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Catalina Island: SoCal's Backyard Getaway
Last weekend, my husband, Scott, and I, decided we needed a little island vacation. Lucky for us, all we had to do was hop on a boat. In less than two hours we were walking along the pristine shore and through the idyllic shop and cottage-lined streets of Catalina Island. Catalina Island is a small island, 22 miles long and 8 miles wide, off the coast of Los Angeles. For decades, it has been the playground of celebrities, locals and tourists. Nobody in our community can believe that I've lived in SoCal for over a year now and have never ventured to Catalina. Today, I intend to find out what the fuss is all about!
Catalina Express
Somebody wise once said that it's not just the destination, it's the journey. I wonder if this bit of wisdom came while aboard the Catalina Express. Scott and I board the boat early Saturday morning at 7:30am, with a large group of sleepy-eyed OCers. The Catalina Express catamaran departs and returns from three sites: Dana Point, Long Beach and San Pedro, making it convenient for you to launch from wherever you are currently visiting in the OC. Scott settles in with some coffee from the well-stocked bar while I join kids and adults alike in peering out the windows. The boat glides into motion and we sail out across the Pacific. Soon, dolphins appear, playing alongside us. The boat is alive with excitement. I convince Scott to step outside with me to the front of the boat. As we speed across the surface, the water splashes on us, the wind almost taking our breath. We duck back in quickly, laughing as we use our sea legs to get us back to our seats. A cloud of morning marine layer breaks just as our high-speed boat slows to pull into Avalon Port in Catalina.
Hike
I've packed a backpack full of snacks in preparation for the first "to-do" on my agenda. I haven't yet shared with Scott that I've picked out an extensive hike for us, thus, the snacks :). We start our morning at the island Conservancy, where employees help us to pick the hike that fits our preference and skills. Our hike starts around town, through quaint cottages and homes. Soon, the houses cease to exist and a golf course takes over the land. When we reach the Botanical Gardens (which are beautiful!), we veer to the right through a campground and start at the trailhead for Hermit's Gulch loop. It is up-hill from the get-go! I am happy for our early-morning start; Scott is happy for the snacks. Every step it worth it, as we climb through island shrubbery and pause to look down upon the blue waters of the Avalon port below. Reaching the top, the view is breathtaking. We are able to see both sides of the island at once. We stop and snap some pictures, below, before heading back down a smoother-going Fire Road that completes our loop, taking us back to the Botanical Gardens. All in all, it's an 8-mile, time-intensive hike, and highly suggested for those with hiking experience!
Eat
Brunch is eaten at the fist place we run into—we are starving! We are lucky with our find. Pete's Plaza Cafe serves up large, hot, hand-rolled burritos that fill our plates and our stomachs. Lunchtime rolls around and we both shake our heads—we are stuffed!
Later that day, after an afternoon of sightseeing, we pop into El Galleon for a break and some banana splits. El Galleon's open-air dining area is adjacent to the boardwalk and provides some great people watching. Com’on, you know that was on your list, too ;)! Perhaps the best entertainment is occurring in the restaurant though. It is karaoke hour and we laugh and cheer as brave participant after brave participant takes the stage to sing everything from Kiss to Carrie Underwood tunes.
Sightsee
The rest of our day is spent exploring the island. We lie out on the beach, peer into the water where colorful fish swim near the surface, explore around the Catalina Casino, a destination itself in its heyday. The Casino opens now for special occasions only, but movies were shot here in the early years. The afternoon slips into evening around us. We stop to party at an outdoor concert, eat sushi and walk past numerous weddings. Catalina is an ever-active island. Memories are made here, from weddings, films and folks like us who drop in for day or weekend trips. Snorkeling, glass-bottomed boats and the Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour round out the fun. Before we know it, we look down at our watches and realize our boat is docked and set to return to OC in half an hour. We scurry back, relax into the seats of the Catamaran and watch as the sun sets on the ocean behind us. As Catalina disappears on the horizon, along with the sun, we start, already, to plan our next trip.
Catalina Express features ports in Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. For more information, log on to catalinaexpress.com or call 800-481-3470.
Comment
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Comment by Newbie on September 15, 2010 at 7:56pm -
SoCal heaven, indeed, Cali-Mama!! It was such a relaxing trip. Hailey and Ren, glad you got to enjoy some laughs at El Galleon too--there are plenty to be had there!!
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Comment by Hailey Hicks on September 10, 2010 at 4:21pm -
I went to Catalina a few months ago! One of my favorite nights was when we watched people do karaoke at El Galleon.... soooo funny! :)
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Comment by Cali-Mama on August 29, 2010 at 10:32am -
Just love Catalina! Glad you found your way to this little slice of Southern California heaven.
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Comment by Michael Maxsenti on August 25, 2010 at 10:32pm -
Yes, Newbie you gave me a great idea for a day with my Kelly. With my son gone off to college now and the home an empty nest, spending time doing fun things like a hike on Catalina with some karaoke laughs, sound like a great way to appreciate living in SoCal.
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Comment by Ren on August 25, 2010 at 5:11pm -
Thanks Newbie for the post... I too LOVE Catalina and I appreciate the tip on the Island Conservancy for the various hikes you can take. I will be sure to go there first thing on my next trip over.
I had to laugh at your description of El Galleon. Last time I was there with friends, we thoroughly enjoyed the karaoke hour, munching on great calamari strips, grilled artichokes and an ice cold beer...yum!
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