Problems? I thought we were being helpful, keeping eznmomma's thread topped. ;-) I suspect she's (and I) still open to suggestions for day-trips from the LA area.

Was gonna say something about this being a travel site, and thus the reasonable expectation that posters would at least be familiar with highlights of their own states (heck, even I've been to every place you named except San Diego and Catalina). But then I got to thinking about some of the popular tourist attractions around where I live that I haven't yet seen. Oops!

Just a note: currently there is a very significant brush fire on Catalina..lots of hillside burned, smoke.

I'd think twice about going right now if you hae breathing troubles.

If you had a great time in Catalina last time -go back. If not, find a new place to visit. No much changes in Catalina. Maybe try south oc. Trips to yosemite and tahoe are way-way too far for a 2day trip! 6-9 hrs one way from LA

Thanks everyone. We have been up and down the coast from California - from Yosemite to SF and all the way down to San Diego and saw almost everything major inbetween. I like the idea of taking a boat ride over to Catalina, snorkling and/or taking a cart to explore. We are pretty tireless tourists and the last times we were in LA we toured early morning to night. I didn't think Death Valley would be as interesting as Catalina. We have been to very barren deserts in other parts of the world and a little in Nevada, Utah, Arizona etc.

What is the lure of Huntington Gardens and Library? Several people have mentioned it. I read that the Japanese Garden just closed for renovation until 2012. is it still worth the trip and how much time should we leave. We might consider working it into another day we are there.

Thanks everyone.

The lure is magnificent gardens (the Japanese garden being one of many), a terrific art collection (including Gainsborough's Blue Boy), and a fantastic library with all manner of historical documents, including a Gutenberg Bible.

I think we will put Huntington Gardens on our list even though the Japanese Garden is closed for renovation. I am still considering Catalina but will keep watch on the news about the fire. We will be there at the end of this month so hopefully the smoke will clear. I am assumng I can get tickets for the boat ride at the last minute.

eznmomma,
If its golf cart or snorkling, imo -go with the golf cart. Even on the most perfect day in August, visibility will be mediocre at best. For late May, you might need a wet suit too

I disagree with FrankS' statement." visibility will be mediocre at best ". Catalina is a major scuba destination with very good visibility. The island is swept by cold, clear Pacific currents.
I have never found a day when I did NOT desire a wet suit.
They are available for rent on the green pier. The best snorkling IMO is at The Casino. Concrete steps lead into the ocean.

Catalina is definitely worth a day trip. You can rent a golf cart or ride the open buses, or both. There's plenty to see there, including the Botanical Gardens, and plenty of nice waterside restaurants. The boat ride over is also very pleasant.

I also recommend the Huntington Gardens and Museum. I used to visit my aunt who lived in the area and always fit in a trip to the Huntington. The house and gardens are beautiful, and the art collection is well worth a look. It's a lovely, tranquil place to visit.

To islandaze, I live in NY and have never been to the Top of the Rock (not yet, at least). Doesn't mean other people should not go.

Catalina Island is a local playground for yacht owners and a cruise ship destination. Obviously, it's worth a trip for some.

logandog,
Catalina might be a 'major' SCUBA destination, but mediocre snorkeling even in summer. I dont know why you changed from snorkel to SCUBA to disagree with me. Anyways the month of May isnt a great time to snorkel. For instance today the water is 57 degrees which usually means the top will be murky and bonechilling cold. But if you are certified SCUBA, have a 1/4 suit with hood and booties, it might be much better near the bottom

A few years ago we had dinner and spent the night on the Queen Mary in Long Beach. My husband and his family traveled to Europe on that ship many years ago. The next day we left our car in the parking lot and went next door to board a boat to Catalina. On Catalina we took a Jeep ecotour of the island. We saw buffalo which supposedly were left by a film company in 1924 and an injured eagle. I am very glad we did the tour, as it enabled us to see things we could not have done with a golf cart. I enjoyed our visit to the island very much. http://www.queenmary.com/Stay-Aboard.aspx

Lake Arrowhead is a nice daytrip from LA.

The Getty Center and the Getty Villa have beautiful gardens and art, as well. Gorgeous views, too.

Admittedly it's been decades since I swam on Catalina, but in Avalon Bay, in full summer, I used to swim for hours. Of course, I was a kid and pretty active. No one had heard of wetsuits in those days. Or snorkels or Scuba.

I've lived in the Los Angeles area for 20 years. Catalina is the only place I've visited here that I wouldn't under any circumstances return to. There is so much more that is so much better.