Catalina Island Day Trip
Jun 28th, 2011, 01:16 PM
#1
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Catalina Island Day Trip
If going to Catalina Island for a day trip how much time should be allotted for the day? I'm thinking of booking the 10a. ferry from Long Beach downtown to Avalon. On the return I don't know whether to book the 3.45p, 6p or 7.30p boat back. I don't want to run out of time, but don't want to be stuck with nothing to do there either... We have 2 adults and 2 teens in our group.
Jun 29th, 2011, 09:07 AM
#4
To answer your last question, first, no, Balboa Island would not be a better alternative -- in my opinion. Balboa Island can be seen and done in 2 hours, and there's not an awful lot to do there other than walk around and eat Balboa Bars. The postage stamp beach that exists is, imo, kind of dirty and the water doesn't look a whole lot better.
Now, onto your first question -- because of the expense of the Catalina Express, you should take the 7:30 p.m. boat back so you can get nearly a full day on the island and get more bang for your buck. Assuming you're going in summer.
Catalina is one of those places that kids run free and have a LOT to do. Lots of places to explore, lots of water adventures, from rafting to kayaking to snorkeling, to even scuba diving if you want to take a lesson. Lots of places exist that rent rafts, blow up tubes, kayaks, etc. Day trippers can use the various bathroom and showers along Crescent Avenue to change into/out of swim suits. Bring a towel. There's also lockers, most notably at Descanso Beach on the other side of the Casino so you don't have to drag your stuff all around.
There's parasailing and a new zipline (the latter of which I haven't tried, but can't wait!); there's the submarine tours that are pretty amazing. There's the Casino tour. There's the very cheap (like $5.00 or so) tour of Avalon. You definitely can explore on foot nearly every inch of Avalon. You can also rent bikes and explore on bike.
Although there's big business in the golf cart rentals, and this seems to be a lot of fun for a lot of people, I have found it to be a needless expense since it really is so easy to get around.
In short, to really see that part of the island around Avalon, and have time to relax and chill, be it on the beach, in the water, or in one of the local watering holes, you need a solid day.
Now, onto your first question -- because of the expense of the Catalina Express, you should take the 7:30 p.m. boat back so you can get nearly a full day on the island and get more bang for your buck. Assuming you're going in summer.
Catalina is one of those places that kids run free and have a LOT to do. Lots of places to explore, lots of water adventures, from rafting to kayaking to snorkeling, to even scuba diving if you want to take a lesson. Lots of places exist that rent rafts, blow up tubes, kayaks, etc. Day trippers can use the various bathroom and showers along Crescent Avenue to change into/out of swim suits. Bring a towel. There's also lockers, most notably at Descanso Beach on the other side of the Casino so you don't have to drag your stuff all around.
There's parasailing and a new zipline (the latter of which I haven't tried, but can't wait!); there's the submarine tours that are pretty amazing. There's the Casino tour. There's the very cheap (like $5.00 or so) tour of Avalon. You definitely can explore on foot nearly every inch of Avalon. You can also rent bikes and explore on bike.
Although there's big business in the golf cart rentals, and this seems to be a lot of fun for a lot of people, I have found it to be a needless expense since it really is so easy to get around.
In short, to really see that part of the island around Avalon, and have time to relax and chill, be it on the beach, in the water, or in one of the local watering holes, you need a solid day.
Jun 29th, 2011, 09:33 AM
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Thought you might be interested in this thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...o-catalina.cfm. Have to say I'm still not sold on a day-trip when we go in a couple weeks.
And I don't necessarily agree that Balboa Island wouldn't be a good alternative. It's true that there's not much to do/see on the island itself, but if you hop on the ferry across to the Peninsula, you'd have a lot more options.
And I don't necessarily agree that Balboa Island wouldn't be a good alternative. It's true that there's not much to do/see on the island itself, but if you hop on the ferry across to the Peninsula, you'd have a lot more options.
Jun 29th, 2011, 09:11 PM
#7
Just got back today from a 4 day/3 night trip (one night on the Queen Mary and 2 nights in Avalon). You made a good decision --except I'd probably take an earlier ferry over. You won't be over to Catalina in time to do any of the evening things like the flying fish boats etc. and will leave too early the next day to do them.
Jun 30th, 2011, 09:44 AM
#8
janis -- glad you enjoyed yourself. With all this talk about Catalina, my husband and son bullied me last night to get reservations to go over for a few nights starting July 4th. I was reluctant to book because I just had knee surgery, but they were so insistent, even if I can't do the zipline this time, I can still hang at the beach with my buffalo milk! Woo hoo! And I scored the last 2 rooms in a hotel I've been wanting to try!
