jayne1973

I have always fantasized about going to Catalina Island, and will have the chance while on a long Highway 1 roadtrip this summer. Would appreciate some thoughts on whether it is worth it to go for a day trip.

Thanks for any and all opinions and suggestions!

agwt

I believe it is but others will tell you it's a waste of time. About 10 years ago CI was our last stop from a repositing cruise from Alaska before we made our final stop in San Diego. I had a wonderful day in Avalon. I did not do the back of the island so can't tell you anything about it. You would have to rent a golf cart to get there as there are no personal cars allowed on the island, only service vehicles and golf carts.

I'm not sure if I would want to spend more than about 3 days on the island but 1 or 2 days would be great, at least IMHO.

egnolive

I think it would depend on how long your road trip is.

A day trip to Catalina is a long day. You have to take a ferry there and back. It drops you off at Avalon, a cute town with shops and restaurants. You can spend the day there or see more of the island, go to the beach, etc. I've done it a few times and enjoyed it.

I've also stayed on Catalina, but not in Avalon, which is where most day tourists spend their day. Two Harbors is beautiful, and also accessible by some ferrys. There is not much there in the way of restaurants or shops, but you can snorkle or see the area by kayak.

If you are pressed for time or have a long list of other places to see on your road trip, you might skip it as there are so many other places to see. But on the other hand, it is unique for California and really pretty.

You say you have a long road trip and always fantasized about Catalina - I say go for it!

logandog

Did you check this thread?

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...o-catalina.cfm

willowjane

I have been to Catalina for a few days - we ran the marathon several years ago. We were most impressed with the beauty on the undeveloped areas that the race took us through - if you can I would get some kind of trip to Two Harbors and see if you can get out in that part of the island. Avalon was fun, but it wasn't anything spectacular. We saw lots of wildlife and the view from the high cliffs was breathtaking --maybe that was just the race

SOCALOC

I prefer Two Harbors also but as a first visit I'd focus on Avalon; the time will go by quick.

Catalina isn't Capri but it's a lovely spot to get away from it all. IF you have always wanted to go and have the luxury of time then I'd check it off.

annetti

We enjoyed Catalina for the day, rented some golf carts, drove around a bit, did the tourist route. We went over on a beautiful June day with the sun shinning brightly. The sea looked calm,but, almost everyone on the ship was ill. Because, I always get seasick, I had taken precautions, but the Pacific was not a smooth ride coming or going. Our friends who had gone with us were so discouraged they flew back. This was at least 15 yrs ago, and perhaps the ride is smoother and shorter now. Our ride took 2 hrs, but I thought I would warn you that if you are prone to seasickness it can be a difficult trip.

annetti

I believe there is now a quicker boat over to Catalina from Long Beach that takes less than an hr. Someone else will need to verify this.

MBnancy

I've gone to Catalina Island most years for a long, long time. Avalon is the place to go for your first visit. We leave from San Pedro Harbor, but Long Beach is about the same distance. We take Catalina Express, the ride is about an hour. Never been seasick.

The golf carts are rented by the hour, cash, and are $40-$60 depending if you want a two seater or 6 seater. They do NOT allow you to go in the back country with them. There is a marked area where you can drive, go up in the hills and take some good photos.

Tuesday has been the usual cruise ship day, so avoid that one if possible.
Have lunch at the Busy Bee Cafe on the water, get a waffle cone ice cream at Big Olaf's, enjoy the town.

mlgb

Yes, there is a quicker option to get to Catalina. The Catalina Express is a catamaran that takes about an hour from Long Beach. You can also take it from San Pedro or Dana Point.

http://www.catalinaexpress.com/PDFs/..._0623_2011.pdf

I think it's fun for a day trip.

dela123

Catalina Island is a great place for a day trip or overnight trip. Avalon has a quaint Mediterrean charm and there's lots to do - go zip lining, sea trekking, kayaking, parasailing, play golf, go for a hike, rent a golf cart to go around town, take a tour into the interior to see the buffalo on the island. Or just hang in town, shop, dine, go to the beach and people watch. It's a quick hour away from Long Beach or San Pedro by catamarran, which makes it a smooth trip. Or you can depart from Newport Beach or Dana Point which is a bit longer of a trip. Or the heli is only 15 min.

jayne1973

Thanks to everyone -- you have persuded me to go for it, and probably spend the night. Hermosa Hotel looks neat and the price isn't as bad as I expected on Catalina.

Also thanks for the restaurant/ice cream tips. Gotta have some ice cream!

We would also like to see the Casino and do some nice hikes. Any suggestions for that in the Avalon area?

.

dela123

There are a number of hikes in Avalon. A popular hike is the hour trail in the hills above the golf course. Or up Hermit's Gulch trail in Avalon Canyon near the Wrigley Gardens. You should check with the Catalina Island Conservancy at www.catalinaconservancy.org for hiking permits. For longer hikes there is the Trans-Catalina Trail that goes across the island - 37 miles. Or you can take a shuttle up to the Airport and go on hikes from there.

cslater

I've been to Catalina a few times.. most recently as a stop on a cruise last year ago. We hiked the Hermit Gulch trail which got us far away from the rest of the cruise people (our goal) and some beautiful views. It was under 5 miles and only took a couple hours which worked for us since we had limited time. Next trip we plan to stay longer so we can see more of the inner island. You should definitely go - it's a lovely island.

jayne1973

Great-- looks like we have some good options for hiking. Thanks for the link to the conservancy, too.

Any "don't miss" things in Avalon itself?

Surfergirl

Oh, yes! Now, we go to Catalina nearly every summer over 4th of July, since it's such a gas to be there, see the very hokey and very fun golf cart 4th of July parade and catch fireworks over Avalon Bay at night. But we missed last summer since we went to England instead, and it looks like we'll probably miss it again this summer since I'm going in for a little knee surgery.

Anyway, there is one new thing that just started last summer that I cannot WAIT to try out -- the new Eco Zip Line Tour that has received phenomenal reviews on Yelp. I truly think this tour is the one tour that they should have started years ago, so glad to hear they now have it and it's going well. Very expensive ($113 -- reported on Yelp) but said to be more than "worth it".

Other things to do -- I'll give you my top list in no particular order:

1. Probably considered boring to those who have absolutely no interest in ceramics or tile, but Catalina ceramic tile is legendary and sells for hefty prices on Ebay. The original tile is all around Avalon -- most notable pieces are found in the fountains on Crescent Avenue (that abuts the coast); at the Country Club, at the entrance to the bird park, and on various shop store fronts, and in the museum located at the Casino. There's also plenty of reproductions on the island as well, including the front of the Casino as you enter the movie theatre. It was made on the island in the 20's and 30's and finding little spots up in the hills with a chapel or a wall with the original tile is always a cool surprise. Free. Of course.

2. Drinking Buffalo milk and listening to live bands at Descanso Beach. Buffalo milk is a lovely milkshake type alcoholic concoction -- originally comes from the bar/restaurant currently known as Harbor Reef in Two Harbors at the Isthmus, but found its way years ago to Avalon, and is now served up at every bar and lounge in Avalon (about 5 in all, not that I'm counting!). Rating the Buffalo Milk at the various bars (and this is personal preference and changes depending on the bartender's expertise), first goes to the bar on the beach at the Descanso Beach Club (public "club", cheap day fee); followed by Luau Larry's -- the place that will have the song "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffet running through your brain all night long; the El Galleon comes third, and by that time, you're on your own. And by the way, if you are there at the weekend, Luau Larry's usually has live music; and great karaoke at El Galleon. Simply stated, one of the great parts about staying the night is being able to drink and not drive.

3. Snorkeling or drifting on a rented raft at Descanso Beach Club amongst the garibaldis. Or renting a kayak there and heading over to little coves.

4. Snorkeling (or just swimming) at Lover's Cove amongst the garibaldis.

5. The Submarine tour. Which actually takes you over to Lover's Cove. You won't believe the amount of sea life you'll see!

6. The evening flying fish tour. Wear a sweatshirt and clothese you won't mind possibly getting a little dirty! You will never see anything like this!

7. Tour the casino. It's worth it. Then head to the back of the casino, by the water, where you'll see scuba divers.

The bright orange fish you will see in the harbor, in the sea, and all about is the famous and quite beautiful Catalina garibaldi.

Surfergirl

Forgot, Avalon also has extremely good junk food. From the fried (but fresh) seafood on the pier; Eric's also on the pier for its burgers and a decent pint; Antonio's Pizza (there's two, one inland 1/2 block or so but the fun one right on Crescent overlooking the bay) -- for free peanuts (inside only) with shells on the floor, and family style caesar salad and pizzas -- not your gourmet style, to be sure, but tasty! Coney Islands for hot dogs. Oh Oh, and ice cream in freshly made to die for waffle cones, at the ice cream shop just west of Antonio's.

janisj

Hi surfergirl

I'm so glad you posted! I'm also trying to decide about spending a couple of days on Catalina a few weeks from now (it'll either be a night on the Queen Mary and 2 on Catalina - or - a three day road trip up the coast north of SF, and I haven't been able make up my mind)

You've got me leaning to Catalina.

What do you think of the Hotel MacRae?

Surfergirl

Hi Janis

Hotel MacRae is just fine -- do take all of the beach properties -- well, actually almost all Avalon hotel properties -- with a grain of salt. Because even with some of the charges, the Ritz they are not. If you book a property in Avalon knowing that most of these properties are somewhat historic, perhaps a little tired -- kind of like an aging lady with a little arthritis and last year's clothes -- you won't be disappointed. And I'm being literal with the grain of salt, since you will probably not escape seeing a little sand hidden in little corners. These properties are used by families who don't book a week in one of the beach shacks that line Sumner Avenue or one of its offshoots.

Even the generally high priced Hotel Metropole's rooms down the road have that niceer motel feel to it in most of the rooms, although they recently added some beach front condo style rooms at the front that look pretty nice.

MacRae has A/C which is a plus in summer -- especially if you get a beach facing property -- since street noise could be a problem if you're noise sensitive.

Most properties have a decidedly funky vibe, which I personally like -- we stayed once at the Glenmore in one of their corner lighthouse rooms that was a cross between Victorian charm and '70's hippy funk. We usually stay at the Metropole, but wanted to try the Vista Del Mar, which is a few doors down from the MacRae -- they have a couple of beach front rooms with balconies that look awesome but are generally booked nearly a year in advance. We also stayed at the Atwater -- I think this is the oldest property in Avalon -- with the USC marching band -- third floor, no elevator. The Bruin in me is not sure which was more troubling!

In short, the attraction is Catalina, not the hotel, and I'd personally be happy with any place that has a toilet, running water, and clean sheets!

volcanogirl

Bookmarking.