HI,
I will be taking 2 teenagers to LA next week, spending the first 3 nights (Sofitel Hotel) in LA, the next 3 at Huntington Hyatt- and the last a Loews Santa Monica.
While in Huntington we will visit Laguana and Newport areas.
My question is whether going out to Catalina will offer enough for 2 teens?
Are the tours that I see on line available this time of year, will the boat ride normally be comfortable,(as in sea sickness) etc. It sounds really pretty, but it will require some effort and expense to get there.
Is it worth it? (I know, relative term)
Also any thoughts on our hotel choices? At this point I could still change!

anyone?

There's a little town to walk around and snorkeling etc. you can do. We stayed a couple of nights years ago and enjoyed it.

I love Catalina, but I don't think I would take two teens there this time of year. It's just too iffy. It has been kind of overcast here on the coast this week, the water can be choppy, and I'm not sure what is open out there right now. Half the fun of being on Catalina is getting wet snorkeling, swimming and kayaking, and the water is much too cold for that right now. I think your time and expense would be better spent elsewhere.

Oh, and I think your hotel choices are great. Have a wonderful time!

Usually when it is June Gloom at the coast in SD, it is gorgeous in Avalon but the water will still be cold..still a lot of fun things to do in the quaint town even if it is for the night..Hotel Metropole or BW Catalina Canyon Hotel are great properties.
You can rent a golf cart and cruise the island, catch a movie at the casino, have dinner and just walk around..
lvk, is right that Catalina is much more fun when you are playing in the ocean!

what are the interests of your teens? are they into shopping, outdoor sports, beach, etc?

By the way, the Catalina Express <www.catalinaexpress.com> is a fast hydrofoil boat, or the Marina Flyer <www.catalinaferries.com/> - the trip is lots of fun. If any of you are prone to seasickness, then take something and don't chance it. The Los Angeles Times did a good article on Catalina last year <http://travel.latimes.com/articles/l...talina21may21> - it might be interesting reading for you.
Here is a printable discount coupon for the Catalina Express <http://www.downtownlongbeach.org/lif...ing&submit=Go>

I enjoyed the evening boat trip to see the flying fish - amazing sight!

I took my son as a Pre-teen in mid July once. He liked the beach and mini golfing. Oh, I took extra strength dramamine and the prevented me from getting queezy. DH and DS felt a little queezy on the way back, but they recovered quickly.

Thanks for the info, as well as the coupon!
I must admit that my daughter's favorite thing to do is shop.
I prefer to see the other things that areas offer.
We will be 3 nights at Huntington beach, and from there we will check out Laguna, Newport, etc.
I guess I will wait and see what the weather is and then decide whether we should go to Catalina for a day. It seems like there really isn't that much there.
And it is not inexpensive to get there.
Does anyone know if everything is availble in April- the glass bottom boats, etc.? Or is it off season in April with alot of things not available? Is the tour of the Island worth it?
Thanks for all of your thoughts.

Is the inner Island tour worth it?

I'm not sure about activities in April, but see the Quick links on the right side of their website:
http://oaklandmetro.org/calendar.html

I vote for just staying in Huntington Beach and shopping on Balboa Island, Fashion Island (an outdoor mall) and South Coast Plaza. We vacation on Balboa Island every year and my teenage nieces LOVE to come visit just to shop. Even my 20 yr. old son loves Newport. Like several posters said, Catalina's weather can be iffy and I went last Feb. and the daytime temp was nice, but around 3:00 p.m. it got super cold and windy. We could barely get on the boat because the windy conditions. I'd save the time and money and stick to LA/Newport/Laguna and spend it on some "Retail Therapy" (shopping). The Huntington Hyatt is across the street from the ocean, but near the main street which is another shoppers paradise for your teens.

I'm not sure if you have left yet, but I just wanted to let you know that the forecast for the coast is overcast and gray for the whole week. We seem to be getting the "June Gloom" in April.

Oh, Great!
No, really, thanks for the info.
We leave on Friday and will be in CA until the following Fri......
So, I guess we can put away our shorts?

Well, it might clear up by Friday. We just had a very cloudy & cool Spring Break here, and they were forecasting more of the same, but the sun is peeking out today. Just check the forecast on weather.com right before you leave. Make sure you check it for the coastal regions (Newport, Santa Monica, etc.) because the weather can vary from the inland temps by 10-15 degrees.

You can go ahead and pack some shorts, but only a few pair. You will need a jacket or sweater when staying along the coast. Think layers.

We did Catalina a couple months back. Not much to do other than put on a wetsuit and dive....or hit the bars, which was the activity of choice for all the students from UCLA that had come over that weekend.

The boat over from Long Beach had more than a few sick...as the weather wasn't ideal.

But, you can grab a golf cart and run around Avalon some, which can be fun...

Otherwise, it's a nice day trip and that's about it.

Hi,
Sorry to be so late getting back to you- but we LOVED the Hyatt at Huntington Beach!

What about Catalina Island?
Did you go?

Nope,
We actually did not have time.
We went to Disney and Seaworld and spent a little time at the hotel.
Three nights ends up just being 2+ days with the check in/ check out times.
It was fun to walk on the beach watch the surfers.
We also took the little ferry out to Balboa Island, which was cute, walked around there.
Stopped in Laguna, went to the outdoor mall.
Maybe we will be able to got to Catalina next time we are there.

How's the weather in Catalina at the end of October? Is the water usually warm enough for snorkeling, etc. then? Is a day trip there enough time to get a feel for the island, or is an overnight stay recommended?

Weather should be nice. The water is never "warm"--68 degrees is considered warm, but snorkeling? Yes--rent a shorty wetsuit.