you get a discount. Dress warmly for the flying fish tour. Kayaking is great fun, but the water is still really cold at this time of year, so not fun if you fall off without a wet suit or rash guard. If you decide to do this, rent them at Descanso Beach Club. I wouldn't be snorkeling yet at this time of year. Parasailing is also a lot of fun and you don't get wet (that is, if you say "no" if they ask if you want to be lowered to get your feet wet!)Parasailing booth is on the road to where the boat that takes you to Avalon leaves you off.
5. Avalon Bake & Donut shop (great donuts!) might do this; Julio's definitely does. Just make sure they are open the day you want to pick it up.
1. Arrive as early as you can. Leave the bags at the hotel. Day activities abound -- it is really a day place.
2. I don't think I've seen a place where you can buy fish from fisherman, but you can buy fresh fish off the green pier at the seafood place.
3. Avalon Grille on Crescent. Second option, Bluewater Grill also on Crescent. Third option -- should be reopened by now -- the bar/grill at Descanso Beach, on the other side of the Casino.
4. The only activity you could not do with a 4.5 year old would be the ziplining. Having said that, you HAVE to do this, and need to get reservations right now! Yesterday, in fact. You could book a pair of lounge chairs (or even a cabana!) at Descanso Beach (I have ours already booked over the 4th July!!) and have your parents hang out there with the kid (plenty for her to do and not get in much trouble . . . wading into the calm water, playing with rocks, finding seashells, playing in the sand) while the rest of you trek up behind the beach area to the place where you start the zipline tour. That will take about 2 hours. But the weather should be perfect (sort of cloudy, but a warm 75).
Other activities: the submarine tour is fun for everyone and if you combine it with the night-time flying fish tour, you get a discount. Dress warmly for the flying fish tour. Kayaking is great fun, but the water is still really cold at this time of year, so not fun if you fall off without a wet suit or rash guard. If you decide to do this, rent them at Descanso Beach Club. I wouldn't be snorkeling yet at this time of year. Parasailing is also a lot of fun and you don't get wet (that is, if you say "no" if they ask if you want to be lowered to get your feet wet!)Parasailing booth is on the road to where the boat that takes you to Avalon leaves you off.
5. Avalon Bake & Donut shop (great donuts!) might do this; Julio's definitely does. Just make sure they are open the day you want to pick it up.
May 27th, 2015, 01:33 PM
#4
One more thing -- if brother drinks alcohol and likes milkshakes, you will have to try the "Buffalo Milk" -- invented on Catalina Island. Each of the bars in Avalon (including the bar at Antonios restaurant on Crescent) has their own version of Buffalo Milk (and no, there is no buffalo milk in this!). Depends on the bartender making the drink, but on our last visit, our collective polling tallied thus: Best: Descanso Beach Club bar on the sand. Close second, Antonio's on Crescent. Third, Luau Larry's. Fourth, El Galleon.
May 27th, 2015, 02:19 PM
#5
Surfergirl knows everything about Catalina -- she really helped my on my last trip there a few years ago.
Just to say I definitely agree that you should book a cabana at the Beach Club -- or loungers if you can't get a cabana. It just a terrific place to hang out.
Just to say I definitely agree that you should book a cabana at the Beach Club -- or loungers if you can't get a cabana. It just a terrific place to hang out.
May 27th, 2015, 08:07 PM
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Thank you, all!
1. jamie99, I did know about the free birthday ride, but would have hated to find out too late if I didn't, so thank you very much for taking the time to write about it!
2. Surfergirl, I am not one to use the word "awesome" often, but you are truly awesome! Thank you for the most perfect information!
3. I am glad to see Surfergirl's support for my idea to rent the Beach House. I was seriously doubting the decision, given that it is a pricy rental with only two bedrooms. Metropole doesn't allow the addition of a folding bed or an air mattress in the house, so I'll have to either sleep on the living room couch or share my parents’ room… not at all exciting considering I am paying over $1000K for one night. But your feedback changed my perspective, so thank you!
4. I checked in about the Seafood & Fish Market and was told that they’ll open at 2pm on Sunday, so I should be able to get the fish for dinner if needed. It is great to know where to eat out also, so thank you! Do I need to make dinner reservations ahead of time for any of these places, or can we just show up?
5. Janisj, thanks for your comment and confirmation! Unfortunately, Descanso Beach Club is hosting the event that I mentioned in my original posting (Bud Light's "Up For Whatever"), so, the cabana/ lounger area will be closed this weekend. I am told that the restaurant, the facilities and the beach in front of the restaurant will remain open however and we can bring our own chairs, blankets, etc to set up on the beach, but I am not sure about two things: (a) given that Bud Light’s website says they are bringing ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE to Catalina for this event (plus there are people who are coming on their own, either to check out the Bud Light event or as general tourists), and given the amount of alcohol that folks are going to consume, should we even bother planning a visit to Descanso Beach? (b) my parents are a bit too old for sitting on a blanket for more than a few minutes, but then would we bring our own chairs from home? Sounds crazy! Maybe we should just stick with enjoying the view of the ocean from the deck of The Beach House instead? People are likely to be right below the deck (on the street), and there will be much noise probably, but at least we'll have our own space and chairs to sit on, and the option of moving inside if the noise gets to be too much?
6) Thanks so much for all the activity ideas and the useful information included with them! We'll definitely do the submarine tour, and I for one will definitely try the Buffalo Milk, hopefully at Antonio's! My brother is afraid of heights and lactose intolerant... I doubt that he would go for the ziplining or parasailing, but I have a feeling he won't be able to resist the Buffalo Milk ;-) My parents don't like coldness, and I have a terrible motion sickness problem, so we should probably skip the Flying Fish Boat Trip, but thank you very very much for covering everything so perfectly!
7) I emailed Julio's after reading some Yelp reviews the other day, but did not hear back. On their Facebook page there is a mention of a "big move"(back in March, I think), so I wondered if the bakery might have moved to the main land. Have you dealt with them recently? I can always try calling the bakery too, of course.
My apologies if this is too detailed of a response! Just wanted to address everything the three of you took the time to share. Sometimes the details might help other readers too. Many thanks again and all the best to you!
Sonia
1. jamie99, I did know about the free birthday ride, but would have hated to find out too late if I didn't, so thank you very much for taking the time to write about it!
2. Surfergirl, I am not one to use the word "awesome" often, but you are truly awesome! Thank you for the most perfect information!
3. I am glad to see Surfergirl's support for my idea to rent the Beach House. I was seriously doubting the decision, given that it is a pricy rental with only two bedrooms. Metropole doesn't allow the addition of a folding bed or an air mattress in the house, so I'll have to either sleep on the living room couch or share my parents’ room… not at all exciting considering I am paying over $1000K for one night. But your feedback changed my perspective, so thank you!
4. I checked in about the Seafood & Fish Market and was told that they’ll open at 2pm on Sunday, so I should be able to get the fish for dinner if needed. It is great to know where to eat out also, so thank you! Do I need to make dinner reservations ahead of time for any of these places, or can we just show up?
5. Janisj, thanks for your comment and confirmation! Unfortunately, Descanso Beach Club is hosting the event that I mentioned in my original posting (Bud Light's "Up For Whatever"), so, the cabana/ lounger area will be closed this weekend. I am told that the restaurant, the facilities and the beach in front of the restaurant will remain open however and we can bring our own chairs, blankets, etc to set up on the beach, but I am not sure about two things: (a) given that Bud Light’s website says they are bringing ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE to Catalina for this event (plus there are people who are coming on their own, either to check out the Bud Light event or as general tourists), and given the amount of alcohol that folks are going to consume, should we even bother planning a visit to Descanso Beach? (b) my parents are a bit too old for sitting on a blanket for more than a few minutes, but then would we bring our own chairs from home? Sounds crazy! Maybe we should just stick with enjoying the view of the ocean from the deck of The Beach House instead? People are likely to be right below the deck (on the street), and there will be much noise probably, but at least we'll have our own space and chairs to sit on, and the option of moving inside if the noise gets to be too much?
6) Thanks so much for all the activity ideas and the useful information included with them! We'll definitely do the submarine tour, and I for one will definitely try the Buffalo Milk, hopefully at Antonio's! My brother is afraid of heights and lactose intolerant... I doubt that he would go for the ziplining or parasailing, but I have a feeling he won't be able to resist the Buffalo Milk ;-) My parents don't like coldness, and I have a terrible motion sickness problem, so we should probably skip the Flying Fish Boat Trip, but thank you very very much for covering everything so perfectly!
7) I emailed Julio's after reading some Yelp reviews the other day, but did not hear back. On their Facebook page there is a mention of a "big move"(back in March, I think), so I wondered if the bakery might have moved to the main land. Have you dealt with them recently? I can always try calling the bakery too, of course.
My apologies if this is too detailed of a response! Just wanted to address everything the three of you took the time to share. Sometimes the details might help other readers too. Many thanks again and all the best to you!
Sonia
May 27th, 2015, 10:04 PM
#8
Just so you know, the Metropole will supply you with beach chairs and beach towels. They have a store room off their lobby with them. Just ask reception.
Nite flying fish your won't give you motion sickness. My husband has serious motion sickness on boats and he's just fine on it.
Nite flying fish your won't give you motion sickness. My husband has serious motion sickness on boats and he's just fine on it.
May 28th, 2015, 01:12 PM
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We spent a day (not overnight) on Catalina fairly recently and both walked to the Descanso end (lovely walk, and the beach area looks fabulous!), and also rented a golf cart to drive all over the island - it was really fun. Also, we had a lovely lunch at the Avalon Grille, very good food.
May 28th, 2015, 07:29 PM
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Thank you sf7303! I contacted Avalon Grille to make a reservation and they said that due to the Bud Light event, they will be closed to the general public this weekend. They'll be feeding the Bud Light crowd. The manager said they are not even sure if they'll be open on Sunday night (after the event closes) as it will depend on how long Bud Light takes to clear out the area. From the way the setting up has been going, she believed that the clearing up might not happen in time for them to be able to accept regular people like us for dinner.
About the cake: I was able to talk to the owner of Julio's Bakery and, yes, they have indeed moved away from the island. He suggested that I google Katrina Lee in Avalon and have her make the cake for us. I did google and find her, but had no luck finding any contact information. I even called the Chamber of Commerce and "Catalina by Design" (an event planning business recommended by the Chamber of Commerce) but neither was able to find her contact info. If anyone knows how I can get in touch with Katrina Lee, please let me know! Thank you!
About the cake: I was able to talk to the owner of Julio's Bakery and, yes, they have indeed moved away from the island. He suggested that I google Katrina Lee in Avalon and have her make the cake for us. I did google and find her, but had no luck finding any contact information. I even called the Chamber of Commerce and "Catalina by Design" (an event planning business recommended by the Chamber of Commerce) but neither was able to find her contact info. If anyone knows how I can get in touch with Katrina Lee, please let me know! Thank you!
May 28th, 2015, 09:59 PM
#12
Oh, brother, what a pain in the neck this event is! Sorry you have to deal with it!
try [email protected] -- that was Katrina Lee's email address. Don't know if it still is.
try [email protected] -- that was Katrina Lee's email address. Don't know if it still is.
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