Headed for Catalina from the Downtown ferry Terminal...suggestions for lunch within walking distance. Staying at the Queen Mary on the return...best restaurant?

Thanks

If you are going on the weekend, you might want to use the ferry terminal adjacent to the Queen Mary. Boats leave from there at 9:30am to Catalina and return at 7:15pm, so you can have a good stay on the island. I did this last Saturday and it worked fine.

For dinner, there are two fine restaurants on The Queen Mary, the fanciest being Sir Winston's on the upper deck. I did not personally eat there, so I cannot give you a review, but it is on my list for a try when I return to Long Beach for Christmas.

As you exit from The Queen Mary towards downtown Long Beach, there is a restaurant on the waterfront called The Reef. I noticed it in the local guide book of Long Beach that was produced for the tourists and passed out at information. Again, I did not eat there but it looked interesting based on its location.

On Catalina, do the 3-4 inland tour and get out of Avalon. Avalon is cutesy shops and beach tourist attractions. If you take the inland tour, you will see some spectacular scenery.

A longer trip report on my stay in Long Beach can be found here:

http://messages.independenttraveler....317#3843095317

I hope this helps you get some ideas for your trip and do post a trip report and tell us about the restaurant you choose.

The Reef is a huge banquet facility restaurant, used a lot for wedding receptions. I've had their Sunday brunch, which is very good (free-flowing champagne!), and the views of the harbor while sitting on the patio are wonderful. The restaurants on the QM are quite good, and indeed much more convenient if you're using that terminal to Catalina.

If you can get over to Shoreline Village, Tequila Jack's can load you up with some fair Mexican food. The Yard House has a pretty good kitchen to go with its 100+ beers on tap (you can buy a yard!). Into Downtown, there are lots of places. Alegria on Pine is good for sit-down lunch, and as far as fast food, La Salsa (also on Pine) is a California tradition.

Go to Tequila Jack's, sit outside and order margaritas and the guacamole that's prepared tableside. If that doesn't reduce you to a relaxed pile of mush, nothing will! We toured the Queen Mary in January and loved it. Had a drink in the art deco bar but didn't eat on the ship.

I have stayed (and ate) at the QM several times (business trips). It's ok, not great. I would go on over to the Yard House. I enjoy the boats and the people watching. You should definely have a drink at the bar. The ship is steeped in history and oh so convenient if you are already staying there. they have put me in some awful rooms before, but will glady upgrade yu (usually at no cost) if you ask, so if you are disappointed, don't be shy. The place seems always to be under restoration. There is a free shuttle right there also if you want to go over to the Pine Street area. The ferry is great though, even for a short excursion. I think it was only a dollar.