We are planning a girlfriend trip to San Diego for a week early November. Maybe wanting to take opportunity to go to Catalina. Is it best to go from Dana Point or Newport Beach? Would Nov be OK time of year to go there? Is it realistic for a day trip considering 90-mile drive and traffic? Boat schedules are not posted for Nov yet, but currently it leaves at 9:45 a.m. from Dana Point.

Thanks for your help. This board was very helpful last fall in planning our trip to the Northwest and San Francisco. Meant to write a trip report but.... Belated thanks to all the locals who responded.

Yes, Dan Point would be the best. Early November will hopefully be okay. But watch the weather cause it's hard to predict. LOL.

Sorry, I did mean Dana Point.

Dana Point..it takes about and hour and a half and it all depends on the day, time and if it is a holiday..
I eat a short breakfast at the Jolly Roger but get my ticket first and I can watch the line being formed.. I always go up to the top and be outside for fresh air and I love their bloody mary's.. you always see dolphin and I have been going to Catalina since I was a little girl and it never gets old.. In our family, we have a mooring ball which by boat is the best way to go to Avalon or Isthmus..
November should still be nice.. but not the same as the summer when it is just hopping.. I like the quiet and the craziness of it too..
Have fun!

Thanks so much! Should we stay the night before in Dana Point or drive up that morning? Wondering about the traffic and what time we would have to leave San Diego if we do it as day trip. We could "move" but much easier if we didn't have to change hotels. We would be going probably Fri or Sat.

We took a day trip to Catalina a few years ago and combined it with an overnight stay on the Queen Mary. It was so cool! The next day we left our car in the parking lot for the hotel and took the ferry right next door to Catalina. Once on Catalina we took a Jeep Eco-Tour of the island, so we could see the buffalo and get a historical overview. There are few cars allowed on the island, so it's difficult to see the rest of the island unless you are a hiker. Here are a few links if you are interested:

http://www.queenmary.com/

http://www.catalinaconservancy.org/v...tion/tours.cfm

Spending the night in Dana Point would be a great idea, there's plenty to see and do around there. Make sure that a Catalina boat will be leaving from there during the winter months.
I know that Long Beach and San Pedro have daily departures throughout the year, but Dana Point might be summers only.

HI..
Here is the link for the Catalina Express..
catalinaexpress.com

i wouldn't change hotels. just drive up in the morning. just leave around 7:30.

You might want to call Catalina Express first, as I really doubt the route from Dana Point operates during the fall and winter months. In fact, I'm pretty sure it doesn't, unless things have changed in the last year or two. I believe the only routes operating then are Long Beach and San Pedro. If that is the case, I would strongly suggest you drive up the day before and spend the night.

But Catalina that time of year should be nice with fewer people. And definitely take the inland tour! You learn so much more about the island than just tooting around Avalon!

Thanks again! This really helps if it's doable without changing hotels. I did call CExpress and they don't have times yet but says they will be running but limited to once, around 9:30. We'll have more flexibility on days if we do it strictly as a day trip.

May have more questions as we plan. I am really looking forward to San Diego. Thanks for responses.