channel islands or catalina
 

We will be visiting Los Angeles later this month (end of Jan). Could someone give some opinions on how to spend a couple of days

Option I
Los Angeles
Catalina Island

Option 2
GO to Ventura and then on to Channel Islands

Also, is it possible to get to Catalina Island from LAX without having to rent a car ?
With Channel Islands, I think it will not be possible since Ventura is 70 miles away.

Thanks in advance.

You should not need to rent a car to get to the Catalina boat services (you definitely can't drive to Catalina Island-- 26 miles of water between it and the mainland--, and there are no cars on the island anyway). You can take a cab or SuperShuttle to San Pedro or Long Beach-- both towns have Catalina Express terminals. There's quite a bit to see and do when you get to Catalina (I think it's the largest Channel Island)-- you'll like it a lot!

I know nothing about trips to the more northerly Channel Islands (I think the tours are more ecologically oriented), so I can't comment on your second choice. You would definitely want to rent a car to get to Ventura.

You choice depends on what you want from the trip. Catalina is more user friendly for visitors. People actually live there and it's a fun place to spend the day.

You can research Channel Islands from National Park Service ww.nps.gov/chis/ They have a concessionaire who provides travel out to the islands but it looked more like you camp and hike around the islands.

Your choice depends on what you are looking for. Catalina would be my choice.

thanks for the responses. I am leaning towards Catalina as well !!!