Worth going to Catalina?
 

My husband and I will be in LA for a few days before Memorial Day. Is it worth taking a day trip to Catalina? We have been to LA before and have a few days to take in some new sites. After LA we will be spending two days in Santa Monica for a wedding, leaving time to enjoy the beaches in the area. Is Catalina a repeat event? Should we do something else - perhapa a trip inland or on a hike instead? - not too rigorous!

lasightseeing.net

Catalina underwhelming for me

Might rent a car up to Big Sur like Ventana Resort there

Hearst Castle carmelcalifornia.com nearby

or go up to the Ahwannee Lodge at Yosemite.com

or Wawona if budget is tight only 5 hours or so away

carrentals.com Deluxe rent a car good deals for me in the

past...

IMHO, for a day trip it's worth considering a visit to Catalina.

It's a very picturesque, hilly, small island. Most of the activities center around the harbor. You can also rent a golf cart and go up the hills. No cars are allowed on the island with the exception of service vehicles.

If you just want a nice relaxing day, visiting some restaurants, local bars and shops, I would recommend it, but that's just me.

I love Catalina.
I love the boat trip over,you'll often see dolphins.
I love the beauty and clarity of the water,go snorkeling or glass bottom boat.
I love the untouched wild California inland,take a tour or rent a golf cart.

I think it is well worth it -- it is rather unique - like some have said the boat ride over -- and even if you just walk around -- stop and watch people - grap a bit to eat or drink -- is very special.

Ive gone to Catalina a couple of times, and the weather is the make or break for that trip. Its not my 1st choice, but its certianly worth considering if you have nice weather w/ calm ocean conditions

Ive gone to Catalina a couple of times, and the weather is the make or break for that trip. Its not my 1st choice, but its certianly worth considering if you have nice weather w/ calm ocean conditions

Despite living in California for nearly 40 years, I've never been to Catalina, so I can't comment. But if you decide to not do Catalina, consider Pasadena, in particular, the Huntington Gardens & Library. It's spectacular.

Bookmarking.

I loved Catalina! You can rent a golf cart and explore the island, shop for interesting souvenirs, have lunch, take a tour bus to the "airport in the sky" for breathtaking views.

>>Despite living in California for nearly 40 years, I've never been to Catalina, so I can't comment.<<

I'd say your never having been there is a comment in itself. Enough so that it's got me reconsidering our plans.

Not intending to hi-jack your thread, eznmomma, as I'm also looking for suggestions for day-trips from the LA area. Does San Diego make sense?

<<<I'd say your never having been there is a comment in itself. Enough so that it's got me reconsidering our plans.>>>

NO!!! Absolutely not. We had never been to the Huntington Library & Gardens before either, and we fell in love with it and can't wait to go back. There's lots of things we haven't seen around "home" since we tend to take our big trips farther afield. We're making a concerted effort now that the kids are grown to see what we've missed :-)

islandaze: "<I>I'd say your never having been there is a comment in itself. Enough so that it's got me reconsidering our plans.</i>"

I totally don't understand what that means. California is HUGE w/ <u>thousands</u> of wonderful places to visit. No one (not even Huell Howser ;) ) has been every place.

Just seems a weird response to sf7307's post . . .

I love Catalina. Its beautiful and not too far away. You can take the ferry or fly. I think its highly worthwhile for a day trip, especially as you've been to LA before.

Not sure what you mean asking if Catalina is a repeat event. I've been several times, so I guess for me it is.

Maybe janisj, but I'd think that someone who'd lived in CA for 40 years would've at least hit the highlights, which was the reason for my comment. Maybe sf7307 was too occupied groovin' to Simon and Garfunkel though. ;-)

So sf7307, will you make it to Catalina before the middle of July?

It happens often, you don't play the tourist where you live, there are places in San Francisco where we didn't go, and probably won't, but I can name places far away which the locals there don't visit.

"<i>Maybe janisj, but I'd think that someone who'd lived in CA for 40 years would've at least hit the highlights, which was the reason for my comment.</i>"

I guess you just don't understand the vast scale of California.

I love Catalina, but that's because I lived there for three years, from age 8 to 11. Lived on the beach all summer, explored all around the little town of Avalon with friends. I think that's why I felt so at home when I first visited Hawaii. In the Casino is a museum about the days in WWII when it was a maritime service training base, and there are photos of my father holding church service in the Casino theater for the trainees.

Do go by boat. That's half the fun. And go up the long ramp in the Casino to the huge circular ballroom at the top, with cool views. Snorkle. Walk up the canyon as far as you can to see some of the landscape. Have lunch along the beach promenade.

<<<So sf7307, will you make it to Catalina before the middle of July?>>>

Sorry, but no. Maybe next spring.

sf7307: See all the problems you caused :D

islandaze: Just to give you some perspective . . . Millions of life-long Californians have never been to . . . Just name it.

San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Mendocino, Big Sur, Redwoods National Park, Death Valley, Burney Falls, Sonoma, Disneyland, Carmel, San Diego, San Simeon, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and . . Catalina . . (and a thousand other places). Doesn't mean they aren't all major destinations.