Queen Mary and Catalina Island?
 

We are considering one night on the Queen Mary (my husband emigrated here from Germany on the Queen in 1952, when he was 3 years old.) We also would like to visit Catalina Island. I understand there is transportation nearby. What does one do on the island for a day trip? Any pointers on this idea would be appreciated.

Have a great time on the QM and be sure to allow plenty of time to tour.
We stayed there a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed the history of the place. My husband made the crossing from Germany to the US in the early 60's but not on the QM. It still reminded him of that fun trip though...

Staying on the QM is indeed fun. The restaurant on the ship is also one of Long Beach's best.

The Catalina Express terminal is right next to the ship, so you're literally steps from Catalina Island. NOTE: Make reservations in advance, the boat fills up quickly. I myself have not been to Catalina yet (I'm ashamed to admit it), but a colleague goes there quite often on hiking trips and loves it. It's also cool to tour the Wrigley mansion, she tells me.

The ride to Catalina Island is in and of itself a fun trip. The day I took the trip (in September 2002) it was weird because as you looked back towards the mainland, all you could see was a big grey cloudbank. Reminded me of a horror movie I saw years ago called "The Fog". For just a day trip, you'll probably just go to Avalon. Avalon is very small, just probably a dozen streets total make up the town. The walk along the harbor front is by far the most enjoyable. Two blocks back and you're in residential areas with no shops or restaurants. You can walk from the boat dock area to the Casino along the harbour front in 30 minutes. The Casino is not what most people consider a casino to be... ie: there is no gambling tables or slot machines there... it is a large dance hall/club that had it's hey-day back in the Big Band era.... it has some interesting architecture and some WPA murals that are astounding. Definately take the Casino Tour. I don't know if you're interested in Scuba Diving or not, if so, Catalina is one of the best places to scuba dive in Southern California. Several places offer introductory lessons, usually given behind the casino. The day trip to Catalina is one of the highlights of my trip to LA last year.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I booked a first class king room on the QM, seats on the Catalina Express and reserved a three hour Jeep Eco-tour on Catalina. (Anyone ever done this?) We will have the rest of the day for other sightseeing and eating. Looking forward to some more feedback.

We went horse back riding on Catalina but....

Funny story, a friend and I went horseback riding on Catalina. After a while, the guide who did not speak english just made a gesture that we should follow the path. The ride seemed to be taking a really long time and we only had enough money for the short ride. We couldn't see that we were anywhere near where we started so we tried to turn the horses around and go back. The horse threw me off and then tried to push me off an embankment that looked pretty trecherous. We finally just decided we'd rather pay the extra money and live than be found at the bottom of some canyon. Those nose to tail horses can not change course so don't try!! There was no extra charge when we returned to the stable.

A group of seven couples just returned from an overnight on Catalina.

Most enyoyable activities -- casino tour, renting golf cart to drive around part of the island; scenic vista tour ("bus" tour up to airport and back, with informative commentary)

Least enjoyable -- glass bottom boat ride (the fish off Catalina aren't very colorful)

We had very good dinner at Armstrong's, right on the beach (most restaurants aren't). It's open for lunch.

There is plenty of touristy shopping.

Enjoy.

Just stayed 2 days in Catalina last month. I don't think you will be disappointed at all with the Jeep Eco-tour. It's the one I had wanted to go on originally, but missed it. Most people stay in or around Avalon - which is truly nice - but it's getting back into the island that can be remarkable. It is pretty much preserved, so you don't see anything built up. And with 3 hours, you will still have plenty of time for other activities.

A walk to the Casino is a wonderful stroll. The tour is only about a half hour to an hour long, and worth it.

Almost all the restaurants are along Crescent, the street that borders the harbor. All are casual, and the food is okay. It's just nice to sit outside, sipping a favorite cocktail, and do a lazy afternoon sometimes.

The golf carts can be fun, but they are $30 an hour, and since you will already be going inland, using the cart to get around Avalon, which is only a mile square, seems overly expensive to me.

I was surprised at the number of things to do and see on Catalina. I think you will have a great time!

The fish are not colorful? The garibaldis that virtually cover the entire water landscape are bright orange and wonderful to see in the glass bottom boat as well as the submarine tour! Also, the nightly flying fish tour is a blast!

Take a golf cart up to the Wrigley Botanical Gardens stopping at that great mexican restaurant about half of the way up (on the edge of the golf course) for lunch. I haven't been in a few years - can anyone confirm that the restaurant is still there?

mscarls: I'll check out Armstrongs, thanks.

chele60: The stroll to the Casino sounds good, as does sipping a cocktail and the lazy afternoon. Ditto on the $30 expense of the golf cart. Our jeep tour is enough of a "splurge" for that day. The $99pp for three hours goes to the conservancy of the island, which I like as well.

HuisClos: Wish we could do the flying fish tour, but our boat leaves at 8 something. We have to make our flight out of LA that night.

ReneeS: How difficult is it to walk up to the Wrigley Botanical Gardens? Don't want to spend $30 an hour for the cart!

I usually walk up to the gardens but it is a good walk - it has been awhile but certainly longer than a half hour and fairly uphill. On a day trip I might skip if you plan to walk as it will take some time. The casino is an easy walk and a fast tour.

Enjoy.

Maggi,
We go over 4th of July nearly every summer and we do something old, something new each year. It's best in summer, and I assume that's when you're going. Take swimsuits and towels if that's the case.

We've never done the Eco tour (ah, something new!), because it cut into the time so much. We do make a point of hitting Armstrongs at least once for the pizza and the view and drinks. As a great alternative, after you hit the Casino Tour (which is REALLY good) and the museum, which has quite a bit of the pottery that used to be made on the Island (and very popular on Ebay!), continue down the path to Descanso Beach. They have a bar right on the beach, and you can kick back with a Buffalo Milk either at the bar or go down on the pebbly beach and stick your toes in the placid water. There is also a big grassy area where they have free concerts (jazz, reggae, rock, etc.) several days a week. If you have time, rent a kayak there and check out the little coves around the bend, or get snorkle equipment and take a look at the wonderful marine life (including the garabaldis!) that hug the shore.

Also, if you don't have a lot of time, check out the tile -- Catalina tile is a big deal there, and you will find original tile on the fountain on Crescent Ave (the main drag), on the buildings, on the walls, everywhere! Reproductions are sold in the shops -- the best selection is the bookstore on Crescent, that also sells the original pottery at inflated prices. The mural on the front facade of the Casino is actually a reproduction, but is incredible.

Need to make a correction: hubby informed me he came to the States on the Queen Elizabeth in 1952 and his family returned to Germany in 1958 for a visit on the Queen Mary (with their 98 Olds on board, no less).

Surfergirl, love the "something old, something new" philosophy. We also go for the off the beaten path stuff in addition to the usual must-see's. Thanks for your excellent suggestions.

You're welcome!